Skip to content
ToolsMCRAMMSign in
DeploymentOpportunity

FY28 Marine Attaché Board: One Country Added, One Pulled

MARADMIN 250/26·June 1, 2026·1 min read·Official source
Listen to this article3 min
0:00 / 2:48

The Marine Corps updated the FY28 Marine Attaché (MARA) selection board announcement originally published in MARADMIN 160/26. Two changes: a new position in Ukraine was added to the open solicitations, and the Taiwan position was retracted. Everything else from the original announcement stands.

Heads up: The Taiwan (Chinese-Mandarin) billet is gone. If you were considering that one, it's off the table.

Who it affects

Any active or reserve Marine who was tracking the FY28 MARA board, especially those with Russian or Chinese-Mandarin language skills. The Ukraine billet is open to Majors and is a 12-month unaccompanied tour.

What you need to do

If you're interested in the Ukraine billet or want to see the current full list of open positions, go to the Defense Attaché Program page and review what's available. The application process and requirements haven't changed from the original announcement.

Current vacancy list and application materials: https://www.intelligence.marines.mil/OCC-Field-Foreign-Language/Defense-Attache-Program/

If you have questions on the reserve side specifically, reach out to the Reserve Attaché Detachment POC below.

Key dates

  • No new deadlines published in this message. Refer to MARADMIN 160/26 (the original board announcement) for all submission windows.

The official version

This is MARADMIN 250/26, a supplement to MARADMIN 160/26 (the original FY28 MARA board announcement). Governing orders are MCO 3821.2 (USMC participation in the Defense Attaché Service) and MCO 1300.8 CH-1 (Personnel Assignment Policy).

POCs:

  • Active component assignments: Maj J. Schulze, MMOA-3, joseph.schulze1@usmc.mil, 703-784-9284
  • Enlisted assignments: GySgt D.A. Hamrick, MMEA-25, david.a.hamrick.mil@usmc.mil, 703-784-9276
  • Reserve Attaché Detachment: LtCol R.W. Dawson, richard.dawson@dodiis.mil, 501-847-2186
  • DCI Reserve Liaison: Maj M.T. Weltzien, matthew.weltzien@usmc.mil, 703-692-1395
  • MCIA Attaché Program: carolyn.smith@usmc.mil or thomas.gilbertson1@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.

  • USMC Participation in the Defense Attaché Service (MCO 3821.2)Reference

    This order governs Marine Corps participation in the Defense Attaché Service and is a foundational reference for the MARA selection board process.

  • Personnel Assignment Policy (MCO 1300.8 CH-1)Reference

    This order covers Marine Corps personnel assignment policy, which applies to how Marines are selected and assigned to attaché billets.

  • Separation and Retirement Manual (MCO 1900.16 CH 2 / MARCORSEPMAN)Reference

    This manual governs separation and retirement procedures, relevant to any service obligation or eligibility considerations tied to the attaché assignment.

  • FY28 Active and Reserve Marine Attaché Selection Board Announcement (MARADMIN 160/26)MARADMIN

    This is the primary board announcement that this supplemental message builds on. Reservists interested in the MARA program should read it for the full application requirements and process.

  • Defense Attaché Program application portal

    This is the Marine Corps Defense Attaché Program portal, covering the mission, qualifications, and application process for serving as a military attaché or operations coordinator at U.S. diplomatic missions overseas. Reserve component Marines (SMCR, IMA, IRR) with fewer than 5,040 Active Duty Points are eligible to apply, with packages due no later than 26 June 2026.

deploymentleadershippolicy

Take it to drill

A one-page brief you can print or save. Built for SNCOs to brief their Marines.