The Joint Officer Matters Office (JOMO) systematically tracks and documents Active Duty Marine Corps officers' joint qualifications and their progressive advancement toward Joint Qualified Officer (JQO) designation. Furthermore, we provides critical support for statutory promotion boards, issues directive guidance concerning the attainment of joint qualifications, assists occupational field monitors, and serves as the primary liaison to the Joint Staff regarding Joint Officer Management (JOM) policy and legislative implementation.
Service JOM branches are mandated to support and implement the Joint Officer Management Program policies established by the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). This framework establishes a systematic methodology that advances the career-long accumulation of joint experiences, education, and training. This approach is strictly aligned with the Department's Strategic Plan for JOM and Joint Professional Military Education (JPME), as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Vision for Joint Officer Development.
The Service JOM holds the administrative authority to develop, execute, and oversee the JOM program for all Active Duty Unrestricted Marine Corps Officers in the paygrades of O-1 through O-6.
(Note: The Reserve Component JOM process is administered through a separate statutory framework. Reserve officers must direct inquiries to Reserve Affairs for programmatic guidance.)
Point Accrual Methodology: Tracking Joint Credits
Marine Corps officers accumulate joint experience and qualification points through three approved statutory pathways. Comprehension of these mechanisms is essential for strategic career progression and ultimate JQO designation:
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Standard Joint Duty Assignments (S-JDA): Billets formally codified on the Joint Duty Assignment List (JDAL). Credit is accrued strictly based on the duration of time served in the assigned billet (e.g., a standard 36-month assignment constitutes a Full Joint Tour).
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Experience-Based Joint Duty Assignments (E-JDA): Non-JDAL experiences, joint task force deployments, or assignments demonstrating direct relevance to the Title 10 statutory definition of "Joint Matters." These experiences require proactive self-nomination by the officer and subsequent adjudication by a formal review board to yield qualification points.
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The Combination Path: Pursuant to CJCSI 1330.05C, officers are authorized to synthesize fractional S-JDA service time directly with E-JDA points and approved discretionary points. This pathway enables the aggregation of different joint experiences to meet the 24-point threshold required for JQO (Level III) designation without requiring a single, uninterrupted standard joint tour.
Pursuant to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 1330.05C, joint experience within the Department of Defense is systematically tracked utilizing a cumulative point-accrual methodology and structured career milestones. While officers may begin accumulating joint experience points early in their careers, advancement to Joint Qualified Officer (JQO) status (Level III) is governed by strict statutory criteria concerning paygrade thresholds and recency requirements.
Level II Qualification (Joint MOS 9701)
- Joint Officer Management Policy Revisions Memorandum to DoWI 1300.19 dated 30 June 2026 have eliminated Joint Qualification Level II from policy.
- There is no service impact to this JOM policy revision. Personnel with the MOS 9701 will retain it on their record. Personnel will no longer be submitted for MOS 9701 by the service.
- The previous Joint Qualification Level II did not serve as a prerequisite for Level III nor a determination for personnel to be assigned to a Joint Billet.
Level III Qualification (Joint Qualified Officer - JQO / Joint MOS 9702)
- Educational Requirement: Successful completion of both JPME Phase I and JPME Phase II.
- Experience Requirement: Accrual of 24 Joint Qualification Points earned via S-JDA, E-JDA, or the Combination Path.
- The 365-Day Recency/Paygrade Requirement: To qualify for JQO designation (Level III), officers must satisfy the statutory requirement of at least 365 days of qualifying joint experience (or 12 joint points) earned while serving in the paygrade of O-4 or higher.
- S-JDA Billet: An officer must serve at least one day as an O-4 while assigned to an active S-JDA (JDAL) billet for the cumulative duration of that assignment to satisfy the 12-month recency requirement.
- E-JDA Billet: Joint experience points accumulated strictly in the paygrade of O-3 are capped at 12 points (qualifying the officer for Level II). To bridge the gap to Level III, a minimum of 12 additional points (or 365 qualifying days) must be earned subsequent to the officer's promotion to O-4 (Major) or above.
The Combination Path: Integration of S-JDA and E-JDA Credits
In accordance with CJCSI 1330.05C, officers are not required to rely solely on a single, continuous 24-to-36 month standard joint tour to achieve JQO status. The instruction formally authorizes a Combination Path, enabling officers to merge traditional S-JDA service time with experience-based E-JDA points.
- This pathway supports Marine Corps officers who have completed partial standard joint tours due to service requirements, or who have supplemented their service careers with short-term joint deployments.
Regulatory Rules of the Combination Path:
- Minimum Point Threshold: Officers must accumulate a combined total of 24 joint points, in addition to completing JPME Phase I and II, to be nominated for Level III (JQO) designation.
- Exclusion of Concurrent Credit: Officers are strictly prohibited from earning E-JDA or discretionary points for tasks, training, or deployments executed during the identical timeframes for which they are claiming S-JDA time-based credit.
- Statutory Recency Compliance: Under the combination path, a minimum of 12 points of the combined 24-point total (the equivalent of 12 months of joint experience) must be earned in the paygrade of O-4 or higher to satisfy the Level III recency requirement.
References & Statutory Policies
- Title 10, United States Code, Chapter 38 (Sections 661-668): Codified federal statute governing Joint Officer Management.
- DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1300.19: DoD Joint Officer Management (JOM) Program (incorporating Change 1, May 18, 2023).
- CJCSI 1330.05C: Joint Officer Management Program Procedures (Effective 19 July 2024).
The Joint Duty Assignment Management Information System (JDAMIS) is an automated management information system and database maintained by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and updated by the Joint Staff, Military Services, and joint organizations. JDAMIS serves as the permanent system of record for all Joint Officer Management (JOM) related matters.
The position management file within JDAMIS constitutes the official Joint Duty Assignment List (JDAL). This list is formally approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) and managed by the Joint Staff J-1. The JDAL is the official statement of current and historical joint positions and is modified only with USD(P&R) approval or other OSD-delegated authority.
JDAL Qualification Criteria:
- Paygrade Threshold: JDAL positions are strictly restricted to permanent, funded billets in the paygrades of O-4 (Major) and above.
- Billet Preponderance: To be certified on the JDAL, the preponderance of a billet's day-to-day responsibilities must meet the statutory definition of Joint Matters (10 U.S.C. Section 668).
- Drop-Off Protection: If an officer is occupying a billet that is de-certified from the JDAL during their tour, their joint credit is legally protected. The officer will receive full credit, provided they executed a valid check-in diary entry prior to the drop-off date. Backfills for that billet will not receive credit.
Statutory Definition of "Joint Matters" (10 U.S.C. 668)
To qualify for JDAL inclusion, billet responsibilities must relate directly to the achievement of unified action by multiple military forces in operations conducted across domains—including land, sea, air, space, or the information environment. This comprises:
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National military strategy, strategic planning, and contingency planning.
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Command and control of operations under unified command.
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National security planning with other departments and agencies of the United States Government (interagency).
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Combined operations with the military forces of allied nations.
Note: In this context, "multiple military forces" refers to forces involving participants from the U.S. Armed Forces alongside other federal departments/agencies, foreign military forces/agencies, or non-governmental entities.
Positions Categorically Excluded from the JDAL
Per DoDI 1300.19, certain assignments cannot be placed on the JDAL, regardless of their location or command. Officers in these roles may, however, proactively apply for E-JDA (Experience-Based) points via self-nomination if their individual duties meet the statutory threshold.
Excluded Position Categories:
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Student Assignments: Any assignment for joint education or joint training.
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Instructors: All instructor positions, excluding faculty members directly responsible for preparing and presenting JPME Phase II curricula.
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Fellowships & Internships: Assignments affiliated with educational, research, or degree-granting programs where the officer is not responsible for executing or implementing joint policy.
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Intra-Departmental Roles: Assignments located entirely within an officer’s own Military Department.
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Junior Officer Billets: All positions legally requiring the paygrade of O-3 and below.
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Temporary Billets: Temporary, overage, or unfunded positions.
JDAL Visibility and Access
The JDAL is not publicly published or posted for general access due to high volatility (billets are constantly added, modified, or de-certified) and generic coding. Roughly half of the Marine Corps billets on the JDAL are generically coded as 8006 (Unrestricted Officer), 8007 (Unrestricted Ground Officer), or 7506 (Pilot/NFO). MMOA monitors do not know which specific occupational fields will be required to fill these billets until the Officer Staffing Goal Model is finalized.
A Standard Joint Duty Assignment (S-JDA) is a billet explicitly codified on the active JDAL. Serving in an S-JDA is the primary, traditional pathway toward satisfying the experiential requirements for designation as a Joint Qualified Officer (JQO).
Active Duty Billet Verification: Officers must remember that not all billets at joint commands are JDAL billets. Joint commands contain numerous service-organic or non-joint support billets that do not confer joint credit. Prior to executing orders, officers must verify the S-JDA status of their prospective billet with their PMOS monitor.
S-JDA Billet Types:
- Standard Joint Billets: Officers may be assigned without prior JPME completion, though JPME Phase I is highly preferred.
- Joint Critical Billets: Highly sensitive positions restricted to senior Field Grade officers. The incumbent must, by law, be a designated JQO (Additional MOS 9702) prior to assignment.
Tour Lengths & Joint Credit Accrual
Pursuant to Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 664, strict statutory timeframes govern the awarding of S-JDA credit.
Tour Length Rules:
- Standard Orders: All orders to a JDAL tour must be written for a minimum of 24 months. This does not supersede DoDI 1315.18 or Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) constraints.
- Full Credit Statutory Gate: An officer is eligible for full joint duty credit upon departure if they have completed at least 22 months plus one day in the billet (calculated day-for-day).
- TAD / TDY Pauses: Temporary duty periods exceeding 30 consecutive days away from the joint organization for Service-related duties (pre-command training, JPME) do not count toward the 24-month minimum at command discretion. These days effectively pause joint time accrual.
Constructive Credit & Early Departures
Early departure from an S-JDA is heavily scrutinized. Reassigning or transferring even 24 hours prior to meeting the statutory gates without proper authorization will result in zero joint credit being awarded.
- Constructive Credit: In cases of documented military necessity (e.g., command-boarded positions), PMOS monitors may request constructive credit for officers who are reassigned from an S-JDA within 60 days of meeting the 24-month requirement (meaning they have completed at least 22 months).
- Joint Tour Length Waivers (JTLW): Any departure prior to the 22-month minimum gate requires an OSD-approved JTLW. If approved, the officer receives only accrued (fractional) joint credit. Departures without an approved JTLW yield no credit.
How to Obtain an S-JDA Billet
All joint assignments are managed and executed exclusively by your PMOS Assignment Monitor. The JOMO does not possess slating authority, nor do JOM managers influence assignment recommendations.
- Notify Your Monitor: During your transition window (typically within 12 months prior to your Slated Estimated Date of Departure), formally indicate your desire to fill a JDAL billet.
- Ensure PME Completion: Ensure you are JPME Phase I complete (or actively enrolled). Monitors prioritize JPME-compliant officers for competitive S-JDA slates.
- Confirm the Billet: During interviews, explicitly ask the monitor to confirm if the prospective joint billet is actively JDAL-coded within JDAMIS.
In accordance with Title 10, U.S. Code, Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) provides the specialized knowledge, skills, and strategic perspective necessary to enhance officer performance in joint and multinational environments. By law, JPME must be completed sequentially: Phase I followed by Phase II.
Officers are strongly advised to proactively manage their joint education profile early in their careers or request joint education allocations en route to a joint assignment.
Direct Entry Waivers (DEW): Joint Staff policy strictly limits attendance at JPME Phase II without prior completion of Phase I. Waivers are authorized only on a strict case-by-case basis under compelling circumstances. Furthermore, per Title 10, no more than 10 percent of any given JPME Phase II class may consist of officers attending under a DEW. Officers attending via a DEW will not receive Phase II credit until Phase I is subsequently completed.
JPME Phase I (Intermediate Level)
JPME Phase I is typically completed by mid-grade officers and is a strict statutory prerequisite for attending Phase II.
- Screening & Selection: In-residence Intermediate Level School (ILS) allocations—which award JPME Phase I credit upon completion—are screened annually via the Commandant's Professional Intermediate-Level Education Board (CPIB).
- Marine Corps Equivalents: The Marine Corps Command and Staff College (CSC) satisfies the Phase I requirement. For distance education, the Command and Staff College Distance Education Program (CSCDEP) 8000-series curriculum offered via the College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) is accredited for Phase I credit.
- Foreign Professional Military Education (FPME): While FPME completion grants Service PME credit, it no longer provides JPME Phase I credit. Marines undertaking FPME who have not already completed ILS must plan an alternate avenue to obtain JPME Phase I credit to ensure they are PME complete for grade.
JPME Phase II & Senior Level Education
JPME Phase II is a senior-level curriculum focusing on joint force integration and strategic operations, available for officers in the paygrades of O-4 through O-6.
- Screening & Selection: In-residence senior Service schools, National Defense University (NDU) allocations, and foreign senior PME slots—which award JPME Phase II credit upon completion—are screened and selected annually via the Top Level School (TLS) Selection Board.
- Senior Level Fellowships: Participation in senior-level fellowships provides invaluable strategic exposure and satisfies Service PME requirements at the senior level. However, fellowships do not meet the joint learning areas established by the CJCS for Phase I or Phase II JPME equivalency. Officers filling fellowship billets must secure JPME Phase II credit through an alternate avenue, such as the Joint Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) course. Fellowship opportunities are published annually within the TLS board convening MARADMIN.
- Statutory Outplacement Requirements:
- NDU Graduates: Due to Title 10 regulations, NDU attendance may incur a joint tour obligation. If an officer is already a designated JQO and attends an NDU college, they must, by law, be assigned to a standard JDAL tour upon graduation.
- JCWS Resident Graduates: Active duty graduates are subject to NDU outplacement requirements. Greater than 50% of graduates must be assigned to an S-JDA as their first assignment following graduation.
Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) Applications
For officers who do not receive Phase II credit via a senior Service college (such as Fellowship or FPME attendees), the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) offers four 10-week Phase II classes per year. Attendance is highly competitive due to limited Service quotas. Priority for class seat allocation is based on rank.
- Funding: JCWS attendance is funded by the student's parent command. Officers must verify command funding and availability prior to applying, or coordinate with their monitor to request JPME attendance en route during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) execution
- Submission Timeline: Applications must be submitted to MMOA-3 no later than 90 days prior to the course convening date.
- Submission Inbox: Submit completed applications to smb_jointmatters_active@usmc.mil. MMOA-3 will notify you if selected and confirm availability. If not selected, officers may request their application be rolled to a subsequent class.
Certificate Submission & Joint Officer History (JOH) Updates
To ensure an accurate Joint Officer History (JOH) and receive appropriate educational credit, officers must manually submit their completion documents (with the exception of formal "in-residence" military programs which generally auto-populate).
- Requirement: Submit official JPME completion letters or diplomas for all accredited distance learning programs (JPME I and JPME II).
- Submission Inbox: Email certificates to smb_jointmatters_active@usmc.mil.
- Processing Time: Please allow up to 10 business days for the credit to be adjudicated and reflected in your JOH.
The Experience-Based Joint Duty Assignment (E-JDA) pathway recognizes and awards joint qualification points for significant joint experiences gained in non-Joint Duty Assignment List (JDAL) billets. These include joint task force deployments, operational coordination roles, and temporary duty in support of joint operations.
E-JDA point accumulation is a self-directed process. It is the individual officer's responsibility to submit a high-quality, fully documented, and properly sanitized self-nomination package for formal board adjudication.
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Paygrade Limitation: Pursuant to CJCSI 1330.05C, officers must be in the paygrade of O-3 or above for the entire duration of the submitted joint experience to accrue joint points.
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Strict Statutory Timeline: Active Component officers must formally submit their self-nomination via the Joint Qualification System (JQS) portal within one year (12 months) of the completion date of the nominated joint experience.
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Adjudication Window: Due to the volume of joint submissions across all Services and the scheduled frequency of the Joint Panel, the self-nomination review, service vetting, Joint Panel adjudication, and final point posting process typically spans 6 to 12 months.
Points Calculation Methodology (DoDI 1300.19)
E-JDA points are calculated strictly to the nearest tenth based on the total number of certified, consecutive joint duty days and the designated intensity multiplier. There is no rounding up of partial months.
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Standard Experience (Intensity Factor 1): Traditional joint staff support, steady-state exercises, or routine non-combat staff assignments. Yields 1.0 point per month (30.4 days).
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Combat/Hostile Area Experience (Intensity Factor 3): Joint operations conducted within designated combat zones. Yields 3.0 points per month (30.4 days). Officers must provide Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) validating the receipt of Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay (HFP/IDP) for every single month claimed under this multiplier.
E-JDA Review Board Schedule (FY26)
E-JDA packages are adjudicated by service-specific review panels. Active Component packages must be submitted via the E-JDA portal approximately 45 days prior to the board convening date to allow for administrative vetting, verification, and correction.
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Review Panel
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Board Convening Dates
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MMOA-3 Submission Deadline
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FY26 Board 1
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15 Jan 2026 (O-6 and Above) 13–14 Jan 2026 (O-5 and Below)
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28 November 2025
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FY26 Board 2
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21 May 2026 (O-6 and Above) 19–20 May 2026 (O-5 and Below)
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10 April 2026
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FY26 Board 3
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17 Sept 2026 (O-6 and Above) 15–16 Sept 2026 (O-5 and Below)
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7 August 2026
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Note: If corrections or additional documents are required to support your submission, JOM managers will contact you directly via the JQS system.
Step-by-Step Submission Procedures
To prevent system timeouts and ensure a successful submission, officers are strongly encouraged to compile and draft all required information prior to initiating their online application.
Step 1: Draft your Joint Experience Summary (JES)
You must describe how your duties directly fulfilled the statutory definition of "Joint Matters" (Title 10, U.S.C. Section 668). Your answers to the core questions on the web portal are strictly capped at 340 characters (including spaces) per response. Draft these responses in a word processor beforehand to copy-paste.
Step 2: Access the JQS Portal
Log in to the secure Joint Qualification System (JQS) portal using your CAC:
Step 3: Format and Sanitize Supporting Documentation
All files must be scanned in black and white at 150 DPI in .pdf format to minimize upload size. You must completely sanitize (black out) your Social Security Number (SSN) and the SSN of your reporting senior on all documents.
Organize and name your files exactly as follows:
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Fitness Reports: Combine all FITREPs covering the nominated timeframe into a single PDF, arranged chronologically from oldest to newest. File Name: LASTNAME_FITREPS.pdf
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Orders: Upload your PCS or TAD orders validating the location and timeframe of the deployment. File Name: LASTNAME_Orders.pdf
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Award Citations: Combine the award write-up (summary of action) followed by the formal citation into one PDF. File Name: LASTNAME_Award_JT_COM.pdf
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Officer Duty History: Provide an official Marine Corps duty history report or verified billet position description. File Name: LASTNAME_DutyHistory.pdf
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Travel and Combat Pay Verification:
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For OCONUS deployments, upload your Adjudicated Travel Voucher Summary. (Note: A Statement of Service may be submitted in lieu of a travel voucher only if signed by an O-6 or above).
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For Combat Experience (Intensity Factor 3), upload individual LES statements showing receipt of IPD/HFP for each month claimed.
Note: Submissions initiated while actively in-tour will be returned for re-work. The Joint Staff will not accept or adjudicate any self-nominations until the requested tour is fully completed.
Step 4: Verify Your Record
Following the release of board results, points will be updated in JDAMIS. You may audit your updated Joint Qualification credits, Standard JDA time, and JPME status at any time by clicking the "View Joint Officer History" link within your JQS portal account.
Pursuant to DoDI 1300.19, Discretionary Points are defined as joint qualification points earned in excess of the minimum statutory education and experience requirements. These points are accumulated through active participation in approved joint exercises, collective or individual joint training, and accredited joint education curricula other than standard Joint Professional Military Education (JPME).
Discretionary points are designed to reward Active Component officers for activities that directly enhance their operational knowledge and mastery of joint matters.
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Maximum Point Allowance: A maximum of 6 discretionary points may be applied toward the total point portfolio required for Level III/JQO (24 points) qualifications.
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Strict 12-Month Submission Window: In accordance with Joint Staff directives, discretionary points must be formally approved and updated within the Joint Duty Assignment Management Information System (JDAMIS) within 12 months of the officer completing the qualifying exercise, training event, or educational course. Submissions exceeding this statutory 12-month limit will be rejected.
S-JDA / E-JDA Point Accrual Exclusion
To maintain the integrity of statutory joint tracking, strict concurrency rules govern the awarding of discretionary points:
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Concurrency Ban (Exercises & Training): Officers may not be awarded discretionary points for joint training or joint exercises executed while actively serving in a Standard Joint Duty Assignment (S-JDA / JDAL billet) or during any active period for which the officer is already being awarded Experience-Based Joint Duty Assignment (E-JDA / self-nomination) experience points.
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Distance Learning Exception (Education): Officers may be awarded discretionary points for approved "Joint Education" completed via distance learning/education programs while simultaneously serving in an active S-JDA billet, or during periods where E-JDA points are actively being accumulated.
Joint Staff (J-7) Validation Requirements
The joint education course, training program, or exercise must be formally listed on the Joint Staff (J-7) Approved Event List within the specific timeframe the event was executed. If an event or course was not certified by the Joint Staff J-7 at the time of completion, discretionary points cannot be authorized.
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Direct Reference Documents:
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Education Recency Rule: For joint educational courses, only the Joint Qualification Report covering the exact timeframe of the course completion will be utilized to determine eligibility for discretionary credit.
Submission and Validation Process
To request the application of discretionary points to your Joint Officer History (JOH), officers must submit a completed application package directly to the Joint Officer Matters Office (JOMO).
1. Complete the Required Worksheet: Download and complete the formal Active Component Discretionary Points Worksheet to specify the exact category of credit (Exercise, Education, or Training) you are requesting.
2. Supporting Documentation: All submissions must be accompanied by certified documentation that substantiates the request. The qualifying joint education, training, or exercise must be clearly indicated within the submitted files.
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Joint Exercises: Submit an approved Exercise Manning List, Joint Training Information Management System (JTIMS) validation, official TAD/travel orders, or Fitness Reports (FITREPs) covering the exact dates of the exercise.
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Joint Training: Submit official course completion certificates, accredited training rosters, or military orders showing attendance.
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Joint Education: Submit formal diplomas, academic transcripts, or official course completion letters displaying the accredited dates of instruction.
3. Submit the Package: Email your completed worksheet supporting documentation to the active joint inbox:
Once JOMO verifies the packet and inputs the data into JDAMIS, the approved points will be reflected on your official joint record. Officers can verify their updated points by accessing the "View Joint Officer History" link via the secure
DHRA Web Portal.
References & Statutory Policies
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Title 10, United States Code, Section 668: Codified definition of "Joint Matters."
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CJCSI 1330.05C: Joint Officer Management Program Procedures (Effective 19 July 2024).
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The Select Billet Program is a highly specialized branch of the External Billet Program. Many Marines serve outside the Marine Corps with both Department of Defense (DoD) organizations and non-DoD federal departments and agencies. A small, sensitive subset of those assignments constitutes the Select Billet Program.
When applying to the Select Billet Program, you are applying to serve in one of these sensitive positions. Some of these select billets may be joint-credit eligible and almost all are characterized by a demanding operational pace.
Career Considerations & Mentorship
While these assignments offer unparalleled operational experience and joint exposure, they often fall outside the traditional bounds of Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) progression.
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Career Risk Assessment: Many of these roles do not carry the formal designation of a PMOS "key developmental billet" based on grade. It is imperative that every applicant critically evaluates the potential career implications associated with a non-standard assignment prior to applying.
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Mandatory Consultation: Before submitting an application, officers are highly advised to consult directly with their respective PMOS Assignment Monitor and Career Counselor. This dialogue ensures that a potential assignment to the Select Billet Program aligns with the officer's individual career trajectory and long-term promotion viability.
Application & Adjudication Process
The Select Billet Program operates on a highly competitive, year-long cycle. Applications are thoroughly screened to ensure candidates meet strict service and agency eligibility requirements.
1. Administrative Screening: Upon receipt of your Initial Screening Questionnaire (ISQ), the program managers verify basic eligibility (completeness, rank/MOS match to open vacancies, and timing for orders). Applicants will receive an email confirmation within 30 days of receipt.
2. Monitor Concurrence: Program managers will contact your PMOS monitor to verify assignment availability. Your monitor has final authority regarding your eligibility to receive orders to a select billet. If you already have orders, or if you have been selected for command, resident school, or another program, you will not be considered.
3. Agency Review & Assessment: If your monitor concurs, your sanitized application is forwarded to the select organizations. If an agency is interested in your candidacy, they will contact you directly to initiate their specific vetting process. This may include a more detailed security application and a formal assessment or selection period lasting from 1 to 6 weeks.
4. Final Selection: Selected officers will be notified formally and will receive PCS/PCA orders. Non-selected officers will be notified accordingly. Applications are valid for one hiring cycle only. Applications are not archived; you must submit a new ISQ to be considered in future fiscal years.
Critical Timelines & Submission Guidelines
Select billets typically open during the summer PCS cycle.
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When to Apply: You may apply up to one year in advance. Because billets are filled on a rolling basis as qualified applications are received, it is in your best interest to apply as soon after 01 June as possible.
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The Deadlines: Billets for the following summer are typically fully slated and filled by 31 December.
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Off-Cycle Opportunities: On rare occasions, "off-cycle" vacancies occur during the winter or spring. These targeted openings will be actively solicited through the appropriate occupational field sponsors and PMOS monitors.
Instructions: How to Apply
To apply for a select billet, officers must complete the Initial Screening Questionnaire (ISQ) and submit it via secure email.
2. Draft Your Application: You may apply to the program without knowing the specific details of the sensitive organizations or billets; your application will automatically be screened against all vacancies for which you are a viable candidate.
a. Strict Security Directive: Do not use specific unit names, nor identify specific installations or sensitive locations in your application. Ensure the content of your email and ISQ remains entirely UNCLASSIFIED.
b. Expressing Preferences: To indicate geographic or occupational preferences, refer only to general regions or skill sets.
Permissible Examples: "I wish to be considered for a select billet in the National Capital Region." or "I do not wish to be considered for select billets in the Tidewater area of VA." or "I wish to advertise my background in cyberspace and signals intelligence."
If no preference: Simply state: "I wish to be considered for any select billets for which I am eligible."
3. Submit Your Package
Email your completed ISQ to the centralized Select Billet Applications inbox:
For general inquiries or to learn more about active opportunities, contact your PMOS assignment monitor.
Q1: WHAT IS JDAMIS, AND WHY MUST I AUDIT MY ENTRY/EXIT DATES?
A: The Joint Duty Assignment Management Information System (JDAMIS) is the authoritative Department of War database used to track all military personnel assigned to a Joint Duty Assignment (JDA). The Joint Officer Matters Office (JOMO), MMOA-3, administers the Active Component Marine Corps' portion of JDAMIS.
By regulation, JOM managers cannot log checking-in or checking-out dates until after the physical administrative action occurs.
Q2: HOW DO I VERIFY IF MY BILLET AWARDS JOINT DUTY CREDIT?
A: While the Marine Corps mans roughly 2,000 billets within various Joint Commands, only approximately 700 of those billets are formally on the Joint Duty Assignment List (JDAL) and eligible for S-JDA joint credit.
Prior to executing orders, you must coordinate with your PMOS monitor to verify if the billet is JDAL-coded. If your monitor cannot confirm, contact the JOMO directly for clarification.
Q3: WHAT IS THE STATUTORY JOINT TOUR LENGTH, AND HOW IS FULL CREDIT CALCULATED?
A: Pursuant to Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 664 (as amended by the 2017 NDAA), all standard orders to a Joint Duty Assignment List (JDAL) billet must be written for a minimum of 24 months.
However, an officer serving in a Standard Joint Duty Assignment (S-JDA) will be eligible for full joint duty credit upon departure if they have completed at least 22 months plus one day in the billet.
Please Note: This statutory minimum gate does not alter standard assignment tour lengths mandated by DoDI 1315.18, nor does it supersede Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) requirements for CONUS/OCONUS assignments.
Q4: WHAT IS CONSTRUCTIVE CREDIT, AND HOW DOES THE "60-DAY RULE" OPERATE?
A: In cases of documented military necessity (such as immediate reassignment to a command-boarded position or resident PME), PMOS monitors are authorized to request the award of constructive credit for officers (excluding general/flag officers) who are reassigned from an S-JDA within 60 days of meeting the standard 24-month joint tour requirement.
CRITICAL WARNING: Transferring or executing your departure diary entry even 24 hours prior to meeting the 22-month-plus-one-day statutory gate without an approved waiver will result in zero joint credit being awarded for the entire tour. You must coordinate closely with your PMOS monitor to verify your exact check-in (diary) date and confirm that your planned detachment date legally permits your release.
Q5: WHAT HAPPENS IF I MUST DEPART MY S-JDA PRIOR TO THE 22-MONTH STATUTORY GATE?
A: Any departure from an S-JDA prior to the 22-month minimum gate for reasons such as command-boarded positions or developmental education requires an OSD-approved Joint Tour Length Waiver (JTLW).
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If the JTLW is approved, the officer will receive only accrued (fractional) joint credit.
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Any early departure executed without an OSD-approved JTLW will result in no joint credit being awarded.
Q6: DO TEMPORARY DUTY (TAD/TDY) PERIODS PAUSE MY JOINT TOUR TIMELINE?
A: Yes. Any temporary duty periods exceeding 30 consecutive days away from your assigned joint organization for Service-related duties, including pre-command training, refresher training, or JPME attendance—will not count toward the statutory 24-month minimum S-JDA credit at the discretion of the joint command. These away-days effectively pause your joint time accrual and will extend the physical time you must remain in the billet to secure full credit.
Q7: I HAVE MET ALL EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR JQO. HOW DO I APPLY?
A: No manual application is required. Once your Joint Officer History (JOH) reflects the completion of JPME Phase I, JPME Phase II, and a Full Joint Tour (or 24 combined points), the nomination process is fully automated.
The JOMO packages and forwards validated nominees to the Joint Staff on a monthly basis. The Joint Staff verifies the qualifications and submits the roster to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) for formal designation. This process typically takes 2 to 3 months. Once the official designation letter is signed, the JOMO will apply the 9702 (JQO) Additional MOS to your record.
Q8: IS JQO DESIGNATION REQUIRED FOR PROMOTION TO BRIGADIER GENERAL?
A: Yes. Statutory law requires JQO designation (Level III qualification) as a prerequisite for selection and appointment to the grade of Brigadier General (O-7).
Q9: DO I NEED TO BE JPME COMPLETE TO BE ASSIGNED TO A JOINT BILLET?
A: It depends on the classification of the billet.
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Non-Critical Billets: Officers may be assigned to these billets without prior JPME completion.
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Critical Joint Billets: By law, an officer must be a designated JQO (Level III qualified) prior to assignment.
Q10: WHAT EXPERIENCES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXPERIENCE-BASED (E-JDA) CREDIT?
A: To be eligible for E-JDA credit via self-nomination, the experience must directly align with the statutory definition of "Joint Matters" under Title 10, U.S. Code. This includes duties involving:
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Unified action by integrated military forces.
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National military strategy, strategic planning, and contingency planning.
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Command and control of operations under unified command.
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National security planning with other USG departments and agencies (interagency).
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Combined operations with allied foreign military forces.
Q11: HOW CAN I ENSURE MY JOINT HISTORY REMAINS ACCURATE?
A: While the JOMO manages JDAMIS, the individual officer bears ultimate responsibility for auditing their own Master Brief Sheet (MBS) and OMPF. Contact the JOMO immediately if:
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You are slated to be detached from a joint command prior to your 22-month mark.
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You are executing orders en route to or departing from a Foreign Area Officer (FAO), Regional Affairs Officer (RAO), or Defense Attaché (DATT) billet, as these unique assignments require manual tracking.
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You are retiring while assigned to a Joint Command, to ensure your record is properly closed out in JDAMIS.
For all inquiries regarding Joint Officer History (JOH) audits, Standard Joint Duty Assignment (S-JDA) tour lengths, Constructive Credit verification, or E-JDA submissions, please contact the Joint Officer Matters Office.
(Please allow 2–3 business days for responses to general inquiries and up to 10 business days for the processing and posting of submitted JPME certificates).