Marine Corps University just published the AY2027 schedule for two nonresident EPME seminar programs run by the College of Distance Education and Training (CDET): the Sergeants School Seminar Program (SSSP, course code EPME5500) and the SNCO Leadership School Seminar Program (SLSSP, course code EPME6800). These are the nonresident equivalents of the resident schools at an SNCO Academy and count the same way for promotion. Registration is student-initiated, so if this is on your PME timeline, you need to move on it.
Bottom line: If you're a Sergeant or SNCO who needs EPME for promotion, you register yourself through MCeLE before your class's deadline, and your command has to approve it before that same deadline.
Who it affects
Sergeants who need Sergeants School credit (SSSP) and SNCOs who need Career School credit (SLSSP). This is open to SMCR, IMA, IRR, and active component Marines. A limited number of sister service members can also attend.
What you need to do
- Confirm you meet the Body Composition Program standards per MCO 6110.3A.
- Complete the prerequisite distance education program (DEP) on MCeLE before you try to enroll. Sergeants need
EPME5000(Sergeants School DEP). SNCOs needEPME6000(Career School DEP). - Get your commanding officer to endorse a NAVMC 11580 Command Screening Checklist (CSC). The CSC confirms your command will give you the time and support to complete the course.
- Register yourself at
https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil. Search5500for SSSP or6800for SLSSP. Upload the signed CSC with your enrollment request. - Make sure your command approves the request in MCeLE before the registration deadline. If it's sitting as "pending," contact your unit training manager or sergeant major. A pending request is not an approved request.
Two additional things to know before you start:
- Sergeants attending SSSP must obtain and read "You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For." Check your base or local library.
- SNCOs attending SLSSP must obtain and read "Black Hearts: One Platoon's Descent into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death." Same deal on finding a copy.
You'll also need a personal computer with audio, video, and internet access throughout the seminar. TAD is not authorized for these programs.
Key dates
| Class | Registration Deadline | Start Week | End Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-27 | 26 Jun 2026 | 13 Jul 2026 | 23 Oct 2026 |
| 2-27 | 23 Oct 2026 | 9 Nov 2026 | 5 Mar 2027 |
| 3-27 | 26 Feb 2027 | 15 Mar 2027 | 25 Jun 2027 |
Class 2-27 has a two-week holiday break from 19 Dec 2026 through 3 Jan 2027.
The registration deadline is 17 days before the convening week. That deadline applies to both the student submission and the command approval.
The official version
This comes from MARADMIN 110/26. EPME requirements for SMCR, IRR, and IMA Marines are in MARADMIN 631/24. The command screening checklist is NAVMC 11580.
CDET regional POCs (email is preferred):
- Camp Lejeune: (910) 451-2149,
CDET_CampLejeune@usmcu.edu - Camp Pendleton: (760) 763-8425,
CDET_CampPendleton@usmcu.edu - Fort Worth: (817) 782-7184,
CDET_FortWorth@usmc.mil - Hawaii: (808) 496-3963,
CDET_Hawaii@usmcu.edu - Miramar: (858) 307-1373,
CDET_Miramar@usmcu.edu - Okinawa: DSN (315) 645-2219/2500,
CDET_Okinawa@usmcu.edu - Quantico (including MCESG): (703) 432-6520,
MCU_CDET_Quantico@usmcu.edu - OCONUS (not covered above): (703) 784-2410,
cdet_oconus@usmc.mil
MCeLE help desk: 1-888-4DL-USMC (432-8762) or marinenet_support@usmc.mil
More info at https://www.usmcu.edu/CDET/enlisted
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.