MARADMIN 369/26
FY27 FOREIGN AREA STAFF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER PROGRAM STUDY TRACK SOLICITATION MESSAGE
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.//