FY26 Foreign Area Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (FAS) Program Study Track Solicitation Message

1. Purpose. Per refs A through D, this message
solicits applications for the International Affairs Program (IAP)
FY26 Foreign Area Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (FAS) Program study
track selection panel and outlines procedures for application.   
2. The FAS Program provides Language, Regional Expertise, and
Culture (LREC) capabilities to MAGTF commanders at the tactical
level, strengthens lethality with allies and partners, and improves
Marine Corps integration with the Interagency. These voluntary
specialties are open to a qualified group of enlisted Marines who
support commanders in effectively navigating the increasingly 
complex political—military terrain of global missions.
3. Eligibility.
3.a. The FAS program study track selection is limited to active duty
component Staff Sergeants (including selectees) to Master Sergeants.
First Sergeants, Master Gunnery Sergeants, and Sergeants Major are
not eligible for selection to the FAS Program through the study
track method; however, they are encouraged to apply via the
experience track method if they meet the requirements outlined in
ref A. Reserve Component SNCOs are also encouraged to apply via the
experience track method. Information on selection through the
experience track method is outlined in refs A and D.
3.b. Applicants must possess a secret clearance.
3.c. Applicants should meet minimum time on station requirements as
of 1 Jun 2026.
3.d. Marines who possess a bachelor's degree must submit admissions
applications to NPS for consideration. Conditional letter of
acceptance from NPS must be submitted with your FAS program
application package. Marines must take into consideration the
timeline available for consideration to NPS. 
3.e. Marines who do not possess a bachelor's degree but are selected
to the FAS program will undergo intensive training through the 
Department of State Foreign Service Institute in Washington DC. 
3.f.  The steps to apply to NPS can be found at:
https:(slash)(slash)nps.edu/web/admissions/apply.
3.g. Applicants must have the language-specific minimum Defense 
Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) score or current Defense Language
Proficiency Test (DLPT) score of 1+ / 1+ in two of the modalities
(Listening, Reading, or Speaking) to qualify. See ref A for minimum
requirements for different training track scenarios. 
3.h.(1). 95 DLAB for category I languages: Dutch, French, Italian,
Norwegian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
3.h.(2). 100 DLAB for category II languages: German, Malay,
Indonesian, and Romanian.
3.h.(3). 105 DLAB for category III languages: Czech, Hindi, Farsi,
Dari, Punjabi, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Tagalog, Thai, 
Turkish, Uzbek, Urdu, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
3.h.(4). 110 DLAB for category IV languages: Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese, Korean, and Pashto.
3.i. French, Arabic, Russian, Chinese speakers are strongly
encouraged to apply.
3.j. Applicants with relevant regional experience overseas should
highlight this in their application, with AFRICOM and INDOPACOM
experience being strongly considered for selection.
3.k. Marines who have participated in other USMC education programs
may be eligible for FAS Program study track selection upon
completion of previous service obligations.
3.l. SNCOs completing tours within the operating forces are
particularly encouraged to apply.
4. Application.
4.a. FAS Program requirements can be found in chapter 3 of ref A. 
Application template can be found on the IAP website at: 
http:(slash)(slash)www.hqmc.marines.mil/ppo/Units/Strategy-and-Plans
-Division-PL/International-Affairs-Branch-PLU/International-Affairs-
Programs/IAP-Resources/. Utilize the FY26 FAS Study Track
Application found under the IAP Submissions and Registrations
portion of the above web address. Applicants are highly encouraged
to read Chapter 3 of ref A in its entirety.
4.b. Applications must be endorsed by the first O-5 in the chain of
command. Letters of recommendation may be included as enclosures to
the application. Meaningful endorsements and recommendations may be
included as a comparative assessment of the potential of the
applicant, not only as a FAS, but also address long term potential
in PMOS and the Marine Corps.
4.c. Applicants may request their preferred region and specify their
priorities. Regional breakdown can be found in ref A. 
4.d. Per ref A, acceptance of orders to the FAS Program incurs a
service obligation of two years. Applications must contain the
following statement: "If selected, I agree to remain on active duty
for at least two years after completion of my training. I agree not
to request separation or retirement while participating in the
program.  I further understand that this obligation begins upon
completion of training in accordance with ref A."
4.e. Application packages must be submitted NLT 1 Jan 2026.
4.f. Late or incomplete nominations will not be considered.
4.g. Digital (pdf) copies of the entire package are the standard
submission. Any documents requiring signature (endorsements, letters
of recommendation, etc.) must be signed prior to conversion to pdf.  
4.h. The completed packages must be submitted electronically using
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.
4.i. The enclosures to the RELM must contain the following:
4.i.(1). Application template, found in ref A and IAP website.
4.i.(2). A complete personal statement in appropriate naval letter
format to address the interest of the applicant in the FAS Program
and how the experiences and background of the applicant can best
serve the Marine Corps in the International Affairs Program.
Personal statements should be at least 600 words, but no more than]
800 words.
4.i.(3). Copies of official education transcripts.
4.i.(4). Copies of any records of adverse material.
4.i.(5). Clearance verification letter. 
4.j. Label all pdf files with "Rank.Last.First.Region" (e.g., GySgt.
Smith.John.Africa).
4.k. HQMC (MMEA-25) will evaluate assignability considerations of
each package before submitting them to (PPO-PLU) for final decision.
5. Questions concerning the International Affairs Program can be
directed to POC 1 listed above. 
6. Release authorized by BGen Daniel B. Taylor, Director, Strategy
and Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters
U.S. Marine Corps.