FISCAL YEAR 2025 APPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY COMPUTER NETWORK OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

MARADMINS : 370/24

R 131000Z AUG 24
MARADMIN 370/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2025 APPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
COMPUTER NETWORK OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT//
REF/A/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD: 20210510//
REF/B/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD: 20190215//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1300.8 W/ CH 1, THE MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL
ASSIGNMENT POLICY. REF B IS MCO 1900.16 W/CH 2, SEPARATION AND
RETIREMENT MANUAL.//
POC/C. D. CHENOWETH/MAJ/IMD/EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/C. M. HARVEN/MSGT/IMD/EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/J. L. GOSS/MAJ/MMOA-3/EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. In accordance with the references,
this message provides background on the National Security Agency
(NSA) Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP) and
the procedures for Marines to apply to attend the class of 2028.
1.a. Major timeline milestones are below:
Date Milestone
13 September 2024 FY25 CNODP applications submitted
23 September 2024 Marine Corps FY25 CNODP Board Convenes
20 January 2025 FY25 CNODP Selection Results Released
1.a.1. Refer to paragraph 6 of this message for details regarding
applications. FY25 CNODP selection results are released after final
NSA review and approval of Marine Corps selected applicants.
2. Background. This is a calling message for Marines to apply
for the CNODP class of 2028. The CNODP comprises the NSA system
and network interdisciplinary program (SNIP) and the USCYBERCOM
Joint Cyber Development Program (JCDP). This is an opportunity for
a select group of highly technically inclined individuals to
develop capabilities and tools required for Computer Network
Operations (CNO) and to thereby develop their skills in the areas of
secure system design, vulnerability analysis, computer network
defense (CND), and computer network exploitation (CNE). The goal of
the program is to develop a cadre of technical leaders who will
improve the DoD's and the service's CNO capabilities with hands-on
work solving new, current, and ongoing issues with a variety of CNO
mission focuses.
3. Class of 2028 overview. The CNODP class of 2028 will begin
training on 7 July 2025. Students will report to Fort Meade no later
than 25 April 2025. This will allow sufficient time for
in-processing, orientation, and security clearance verification.
The first three months of the program consists of mandatory core
training. Non-emergency leave will not be approved during these
three months. Training is followed by a 30-month period where
students will perform duties in offices at the cutting edge of CNO.
Students will work alongside experienced experts, performing many
of the same technical duties. CNODP concludes with a three-month
final project where students will solve a challenging technical
problem of significance to the CNO community.
3.a. Interested applicants are encouraged to join an Information
Session hosted by Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) to
learn more about the program. The virtual meeting will be hosted
via the 17XX Teams channel on 29 August 2024 at 1300 Eastern.
Additional details and dial-in instructions are available via the
Teams channel. Request to join at
https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/xTL9YA4
4. Eligibility
4.a. Application is open to active duty, enlisted Marines in the
rank of E-6 and below, chief warrant officers beyond their
three-year probationary period, and active-duty officers in the
rank of O-2 and O-3. Officers must be career designated.
4.b. Captains in-zone on the CY25/FY27 major promotion selection
board are ineligible. Captain applicants must have a date of rank
junior to 01 October 2021 or lineal control number greater than
38103000.
4.c. Enlisted applicants must have between 4-12 years of service as
of 25 April 2025.
4.c.1. Officer applicants must have between 4-14 years of service
as of 25 April 2025.
4.c.2. Marines selected for the program will incur a six-year total
obligation (three-year internship and a three-year follow-on
assignment). Nominees will be required sign a page 11 entry
acknowledging the obligated service requirement. Enlisted selectees
must incur the obligated service prior to detaching from their
current command.
4.d. Selected applicants must possess a fully adjudicated TS/SCI
security clearance and a current counter-intelligence (CI) polygraph
before the class start date 7 July 2025. If possible, nominees
should complete their polygraph prior to detaching from their
current command to reduce wait time at their gaining command.
The application to CNODP is not sufficient justification for TS/SCI
investigation.
4.e. Applicants must meet the minimum time-on-station (TOS)
requirement for their current orders to apply. Contact PMOS monitor
for clarification. Applicants who have not fulfilled an obligated
payback tour for a previously attended program will not be
considered.
4.f. All applicants will notify their primary MOS monitor of their
intent to apply for the program. Applicants who fail to receive
written acknowledgements and recommendation from their PMOS monitor
and include with their application are ineligible. A negative
recommendation does not preclude an applicant from applying.
5. Desired Applicant Qualities. Competitive CNODP applicants will
generally have the following qualifications or qualities. However,
these are not requirements to submit an application.
5.a. Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in the areas
of engineering, computer science, electronic and electrical
engineering, or applied mathematics, or be able to demonstrate
equivalent experience.
5.b. Exceptional academic performance and professional
accomplishments are required, as well as demonstrated interest in
and ability to perform technical hands-on oriented work.
5.c. Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
5.d. Working knowledge in one or more telecommunications or
computer network disciplines (computer hardware, software,
networks).
5.e. Demonstrated computer programming skills in C or C++. Python
and some assembly are desired.
5.f. The primary military occupational specialties of 1702, 1710,
1720, and 1721.
6. Application and Selection Process
6.a. Overview. In accordance with the timeline in paragraph
1, Marines will submit applications to DC I as outlined below.
Cyber occupational field professionals will conduct an initial
review of applications. A board consisting of Marine Corps
personnel will convene on or about 23 September 2024 to review all
eligible applications. This board will select the best and and
fully qualified applicants and will forward those to the NSA
CNODP selection board. The NSA CNODP selection board will review
and select applicants, and provide final results for Manpower
Management to announce on or about 20 January 2025.
6.b. Application process. Applications must arrive at HQMC, DC I
NLT 13 September 2024. Send applications via e-mail to
[email protected]. Applicants will receive a confirmation of
receipt from this email address as soon as the application has been
received at HQMC DC I. If applicants do not receive a confirmation
email within three business days, applicants should send a follow-on
email. Submit applications in .pdf format with the file name
'EDIPI_LNAME_FNAME_FY25CNODP' (ex. 1234567891_SMITH_JOHN_FY25CNODP).
6.c. Applications will consist of the following:
6.c.1. All applicants should ensure their official military
personnel files are up to date and all applicable college
transcripts are uploaded. If college transcripts are not uploaded,
they must be submitted with the application.
6.c.2. TS/SCI clearance verification letter.
6.c.3. Enclose a letter from the applicant's Special Security
Office (SSO) certifying fully adjudicated TS/SCI security clearance
held and date adjudicated. If applicant has a current CI polygraph,
include date completed on SSO letter.
6.c.4. All applicants will be required to complete additional
agency access screening with the MARFORCYBER SSO prior to the
selection board convene date. Instructions will be provided in
separate correspondence after 23 September 2024.
6.c.5 Letter of recommendation from the applicant's commanding
officer.
6.c.6 Letter of recommendation from the applicant's supervisor,
instructor, etc. attesting to the applicant's technical skills
and abilities.
6.c.7 An optional letter of recommendation at the applicant's
discretion.
6.c.8 An essay from the applicant answering the following questions
(two pages or fewer):
6.c.8.1. Why do you think that CNODP is the right choice for you?
What are your goals that you wish to accomplish in CNODP?
6.c.8.2. What experience with programming languages do you have?
List each programming language and your familiarity with it, how
long you coded in it, and the year you last coded in it. Only
include languages for which you have actually written (or
substantially modified) code. Include any and all: assembly,
hardware-based, high and low-level and scripting languages.
6.c.8.3. Other than programming language expertise listed above,
how does your experience and training relate to the core fields
(hardware, software, and networks)?
6.c.8.4. Teaming: Describe a positive teaming experience that you
have had. Describe your role on the team and how you contributed.
You may include experiences from work or school.
6.c.8.5. Technical Experience: Describe an unclassified project
that best exemplifies your technical development activities and
experiences. Tell us the technical details of your contributions to
that project, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses. The
project can be work, home or school related.
6.c.8.6. Self-directed: Give one example of a project where you
worked by yourself with very little guidance; briefly describe what
you accomplished, how you approached the problem and how you liked/
disliked working in that capacity.
7. Board-selected applicants will participate in an interview with
the NSA selection board between November 2024 and January 2025.
Applicant's parent commands will fund TAD costs incurred by the
applicant to attend the interview. Video teleconferencing is
authorized when coordinated with NSA.
8. Manpower Management will publish the results of the final
NSA selection board via MARADMIN and will issue orders accordingly.
9. Direct all questions or concerns to [email protected].
10. Release authorized by MajGen Ryan S. Rideout, Director,
Manpower Management Division.//