R 171450Z MAY 16
MARADMIN 256/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM PRES MCU QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/STRATEGY AND POLICY COURSES 2-16 ANNOUNCEMENT MESSAGE//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/JFTR//
REF/B/MARADMIN:178/10//
NARR/REF A IS THE JOINT FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS (JFTR). REF B IS THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION COMMAND WORLDWIDE TRAVEL ACCOUNT PROCEDURAL GUIDANCE.//POC/TWAYNE HICKMAN/CIV/UNIT: MCU/EDCOM/MIG/TEL: 703-432-5541/DSN:378-5541/EMAIL: TWAYNE.HICKMAN(AT)USMC.MIL//
Gentext/Remarks/1.  Purpose.  Marine Corps University/Education Command is soliciting student nominations for the summer strategy and policy course (SPC) SPC 2-16.  The course has evolved from a planning course based on the intersection of the operational and strategic levels of war to a course focused on the interface between strategy and policy.  The course will run 1 to 19 Aug 2016 in Quantico, Va.  The SPC is an advanced PME opportunity for O6s designed to bridge the gap between top level school (O5s) and our senior leader development program/capstone (O7s).  This course is intended to further educate and develop Colonels to think critically at the interface of strategy and policy and lead effectively in the joint/coalition warfighting arena.
2.  Background.  The SPC is taught by highly qualified experts from the MAGTF staff training program, the faculty of Marine Corps University, joint and interagency subject matter experts and the MAGTF instructional group (MIG) using contemporary learning methods (case studies, panels, seminars, staff rides, directed readings, distinguished military and civilian speakers, site visits, etc.).  The SPC is taught in four phases, Shaping, Foundations, Planning and Operational Art, and Application.
2.a.  Phase 0, Shaping, is a three week period of instruction prior to the students arrival at Quantico.  This phase is executed via blackboard and consists of four interactive online lessons.  The intent is to provide an opportunity for students to read, reflect, discuss, and write about topics related to national strategy and Marine Corps operations in the joint/coalition arena.  These lessons are executed weekly and will require some reading, discussion and writing.
2.b.  Phase I, Foundations, opens with framing the strategic and current operating environment and is followed by sessions on critical thinking and decision making, design, national security strategy, national military strategy, whole of government and employing forces in the joint/coalition arena.
2.c.  Phase II, Planning and Operational Art, focuses on planning, operational design, and operational art.  Topics include Marine Corps and related joint doctrine, componency and command relationships, interagency and coalition operations, fighting the MAGTF, role of the Commander, Red Teaming, Information Operations and Cyber Warfare.
2.d.  Phase III, Application, will reinforce the previous phases with a combination of interactive exercises, case studies, staff rides, guided discussions/seminars with strategic leaders and on site engagements at key centers of policy and strategy in the national capital region.
3.  Student eligibility.  O6s (Colonel, U.S. Navy Captain, or GS15) who are filling or are planned to fill a key staff billet in any upper level USMC HQ, activity, or agency operating forces, supporting establishment, or other HQMC entities (MARFORSYSCOM, DIV PA, Logistics Command, etc.).  The goal is to educate, develop, and prepare students to serve in key billets with increased strategic and policy level skills, thereby increasing capability within the students command or activity.  The SPC student body will be limited to twelve students and will be filled by selecting nominees with the appropriate experience level and skill sets.
3.a.  Students must be graduates of Top Level School (TLS) or a TLS equivalent fellowship, and preferably have completed 05 command or equivalent.
3.b.  Students must possess a TS/SCI clearance with eligibility valid through 31 Aug 2016.  Additional security clearance requirements/procedures will be sent via separate correspondence once nominees are selected for attendence.
3.c.  The SPC requires General Officer, Flag Officer, or Senior Executive Service (SES) civilian nomination.
4.  Submit nominations via encrypted email to the POC NLT 1 Jun 2016.  MCU will confirm nominations and forward registration and information packages to all approved students via email by 15 Jun 2016.  Submissions should be in the following format and should include an attached professional biography.
4.a.  Last name, first name, middle initial.
4.b.  Grade.
4.c.  Command.
4.d.  Current and follow on billet (if known).
4.e.  Work phone (DSN and comm).
4.f.  Current clearance information to include TS/SCI eligibility, any active caveats, expiration date and a command security POC.
4.g.  SSN, DOB and EDIPI.
4.h.  Email address (.mil or work agency email only).
4.i.  Nominating GO/FO/SES and POC from the nominees command (name, phone number and email address).
4.j.  Professional Biography.
5.  Orders.
5.a.  All attendees shall travel on nonreporting orders.  Orders are the responsibility of the attendees parent command.  Government billeting is available on a limited basis.  Messing is available but not conducive to training so it is not directed.
6.  Funding and Travel.
6.a.  Active Component.  CG TECOM Formal Schools Training Support (FSTS) will fund travel and per diem to include lodging, meals and incidental expenses for active component attendees.  Local travel will not be funded.  MIG will submit requests for funding to TECOM upon closing of the registration period.  Approved funding letters will be released via separate correspondence.
6.b.  Reserve Component.  MarForRes will fund travel and per diem for Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) and active reserve attendees.
6.c.  Civilians and other service nominees will be funded by MCU on a case by case basis.  Funding information will be provided following selection and publication of student attendees.  All travel will be in accordance with ref a.  POC for reserve officers will be Mr. David S. Roberts email: david.s.roberts(at)usmc.mil.
7.  For additional information on the SPC visit the MCU website at https: (forward slash forward slash) www.mcu.usmc.mil/sitepages/home.aspx. select the PME programs menu.
8.  Release authorized by BGen H. G. Pratt, Commanding General, Education Command, President, Marine Corps University.//