R 141600Z AUG 26
MARADMIN 369/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/FY27 FOREIGN AREA STAFF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER PROGRAM
STUDY TRACK SOLICITATION MESSAGE//
REF/A/DOC/MCO 1540.33/11MAR2025//
REF/B/NAVMC 1200.1M/02MAR2026//
REF/C/DOC/MCO 1326.6 CH-1/11MAY2021//
REF/D/GENADMIN/CMC MARADMIN 408/19//
NARR/REF A IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 1540.33, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PROGRAM. REF B IS NAVMC 1200.1M, THE MARINE CORPS MILITARY
OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY MANUAL. REF C IS MCO 1326.6 CH-1, SELECTING,
SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SPECIAL DUTY
ASSIGNMENTS AND INDEPENDENT DUTIES. REF D IS MARADMIN 408/19,
ENLISTED ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE LIMITS AND HIGH YEAR TENURE.
POC/1/IVAN A. LIVIA/MSGT/PPO PL/703-692-4366/
IVAN.A.LIVIA.MIL(AT)USMC.MIL.//
POC/2/BRETT M. MCCORMICK/LTCOL/PPO PL/703-692-4365/
BRETT.MCCORMICK(AT)USMC.MIL.//
POC/3/CLAYTON J. FISHER/CIV/PPO PL/703-614-0322/
CLAYTON.FISHER(AT)USMC.MIL.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. Per references (refs) (a) through (d),
this message solicits applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27)
Foreign Area Staff-Noncommissioned Officer (FAS) Study Track
Selection Panel. The Marine Corps seeks to identify and select
exceptionally qualified Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO) who
have demonstrated superior leadership, sustained operational
excellence, academic excellence, adaptability, and the potential to
serve in strategically significant assignments supporting Marine
Corps and Joint Force objectives. This message provides an overview
of the FAS Program and establishes eligibility requirements,
application procedures, and submission timelines for the FY27 FAS
Study Track Selection Panel.
2. FAS Program
2.a. The FAS Program is the Marine Corps' enlisted International
Affairs Program (IAP) that develops strategically minded SNCOs with
advanced language and regional expertise. FAS Marines complete a
tailored program of graduate education or professional international
affairs education, followed by language instruction and regional
immersion, to develop the regional expertise and language
proficiency necessary to advise commanders in complex operational
environments. The FAS Program enhances the Marine Corps' ability to
understand complex operational environments, strengthens
interoperability with the Joint Force and multinational partners,
and support informed decision-making across the full spectrum of
military operations.
2.b. The Marine Corps seeks to identify and invest in its most
qualified SNCOs who demonstrate exceptional leadership, intellectual
curiosity, academic excellence regional exposure and a commitment to
lifelong learning. Marines selected for the FAS Program will serve
in assignments of strategic importance as regional experts and
advisors supporting commanders across the Marine Corps, the Joint
Force, and multinational environments.
3. Eligibility
3.a. The FY27 FAS Study Track Selection Panel is open to Active
Component Staff Sergeants, including Staff Sergeant selectees,
through Master Sergeants who meet the eligibility requirements
outlined in this message and ref (a).
3.b. First Sergeants, Master Gunnery Sergeants, and Sergeants
Major are not eligible for selection through the FAS Study Track.
Marines serving in these grades may apply through the Experience
Track, provided they meet the requirements outlined in ref (a).
3.c. Reserve Component SNCOs are not eligible for the FAS Study
Track. Reserve Component Marines interested in the FAS Program are
encouraged to review the Experience Track requirements contained
in ref (a).
3.d. Applicants must meet the minimum time-on-station requirement
as of 1 June 2027 and receive their primary military occupational
specialties (PMOS) monitor concurrence.
3.e. Applicants must possess and maintain a current Secret security
clearance and be worldwide assignable.
3.f. Applicants must satisfy one of the following
educational pathways:
3.f.1. Marines who possess a bachelor's degree must apply for
admission to the Naval Postgraduate School and include a conditional
letter of acceptance with their application package.
3.f.2. Marines who do not possess a bachelor's degree remain
eligible for the FAS Program and, if selected, will complete
professional international affairs education through the Foreign
Service Institute, followed by language instruction
and regional immersion.
3.g. Applicants must possess either the minimum Defense Language
Aptitude Battery (DLAB) score for the desired language category or
a current Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) score of 1+/1+ in
at least two modalities (listening, reading, or speaking). Minimum
DLAB scores by language category are as follows:
3.g.1. Category I 95
3.g.2. Category II 100
3.g.3. Category III 105
3.g.4. Category IV 110
3.h. Applicants with demonstrated language proficiency, regional
expertise, or operational experience supporting Geographic Combatant
Commands, security cooperation activities, or multinational
operations are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should
highlight these qualifications within their application package, as
they may strengthen their competitiveness during the selection
process.
3.i. Marines who have previously participated in Marine Corps
education programs remain eligible following completion of any
associated active-duty service obligation.
3.j. SNCOs currently serving in the operating forces are
particularly encouraged to apply.
3.k. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not
guarantee selection. The selection panel will employ a whole-person
concept when evaluating applicants, considering sustained superior
performance, demonstrated leadership, academic readiness, language
aptitude, regional experience, and the needs of the Marine Corps.
Applicants should ensure their packages clearly demonstrate the
breadth of their leadership experience, professional achievements,
and potential to succeed in remote and independent assignments of
strategic importance.
4. Application Instructions
4.a. Applicants will review Chapter 5 of ref (a) before preparing
an application package. The FY27 FAS Study Track application
template is available on the IAP website at: http:(slash)(slash)
www.ppo.marines.mil/Units/Strategy-and-Plans-Division/International-
Affairs-Branch/International-Affairs-Program/Resources/
4.b. Applications must be endorsed by the first O-5 in their chain
of command. Endorsements should provide a meaningful assessment of
the applicant's leadership, professional performance, maturity,
suitability for service as a FAS Marine, and potential for continued
service in assignments of strategic importance.
4.c. Applicants may include no more than two letters of
recommendation as enclosures to their application package. Letters
should provide substantive information regarding the applicant's
professional qualifications, character, leadership, adaptability,
and potential to succeed as a FAS Marine.
4.d. Applicants may identify a preferred region for assignment.
Regional preferences will be considered during the selection
process; however, assignment decisions will be based on the needs
of the Marine Corps.
4.e. Acceptance into the FAS Program incurs a two-year active-duty
service obligation upon completion of training. Applicants shall
include the following statement within the body of the application
immediately following the request for consideration:
If selected, I agree to remain on active duty for a minimum of two
years following completion of all required FAS training.
I understand I may not voluntarily separate or retire while
participating in the program and acknowledge this service obligation
begins upon completion of training in accordance with reference (a).
4.f. To facilitate administrative review and ensure consistency
before the selection panel, application packages shall include the
following documents in the order listed:
4.f.1. Command Endorsement
4.f.2. Completed FY27 FAS Study Track application.
4.f.3. Personal statement prepared in the Standard Naval
Correspondence Format describing the applicant's motivation for
requesting assignment to the FAS Program and how their leadership,
operational experience, education, regional expertise, and
professional aspirations have prepared them to serve as a
FAS Marine.
4.f.4. Personal statements must be a minimum of 600 words and
shall not exceed 800 words.
4.f.5. Conditional letter of acceptance from the Naval Postgraduate
School, if applicable.
4.f.6. Copies of college unofficial transcripts.
4.f.7. Current security clearance verification.
4.f.8. Copies of adverse material, if applicable.
4.f.9. Letters of recommendation, if included.
4.f.10. Electronic mail with PMOS monitor concurrence.
4.g. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required documents
are complete, accurate, and submitted in accordance with the
procedures outlined below.
5. Submission Procedures
5.a. Completed application packages shall be scanned and submitted
electronically as a single Portable Document Format (PDF) file
directly to Headquarters Marine Corps, Strategy and Plans Division,
International Affairs Branch (PPO-PLU), no later than
4 December 2026. Submission instructions are available on the IAP
website at: http:(slash)(slash)
www.ppo.marines.mil/Units/Strategy-and-Plans-Division/International-
Affairs-Branch/International-Affairs-Program/Resources/
5.b. In addition to submitting the completed application package,
applicants shall complete the FY27 FAS Study Track Registration Form
available on the IAP website under IAP Submissions and
Registrations. Completion of the online registration form is
required and enables PPO-PLU to identify and track the applicant's
forthcoming application package.
5.c. All documents requiring signatures, including the command
endorsement and letters of recommendation, must be signed prior to
conversion to PDF.
5.d. Application packages shall be submitted using the following
file naming convention: Rank.LastName.FirstName.Region
(Example: GySgt.Smith.John.PACOM)
5.e. Late, incomplete, or improperly formatted application packages
will not be considered.
5.f. Applicants are responsible for ensuring both the complete
application package and the online FY27 FAS Study Track Registration
Form are submitted before the application deadline. Failure to
complete either requirement may result in the application not being
considered by the selection panel.
6. Questions concerning the FY27 FAS Study Track Selection Panel
or application requirements may be directed to the points of
contact listed above.
7. Release authorized by Stephen M. Hoyle, Deputy Director,
Strategy and Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations,
Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps.//