R 171206Z MAR 16
MARADMIN 160/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY18 ACTIVE AND RESERVE COMPONENT DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM OPERATIONS COORDINATOR AND OPERATIONS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER SELECTION BOARD//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/MCO/YMD: 20090709//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MCO/YMD: 19941004//
REF/C/MSGID:DOC/SECNAVINST/YMD: 20131029//
REF/D/MSGID:DOC/DIAI/YMD: 20110525/NOTAL//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 3821.2, THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS), REF B IS MCO P1300.8S, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY, REF C IS SECNAVINST 1300.16 DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM (DAS), AND REF D IS DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.//
POC/ F. K. CHAWK III/LTCOL/UNIT: HQMC IOE/TEL: 703-614-4022/EMAIL: FRANK.CHAWK(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/ D. M. ROSS/LTCOL/UNIT: HQMC IOE/TEL: 703-693-5421/EMAIL: DAVID.M.ROSS(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/ D. R. VASSAR/CAPT/UNIT: HQMC IOE/TEL: 571-256-9326/EMAIL: DANIEL.VASSAR(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. M. LINES/MGYSGT/UNIT: HQMC IO/TEL: 703-614-4636/EMAIL: JON.LINES(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. R. GORDON/SSGT/UNIT: HQMC IOP/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 Operations Coordinator (OPSCO) and Operations Non-Commissioned Officer (OPSNCO) billets and the procedures for application.  This message solicits applications for the FY18 OPSCO and OPSNCO positions.
2.  HQMC Intelligence Department manages 14 OPSCO and OPSNCO billets in embassies around the world.  OPSCOs and OPSNCOs are volunteers competitively selected for this prestigious assignment through a board process to ensure the best and most fully qualified Marines are assigned to represent both the Marine Corps and the United States in our embassies worldwide.  OPSCOs and OPSNCOs provide critical administrative support and technical expertise to Defense Attache Offices (DAO) which allows the DAO to advise the Chief of Mission on military issues.
3.  The OPSCO and OPSNCO Selection Board is tentatively scheduled to convene from 22 to 26 August 2016 at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.  In selecting the most qualified Marines to fill each billet, the board will carefully consider each applicants career progression.  The following prerequisites and requirements apply:
    A.  The OPSCO/OPSNCO billets are open to enlisted Marines of any MOS.
    B.  Applicants must be in the grades E-5 to E-7.  Sergeants must have at least 2 years time in grade to be eligible.  Gunnery Sergeants selected for Master Sergeant or First Sergeant are not eligible.  Applicants who have twice failed selection for promotion to the next higher grade are not eligible.
    C.  Applicants must have completed professional military education requirements, for their current grade, prior to commencement of the selection board.
    D.  Applicants must have completed minimum time on station requirements in accordance with ref b) prior to executing orders. Time on station should be complete by August 2017.
    E.  Per refs (a) and (d), applicants must have a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and be eligible for a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information prior to commencement of the selection board.  SSBI requests will not be submitted as part of the DAS application.  Marines selected by the board will be required to obtain a Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph before attending the Joint Military Attache School (JMAS).
    F.  Applicants must notify their primary MOS Monitor prior to submitting their nomination packages to ensure eligibility for orders.  Applicants already in receipt of orders will not be considered.  Applicants are highly encouraged to discuss with the monitor career timing as well as the impacts the Marine Corps Attache (MARA) program may have on their career and career progression.
    G.  Regional and/or cultural experience and language proficiency are desirable but are not required.
    H.  No additional service obligation is incurred following a DAS tour, although Marines applying for the program must have sufficient obligated service to complete a DAS tour.
    I.  Families are an important element of the DAS Program. Marines are encouraged to take their families to most assignments. The Marine, spouse, and other family members work as a team, participating in a variety of social and diplomatic functions. Marine families can derive great experiences and benefits through exposure to different cultures such as learning a second language. Applicants with dependents enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program are eligible to apply, but may not be able to participate if there are no countries that meet the family’s medical needs.
3.  JMAS training is conducted over approximately 20 weeks at the Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.  Language training is required for some billets.  The length of language training is based on the language and proficiency level required but is generally between 24-62 weeks.  Training start dates are dependent upon the country to which selected.  Marines who successfully complete the training are then available for assignment abroad.  All active duty Marines participating in the enlisted DAS Program are ADCON to the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity while in training and on station.
4.  The FY18 board will screen for the following active duty billets: (read in five columns)
E-5 Billets:
Country             Fill Date      Tour   Language       Accompanied
Dominican Republic  May 2018       36     Spanish                Yes
Oman                August 2018    36     Arabic/English         Yes
Tunisia             January 2018   12     French                  No
Yemen               January 2018   12     Arabic/English          No
Nepal               January 2018   36     English                Yes
Although the above billets are coded as E-5 billets, Marines of any rank between E-5 to E-7 will be considered.
5.  Reserve DAS Program selectees will be transferred to the HQMC Intelligence Department’s IMA Detachment (RUC 88831) prior to the start of the Reserve DAS course.  Attendance at the Reserve DAS course is required and will be two weeks, commencing in December.Drill attendance sheets, orders requests, and other administrative requirements associated with this duty will be processed by HQMC Intelligence Department.
    A.  Applicants for reserve billets 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.  A favorable endorsement from the applicants command (IMA Detachment or SMCR) is required.  IRR Marines should obtain this endorsement from the Marine Corps Individual Reserve Support Activity (MCIRSA).
6.  The FY18 Board will screen for the following reserve component regions: E-5 to E-7 billets: (read in two columns)
Region           Trng Date
Asia-Pacific        Dec  2016
Middle East         Dec  2016
Europe-Eurasia      Dec  2016
Americas            Dec  2016
7.  Applications must be prepared in accordance with guidance posted to the HQMC Intelligence Department website as outlined below. Active duty applications will be submitted through the chain of command and must include an endorsement from their Commanding Officer.  Reserve component applications must include a favorable endorsement from the applicant’s command (IMA Detachment or SMCR). IRR Marines should obtain this endorsement from the MCIRSA. Applicants should list available billets in order of preference, although country selection will be based on the needs of the Marine Corps.  Application documents and templates can be found at: HTTP:(slash)(slash)WWW.HQMC.MARINES.MIL(slash)INTELLIGENCE(slash) INTELOPSPERS(slash)DEFENSEATTACHEPROGRAM.ASPX
8.  Applications must arrive at HQMC Intelligence Department NLT 22 July 2016.  Any applications received after 22 July 2016 will not be considered by the selection board.  Applications should be scanned and sent via email to: mara.application(at)usmc.mil. Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt from this email address as soon as the application has been received at HQMC Intelligence Department.  If applicants do not receive a confirmation email within (3) business days of sending the application, applicants should send a follow on email and/or call 571-256-9326.  Registered mail for hardcopy applications is not recommended as there is a lag in delivery time to the Intelligence Department from when it arrives at the Pentagon.  For questions regarding the application process, please call HQMC Intelligence Department at (571) 256-9326.
9.  Results of the OPSCO/OPSNCO Selection Board will be published by MARADMIN with orders issued by M&RA via separate correspondence. This bulletin is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
10.  MMEA POC/M.A. Flores/MSgt/Tel: 703-784-9965/Email: Mark.A.Flores2(at)usmc.mil//
W.R. Pascua/MSgt/Tel: 703-784-9338/Email: willy.pascua(at)usmc.mil//
11.  This message was developed by HQMC Intelligence Department through coordination with Manpower Management Officer Assignments, Plans and Programs section (MMOA-3).
12.  Release authorized by MajGen Craig Q. Timberlake, Director,Manpower Management Division.//