FY25 FOREIGN AREA STAFF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (FAS) PROGRAM STUDY TRACK SOLICITATION MESSAGE

R 281959Z OCT 24
MARADMIN 520/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/FY25 FOREIGN AREA STAFF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER (FAS) PROGRAM
STUDY TRACK SOLICITATION MESSAGE//
REF/A/DOC/MCO 1520.11F/20130327//
REF/B/NAVMC/1200.1H/20220907//
REF/C/DOC/MCO 13226.6/20190319//
REF/D/GENADMIN/CMC/291609ZAUG17//
REF/E/GENADMIN/CMC MRA MP/231303ZJUL19//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1520.11F, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAMS (IAP).
REF B IS NAVMC 1200.1H, THE MARINE CORPS MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL
SPECIALTY (MOS) MANUAL. REF C IS MCO P1326.6, SELECTING, SCREENING,
AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS
AND INDEPENDENT DUTIES (SDAMAN). REF D IS MARADMIN 478/17,
FOREIGN AREA SNCO (FAS) PROGRAM EXPERIENCE TRACK SELECTION PROCESS
UPDATE. REF E IS MARADMIN 408/19, ENLISTED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE
LIMITS AND HIGH YEAR TENURE//
POC/1/MOFFETT, LEE/MGYSGT/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 224-4366/
703-692-4366/LEE.MOFFETT(AT)USMC.MIL.//
POC/2/MCCORMICK, BRETT/LTCOL/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 224-4365/
703-692-4365/BRETT.MCCORMICK(AT)USMC.MIL.//
POC/3/FISHER, CLAYTON/CIV/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 224-0322/703-
614-0322/CLAYTON.FISHER(AT)USMC.MIL.//
POC/4/STOKES, TYLER F/GYSGT/HQMC MMEA25 QUANTICO VA/DSN 378-9473/
703-432-9473/TYLER.D.STOKES(AT)USMC.MIL.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. Per refs A through E, this message
solicits applications for the International Affairs Program (IAP)
FY25 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 cooperation 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 provide commanders a way to effectively
navigate the increasingly complex cultural 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 2025.
3.d. Marines who possess a bachelor's degree must submit an
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.g.(1). 95 DLAB for category I languages: Dutch, French, Italian,
Norwegian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
3.g.(2). 100 DLAB for category II languages: German, Malay,
Indonesian, and Romanian.
3.g.(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.g.(4). 110 DLAB for category IV languages: Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese, Korean, and Pashto.
3.h. Applicants with relevant regional experience overseas should
highlight this in their application.
3.i. 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.j. 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/. 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 at the minimum. 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 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 of the IAP
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 15 Dec 2024.
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. Additionally,
applicants must notify POCs listed above once their application have
been submitted and forward a pdf version of their packages to
IAPMarine(AT)usmc.mil.
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 J.L. DeWeese, Acting Director, Strategy and
Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters U.S.
Marine Corps.//