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AY2027 Reserve Graduate Education Program Board Is Open

MARADMIN 227/26·May 18, 2026·3 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps is accepting applications for the Academic Year 2027 Active Reserve Graduate Education Program (GEP). Reserve Affairs is looking to fill one slot: a Master of Science in Management through the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California, in the Manpower Systems Analysis (MSA) curriculum. The officer selected goes to school, earns a degree, picks up the 8840 additional MOS (AMOS), and then serves a three-year utilization tour at HQMC Manpower and Reserve Affairs. There is a real service obligation attached to this, so go in with eyes open.

Bottom line: One funded NPS master's degree seat is available to RC Captains and Majors. The application deadline is 28 August 2026, and late submissions will not be accepted.

Who it affects

RC officers in the grades of Captain and Major across all competitive categories: SMCR, IMA, IRR, and AR.

Rank and time-in-grade eligibility (as of 1 June 2026):

GradeEligible if...
MajorOne year or less time-in-grade
CaptainTwo or more years time-in-grade

You are not eligible if:

  • You have been passed over for promotion in your current grade in any competitive category.
  • You do not meet AR officer accession requirements per MCO 1001.52K.
  • You are an AR officer and your Date Current Tour Began (DCTB) is on or after 1 October 2025 (career-designated) or 1 October 2024 (accession tour).
  • You are an AR officer without two years time-on-station by 1 June 2026.

What you need to do

This is a two-step application: NPS screens you first, then HQMC reviews your full package. Do both in parallel. Missing either deadline kills your application.

Step 1: NPS application

  1. Apply online at https://nps.edu.
  2. Have official transcripts sent directly from every college or university you attended. Mailed transcripts go to: Naval Postgraduate School Admissions Office, 1 University Circle, He-046, Monterey, CA 93943-5100. Electronic transcripts go to admissions@nps.edu.
  3. Transcripts must arrive at NPS no later than 15 August 2026.

Step 2: HQMC web portal application

  1. Go to https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/application_cac/. No CAC required to access the site.
  2. If you get a 404 error, you need an MRA Manpower Information Portal (MIP) account. Register at https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/apps-home/, then return to the application.
  3. Complete the online survey (contact info, career counseling confirmation, obligation acknowledgments).
  4. Upload one PDF file containing all required documents. The file must be named in this exact format:
EDIPI_ARGEP_LNAME
Example: 1234567890_ARGEP_SMITH

Files not in this format are deleted and will not be reviewed.

Required upload documents:

  • Letter to the board with a signed Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS, NAVMC 10476)
  • AR GEP Application and Privacy Act Statement
  • Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (must include all credits and letter grades)
  • Statement of Understanding (SOU) GEP MSA Form

All three forms (RQS template, Application/Privacy Act Statement, SOU) are on the RAM-3 webpage under "Reserve Programs and Boards (RAM-3)" then "Support Documentation" at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Reserve-Affairs-Division/Reserve-Affairs-Management-RAM/Reserve-Affairs-Management-Embeds/.

OMPF: Make sure your OMPF is current before the board convenes. Update it through ORMA at https://www4.manpower.usmc.mil/orma/#/ under "My OMPF" then "OMPF Update Requests." Your official photo should also be current.

Service obligation: If selected, you will sign an SOU and incur a service obligation in the AR Program (Component B1). This obligation cannot be waived, including for Return to Active Duty (RAD) requests. Officers who received Voluntary Separation Pay (VSP) should be aware that returning to active duty for more than 180 days may trigger recoupment.

Career counseling: Strongly encouraged before you apply. Contact the Career Management Team (CMT) at smb_cmt@usmc.mil or 703-784-0557.

Key dates

DateMilestone
NowAR GEP questionnaire opens
15 August 2026NPS application closes
28 August 2026 (2359 EDT)HQMC web portal application and all upload material due
14 September 2026Board convenes
TBD October 2026Board results released
TBD November 2026Declination or deferral deadline

The official version

This article is based on MARADMIN 227/26. The governing order for the GEP is MCO 1524.1. For questions, contact the POCs directly:

  • LtCol Timothy Dempsey (RAP): timothy.a.dempsey.mil@usmc.mil, 703-432-9205
  • Maj David Kraft (RAM-3): david.kraft@usmc.mil, 703-784-1275
  • MSgt Gregory Bogaczyk / MSgt George Tisnado (RAM-3): 703-784-1231
  • General RPME mailbox: rpme@usmc.mil

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.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • Marine Corps Graduate Education Program order (MCO 1524.1)Reference

    This is the governing order for the Marine Corps Graduate Education Program. It defines the rules and eligibility for the opportunity being advertised in this MARADMIN.

  • Active Reserve Management order (MCO 1001.52K)Reference

    This order governs management of the Active Reserve program. It sets officer accession requirements that SMCR, IMA, and IRR applicants must meet to be eligible.

  • Separation and Retirement Manual (MCO 1900.16 CH 3)Reference

    This manual governs separations and retirements. It is cited as one of the authorities that determines the service obligation incurred by officers selected for the GEP.

  • Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Management Manual (MCO 1001R.1L CH 2)Reference

    This manual covers Reserve administrative management. It is cited alongside the separation manual as an authority governing the service obligation selected officers must fulfill.

  • DoD Policy on Graduate Education for Military Officers (DoDI 1322.10)Reference

    This DoD instruction sets policy on graduate education for military officers. It is cited as an authority governing the service obligation incurred when an officer accepts a GEP opportunity.

  • Official Photographs Requirement Update for Non-Promotion Boards (MARADMIN 582/25)MARADMIN

    This earlier MARADMIN updated requirements for official photographs submitted to non-promotion selection boards. Applicants to the AR GEP board should review it to ensure their photo meets current standards.

  • DoD Voluntary Separation Pay Program instruction (DoDI 1332.43)Reference

    This DoD instruction governs the Voluntary Separation Pay program for service members. It is cited in connection with the service obligation rules that apply to GEP selectees.

  • Naval Postgraduate School admissions portal (NPS)

    This is the main homepage for the Naval Postgraduate School, a graduate research university offering defense-focused master's and PhD programs to eligible military members, including through distance learning. Reserve Marines interested in pursuing a graduate degree while serving should open this to explore available programs and admissions information.

  • RPME online GEP application (MRA Manpower Information Portal)

    This is the Step 2 application website where officers complete the AR GEP questionnaire. A CAC is not required to access it, but applicants must have an MRA MIP account.

  • MRA MIP account registration portal

    Officers who do not already have an MRA Manpower Information Portal account will receive a 404 error when trying to apply. They must register here before they can access the GEP application.

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