Marine Corps University just released seat allocations for the FY2026-2027 Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS) and Command and Staff College (CSC) Blended Seminar Programs (BSP). These are the hybrid PME courses that combine two in-person resident periods with an online seminar you complete from home station. If you are an O3 looking at Career Level School or an O4 working toward Intermediate Level School, this is your path to PME credit without a full year at Quantico.
Bottom line: Reserve officers go through a MARFORRES-run board process for BSP seats, not through standard MSC seat allocations. A separate MARADMIN for reserve participation will be released, so watch for it and act when it drops.
Who it affects
This covers all reserve officers eligible for PME at the EWS or CSC level.
EWSBSP (Career Level School, PME credit): Priority goes to O3s. O3 selects, CWO3, O2s, and GS-12 equivalents are also eligible. CWO2 and E7-E9 require a waiver.
CSCBSP (Intermediate Level School, PME credit plus JPME Phase I): Priority goes to O4s and CWO4s. CLS-complete O3s with 24 months TIG are also eligible. CWO3 and E8-E9 require a waiver.
MARFORRES has allocated seats across multiple locations for both programs. Those seats are board-selected and MARFORRES-funded. Officers assigned to MARFORRES must contact the CDET Reserve Liaison Officer (RLO), not their local MSC training manager.
What you need to do
Reserve officers should NOT try to register through their unit's normal MSC training pipeline. The reserve seats are managed separately.
- Watch for the follow-on MARADMIN on reserve BSP participation. It will have the board details and application process.
- If you are assigned to MARFORRES and want to get ahead of it, contact the CDET RLO (contact info in paragraph 6.g. of the MARADMIN).
- If you need a waiver (CWO2, CWO3, E7-E9, E8-E9), contact the nearest CDET regional POC to start that process early.
- Complete the 8670 prerequisite course before attending EWSBSP. This is required, not optional.
If you are a regular or active reserve officer assigned to MARFORRES, do not self-register in MCTIMS. Go through the RLO.
Key dates
EWSBSP first classes start as early as May 26, 2026 (CLNC, MARSOC off-cycle). Most classes kick off July 6, 2026 or January 4, 2027 depending on location.
CSCBSP first classes start July 12-26, 2026 (Quantico, CLNC, CPCA) or January 24, 2027 for the second cohort.
The reserve-specific MARADMIN has not yet been released. No application deadline is known until that message drops.
EWSBSP start dates by location:
| Class / Location | US Report (1st Res) | 2nd Res Period |
|---|---|---|
| 721-722 / CLNC (MARSOC) | 26 May 26 | 27 Sep 26 |
| 701-702 / CLNC | 6 Jul 26 | 25 Oct 26 |
| 703-704 / CPCA | 6 Jul 26 | 25 Oct 26 |
| 711-712 / OKIN | 6 Jul 26 | 25 Oct 26 |
| 717-718 / QUAN | 6 Jul 26 | 25 Oct 26 |
| 723-724 / CLNC (MARSOC) | 22 Nov 26 | 4 Apr 27 |
| 705-706 / QUAN | 4 Jan 27 | 25 Apr 27 |
| 707-708 / CLNC | 4 Jan 27 | 25 Apr 27 |
| 709-710 / CPCA | 4 Jan 27 | 25 Apr 27 |
| 713-714 / OKIN | 4 Jan 27 | 25 Apr 27 |
| 715-716 / MCBH | 4 Jan 27 | 25 Apr 27 |
CSCBSP start dates by location:
| Class / Location | US Report (1st Res) | 2nd Res Period |
|---|---|---|
| 701-702 / QUAN | 12 Jul 26 | 25 Apr 27 |
| 703-704 / CLNC | 26 Jul 26 | 4 Apr 27 |
| 705-706 / CPCA | 26 Jul 26 | 4 Apr 27 |
| 707-708 / CLNC | 24 Jan 27 | 12 Sep 27 |
| 709-710 / CPCA | 24 Jan 27 | 12 Sep 27 |
MARFORRES seat allocations (both programs):
| Program | Class / Location | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| EWSBSP | 701-702 / CLNC | 3 |
| EWSBSP | 703-704 / CPCA | 3 |
| EWSBSP | 705-706 / QUAN | 3 |
| EWSBSP | 707-708 / CLNC | 3 |
| EWSBSP | 709-710 / CPCA | 3 |
| EWSBSP | 717-718 / QUAN | 3 |
| CSCBSP | 701-702 / QUAN | 3 |
| CSCBSP | 703-704 / CLNC | 2 |
| CSCBSP | 705-706 / CPCA | 3 |
| CSCBSP | 707-708 / CLNC | 2 |
| CSCBSP | 709-710 / CPCA | 3 |
The official version
MARADMIN 158/26 is the source document. Referenced orders include MCO P1553.4B (PME requirements for officers) and MCO 1553.2D (procedures for filling formal school seats).
For reserve-specific questions, contact the CDET RLO (see paragraph 6.g. of the MARADMIN) or the MCU POCs:
- Scott Erdelatz (CDET Dean):
scott.erdelatz@usmcu.edu/ (703) 784-0741 - Dennis Haskin (CSCBSP):
dennis.haskin@usmcu.edu/ (703) 432-4693
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.