R 151030Z JUL 16
MARADMIN 414/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM PRES MCU QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ACADEMIC YEAR 2018 SCHOOL OF ADVANCED WARFIGHTING APPLICATION//
POC/MS ZENA GIBBS/ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAM MANAGER/SCHOOL OF ADVANCED WARFIGHTING/MCU/TEL: (703)432-5318/DSN 378 EMAIL: ZENA.GIBBS@USMCU.EDU//
Gentext/Remarks/1.  Situation.  The School of Advanced Warfighting is an Advanced Intermediate Level School that produces officers qualified to fill high-impact service and joint planning billets.  The program enhances officers abilities to derive critical insights from large quantities of information, make timely and effective decisions, communicate succinctly both verbally and in writing, and collaborate to produce cogent orders.  The curriculum features rigorous case studies, multiple planning exercises, extensive staff rides, and a consideration of future war.  The School of Advanced Warfighting graduates earn the secondary Military Occupational Specialty 0505 Marine Air Ground Task Force Planner and a masters degree in operational studies.  Graduates also have a strong record of selection for promotion and command based on their well-developed capability to reason critically, solve complex problems, and apply operational art.
2.  Mission.  On 15-17 November 2016, Marine Corps University/School of Advanced Warfighting convenes a selection board to select best qualified applicants for Academic Year 2017-2018 in order to ensure the Marine Corps is supported with highly capable and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force Planners.
3.  Execution.
3.A.  Commanders intent.  Educate high-caliber officers who will serve as staff planners in key billets throughout the operating forces and supporting establishment.  A critical first step in that process is the competitive selection of qualified Marine, joint service, and international officer applicants who have excelled in Intermediate Level Programs.  The endstate is a School of Advanced Warfighting Academic Year 17-18 student body comprised of officers who demonstrate the character, competence, and creativity to excel as planners, staff officers, and future commanders.
3.B.  Concept of operations.  Officers meeting the admissions criteria will, in accordance with this MARADMIN, accomplish the following:  submit an email stating intent to apply, submit all application materials, and participate in a School of Advanced Warfighting selection panel interview.  Selected applicants and alternates will be screened for eligibility, notified by MARADMIN, and issued orders to attend School Of Advanced Warfighting.
3.C.  Eligibility requirements:
3.C.1.  Security Clearance:  For U.S. officers, a secret clearance that will not expire during the academic year.  Marine officers must have or be eligible to obtain a top secret/sensitive compartmented information clearance for post-graduation assignments.
3.C.2.  Unrestricted officers from all Military Occupational Specialty fields.
3.C.3.  Special Education Program/Advanced Degree Program (SEP/ADP) graduates who have completed an initial SEP/ADP payback assignment are eligible to attend School of Advanced Warfighting.
3.C.4.  Marine applicants must be Intermediate Level School complete or currently enrolled in good standing and projected to complete resident/non-resident Intermediate Level School requirements NLT 7 June 2017.  Failure to complete Intermediate Level School (resident or non-resident) will terminate eligibility.
3.C.5.  Air Force applicants must have completed resident Intermediate Developmental Education, have resident Intermediate Developmental Education credit, or be currently enrolled in good standing and projected to complete Intermediate Developmental Education no later than 7 June 2017 in order to be eligible.  Army, Navy, civilian Department of Defense and Interagency applicants must be resident Intermediate Level Education complete or be currently enrolled in good standing and projected to complete Intermediate Level Education no later than 7 June 2017.
3.C.6.  International officers from non-English speaking countries must have graduate-level capability to comprehend, read, speak, and write English:  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 83 on the internet based test or 560 on the paper based test.  The TOEFL score must be included on the application under the civilian education section.
3.C.7.  International officers must hold a qualifying undergraduate degree (U.S. regionally or nationally accredited bachelors degree orb quivalent).  U.S. Officers with international degrees should contact Marine Corps University Registrar office for special instructions.  Registrar point of contact is Yeomen First Class Benzo at (703)432-4867 or email at rasneheisi.benzo@usmcu.edu.
3.C.8.  Applicants must be promoted to major no later than 1 July 2017 and must not have previously failed selection to lieutenant colonel.
3.C.9.  Officers may not be a lieutenant colonel or lieutenant colonel (select) at the time of application.  If the applicant is in-zone for lieutenant colonel at the time of application and fails to select the School Of Advanced Warfighting eligibility is terminated.
3.C.10.  Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Active Reserve, and joint service reserve and National Guard officers are not eligible.
3.C.11.  Marine officers should contact their primary Military Occupational Specialty monitor to determine eligibility for Permanent Change of Station orders.  Due to Headquarters Marine Corps effort to reduce cost associated with Permanent Change of Station orders, Marine officers are not eligible for consideration unless they have satisfied time on station requirements and are eligible to execute Permanent Change of Station orders during the summer of 2017.
3.C.12.  Officers selected by the Commandants Professional Intermediate Level Education Board and also selected by the School of Advanced Warfighting selection panel will execute orders to School of Advanced Warfighting.
3.C.13.  Officers selected to assume command of a recruiting station during Fiscal Year 2018 are not eligible to apply.
3.D.  Application requirements.
3.D.1.  Applicants will file an intent to apply via email to School of Advanced Warfightings organizational mailbox:  mcu_SAW_applications@usmcu.edu.  Subject line should read Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  INTENT TO APPLY.  Example, Jones, A. B._INTENT TO APPLY.
3.D.1.A.  In the body of the email, provide first name, middle and, last name, rank, branch of service, military email, personal email, personal and work contact phone numbers.  Applicants will be sent a reply email with all application forms and essay prompt.  If reply email is not received within 48 hours, contact School of Advanced Warfighting point of contact.
3.D.2.  Application Transmission:  School of Advanced Warfighting applicants will transmit all materials by hand to School of Advanced Warfighting administration office, by Federal Express Certified Mail, or via Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) Safe Access File Exchange.  School of Advanced Warfighting applicants should ensure their application package is complete;  School of Advanced Warfighting is not responsible for notifying applicants of missing materials.  AMRDEC email should be labelled Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY18.  Example, Jones A. B. SAW AY18.
3.D.3.  Personally identifiable information (PII) must be safeguarded.  AMRDEC Safe Access File Exchange is authorized for PII transmission but applicants should check the blocks for Encrypt email message when possible, and Require Common Access Card for pickup.  To minimize loss of PII, social security numbers must be redacted from all material regardless of transmission means.  Marking over social security numbers with permanent marker is not considered redacted.  Cutting out or covering with whiteout followed by photocopy is appropriate.  This requirement applies to all documentation.
3.D.4.  Applicants should note that the organization and preparation of forms is important to the efficient execution of the selection process and should pay close attention to detail.  Applicants will be emailed all forms after School of Advanced Warfighting receives the Intent to Apply email.  Forms can also be accessed on the School of Advanced Warfighting website, click on the Applications link and download required forms.  All forms and documents listed below must be submitted:
3.D.4.A.  School of Advanced Warfighting application form: typed not hand-written.  Form should be saved electronically and physically labelled as Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY 18 APPLICATION.  Example, Jones A. B. SAW AY18 APPLICATION.
3.D.4.B.  One-page essay with one inch margins, 12 point, Times New Roman font, single spaced.  Students should place their name and descriptive title in the header of the page.  Example, Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY18– Descriptive Title.  The same naming convention should be used to save the file.  Example, Jones A.B. SAW AY18 My Essay.  Essay prompt with detailed instructions will be attached in the Intent to Apply reply email.
3.D.4.C.  Current Master Brief Sheet (MBS) or service equivalent review of professional performance (Officer Record Brief, or Single Unit Retrieval Formats) with included Officer Performance Reports.  Save as Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY18 MBS.  Example, Jones A.B. SAW AY18 MBS.  Replace MBS with Officer Record Brief or Single Unit Retrieval Formats as appropriate.
3.D.4.D.  Five most recent observed fitness reports or equivalent evaluations.  Fitness reports should be scanned as one document in chronological order with most recent on top.  File should be saved as Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY 18 FITNESS REPORT or service equivalent document such as the Officer Evaluation Report.  Example, Jones A.B. SAW AY18 FITNESS REPORT.
3.D.4.E.  Marine applicants who are graduates of non-resident Command and Staff College must submit a copy of their Intermediate Level Student diploma.  Save file as Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY 18 ILS DIPLOMA.  Example Jones A.B. SAW AY18 ILS DIPLOMA.
3.D.4.F.  Applicants must submit copies of their college undergraduate and graduate program transcript(s), unofficial transcripts are acceptable.  If selected to attend School of Advanced Warfighting, official transcripts are required.  Save file as Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY 18 TRANSCRIPTS.  Example, Jones A.B. SAW AY18 TRANSCRIPTS.
3.D.4.G.  Official selection board photo.  Naming convention of saved file:  Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY 18 PHOTO.  Example, Jones A.B. SAW AY18 PHOTO.
3.D.4.H.  All applicants are required to provide written recommendations from their resident faculty advisor or adjunct faculty advisor.  Last Name First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY 18 FACULTY RECOMMENDATION.  Jones A.B. SAW AY18 FACULTY RECOMMENDATION.
3.D.4.I.  Non-resident applicants must provide a written endorsement from their reporting senior.  Recommendation forms will be attached in the Intent to Apply reply email or  can be found at the School of Advanced Warfighting Website under the application page.  Recommendations should be submitted with the final application package.  If recommendation letters are not available in time for submission, applicants should contact the School of Advanced Warfighting Deputy Director for case-by-case exemption approval.  Naming convention of recommendation letters should read Last Name, First Initial.  Middle Initial.  SAW AY 18 RS RECOMMENDATION.  Example, Jones A.B. SAW AY18 RS RECOMMENDATION.
3.D.4.J.  Marine officers attending joint service resident Professional Military Education at Newport, Fort Leavenworth, and Maxwell Air Force Base may apply for School of Advanced Warfighting.  However, Marine officers at joint service schools who desire to attend School of Advanced Warfighting are highly encouraged to apply to all other year-long Advanced Intermediate Level Schools (e.g., School of Advanced Military Studies or School of Advanced Air and Space Studies).  Likewise, Marine officers in the National Capital Region who desire to attend School of Advanced Military Studies or School of Advanced Air and Space Studies should also apply to School of Advanced Warfighting.
3.E.  Tasks.
3.E.1.  School of Advanced Warfighting.
3.E.1.A.  Establish a selection panel in order to select the best qualified applicants for Annual Year 2018.
3.E.1.B.  Coordinate with College Of Distance Education and Training on Command and Staff College Distance Education Program submissions.
3.E.2.  College of Distance Education and Training:  Assist Command and Staff College Distance Education Program School of Advanced Warfighting applicants with acquiring adjunct faculty application endorsements.
3.F.  Coordinating Instructions.
3.F.1.  Marine Corps Universitys Website is scheduled for software transition on 30 August 2016.  Website problems should be reported to School of Advanced Warfighting point of contact, Ms. Zena Gibbs.
3.F.2.  Deadline for all applications is 30 September 2016.
3.F.3.  Competitive applicants will be scheduled for an interview.  In-person interviews for out-of-area applicants are not required but recommended if possible.  Applicants outside the Washington, D.C. area will be scheduled for a video teleconference or phone interview.  Out-of-area applicants who prefer a face-to-face interview in Quantico will be responsible for travel, lodging, and incidental costs.  Temporary additional duty solely to conduct the interview is highly discouraged.
3.F.4.  When application is complete and submitted, applicants will be notified if they will proceed to the interview phase.  Once notified, applicants can then select interview time slots from the interview schedule posted on the School of Advanced Warfighting website, application page, and send prioritized list of requested dates by email via the School of Advanced Warfighting organizational email:  mcu_SAW_applications@usmcu.edu.  Applicants must place last name, first name, schedule interview in subject line of the email.
3.F.4.A.  Interview dates for School of Advanced Warfighting selection:  11 October - 10 November 2016.
3.F.4.B.  Interview location:  Warner Center, Bldg 2044, suite 2122, South Street, Quantico, VA, 22134.  No on-site interviews will be conducted at the USA Command and General Staff College, Naval War College, or Air Command and Staff College.  If selected for an interview, Joint service applicants from these sites will conduct video teleconferencing or phone interviews.  Marine points of contact at the above locations, listed in paragraph five, will assist in the scheduling of video teleconference interviews.
3.F.4.C.  Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their intent to apply with their respective monitor or service assignments officer prior to applying.  Selected primary and alternate applicants must first be screened and endorsed by Manpower Management Officer Assignments or other service personnel assignment sections prior to official notification of selection.
3.F.5.  Selections.
3.F.5.A.  Recommended selections are forwarded to each services headquarters for final authority to enroll.  Nominated international officers are invited through the International Military Training office, which in turn coordinates with the officers military assignment staff.  Once approved, all selection results will be announced via separate MARADMIN.  The goal for release of the selection message is mid-December 2016.
3.F.5.B.  0505 Marine Air Ground Task Force Planners are a low density, high-demand Military Occupational Specialty in critical billets and will normally complete a two to three-year utilization tour.  In order to meet operating force demand and a goal of a two year minimum utilization tour, Marine Advanced Intermediate Level students and graduates (School of Advanced Warfighting, School of Advanced Military Studies, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School) are ineligible to be screened for command during the school year and the first year of their utilization tour.
4.  Administration and Logistics.
4.A.  If interested in applying to the Army School of Advanced Military Studies contact Mrs. Candace Hamm, comm (913)758-3302/DSN 585.
4.B.  If interested in applying to the Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies contact Ms. Sheila McKitt, comm (334) 953-5155/DSN 493 or sheila.mckitt@us.af.mil.
4.C.  If interested in applying to Maritime Advanced Warfighting School contact Colonel Rob Gardner, USMC (RET), comm (401)841-2534/DSN 841-4862 or robert.gardner@usnwc.edu.
4.D.  Mail application packages by certified receipt FEDEX to:
COMMANDING GENERAL
MARINE CORPS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF ADVANCED WARFIGHTING
(ATTN: SELECTION PANEL)
2076 SOUTH STREET
QUANTICO, VA 22134
(OFFICIAL BUSINESS)
4.E.  Fax is authorized for PII submission with special safeguards and therefore should only be used for those applicants who do not have access to other transmission means.  If Fax is needed contact School of Advanced Warfighting points of contact for instructions.
5.  Command and Signal.
5.A.  Points of contact at School of Advanced Warfighting:
5.A.1.  School of Advanced Warfighting Director:  Colonel W. A. Sinclair, USMC, comm (703)784-5121/DSN 278 or wayne.sinclair@usmcu.edu.
5.A.2.  School of Advanced Warfighting Deputy Director: Lieutenant Colonel G. D. Juarez, USMC, comm (703)784-6890/DSN 278 or gilbert.juarez@usmcu.edu.
5.A.3.  School of Advanced Warfighting Operations Officer:  Lieutenant Colonel C. B. Lynn, USMC, comm (703)432-5411/DSN 378 or charles.lynn@usmcu.edu.
5.A.4.  School of Advanced Warfighting Administrative Program Manager:  Ms. Zena Gibbs, comm (703)432-5318/DSN 378 or zena.gibbs@usmcu.edu.
5.A.5.  School of Advanced Warfighting Operations NCO/Admin Clerk:  LCpl D. Estes, comm (703)432-5420/DSN 378.
5.B.  POC at College Of Distance Education And Training:  Mr. Wilfrid Kirkbride, comm (703) 784- 5971/DSN 278-5971 or wilfrid.kirkbride@usmcu.edu.
5.C.  Point of contact at Naval War College:  Colonlel Paul Muller, USMC, comm (401)841-4862/DSN 948 or paul.muller@usnwc.edu;  alternate is Colonel Rob Gardner, USMC (RET), comm (401)841-2534/DSN 841-4862 or robert.gardner@usnwc.edu.
5.C.  Point of contact at Army Command and General Staff College is Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Eckerberg, USMC, comm (913)684-4552/DSN 552-4552 or aaron.d.eckerberg.mil@mail.mil.
5.D.  Point of contact at Air Force Air Command and Staff College is Lieutenant Colonel Tate Buntz, USMC, comm (334)953-6592 DSN 493-6592 or tate.buntz@us.af.mil.
5.E.  College of Distance Education and Training Regional Directors and class locations are:
5.E.1.  Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune:  Marine Corps Air Station New River, Norfolk, VA, and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Mr. Cesare Cardi, email at cesare.cardi@usmc.mil, comm (910)451-9309/DSN 751-4796.
5.E.2.  Naval Air Station Pensacola:  Naval Air Station Meridian, MS, Naval Air Station Whiting Field, FL, SouthCom, Miami, FL, CentCom/SOCOM, Tampa, FL, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, GA, Atlanta, GA, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, MI, and Memphis, TN, Mr. Art Adkins, email at arthur.adkins@usmc.mil, comm (850)452-9460 ext. 3052/DSN 922-9460 ext. 3052.
5.E.3.  Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA:  Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, CA, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms,CA and Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, CA, Mr. Jeff Willis, email at jeffrey.r.willis@usmc.mil, comm (760) 725-8422/DSN 365-8422.
5.E.4.  MCB Hawaii:  Camp H. M. Smith, HI, Mr. Cos Spofford, email at cosmas.spofford@usmc.mil, comm (808) 257-1956/DSN 457-1956.
5.E.5.  MCAS Miramar, CA:  MCAS Yuma, AZ, MCRD San Diego, CA, San Bruno,CA, and NPS, Monterey, CA, Mr. Gary Dahl, email at conrad.dahl@usmc.mil,comm (858) 577-1373/1374/DSN 267-1373/1374.
5.E.6.  MCB Okinawa, Japan:  MARFOR Korea, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and Camp Fuji, Japan, Mr. Chet Jolley, email at chester.jolley@usmc.mil, comm +81-98-970-2230 (94,315-645-2230)/DSN 645-2230.
5.E.7.  MCB Quantico, VA:  USNA, Annapolis, MD, Arlington, VA, Columbia, MD, Indian Head, MD, Patuxent River, MD, Garden City, NY, Buffalo, NY, and Fort Devens, MA, Mr. Mark Shigley, email at mark.shigley@usmc.mil, comm (703)784-2625/DSN 278-2625.
5.E.8.  Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, TX:  Marine Corps Forces Reserve New Orleans, LA, Dallas, TX, Chicago, IL, and Detroit, MI, Mr. Michael Maciel, email at michael.maciel@usmc.mil, comm (817)782-3207/DSN 739-3207.
6.  Release authorized by BGen Thomas A. Gorry, Commanding General, Education Command, President, Marine Corps University.//