The College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) at Marine Corps University is accepting applications from reserve officers for funded seats in the Expeditionary Warfare School Weekend Seminar Program (EWSWSP) and Command and Staff College Weekend Seminar Program (CSCWSP) for Academic Year 2027. These are monthly weekend seminars, not a two-week school, and the Marine Corps covers the cost. The catch: you have to apply before seats run out, and the hard cutoff is 1 July 2026.
Do this: Submit your application package to
MCU_CDET_RLO@usmcu.edubefore 1 July 2026. Seats are first-come, first-served.
Who it affects
Reserve officers in SMCR, IMA, and IRR. Priority order differs by program:
EWSWSP (for O-3 level PME, MOS 8671-8674):
| Priority | Who |
|---|---|
| 1 | Captains (unrestricted and limited duty) |
| 2 | Captain selects and CWO3s |
| 3 | First Lieutenants |
| 4 | CWO2s (requires waiver) |
CSCWSP (for O-4 level PME, MOS 8901-8908):
| Priority | Who |
|---|---|
| 1 | Majors (unrestricted and limited duty) |
| 2 | Major selects |
| 3 | CWO4s |
| 4 | Captains (PME complete for grade, 24+ months TIG) |
| 5 | CWO3s (requires waiver) |
You are NOT eligible if any of these apply:
- You are in the above zone for the next promotion board
- You are already above grade for the PME level (e.g., a lieutenant colonel cannot apply for funded CSCWSP)
- You have already completed an equivalent formal level school or distance education program
- You have an approved retirement, resignation, or pending conditional release
- Your mandatory removal date is within four years of the application date
- You have more than 18 years of creditable service toward a reserve retirement
What you need to do
- Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria above.
- Download the application package from the CDET website:
https://www.usmcu.edu/CDET/#funded-seats - Complete the CDET WSP student application and the SWAT form (initialed and signed by you, witnessed by a commissioned officer).
- Convert both documents to PDF and email them to
MCU_CDET_RLO@usmcu.edu. - If enrolling in EWSWSP for the first time, complete the 8670 prerequisite course on MarineNet before your first seminar. Course code:
EWSDEPPREQ
Know what you're signing up for. If selected, you will sign a Statement of Understanding (SOU) obligating you to 24 continuous months of SELRES drilling affiliation after graduation. Within 90 days of graduating, you must be joined to an SMCR unit or IMA billet matching your grade and MOS. Failing to affiliate after graduation has consequences under the SOU.
SMCR Marines who want to avoid a break in SELRES affiliation while enrolled can request transfer to an excess BIC within their unit per MARADMIN 772/20.
Key dates
- 1 July 2026: Hard deadline for AY27 applications. Earlier is better; seats fill as applications are screened.
- Monthly: CDET screens applications and notifies selectees on a rolling basis.
- September (each year): Selected applicants receive admin guidance for orders processing by email.
The official version
This guidance is MARADMIN 174/26.
References include MCO 1553.4B (PME) and MARADMIN 772/20 (excess BIC for SELRES Marines in nonresident PME).
POC: Capt D. T. Ables, CDET. Email: david.ables@usmcu.edu. Phone: 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.