FY26 Formal Schools Training Support Funding

1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to notify the
Marine Corps of updates to the Formal Schools Training Support
(FSTS) Program for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).
1.a.  FSTS is a centrally managed program within the TECOM G8 which
provides travel funding support to over 600 formal schools courses
across the Service. The total estimated program cost for FY26 is
approximately $75M. Currently, there is a $21M funding shortfall for
FY26, which necessitates the prioritization of courses to be funded
by TECOM.
1.b.  The funding shortfall has been influenced by several factors,
including travel inflation significantly outpacing the allotted
program growth, the reduction of no- or low-cost lodging options on
military installations, programmatic reductions, and increased
demand.
1.c.  In response to the fiscal deficit, an Operational Planning
Team (OPT) was established to prioritize the FSTS program based
primarily on Occupational Field priorities. The OPT has assigned
each course within the program to one of three funding tiers.
1.d.  The following are the definitions of the funding tiers:
1.d.1.  Tier One: Courses primarily focused on initial Primary
Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) producing training, courses
required for special duty assignments (SDA), and formal school
instructor courses.
1.d.2.  Tier Two: Courses primarily for non-PMOS training that
support Billet MOS (BMOS) requirements, pilot recertification
/refresher courses, and courses identified as essential for mission
readiness.
1.d.3.  Tier Three: Intermediate and advanced courses, Free-MOS
and non-PMOS courses supporting Additional Skills Designator
billets, most functional billet-based courses, and Warrant Officer
Basic Course follow-on courses.
1.e.  Funding is sufficient to support Tiers One and Two. However,
Tier Three is expected to be unit-funded for FY26. No courses will
be canceled due to the current funding deficiency.
1.f. A complete list of courses within each tier can be accessed via
the following link:
https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/TECOM_G3_ITB/SitePages/ITB.aspx
2.  Requests to modify tiers: 
2.a.  The tier system is adjustable and will continue to be updated
on a regular basis. This three-tier framework serves as a starting
point to allocate limited funding. The TECOM G3/G8 team has the
authority to move funded allocations between Tiers Two and Three,
ensuring a zero-net sum, based on input and priorities received
from Occupational Field Managers.
2.b.  Occupational Field Managers are encouraged to contact the
points of contact listed above to request reallocation of funding,
ensuring alignment with training priorities throughout FY26.
3.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Benjamin. T. Watson,
Commanding General, Deputy Commandant, Training and Education.