Skip to content
PolicyRoutine update

FY26 Semiannual International Affairs Program Experience Track Selection Panel Results

MARADMIN 237/26·May 28, 2026·Official source

The name list of Marines selected for Foreign Area Officer (FAO) and Regional Affairs Officer (RAO) Additional Military Occupational Specialties (AMOS) by the FY26 semiannual IAP Experience Track panel. Applies to the specific Active Component selectees named; it also serves as the authority to assign the listed AMOS designations.

This is a routine update — a name list, a set of results, or a recurring notice. There is nothing here to translate into plain English, so the official text is reproduced in full below. Read it on marines.mil

Official text

R 271307Z MAY 26

MARADMIN 237/26

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC//

SUBJ/FY26 SEMIANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM EXPERIENCE 

TRACK SELECTION PANEL RESULTS//

REF/A/DOC/CMC/PPO/20250311//

REF/B/DOC/SECDEF/OUSD-P&R/20220325//

REF/C/DOC/SECNAV/DUSN(P)/20230406//

REF/D/GENADMIN/CMC/011954ZDEC25//

NARR/REF A IS MARINE CORPS ORDER 1540.33, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS            

PROGRAM (IAP). REF B IS DODI 1315.20, MANAGEMENT OF THE DOD FOREIGN 

AREA OFFICER PROGRAM. REF C IS SECNAVINST 1301.7B, DEPARTMENT 

OF THE NAVY FOREIGN AREA OFFICER PROGRAMS. REF D IS MARADMIN 574/25,

FY 2026 MARINE CORPS FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY BONUS ELIGIBILITY

REQUIREMENTS.// 

POC/1/BRETT M. MCCORMICK/LTCOL/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 312-

224-4365/703-692-4365/BRETT.MCCORMICK(AT)USMC.MIL//

POC/2/CLAYTON J. FISHER/CIV/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 312-224-

0322/703-614-0322/CLAYTON.FISHER(AT)USMC.MIL//

POC/3/LEE M. MOFFETT/MGYSGT/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 312-224-

4366/703-692-4366/LEE.MOFFETT(AT)USMC.MIL//

POC/4/IVAN A. LIVIA/MSGT/CMC PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 312-224-4366/703-

614-0322/IVAN.A.LIVIA.MIL2USMC.MIL//  

POC/5/ASHLEY K. ALMEIDA/CTR/CMC PPO PL WASHINGTON DC/DSN 312-224-

2168/703-692-2168/ASHLEY.K.ALMEIDA.CTR(AT)USMC.MIL//

POC/6/IAP OMB/IAPMARINE(AT)USMC.MIL//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. The purpose of this MARADMIN is to announce the 

results of the FY26 Semiannual International Affairs Program (IAP) 

Experience Track Selection Panel. 

2. Based on their background, operational experience, and academic 

credentials, the IAP experience track selection panel selected the

Marines listed below for assignment for the Foreign Area Officer 

(FAO) and Regional Affairs Officer (RAO) 

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (AMOS).

Selection panel results. (Read in 6 columns): 

Name                   Rank   PMOS  AMOS  Desig  Region             

Ahonen, J.T            Maj    0302  8244  FAO    Middle East  

Barnett, B             LtCol  0202  8221  RAO    LATAM

Barnett, B             LtCol  0202  8223  RAO    INDO-PACOM

Berentson, M.D         Col    8041  8241  FAO    LATAM

Berentson, M.D         Col    8041  8245  FAO    Africa

Ding, M.H              Maj    0802  8242  FAO    Europe

Gibson, H.R            Maj    0602  8222  RAO    Europe

Kopach, S.J            LtCol  0202  8224  RAO    Middle East

Nerswick, S.E          Maj    6602  8223  RAO    INDO-PACOM

Vega, F.J              LtCol  0302  8222  RAO    Europe

3. This MARADMIN serves as authority to assign the respective AMOS

as listed above. All selectees listed above must request 

appropriate entries be made into their permanent service records 

to reflect the appropriate AMOS through their Installation 

Personnel Administration Centers or command administration offices. 

4. Per ref A, Marines applying for an IAP AMOS are highlighting 

their availability to serve in international affairs billets when

not serving in their primary MOS. Marines who subsequently decline 

to serve in such billets will have their IAP AMOS administratively 

withdrawn. 

5. Per refs A and D, Marines with a FAO AMOS are required to 

maintain current minimum Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) 

scores of 2/2/1+ (FAO). 

Failure to maintain minimum scores will result in administrative 

withdrawal of the FAO AMOS. 

6. Per ref A, IAP Marines who are slated with orders to fill 82XX

billets are required to complete a Tier 5 (T-5) investigation in

order to facilitate their integration into MAGTF planning,

operations, security cooperation, and intelligence efforts during 

future assignments within tactical, operational, and strategic-

level Marine Corps staffs, joint and combined staff, and for duty

with interagency organizations. Marines who are slated to fill 82XX 

billets and do not have current T-5 investigation will submit a 

request through their Security Office. Orders issued for individuals 

filling 82XX billets will serve as the authoritative document to 

initiate a T-5 Investigation.

7.Language sustainment training may be available for Marines in the

82XX AMOS, contingent upon available funding. Cost-free options can 

be found on the IAP website "https //www.ppo.marines.mil/Units/

Strategy-and-Plans-Division/International-Affairs-Branch/

International-Affairs-Program/" under the courses section. These 

resources offer opportunities to develop and enhance language 

skills. Additional requests may be submitted to 

IAPMarine(at)usmc.mil. 

8. Questions regarding the IAP should be directed to the points of 

contact (POCs) listed above. Panels will take place during the first 

week of November and May, with applications submitted no later then 

30 October and 30 April, respectively. Applications must be in one 

pdf named as "Rank.Last.First.Region" 

(e.g., GySgt.Smith.John.Africa). Applications must be submitted 

through the IAP website under the IAP Submissions and Registration 

section, using the link titled 

Experience Track Panel. 

9. Release authorized by Mr. Stephen M. Hoyle, Deputy Director, 

Strategy and Plans Division, Plans, Policies, and Operations, 

Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, By Direction//

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.

  • International Affairs Program order (MCO 1540.33)Reference

    This is the governing Marine Corps Order for the International Affairs Program. It sets the rules for earning and keeping an IAP AMOS, including billet obligations, language score requirements, and security investigation requirements cited throughout this MARADMIN.

  • DOD Foreign Area Officer Program instruction (DODI 1315.20)Reference

    This DoD instruction governs management of the Foreign Area Officer program across the Department of Defense. It provides the DoD-level policy framework under which the Marine Corps FAO program operates.

  • Department of the Navy Foreign Area Officer Programs instruction (SECNAVINST 1301.7B)Reference

    This Secretary of the Navy instruction establishes Department of the Navy policy for Foreign Area Officer programs. It sits between DoD-level and Marine Corps-level policy for FAO and RAO assignments.

  • FY26 Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus Eligibility Requirements (MARADMIN 574/25)MARADMIN

    This MARADMIN defines the minimum Defense Language Proficiency Test score requirements that FAO AMOS holders must maintain. Marines who received a FAO AMOS in this panel need to know these requirements to avoid administrative withdrawal of their AMOS.

  • This is the Marine Corps International Affairs Program's central website, covering applications, submission forms, and language training resources for programs like Foreign Area Officer, Regional Affairs Officer, and the Personnel Exchange Program. Marines interested in applying to these programs or maintaining language proficiency requirements will find the relevant forms, policies, testing guidance, and course links here.

policyleadership