AY 2026-2027 EWS and CSC Blended Seminar Program Now Accepting Reserve Officer Applications

The Marine Corps University's College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) is convening the AY 2026-2027 selection board for the EWS and CSC Blended Seminar Programs (BSP). These are funded, partially-resident PME programs available to reserve officers across AR, SMCR, IMA, and IRR. If you're eligible and looking to knock out your intermediate or senior level school, this is the window.

Do this: Submit your application and all supporting materials at the M&RA portal by 1 May 2026, 2359 EDT. OMPF updates must be to HQMC (MMRP-20) by 30 April 2026.

Who it affects

All reserve component officers (AR, SMCR, IMA, IRR) who are in the right grade and haven't yet completed the equivalent PME. Priority order by program:

EWS BSP:

• O3 (unrestricted and LDO), first priority
• O3 select and CWO3, second priority
• O2, third priority
• CWO2 (waiver required)

CSC BSP:

• O4 (unrestricted and LDO), first priority
• CWO4, second priority
• O3 with completed Command and Staff prerequisite (CLS-complete) and 24 months TIG, third priority
• CWO3 (waiver required)

You are NOT eligible if any of these apply:

• You are in the above zone on your next promotion board
• You have already completed an equivalent formal level school or DEP
• You have an approved retirement, resignation, or pending conditional release
• Your mandatory removal date is 1 October 2028 or earlier
• You have more than 18 years of creditable service toward a reserve retirement

What you need to do

1. Complete the EWS 8670 prerequisite before applying to the EWS BSP. Enroll through MarineNet, course code: EWSDEPPREQ⧉
2. Submit your application through the M&RA portal at https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/application_noncac/⧉. Log in, click "RPME-C," and complete the application. Read the instructions fully before you start.
3. Attach your signed Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS) NAVMC 10476 (Rev. Sep 2016). Applications without it will not be considered.
4. Send any OMPF documents (not fitness reports) to HQMC (MMRP-20) at smb.manpower.mmsb-20@usmc.mil⧉ by 30 April 2026. In the email body, note "AY 26-27 RPME-C selection process." Include your full name and EDIPI on all materials.
5. If you can't access the portal, email the CDET Reserve Liaison Officer (RLO) at mcu_cdet_rlo@usmcu.edu⧉. Active Reserve program members must apply through the RLO, not the portal.

Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Obligation: If selected, you will sign a Statement of Understanding (SOU) committing you to 24 continuous months of SELRES drilling affiliation after graduation. Within 90 days of graduation, you must be joined to an SMCR unit or IMA billet that matches your grade and MOS. Failure to affiliate will be handled per the SOU.

Withdrawal: If you need to drop, do it at least 60 days before your class start date. Withdrawing inside that window gets you a non-punitive page 11 in your OMPF.

Key dates

EWS BSP class schedule (29-day first resident period, 12-week online, 6-week second resident period):

CSC BSP class schedule (4-week first resident period, 28-week online, 6-week second resident period):

The official version

This is MARADMIN 159/26. It references MCO P1900.16 CH2 (Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual) and MCO 1553.4B (PME). POC is Capt David Ables, CDET Reserve Liaison Officer, at 703-784-3015.

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.