Fiscal Year 2027 45XX Occupational Field Intermediate and Advanced Level Course Registration Process and Seat Allocations

1.  This is an Occupational Field (OccFld) Support,
Communication Directorate, and Marine Detachment (MARDET), Fort
Meade, coordinated message announcing the allocation of seats for
intermediate and advanced-level courses at the Defense Information
School (DINFOS).
2.  Purpose.
2.a.  This message announces changes to the 45XX OccFld intermediate
and advanced-level course registration process and seat allocations
for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) to the Marine Forces (MARFOR) level.
These adjustments are the result of Executive Steering Committee
deliberations, which established a fair-share allocation of seats
across the 45XX OccFld to ensure equitable distribution and
alignment with established training priorities.  All 45XX courses
and class schedules can be viewed in the Marine Corps Training
Information Management System (MCTIMS) under the Student Registrar
Module.
2.b.  Leaders at all levels must reinforce the importance of
attending intermediate and advanced-level courses and highlight how
completion has a direct impact on promotion and career advancement.
Participation in skill progression and rank-appropriate courses is
essential not only for meeting individual career requirements but
also for sustaining funding that supports these curricula.
Completion of these courses enables Marines to remain competitive
for advanced career opportunities, including programs such as
Syracuse University's advanced education initiatives and selection
for Visual Information Officer (VIO).  Moreover, they provide
Marines the opportunity to master 2000-level events and higher as
outlined in reference (B), ensuring Communication Strategy and
Operations (COMMSTRAT) Marines are fully prepared to meet
operational and institutional requirements.
3.  Registration Process.
3.a.  The registration process has changed for FY27.  COMMSTRAT
Directors/OICs, VIOs and/or Senior Enlisted Leaders will submit
their registration nominations through their chain of command to
their MARFOR G-3 via MCTIMS.  For all resident DINFOS courses,
Marines must be registered in MCTIMS no later than 46 days prior to
the course convene date.  Units are encouraged to register Marines
60 days prior to the course convene date to ensure lodging is
secured.  If a change to a registration is required, or a unit
attempts to register a Marine within 45 days of the course convene
date, the registering COMMSTRAT leadership must contact MARDET Fort
Meade to prevent loss of allocations.  All distance learning
registrations must be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the
start date to avoid forfeiting seats.  Units will submit all 45XX
enrollment questions/concerns to the MARDET Fort Meade Operations
Office via email at MARDET_Training@dinfos.edu.  All course details
and prerequisites are published in MCTIMS.  MCTIMS is the
authoritative source for enrollment information; local trackers,
applications, or spreadsheets are not considered valid, and any
discrepancies will be resolved using MCTIMS.
3.b.  Application requirements.
3.b.1.  DINFOS Command Screening Checklist
3.b.1.a.  The checklist can be found at https:(slash)(slash)
www.dinfos.dma.mil(slash)Student-Info(slash)Service-In-processing
(slash)Marines(slash)
3.b.2.  All prerequisite training met
3.b.3.  Active GTCC
3.b.4.  Waivers, if applicable
3.c.  Information Required for MARDET Fort Meade Registration or
seat swap within 45 days.
3.c.1.  Course Identification Code (CID)
3.c.2.  Class ID
3.c.3.  EDIPI
3.c.4.  Full Name (Last, First, MI)
3.c.5.  Sex
3.c.6.  DINFOS Command Screening Checklist
3.c.7.  Contact e-mail
3.c.8.  COMMSTRAT Directors/OICs, VIOs and/or Senior Enlisted
Leaders name and e-mail
3.c.9.  Waivers, if applicable
4.  DINFOS Intermediate and Advanced-Level Course: 
COLUMN (A)                                  COLUMN (B)
COURSE NAME                                 CID
Visual Information Management               A18M6N2

Intermediate Photojournalism Course         A1843E2

Joint Contingency Public Affairs Course     A18DC42

Public Affairs Communication Strategy       A18DCA2
Qualification Course

Intermediate Motion Media Course            A18KCU2

Mass Communication Foundations Writing      A18M7L2
Course – Distance Learning

Digital Multimedia Course                   A18T4Z2

Intermediate Public Affairs Course          A18DCG2
5.  Seat Allocations.
5.a.  To find the current Officer, Enlisted, and civilian seat
allocations visit the student registrar portal in MCTIMS. 
6.  Reporting Instructions.
6.a.  Accountability.  Upon arrival at Fort Meade, Marines will
check in with the MARDET Operations Office on the report date of
their course.  If a Marine is checking in outside of normal working
hours, they will check in with the Officer of the Day at the MARDET.
Marines who are checking in can contact the OOD via phone at (301)
677-2048 or (703) 296-2865.
6.b.  DINFOS/Detachment Check-In.  Check-in instructions, to include
course uniform requirements, will be provided to the unit and Marine
prior to the Marine arriving.    
6.c.  Medical Status Notification.  Marines currently assigned to
limited or light duty must check-in with the MARDET with the
appropriate medical documentation upon arrival.
6.d.  Non-Compliance Policy.  All Marines registered in MCTIMS who
fail to attend their course, who do not meet Marine Corps body
composition standards upon check-in at the MARDET, or who fail to
graduate their course will result in a non-compliance letter sent to
Training Command (TRNGCMD).
7.  Funding.  
7.a.  All students are required to possess a Government Travel Charge
Card.  Once a student is registered in MCTIMS, a funding letter is
available from the class roster.  If the course is not TECOM funded,
it is the individual unit's responsibility to fund travel expenses
for students.  TECOM will not fund rental vehicles.
7.a.1.  Go to https:(slash)(slash)mctims.usmc.mil.  
7.a.2.  Hover over MCTIMS (top left-hand corner) and select student
registrar module.  
7.a.3.  In student registrar search insert Course ID or Course Title
and click search.  
7.a.4.  In the class list tab, find the correct Class Code
(class 010).  
7.a.5.  Click down arrow and select view allocations.  
7.a.6.  Click class roster (bottom of the page).  
7.a.7.  Locate student name.  
7.a.8.  Check the funding status, ensure it states approved.  If the
column is blank or pending, contact the Marine Detachment operations
section.  
7.a.9.  Click the down arrow and select generate funding letter.  
8.  Waivers.  
8.a.  Marines who do not meet grade, rank, or MOS prerequisites must
obtain a waiver by the Marine's commanding officer.  All waiver
requests must include justification and endorsement from the
Marine's COMMSTRAT Directors/OICs and must be submitted with the
Marine's enrollment in MCTIMS.
9.  Waitlist.  
9.a.  Marines who are not allocated a seat will be placed on the
waitlist in a first-come, first-served manner, located on the MCTIMS
student registrar module.
10.  Course Cancellation Requests.  
10.a.  All course cancellations within 45 days of the convene date
must be submitted by the originating unit via the shared mailbox
(SMB) identified in paragraph (3.a).  This request must coincide
with a removal/drop in MCTIMS and a notification if there is a
replacement Marine.
11.  Expiration of Active Service (EAS).  
11.a.  Marines with an EAS within 12 months of completing a course
must submit a signed letter of intent to re-enlist for their
enrollment request to be processed.
12.  This message self-cancels at 2359 EST on 31 September 2027.
13.  Release authorized by Colonel John O. Caldwell, Director,
Communication Directorate, Headquarters Marine Corps.