R 220922Z APR 15
MARADMIN 207/15
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY17 ACTIVE AND RESERVE MARINE ATTACHE SELECTION BOARD//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 20090709//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO/YMD: 20140918//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/SECNAVINST/YMD: 20131029//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/DIAI/YMD: 20110525/NOTAL//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 3821.2, THE DEFENSE ATTACHÉ SYSTEM (DAS), REF B IS MCO P1300.8, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY, REF C IS SECNAVINST 1300.16 DEFENSE ATTACHÉ SYSTEM (DAS), AND REF D IS DEFENSE ATTACHÉ SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.//
POC/D. R. VASSAR/CAPT/UNIT: HQMC IOP/-/TEL:703-614-2082/TEL:DSN 224-2082/EMAIL: DANIEL.VASSAR(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/K. D. ALEXANDER/MSGT/UNIT: HQMC IOP/-/TEL: 703-614-2082/TEL:DSN 224-2082/EMAIL: KEVIN.D.ALEXANDER1(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/T. C. THIBODEAU/MAJ/UNIT: HQMC IOP-R /-/TEL: 703-614-7631/TEL: DSN 224-7631/ EMAIL: TREVOR.THIBODEAU(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. R. GORDON/SSGT/UNIT: HQMC IOP-R /-/TEL: 703-614-3657/TEL: DSN 224-3657/ EMAIL: JEFF.GORDON(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  PURPOSE. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REFERENCES, THIS MARADMIN OUTLINES THE ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE COMPONENT MARINE CORPS ATTACHÉ (MARA) PROGRAM AND THE PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION. ATTACHES ARE VOLUNTEERS COMPETITIVELY SELECTED FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS ASSIGNMENT THROUGH A BOARD PROCESS TO ENSURE THE BEST AND MOST FULLY QUALIFIED OFFICERS ARE ASSIGNED TO REPRESENT BOTH THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES IN OUR EMBASSIES WORLDWIDE. THIS MESSAGE SOLICITS APPLICATIONS FOR THE FY17 MARA PROGRAM.
2.  MARAS FILL INFLUENTIAL STRATEGIC-LEVEL POSITIONS WITHIN THE COUNTRY TEAM OF THEIR RESPECTIVE EMBASSIES. DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC BILLET AND COUNTRY, THEY SERVE AS THE DIRECT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (SECDEF); THE CHAIRMAN, JCS; THE COMMANDERS OF GEOGRAPHIC COMBATANT COMMANDS; THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (SECNAV); AND THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS (CMC). MARINE OFFICERS SERVING AS MARAS MAY ALSO SERVE AS THE SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL/DEFENSE ATTACHÉ (SDO/DATT) OR THE AMERICAN LEGATION UNITED STATES NAVAL ATTACHÉ (ALUSNA). ATTACHÉ DUTIES VARY BY COUNTRY, BUT ALL PROVIDE THE CHIEF OF MISSION (COM) APPROPRIATE MILITARY INFORMATION FOR CONSIDERATION OF POLITICO-MILITARY SITUATIONS AND ISSUES, ADMINISTER SECURITY ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES PER APPROPRIATE DIRECTIVES IN THE ABSENCE OF A U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITY ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION IN THE HOST COUNTRY.  THE MARA FILLING THE SDO/DATT BILLET DIRECTS, CONTROLS, OPERATES, AND ADMINISTERS THE DEFENSE ATTACHÉ OFFICE (DAO) TO WHICH ASSIGNED.
3.  THE MARA SELECTION BOARD WILL CONVENE 3 AUGUST 2015 AT HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS. IN SELECTING THE MOST QUALIFIED OFFICERS TO FILL EACH BILLET, THE BOARD WILL CAREFULLY CONSIDER EACH APPLICANT'S CAREER PROGRESSION. NO ADDITIONAL SERVICE OBLIGATION IS INCURRED FOLLOWING A MARA TOUR. MARAS MAY APPLY FOR DESIGNATION AS FOREIGN AREA OFFICER OR REGIONAL AFFAIRS OFFICER (FAO OR RAO) UPON COMPLETION OF TOURS TO IDENTIFY AND TRACK LANGUAGE, REGIONAL, AND CULTURE EXPERTISE. FAO/RAO POC IS MR. CLAYTON FISHER, AT CLAYTON.FISHER(AT)USMC.MIL OR BY PHONE (703) 614-0322. THE FOLLOWING PREREQUISITES AND REQUIREMENTS APPLY:
    A.  APPLICANTS MUST BELONG TO THE MARINE CORPS ACTIVE COMPONENT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ACTIVE DUTY BILLETS.
    B.  OFFICERS WITH AT LEAST 2 YEARS TIME IN GRADE MAY APPLY FOR BILLETS CODED FOR THE NEXT HIGHER RANK.
    C.  APPLICANTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED MINIMUM TIME ON STATION REQUIREMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF B PRIOR TO EXECUTING ORDERS.
    D.  PER REFS A AND D, APPLICANTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED A SINGLE SCOPE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION (SSBI) AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR A TOP SECRET CLEARANCE WITH ACCESS TO SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS/SCI) TO EXECUTE THE FULL SCOPE OF ATTACHÉ RESPONSIBILITIES. APPLICATION TO THE MARA PROGRAM IS NOT SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION FOR TS-SCI ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION.  SSBI REQUESTS WILL NOT BE SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE DAS APPLICATION.  OFFICERS SELECTED BY THE BOARD WILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A COUNTERINTELLIGENCE SCOPE POLYGRAPH PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE JOINT MILITARY ATTACHÉ SCHOOL (JMAS).
    E.  THE MARA PROGRAM IS OPEN TO OFFICERS OF ANY MOS.
    F.  APPLICANTS MUST NOTIFY THEIR PRIMARY MOS MONITOR OF THEIR INTENT TO APPLY TO THE PROGRAM PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.
    G.  RAO/FAO EXPERIENCE AND LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ARE HIGHLY DESIRABLE, BUT ARE NOT PREREQUISITES.
    H.  APPLICANTS IN THE ABOVE ZONE FOR PROMOTION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
    I.  APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN ISSUED ORDERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
    J.  APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO OTHER PROGRAMS (I.E., CCLEB, CPIB, TLS, TEST PILOT, SAW, INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE, ETC.) WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
    K.  FAMILIES ARE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE MARA PROGRAM. ATTACHÉS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THEIR FAMILIES TO MOST ASSIGNMENTS. THE ATTACHÉ, SPOUSE, AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WORK AS A TEAM, PARTICIPATING IN A VARIETY OF SOCIAL AND DIPLOMATIC FUNCTIONS. ATTACHÉ FAMILIES CAN DERIVE GREAT EXPERIENCES AND BENEFITS THROUGH EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT CULTURES SUCH AS LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE AND MAKING NEW FRIENDS WHO LAST A LIFETIME. APPLICANTS WITH DEPENDENTS ENROLLED IN THE EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, BUT COULD BE RESTRICTED TO COUNTRIES THAT CAN MEET THE FAMILY'S NEEDS.
4.  ACTIVE DUTY TRAINING IS CONDUCTED OVER APPROXIMATELY 20 WEEKS AT THE JOINT MILITARY ATTACHÉ SCHOOL AT THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, WASHINGTON, DC. OFFICERS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS TRAINING ARE THEN AVAILABLE FOR ASSIGNMENT ABROAD. LANGUAGE TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR SOME BILLETS. THE LENGTH OF LANGUAGE TRAINING WILL BE BASED ON THE LANGUAGE AND PROFICIENCY LEVEL REQUIRED. TRAINING START DATES ARE DEPENDENT UPON THE COUNTRY TO WHICH SELECTED. ACTIVE DUTY OFFICERS PARTICIPATING IN THE MARA PROGRAM ARE ADCON TO MCIA IN QUANTICO, VA WHILE IN TRAINING AND ON STATION.
5.  THE FY17 BOARD WILL SCREEN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVE COMPONENT O-4 AND O-5 BILLETS:
O-4 BILLETS: (READ IN SEVEN COLUMNS)
MCC COUNTRY       FILL DATE  TOUR  TRNG DATE LANGUAGE    ACCOMPANIED
NCB AUSTRALIA     JAN  2017  36    JUL  2016                  YES
NBN BOLIVIA       JUL  2016  24    JAN  2016 SPANISH          YES
NHV KENYA         JUL  2016  24    JAN  2016 SWAHILI          YES
NFE SOUTH AFRICA  NOV  2016  36    JUL  2016                  YES
NG8 VIETNAM       JUL  2017  36    JUL  2016 VIETNAMESE       YES
O-5 BILLETS: (READ IN SEVEN COLUMNS)
MCC COUNTRY        FILL DATE TOUR TRNG DATE LANGUAGE     ACCOMPANIED
NCC CHINA          JUL  2017 36   JUL  2016 CHINESE/MANDARIN  YES
NCE DOMINICAN REP  JUL  2017 36   JUL  2016 SPANISH           YES
NHY IRAQ           JUL  2017 12   JUL  2016 ARABIC            NO
NHZ PAKISTAN       JUL  2016 12   JAN  2016 ARABIC            NO
NCY RUSSIA         JUL  2016 24   JAN  2016 RUSSIAN           YES
NGA SINGAPORE      JAN  2017 36   JAN  2016                   YES
NGV TAIWAN         JUL  2017 36   JUL  2016 CHINESE/MANDARIN  YES
NBA UNITED KINGDOM JUL  2016 36   JAN  2016                   YES
6.  THE RESERVE ATTACHE PROGRAM SELECTEES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE HQMC INTEL IMA DETACHMENT (RUC 88831) NLT SEPTEMBER 2015. ATTENDANCE AT THE RESERVE MARA COURSE IS REQUIRED AND WILL BE CONDUCTED OVER TWO WEEKS, COMMENCING IN DECEMBER. DRILL ATTENDANCE SHEETS, ORDERS REQUESTS, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DUTY WILL BE PROCESSED BY HQMC INTEL DEPARTMENT.
    A. FOR RESERVE BILLETS, APPLICANTS MUST BELONG TO THE RESERVE COMPONENT (SMCR, IMA, AND IRR) OR THE ACTIVE COMPONENT WITH A TRANSFER DATE TO THE USMCR BEFORE THE END OF THE FY.
    B. RESERVE CANDIDATES MUST HAVE HAD FOUR SATISFACTORY YEARS OF SERVICE (50 POINTS MINIMUM EACH YEAR) DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
    C. RESERVE COMPONENT APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A FAVORABLE ENDORSEMENT FROM THE APPLICANT'S COMMAND (IMA DETACHMENT OR SMCR). IRR OFFICERS SHOULD OBTAIN THIS ENDORSEMENT FROM THE MARINE CORPS INDIVIDUAL RESERVE SUPPORT ACTIVITY (MCIRSA).
7. THE FY17 BOARD WILL SCREEN THE FOLLOWING RESERVE COMPONENT O-4 OR O-5 BILLETS:
BILLETS: (READ IN TWO COLUMNS)
REGION              TRNG DATE
ASIA-PACIFIC        DEC  2015
MIDDLE EAST         DEC  2015
EUROPE-EURASIA      DEC  2015
AMERICAS            DEC  2015
8. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDANCE POSTED TO THE HQMC INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE AS OUTLINED BELOW. APPLICATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND MUST INCLUDE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE FIRST GENERAL OFFICER IN THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. "BY DIRECTION" ENDORSEMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. APPLICANTS SHOULD LIST AVAILABLE BILLETS IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE, ALTHOUGH COUNTRY SELECTIONS WILL BE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE MARINE CORPS. ALL APPLICATION DOCUMENTS AND TEMPLATES CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP:(SLASH)(SLASH)WWW.HQMC.MARINES.MIL(SLASH)INTELLIGENCE(SLASH)INTELOPSPERS(SLASH)DEFENSEATTACHEPROGRAM.ASPX
9. APPLICATIONS MUST ARRIVE AT HQMC NLT 20 JULY 2015. REGISTERED MAIL FOR HARDCOPY APPLICATIONS IS RECOMMENDED. APPLICATIONS CAN ALSO BE SCANNED AND SENT VIA EMAIL TO: MARA.APPLICATION(AT)USMC.MIL. FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS PLEASE CALL HQMC INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT AT (703) 614-2082, DSN: 224-2082. MAIL APPLICATIONS TO HQMC MARINE CORPS TO ADDRESS:
        COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
        HEADQUARTERS U S MARINE CORPS
        INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT
        ATTN: IOP
        3000 MARINE CORPS PENTAGON
        WASHINGTON DC 20350-3000
10. RESULTS OF THE ATTACHÉ SELECTION BOARD WILL BE PUBLISHED BY MARADMIN WITH ORDERS ISSUED BY M(AND)RA VIA SEPCOR. THIS BULLETIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.
11. CMC (MMOA-1) POINTS OF CONTACT ARE: LTCOL F. FRIDRIKSSON, GROUND LTCOL MONITOR DSN: 278-9272 COMM (703) 784-9272  EMAIL: FRIDRIK.FRIDRIKSSON(AT)USMC.MIL MAJ S. E. SCHULTZE, CSS MAJ MONITOR DSN: 278-9272 COMM (703) 784-9272 EMAIL: STEVEN.SCHULTZE(AT)USMC.MIL MAJ E. T. CLARK, COMBAT ARMS MAJ MONITOR DSN: 278-9272 COMM (703) 784-9272 EMAIL: ERICK.CLARK(AT)USMC.MIL CMC (MMOA-2) POINTS OF CONTACT ARE: LTCOL S. J. LIGHTFOOT, AVIATION LTCOL MONITOR DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267 EMAIL: STEPHEN.LIGHTFOOT(AT)USMC.MIL MAJ C. A. O'BRIEN, AVIATION GROUND MAJ MONITOR DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267 EMAIL: CHAD.O'BRIEN(AT)USMC.MIL MAJ R. A. MATTHES, ROTARY WING MAJ MONITOR DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267 EMAIL: RACHEL.MATTHES(AT)USMC.MIL MAJ N. R. WINEMAN, FIXED WING MAJ MONITOR DSN: 278-9267 COMM (703) 784-9267 EMAIL: NICHOLAS.WINEMAN(AT)USMC.MIL
12. THIS MESSAGE WAS DEVELOPED BY HQMC INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT AND THROUGH COORDINATION WITH MANPOWER MANAGEMENT OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS (MMOA) AND RESERVE AFFAIRS (RA).
13. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY BGEN CRAIG Q. TIMBERLAKE, DIRECTOR, MANPOWER MANAGEMENT DIVISION.//