FY28 Marine Attaché Program Is Accepting Applications Now

The Marine Corps just opened applications for the FY28 Marine Attaché (MARA) Selection Board. MARAs serve at embassies as strategic-level representatives of senior DOD and service leadership, advising chiefs of mission on military matters. This is a competitive, merit-based program that values MAGTF experience and regional or language skills. Both AC and RC Marines can apply.

Bottom line: Applications are open now and due 26 June 2026. Get your PMOS monitor or RAM-1 confirmation in hand before you submit, because the board will not consider your package without it.

Who it affects

AC Marines: Officers (captain through lieutenant colonel) and enlisted Marines (E-5 through E-8) who are FY27 movers based on their prescribed tour control factor (TCF). Must have TS/SCI eligibility already.

RC Marines: SMCR, IMA, and IRR Marines, plus AC Marines with a transfer date to the Ready Reserve before the end of FY26. Must have four satisfactory years (50+ retirement points each) in the last five years. TS/SCI is preferred but not required to apply. If selected without it, you will need to obtain it before moving to IMA status.

Key ineligibility flags:

• Marines with a separation or retirement date
• AC captains or majors who are above-zone
• Restricted officers or Marines with pending legal action
• Marines affiliated with the Active Reserve Program
• RC Marines above 5,840 active duty points on their Career Retirement Credit Report (preferred under 5,040)
• AC Marines without TS/SCI eligibility
• Marines in receipt of PCS/PCA orders

What you need to do

1. Confirm your eligibility against the grade, career timing, clearance, and retirement point criteria above.
2. RC Marines: email SMB_RAM-1@USMC.MIL⧉ to get written confirmation of your eligibility. This is required. The board will not accept your package without it.
3. AC Marines: get email confirmation from your PMOS monitor.
4. If you need an exception to policy for TCF timing, get it endorsed by your first O-6 in the chain of command and submit it via NAVMC 10274 (AA-Form) with your application. MMOA adjudicates ETPs separately from the board.
5. Submit your completed application package by 26 June 2026.

For the current list of FY28 billet vacancies (countries, languages, ranks), visit the official MARA program website referenced in the full MARADMIN. The list is subject to change until the board convenes.

Spouses and family: AC applicants' spouses must be naturalized U.S. citizens. RC applicants' spouses do not have that requirement. Neither AC nor RC applicants can be assigned to a country where they, their spouse, or immediate family members were born or maintain citizenship. Exceptional Family Member Program enrollment does not disqualify you, but may affect placement.

Reserve attaché duty looks like: Primarily drills and AT, plus 30 to 60 continuous days per year in the National Capital Region (NCR) or abroad. Longer Active-Duty Operational Support orders (three months to two years) are possible based on operational gaps.

Key dates

The official version

Full details are in MARADMIN 160/26.

Referenced orders: MCO 3821.2 (USMC Participation in the Defense Attaché Service), MCO 1300.8 CH-1 (Personnel Assignment Policy), MCO 1900.16 CH-2 (MARCORSEPMAN).

POCs:

• RC-specific questions: LtCol R. W. Dawson, Reserve Attaché Detachment, richard.dawson@dodiis.mil⧉, 501-847-2186
• RC eligibility confirmation: SMB_RAM-1@USMC.MIL⧉
• Clearance questions: HQMC Special Security Office, hqmc_sso@usmc.mil⧉, 703-693-6005
• AC officer assignments: Maj J. Schulze, MMOA-3, joseph.schulze1@usmc.mil⧉, 703-784-9284
• AC enlisted assignments: GySgt D. A. Hamrick, MMEA-25, david.a.hamrick.mil@usmc.mil⧉, 703-784-9276

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.