TM Program Embeds

CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (CFP)

The Congressional Fellowship Program (CFP) is a highly competitive and prestigious opportunity that provides selected officers with a comprehensive, first-hand understanding of the legislative branch of the U.S. government. For approximately one year, Marine Corps Fellows serve on the personal staff of a member of the U.S. Congress, gaining invaluable insight into the national security and defense policy-making process.

This program is designed to develop a cadre of officers with deep strategic and legislative expertise. The CFP is managed by the HQMC Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA).

MMOA-3's Role: Selection Board Sponsor

While OLA manages the program, MMOA-3's role is to sponsor and execute the annual selection board. We are responsible for soliciting applications via MARADMIN, verifying core eligibility, and running the competitive board that selects the Marine Corps' nominees for this unique fellowship.

Core Eligibility Requirements

To be considered by the selection panel, officers must meet the stringent criteria outlined in the governing MARADMIN. Key prerequisites include:

• Grade: Active Component officers from First Lieutenant to Major.
• Time in Service: Must have between 4 and 15 years of commissioned service.
• PME: Must be PME complete for grade.
• Security Clearance: Must possess a Top Secret security clearance or be eligible to receive one.

Note: This is a highly competitive program that seeks officers with exceptional communication skills, academic records, and a demonstrated potential for future leadership roles.

Application & Selection Process

1. Review the MARADMIN: This is the critical first step. The MARADMIN provides the definitive list of prerequisites, application documents, and submission deadlines.
2. Engage Your Monitor: All interested officers must discuss their intent to apply with their PMOS monitor to ensure proper career timing.
3. Prepare the Application Package: A comprehensive application package is required. All templates, instructions, and specific requirements are managed by OLA.
4. Submit to MMOA: Completed packages are submitted to MMOA-3 for the selection board.

Official Guidance & Resources

• Governing MARADMIN: This is the primary document containing all application procedures and deadlines for the current year's board.
  • FY27 Congressional Fellowship Program Announcement
• Authoritative Program Information & Application Templates: The official OLA website is the single source for all program details, application templates, and specific submission requirements.
  • HQMC Office of Legislative Affairs - CFP Page

MCRC COMPANY GRADE SELECTION PANEL

The Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) Company Grade Selection Panel is a competitive board that selects high-caliber Captains for recruiting duty. This is not a "break from the fleet"; it is one of the most demanding and strategically important leadership assignments in the Marine Corps.

Officers selected for this volunteer-focused program will serve as either an Officer Selection Officer (OSO), a Recruiting Station Executive Officer (RS XO), or a Recruiting Station Operations Officer (RS OpsO). MMOA convenes this panel, co-chaired by senior leaders from both M&RA and MCRC, to align top talent with these critical billets.

Current Board Information (FY27)

This section hosts all active documents for the current fiscal year's board. All eligible officers must use the official online questionnaire linked below to communicate their preferences and intentions. This survey is the only authorized mechanism for board communication.

[Access the FY27 MCRC Company Grade Questionnaire Here]

Note: Eligibility rosters are updated periodically to reflect corrections.

Why Volunteer? The MCRC Scholar Incentive

To recognize the challenges of this duty, officers who successfully complete an MCRC tour are designated MCRC Scholars. This provides a significant career advantage for their follow-on assignment.

• Geographic Preference: Volunteers receive geographic duty station preference upon assignment to their recruiting billet.
• MCRC Scholar's Incentive: Upon successful completion of their MCRC tour, officers are rewarded with their choice of one of the following incentives for their next assignment:
  • Direct Slating to Resident PME: Automatic assignment to resident career-level PME (such as Expeditionary Warfare School).
  • Geographic Preference: The opportunity to choose their next geographic duty station location.

Core Eligibility & Desired Attributes

• Eligibility: This panel is for career-designated First Lieutenants and Captains. Specific time-on-station and PMOS requirements are detailed in the annual MARADMIN.
• Desired Attributes: MCRC is seeking independent operators with a strong leadership presence, proven judgment, high personal standards, and exceptional communication skills.

Application & Submission Process

• Review the MARADMIN: This is the mandatory first step. The MARADMIN provides the definitive list of prerequisites, application instructions, and all submission deadlines.
• Engage Leadership: Interested officers should engage with their district or recruiting station leadership to gain a better understanding of the duty.
• Coordinate with Your Monitor: Discuss your intent to volunteer with your PMOS monitor to ensure proper career timing.
• Prepare & Submit Your Application:
  • Complete the official online questionnaire linked in the MARADMIN.
  • Submit any letters of recommendation to your PMOS monitor.

SERVICE ACADEMY SLATING PANEL

Assignments to the United States Service Academies are high-visibility billets that require officers of the highest caliber. These positions are critical for supporting the accession and development of junior officers for the joint force. MMOA-3 facilitates an annual selection panel to screen and select qualified officers for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS).

This is a competitive process designed to identify officers with the leadership, academic, and professional attributes required to mentor and instruct our nation's future military leaders.

Available Billet Categories

The panel screens for a wide variety of billets at both USNA and NAPS. Billet availability is published annually via MARADMIN. Key categories include:

• Company Officers: Serve as direct leaders and mentors to a company of midshipmen.
• Academic Instructors: Teach courses in various academic departments. Many of these billets require a master's degree or higher in a specific field.
• Training & Military Skills Instructors: Lead professional military training, physical fitness, and martial arts programs.
• Executive & Support Staff: Fill key administrative and support billets within the academy's command structure.

Application & Selection Process

Applying for a Service Academy assignment is a multi-step process that requires coordination with your monitor and the submission of a detailed application package.

1. Review the MARADMIN: This is the critical first step. The MARADMIN provides the definitive list of available billets, all specific eligibility criteria, and the submission deadlines for the current year's panel.
2. Contact Your Monitor: All interested officers must discuss their intent to apply with their PMOS monitor to receive approval to screen for the assignment. This approval is a prerequisite for submission.
3. Download & Prepare the USNA Application: The official application for all officer positions is managed by the Senior Marine at the U.S. Naval Academy. You must download and complete their specific application form and gather all required documents.
   • Authoritative Source & Application: USNA Staff Application Page
4. Submit Your Package to MMOA: Once your package is complete, you must submit it to MMOA-3 via the board questionnaire or survey link found in the annual MARADMIN.

Key Contacts & Resources

• For Application & Billet Specifics:
  • U.S. Naval Academy (USNA): Contact information for the USNA staff is provided on their application page.
• For Marine Corps Screening Process:
  • MMOA-3: Contact the board sponsor at MMOA-3 for questions regarding the Marine Corps selection panel process.

MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON (MBW) SLATING PANEL

A tour at Marine Barracks Washington (MBW) is one of the most unique and high-visibility assignments in the Marine Corps. Officers selected for duty at MBW are responsible for conducting ceremonial missions in the National Capital Region, including funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, White House functions, and the renowned Evening Parades.

Service at MBW demands officers of the highest caliber who demonstrate exceptional leadership, maturity, and impeccable military bearing. MMOA facilitates an annual panel to select qualified officers for these prestigious billets.

Available Billets

The panel screens and selects officers in the grades of Captain through Lieutenant Colonel for a variety of key leadership and staff billets at the Barracks. While the majority of billets are for company-grade officers, a number of key staff and leadership positions are available for field-grade officers.

Core Eligibility & Desired Attributes

• Eligibility: This panel is open to active component officers from Captain to Lieutenant Colonel. Specific time-on-station and PMOS requirements are detailed in the annual announcement MARADMIN.
• Desired Attributes: Ideal candidates possess exceptional physical fitness, a commanding presence, and the maturity to represent the Marine Corps at the highest levels.

Application & Selection Process

The application process is streamlined through an official online questionnaire.

• Review the MARADMIN: The annual MARADMIN is the primary source for all prerequisites, application instructions, and submission deadlines.
• Obtain Monitor Concurrence: Before applying, you must discuss your intent with your PMOS monitor (MMOA-1 or MMOA-2) and receive their concurrence to be screened for this assignment.
• Complete the Online Questionnaire: Once you have your monitor's concurrence, you must complete the official online questionnaire linked in the MARADMIN. This is the sole mechanism for applying to the MBW slating panel. All required information, including video submissions and letters of recommendation, will be submitted via the questionnaire.

Official Guidance

• For all specific details regarding the application process, video submission requirements, and deadlines, officers must refer to the current fiscal year's announcement MARADMIN, which can be found by searching the official Marine Corps messages website.

NAVAL RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (NROTC) SELECTION board

The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program is designed to develop college students as professional officers in the naval service. A tour at an NROTC unit is a unique opportunity for Marine officers to serve in a key leadership and mentorship role, directly shaping the next generation of naval officers.

MMOA facilitates an annual selection board to screen and select qualified officers for three distinct billets at NROTC units hosted at universities across the country: Professor of Naval Science (PNS), Executive Officer (XO), and Marine Officer Instructor (MOI).

Available Billets & Responsibilities

• Professor of Naval Science (PNS):
  • Rank: Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role: Serves as the Commanding Officer of the NROTC unit and is responsible for the overall execution of the program.
• Executive Officer (XO):
  • Rank: Lieutenant Colonel or Major
  • Role: Serves as the second-in-command of the NROTC unit, responsible for day-to-day administration and midshipman mentorship.
• Marine Officer Instructor (MOI):
  • Rank: Major or Captain
  • Role: Serves as the primary instructor and mentor for Marine-option midshipmen, preparing them for Officer Candidates School (OCS).

Core Eligibility Requirements

To be considered by the selection panel, officers must meet the following baseline criteria. The annual MARADMIN will publish a complete list of all prerequisites.

• PME: Must be PME complete for grade.
• Education: A master's degree is required for PNS and XO billets.
• Time on Station: Must be able to complete the prescribed 3-year tour length.
• Fitness: Must maintain the highest standards of physical fitness and military appearance.

Application & Submission Process

• Review the MARADMIN: The annual announcement MARADMIN is the primary source for the list of available billets, all specific eligibility criteria, and submission deadlines.
• Contact Your Monitor: All interested officers must discuss their intent to apply with their PMOS monitor to ensure proper career timing and receive a conditional release.
• Prepare the Application Package: A comprehensive package is required, including an AA form, a photo, and letters of recommendation as specified in the MARADMIN.
• Submit to MMOA: Completed packages are submitted to MMOA-3 for the selection panel.
  • Submission Email: smb_manpower_officer_programs@usmc.mil
  • File Naming: `L.NAME_EDIPI_NROTC.pdf`

Official Guidance

• For all specific details regarding the application process, available universities, and deadlines, officers must refer to the current fiscal year's announcement MARADMIN, which can be found by searching the official Marine Corps messages website.

MARINE CORPS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMS (PHDP)

The Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Programs (PHDP) are the premier educational opportunities available to Marine officers. This program is designed to develop a small, select group of officers as strategic thinkers and technical experts who can provide invaluable analysis and leadership at the highest levels of the Department of Defense.

The PHDP is a fully-funded program that provides for three years of resident study at a civilian university. Officers are selected for one of two distinct tracks through a highly competitive annual board facilitated by MMOA.

Available Program Tracks

• PhD-Technical (PhD-T):
  • For officers who will pursue doctoral studies in highly technical, scientific, or engineering fields to meet specific Marine Corps requirements for advanced technical expertise.
• PhD-Strategist (PhD-S):
  • For officers who will pursue doctoral studies in fields related to national security, international relations, or strategic studies to serve in high-level planning and policy billets.

Program Length & Service Obligation

Accepting orders to the PHDP is the most significant educational commitment an officer can make.

• Program Length: Officers are authorized up to 36 months of resident schooling to complete their PhD.
• Service Obligation: Upon completion of their degree, officers incur a six-year active-duty service obligation.
• Utilization Tour: This service obligation is served concurrently with a mandatory three-year utilization tour in a billet that directly leverages the officer's doctoral education.

Core Eligibility Requirements

• Grade: Open to career-designated Captains through Lieutenant Colonels.
• Education: Must possess a master's degree (or be currently enrolled in a master's program).
• Standardized Tests: Must have current GRE or GMAT scores.
• PME: Must be PME complete for grade.

Note: This is a highly competitive program. Applicants are expected to have a distinguished record of superior academic and operational performance.

Application & Submission Procedures

• Review the MARADMIN & MCO: The annual MARADMIN provides the specific deadlines and application requirements. MCO 1524.2 provides the foundational policy for the program.
• Contact Your Monitor: Discuss your intent to apply with your PMOS monitor to ensure proper career timing.
• Prepare the Application Package: A comprehensive package is required, including an AA form, official transcripts, GRE/GMAT scores, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
• Submit to MMOA: Completed packages are submitted to MMOA-3 for the selection board in accordance with the MARADMIN instructions.

Official Guidance & References

• Governing MCO: MCO 1524.2, Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Program (PHDP)
• Annual MARADMIN: For specific application details and deadlines, officers must refer to the current fiscal year's announcement MARADMIN, which can be found by searching the official Marine Corps messages website.