Fiscal Year 2028 (FY28) Active and Reserve Marine Attaché (MARA) Selection Board Announcement

1.  Purpose.  In accordance with the references, 
this message outlines the Active Duty and Reserve Marine Corps 
Attaché (MARA) program, the procedures for consideration for 
service with the Defense Attaché Service (DAS), and solicits 
applications for the FY28 MARA program.  The board selects Marines 
based on Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) experience and 
performance, and slates Marines based on merit and their specific 
language, regional expertise, and cultural skills.
1.a.  Major timeline milestones are below (read in three columns).
Date                        Milestone            Note
Release of this message     Applications open
26 June 2026                Applications due
31 August 2026              Board convenes
January 2027                Results released     1
Note 1:  Following approval of primary selects by the Secretary of 
the Navy (SECNAV), Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) releases the 
results of the FY28 MARA Selection Board anytime from December 2026 
to January 2027.  Results may be delayed due to SECNAV approval.
2.  MARAs fill influential, strategic-level positions within 
embassy country teams.  Depending on the specific billet and 
country, they serve as the direct representative of the Secretary 
of War, the SECNAV, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 
geographic combatant commanders, and the Commandant of the Marine 
Corps.  MARAs may also serve as the Senior Defense Official/Defense 
Attaché (SDO/DATT) at particular embassies.  SDO/DATTs direct, 
control, operate, and administer the Defense Attaché Office to which 
assigned.  Attaché duties vary by country, but all personnel will 
advise the Chief of Mission on military matters.
2.a.  Reserve attaché program.  Reserve attachés' primary purpose 
is to augment the DAS utilizing drills and annual training periods, 
30-60 continuous days in the National Capital Region (NCR) or 
abroad per year.  However, they may also have opportunities to 
support while on longer term Active-Duty Operational Support orders 
for periods of three months to two years based on operational MARA 
gaps.  Reserve attaché program selectees will be assigned to a 
geographic division and utilized based on DAS priorities, Marine 
availability, suitability, and funding availability.
3.  Eligibility criteria.  Active Component (AC) and Reserve 
Component (RC) Marines who meet the following criteria are eligible 
to apply.
3.a.  Grade and career timing
3.a.1.  AC applicants must meet the grade criterion (or be selected 
for promotion to that grade) and possess the career timing to serve 
a full tour of duty in the grade of the billet for which they are 
applying.  Lieutenant colonel applicants must plan to opt-out of 
consideration for promotion if selected if they enter the in-zone 
population at any time during their anticipated tour of duty and 
must agree to do so in their application.  
3.a.2.  Enlisted Marines in grade of E-5 to E-8.  E-5s must have 
two years TIG.
3.a.3.  RC applicants must belong to one of the following 
categories of the ready reserve:  Selected Marine Corps Reserve, 
Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), Individual Ready Reserve, 
or AC with a transfer date to the Ready Reserve before the end of 
FY26.
3.a.4.  AC Marines must be a FY27 mover based upon their current 
prescribed tour control factor (TCF).  If selected, Marines will 
depart their current duty station in FY27 to attend training prior 
to reporting to their assigned country in FY28.
3.a.5.  If an applicant does not meet their prescribed TCF 
requirements in paragraph 3.a.4, they must submit an exception to 
policy (ETP), endorsed by the first O-6 in the chain of command, 
via NAVMC 10274 (AA-Form), with their application.  Transfer inside 
of the prescribed TCF will result in a gap for that command until 
the TCF has concluded.  If an officer is selected prior to his/her 
normal rotation date, Manpower Management Officer Assignments 
(MMOA) will attempt to provide a backfill.  A commander's 
endorsement of the AA Form is considered acknowledgement of this 
situation.  MMOA will adjudicate the ETP separately from the board 
process and must be approved by MMOA before a Marine will be 
considered for a MARA billet vacancy.  An officer with an approved 
ETP will be a FY27 mover regardless of selection to the MARA 
program.  MMOA will not accept conditional tour curtailment 
requests.
3.a.6.  AC applicants must include email correspondence from their 
PMOS monitor.  RC applicants must include email correspondence from 
RAM-1 confirming their eligibility for this program by using 
SMB_RAM-1@USMC.MIL.  The board will not consider applications 
without PMOS monitor or RAM confirmation.  Service requirements and 
other manpower considerations may preclude eligibility IAW ref (b).
3.a.7.  Per references (a) and (b), AC applicants must have 
completed a Single Scope Background Investigation or Top Secret 
(TS) Security Investigation and have Sensitive Compartmented 
Information (SCI) eligibility to apply.  Application to the MARA 
program is not sufficient justification for an investigation 
eligibility determination for AC applicants.  Officers and Marines 
selected by the board will be required to either have a current 
(within the last five years) counterintelligence scope polygraph or 
obtain one prior to attending the Joint Military Attaché School 
(JMAS).  For questions regarding clearances, contact USMC HQMC 
Special Security Office at 703-693-6005 or hqmc_sso@usmc.mil.
3.a.8.  RC Marines without TS/SCI eligibility may apply, however, 
if a reserve primary selectee does not have TS/SCI eligibility, the 
Marine will be submitted for and must obtain a TS/SCI clearance 
before transferring to the IMA and subsequently pass a 
counterintelligence-scope polygraph before starting the Reserve 
Support Course (RSC).
3.a.9.  RC Marines must have had four satisfactory years of service 
(50 points minimum each year) during the last five years.
4.  Ineligibility criteria
4.a.  Marines with an established separation or retirement date.
4.b.  AC captains and majors in the Above-Zone (AZ).  Lieutenant 
colonels in the AZ will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
4.c.  Restricted officers.
4.d.  Marines with pending legal action.
4.e.  Marines affiliated with the Active Reserve Program.
4.f.  RC Marines above 5840 Active Duty Points on their Career 
Retirement Credit Report.  RC Marines with less than 5040 Career 
Retirement Credit Report points are preferred.
4.g.  AC officers and Marines in receipt of Permanent Change of 
Station or Permanent Change of Assignment orders.
4.h.  Officers and Marines selected for or currently attending 
programs that have a designated utilization assignment.  Examples 
include, Commandant's Education Board, and School of Advanced 
Warfighting, etc.
4.i.  AC aviators completing two or more consecutive years in 
Duties Involving Flying - Denied status during FY27 will not 
normally be screened.  These officers may request consideration 
by contacting their PMOS monitor.  
4.j.  AC Marines without TS/SCI clearance eligibility.
4.k.  Current MARAs can only apply for back to back tours if you 
are eligible for rotation in FY28.
5.  Additional considerations
5.a.  While actively serving in the Marine Attache (MARA) training 
pipeline, while attending Joint Military Attache School (JMAS), and 
while posted overseas as a MARA, the Defense Intelligence Agency 
(DIA) and the Defense Attache Service (DAS) retain operational 
control (OPCON) of you at all times.  During these same periods of 
time, your administrative control (ADCON) is retained by Marine 
Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA), including responsibility for 
fitness report processing, orders generation (both to and from the 
program), and court-martial authority.
5.b.  Language, regional expertise, and culture skills are highly 
desirable but are not prerequisites.
5.c.  Families are an important element of the MARA program.  
Attachés are encouraged to take their families to most assignments.  
Applicants with dependents enrolled in the Exceptional Family 
Member Program are eligible to apply but may not be able to 
participate pending availability of required care.
5.d.  Foreign-born Marines are not eligible for assignment to the 
country in which they were born.
5.e.  Spouses of AC applicants must be naturalized US citizens.  
Applicants will not be eligible for assignment to the country in 
which the spouse was born.  For RC applicants, spouses are not 
required to be naturalized US citizens for the applicant to serve 
in the Reserve Attaché Program.
5.f.  Applicants will not be eligible for assignment to a country 
in which immediate family members still maintain citizenship.  
Applicants should identify in their application letter whether any 
of their immediate family are not US citizens or dual citizens.  
Immediate family members include parents, stepparents, siblings, 
and children.
5.g.  Dual Active-Duty applicants must have concurrence from both 
monitors and be willing to forego co-location if selected.  This 
must be annotated in the MARA application.  
6.  Training
6.a.  AC Training.  AC Marines selected for the program will 
attend JMAS, conducted over approximately 16 weeks at the Defense 
Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Washington, DC.  Marines who 
successfully complete this training are then available for 
assignment abroad.  Language training is also required for most 
billets.  The length of language training will be based on the 
language and proficiency level required.  Training start dates are 
dependent upon the country to which selected, JMAS, and the 
language training (up to 64 weeks in duration).  In some cases, 
this training may start as early as Spring 2027.  Active Duty 
officers serving as MARAs are administratively controlled by the 
Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) throughout training and 
while assigned to their respective countries.
6.b.  RC Training.  Reserve Attachés selected for the program must 
complete both the RSC and Geographic Division 
Training/Familiarization before serving overseas.  RSC is a 
resident one-week introductory course taught by the JMAS annually, 
usually in December, at DIA in Washington, DC.
7.  AC vacancies.  The FY28 MARA board will screen AC applicants 
for the below assignments.  This list is subject to change up 
until the conclusion of the board based on DIA requirements.  For 
the most current list, visit the website listed in paragraph 9.c.  
All are 36-month accompanied tours unless noted otherwise.
7.a.  Officers  (Read in four columns):
Country             Language          Rank           Notes
Bangladesh          Bengali           Maj            1,2
Colombia            Spanish           Maj
Denmark             Danish            LtCol
France              French            LtCol
Iraq                None              Maj            3
Japan               Japanese          Col            4
Latvia              Latvian           LtCol          SDO/DATT,5
Liberia             None              Maj            1,2,6
Mexico              Spanish           Maj 
Papua New Guinea    None              LtCol          SDO/DATT,1,5
Peru                Spanish           Maj 
Philippines         Tagalog           Maj
Romania             Romanian          Maj
Senegal             French            LtCol          1
United Kingdom      None              LtCol          2
7.b.  Enlisted  (Read in four columns)
Country             Language           Rank          Notes
Bahrain             None               GySgt-MSgt    7
Dominican Republic  Spanish            GySgt-MSgt    7
Mexico              Spanish            Sgt-GySgt
Taiwan              Chinese-Mandarin   Sgt-MSgt      8
Ukraine             Ukrainian          Sgt-GySgt     3
Libya               French             GySgt-MSgt    7

Note 1:  24 month tour
Note 2:  FY27 report date that may require a attendance at Apr27 
JMAS
Note 3:  12 month restricted tour
Note 4:  64 week language training program
Note 5:  SDO/DATT applicants must have FAO and/or MARA experience
Note 6:  "Education Limitations" (K-10 Only) 11-12 Homeschool or 
Boarding School
Note 7:  OPS CO Billet
Note 8:  2629 MOS (Linguist" is required
8. Reserve attaché program
8.a.  The FY28 board will screen two primary and two alternate 
reserve component O-3 to O-5 billets, and one primary and one 
alternate reserve component E-6 and E-7.
8.b.  Reserve IMA billets are three to five years in duration.
8.c.  Selectees will be transferred to the HQMC Intelligence 
Division IMA unit (RUC 88600) prior to the start of RSC once the 
required clearance has been adjudicated.  RC selectees will attend 
RSC as soon as able, per paragraph 6.b.  Drill attendance sheets, 
orders requests, and other administrative requirements associated 
with this duty will be processed by HQMC Deputy Commandant for 
Information.  Drills and Annual Training will likely occur in the 
NCR for the first year in support of this program's substantial 
onboarding process.
8.d.  Reserve Marines selected as Alternates on the FY27 Marine 
Attaché Board are encouraged to reapply.
9.  Application process
9.a.  All applicants will follow guidelines posted to the 
Headquarters Marine Corps Intelligence Division MARA website listed 
in paragraph 9c.  Applications must include a command endorsement 
from the first O-6 commander in the applicant's chain of command.  
Applicants will list all assignments in order of preference, although 
country selections will be based on the needs of the service.  
Prospective applicants, if selected, must be prepared to serve at 
any duty station listed in paragraph 7.  Partial lists will not be 
accepted.
9.b.  Any Marine officer or enlisted personnel selected and slated 
for the MARA program who subsequently declines participation must 
submit their declination and the reasons therefore via NAVMC 10274 
(AA-Form) to the Director, Manpower Management within 10 calendar 
days the release of the board selection results.  Marines who 
decline selection will not be allowed to return or reapply to the 
MARA program and will have a declination letter placed into their 
OMPF.
9.c.  A full medical screening is not required for the application 
process; however, all applicants must provide a Certification of 
Suitability for Overseas Assignment for themselves and all family 
members.  It is imperative applicants disclose ongoing conditions 
to best ensure the applicant and family members' needs can be met.  
Once selected, MARA candidates and their families must complete a 
full medical overseas screening within 90 days of acceptance.
9.d.  Application requirements, documents and templates are 
available at:  https:(slash)(slash)www.intelligence.marines.mil/
OCC-Field-Foreign-Language/Defense-Attache-Program/.
9.d.1.  Every document within the application must be a separate 
file in portable document format (.pdf) and saved with the naming 
convention EDIPI_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_MI_RANK_ACTIVE 
(or RESERVE)_MOS_ENCLOSURENUMBER_DOCUMENTNAME 
(e.g., 1234567890_SMITH_JOHN_A_MAJ_RESERVE_0302_ENCL1_O6_COMMAND_END
ORSMENT).
9.d.2.  OMPF update material.  Officers should submit OMPF update 
requests via OMPF-Records Management Application (O-RMA). If 
assistance is required, contact your unit S-1 or local IPAC.  
Officers are responsible for ensuring their OMPF and Master Brief 
Sheet is accurate at all times.  Board members will have access to 
the OMPF during the panel.  Photographs will be reviewed by the 
selection board.
9.d.3.  The board will not consider incorrect or incomplete packages.
9.d.4.  Applications must arrive to HQMC Intelligence Division no 
later than 1630 Eastern Standard Time on 26 June 2026 to be 
considered by the board.
9.d.5.  Applications will be submitted using DODSAFE 
(https:(slash)(slash)safe.apps.mil/) to: 
mara_application@usmc.mil.  Ensure encryption passphrases are 
emailed to mara_application@usmc.mil to prevent delayed processing.
9.d.6.  Enlisted Marines applying will also submit their 
application via the Special Duty Assignment Miscellaneous 
Reenlistment Extension Lateral Move (RELM) in the Total Force 
Retention System (TFRS) via the normal RELM routing chain to CMC 
(MMEA-25).  Unit Career Planners have access to the TFRS program.  
Enlisted packages not routed through TFRS will not be boarded.
10.  Deconfliction with Active Component O-5 and O-6 Command 
Screening Boards (CSB) and Top Level School (TLS) Board.  If a 
Marine is selected for the FY27 CSB or TLS board, the CSB or TLS 
selection will take priority and the Marine will no longer be 
eligible for consideration to the Marine Attaché Program or like 
assignment.  Marines considering applying to this or similar 
programs are recommended to contact their PMOS monitor with further 
questions.
11.  Results.  M&RA will publish results following SECNAV 
review/approval of AC Officer primary selectees.  The results 
MARADMIN will contain information on the process for acceptance 
of the assignment and basic reporting information.
12.  This message is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
13.  Release authorized by BGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.