FY27 Congressional Fellowship Program for Officers and Staff Noncommissioned Officers

1.  Purpose.  This message announces the Fiscal Year
2027 Congressional Fellowship Program (CFP) Panel for officers and
staff noncommissioned officers (SNCOs).  Members of the active
component (AC) and active reserve (AR) may apply if they meet the
eligibility criteria.  All members who complete the 12-month Capitol
Hill fellowship will incur a 36-month service obligation that will
begin once the fellowship is complete.  This service obligation runs
concurrently with any other service obligation, such as career
designation, PCS orders, service schools, lateral move, etc.  The
purpose of this message is to announce major timeline milestones,
eligibility criteria, and coordinating instructions.
1.a.  Changes.  CFP will be a two-part panel process.  On or about
14 July 2026, the CFP panel will convene for round 1 and identify
Marines who are best and fully qualified to proceed to the interview
round conducted by the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA).  Upon
completion of interviews, a follow-on final results MARADMIN will
be released.  Marines not selected for CFP will be considered for
subsequent FY27 boards.
1.b.  In accordance with reference (e), effective 1 April 2026,
Headquarters Marine Corps sponsored non-promotion boards will have
access to official military personnel file (OMPF) photographs during
the conduct of non-promotion selection boards.
1.c.  A photograph is considered current if the photograph is taken
365 days prior to a selection board's convene date.  It remains the
Marine's responsibility to ensure a current photograph is in their
Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) no later than 10 business
days prior to the board's convene date for which they are eligible.
1.d.  Reference (f) modifies the Height and Weight requirement to
a Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) requirement.  At present, there is no
method for the Digital Boardroom to pull current WHtR information
aside from an officer's official photograph or fitness reports.
Accordingly, Marines will not be viewed negatively solely because a
current WHtR measurement is not available to the board.  However,
previous Height and Weight measurements contained within a Marine's
record will be considered, as well as any fitness reports that were
processed with a WHtR directed comment.
1.e.  Marines who desire to have their current WHtR made available
to the board may update their official photograph in their OMPF
accordance with reference (e).
2.  Application Timeline (read in two columns):
NLT Date                  Milestone
Release of this message   Questionnaire opens
09 July 2026              Questionnaire closes/Applications due
14 July 2026              CFP Panel convenes for Round 1
01 August  2026           On or about CFP Panel Round 1 results
                          released
06 August 2026            On or about Round 2 CFP Interviews
                          complete
31 August 2026            NLT CFP Panel Round 2 results released
14 June 2027              CFP report date
3.  Background.  CFP is a 42-month program that offers the
opportunity to gain experience working in the legislative branch
of the United States government on the staff of a United States
Senator or a United States Representative.  Typical responsibilities
include assisting in the drafting of legislation, floor debate
preparation, planning, and analysis of public policy.  This
experience is then incorporated in a follow-on utilization tour.
Utilization tours are typically billets in the Marine Corps Office
of Legislative Affairs (OLA). 
4.  Program Timeline (read in two columns)
NLT Date                  Milestone
14 June 2027              CFP report date
21 June 2027              Approximate start date for Master's Program
                          classes
31 December 2027          Complete professional development tour
01 January 2028           Begin 1 year Capital Hill Fellowship (OLA)
01 January 2029           Receive PCA Orders from Graduate Education
                          Office and begin 2 year utilization tour
                          (OLA)
01 January 2031           Receive PCS/A Orders from AC or AR Primary
                          Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS)
                          monitor to complete remaining service
                          obligation
5.  Eligibility.  All applicants should possess strong moral
character and the judgment necessary to operate independently in an
unfamiliar and dynamic environment.  Applicants should demonstrate a
trajectory of high performance in their PMOS and present a
professional appearance.  All applicants must possess exceptional
reading, writing, and communication skills.  Familiarity with
current service-level and DOW specific policy concerns, national
security affairs, government affairs, and international relations is
preferred but not required.
5.a.  Officers
5.a.1.  Applicants must be scheduled to complete their prescribed
tour control factor by 30 September 2027.  Questions concerning tour
lengths should be directed to the appropriate PMOS monitor.
5.a.2.  AC officers must be career designated and in the ranks of
First Lieutenant through Major with a date of rank junior to
20250701.
5.a.3.  AR officers in the ranks of Major or Major (select) with a
date of rank junior to 20230601.
5.b.  Enlisted Marines
5.b.1.  SNCOs must report with a minimum of 54 months of obligated
service.  This accounts for the six month development tour, 12 month
Congressional Fellowship on Capitol Hill, 24 month utilization tour,
and 12 months of additional obligated service post-utilization tour.
5.b.2.  Applicants must be have least 24 months time on station by
the CFP check-in date 14 June 2027 to apply.  Questions concerning
eligibility should be directed to the appropriate PMOS monitor.
5.b.3.  AC SNCOs in the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt) through Master
Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) from all occupational specialties.
5.b.4.  AR SNCOs in the ranks of Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) through
Master Sergeant (MSgt) from all occupational specialties.  RAM-2
will determine eligibility for AR enlisted Marines eligibility based
on MOS health.
5.b.5.  Undergraduate degrees are preferred but not required.
Applicants should ensure transcripts and diplomas are uploaded to
their OMPF.
5.b.6.  AC Enlisted Marines interested in this assignment must
submit completed application packages electronically via Special
Duty Assignment (SDA) request in the Total Force Retention System
(TFRS).  Packages will be routed to CMC (MMEA-25) through the normal
Re-enlistment Extension Lateral Move (RELM) routing chain.  Unit
Career Counselors have access to submit and track these request in
TFRS.
6.  Ineligibility
6.a.  Officers
6.a.1.  Officers with an approved separation or retirement date.
6.a.2.  Majors with a date of rank senior to 20250701.
6.a.3.  Officers who have participated in a resident graduate
education program (i.e. Naval Postgraduate School, Air Force
Institute of Technology).
6.a.4.  Officers in the above zone.
6.a.5.  Officers with a training PMOS or departing PMOS training.
6.a.6.  Officers with pending lateral move applications will be
permitted to screen, but approval of lateral move may prohibit CFP
selection.
6.a.7.  Career designated AR officers who have a Date Current Tour
Began (DCTB) on or after 1 October 2025.
6.a.8.  AR officers on their accession tour who have a DCTB on or
after 1 October 2024.
6.a.9.  Officers in the SMCR, IMA, or IRR of the Reserve Component.
6.b.  Enlisted Marines
6.b.1.  SNCOs with less than 10 years' time-in-service.
6.b.2.  GySgts who denote "F" in section 8c of their fitness
reports.
6.b.3.  First Sergeants (1stSgt) and Sergeants Major (SgtMaj).
6.b.4.  SNCOs that have twice failed selection for promotion to the
next higher grade.
6.b.5.  Applicants who have participated in a resident graduate
education program (i.e. Naval Postgraduate School).
6.b.6.  SNCOs in the SMCR, IMA, or IRR of the Reserve Component.
7.  Application Process
7.a.  Complete the "FY27 Congressional Fellowship Panel"
questionnaire at:  https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/BoardsAndSurveys/
boardAdmin/5668/details
7.b.  Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file titled
"EDIPI_CFP_Last Name".
7.c.  File size should not exceed 800 KB.  For program information
and application instructions, visit:
https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Agencies/Office-of-Legislative-Affairs/
Congressional-Fellowship-Program/
7.d.  All application packages must contain command endorsements
through the first general officer in the applicant's chain of
command.
7.e.  All application packages must contain PMOS monitor or Reserve
Affairs Monitor-2 (RAM) acknowledgement.  An email is sufficient for
this requirement.
7.f.  Applicants must submit their CFP application with all signed
endorsements, monitor acknowledgement, and privacy act release form
no later than 09 July 2026.
7.g.  Applicants should direct program-specific questions to the OLA
POCs in this MARADMIN.
7.h.  Applicants who fail to abide by application guidance will be
removed for consideration by the board.
7.i.  MMOA, MMEA, and RAM-2 will screen all members applying to the
CFP for time on station requirements, career progression factors,
promotion eligibility, and Enlisted Career Force Controls (ECFC).
8.  Coordinating Instructions
8.a.  Personal responsibilities.  Each officer and SNCO is
personally responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of
their OMPF and Master Brief Sheet (MBS) before the date the
selection board convenes. Performance Evaluation System (PES) and
fitness report (FITREP) policy and correction-specific questions
should be directed to MMPB-23.
8.b.  As part of the CFP, officers are required to earn a Master's
in Public Policy (MPP).  SNCOs are required to complete a graduate
certificate in the area of legislative studies or public policy no
later than the end of the utilization tour.  SNCOs are eligible to
earn the Master's in Public Policy pending funding availability.
8.c.  CFP selects must maintain a full-time student status with
George Mason University during their development tour.  Selects are
strongly encouraged to complete all degree requirements prior to the
completion of their one-year legislative fellowship on Capitol Hill,
and are required to complete all degree requirements prior to
completion of their two-year utilization tour.  If the CFP select
anticipates not completing program requirements, they must notify
MMOA-3 immediately.
8.d.  Selectees will receive additional coordinating instructions
regarding this requirement.
9.  Marine Corps civilian employees interested in the CFP should
follow the instructions contained in the NAVADMIN call for
applications to the Navy Legislative Fellowship.
10.  Points of Contact
10.a.  OLA
       Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Cummings
       Email:  rachel.cummings@usmc.mil
       Comm:  (703) 692-0198
       Master Sergeant J. A. Barnard
       Email: joseph.a.barnard@usmc.mil
       Comm:  (703) 614-8454
10.b.  MMOA-3 Graduate Education Manager
       Major Delaney T. Dumanovsky
       Email:  SMB_MMOA_GRAD_EDU@USMC.MIL
       Comm:   (703) 784-9284
10.c.  MMEA
       Gunnery Sergeant Letty Jaime
       Email:  letty.jaime@usmc.mil
       Comm:   (703) 784-3358
10.d.  RAM-2
       Lieutenant Colonel Stephen D. Grodek
       Email:  stephen.grodek@usmc.mil
       Comm:   (703) 784-0531
11.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Total Force.
12.  Release authorized by MajGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.