The Marine Corps published updated guidance for FY27 intermediate and advanced-level course registration at the Defense Information School (DINFOS), Fort Meade. The registration process has changed: nominations no longer go directly to DINFOS but must now route through your chain of command to your MARFOR G-3 via MCTIMS. Seat allocations were set by an Executive Steering Committee to distribute seats fairly across the 45XX occupational field.
Bottom line: If you're a 45XX Marine going to DINFOS in FY27, your unit must register you in MCTIMS at least 46 days before the course starts, or you risk losing your seat.
Who it affects
45XX (Communication Strategy and Operations, COMMSTRAT) Marines across all components. This includes Marines seeking intermediate or advanced-level courses at DINFOS, as well as COMMSTRAT Directors, OICs, Visual Information Officers (VIOs), and senior enlisted leaders who manage nominations and registration.
What you need to do
If you are a Marine seeking a course seat:
- Confirm you meet all prerequisites listed in MCTIMS for your target course.
- Ensure you have an active Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC).
- Complete the DINFOS Command Screening Checklist (found at
https://www.dinfos.dma.mil/Student-Info/Service-Inprocessing/Marines/). - Notify your COMMSTRAT Director, OIC, VIO, or senior enlisted leader so they can submit your nomination up the chain to MARFOR G-3 in MCTIMS.
- Once registered, pull your funding letter from the MCTIMS class roster and verify your funding status shows "approved."
If you are a leader submitting nominations:
- Submit nominations through your chain of command to MARFOR G-3 via MCTIMS.
- Register Marines no later than 46 days before the course convene date. Aim for 60 days to lock in lodging.
- If you need to register or swap a seat within 45 days of the convene date, contact MARDET Fort Meade directly (do not just update MCTIMS on your own).
- For distance learning courses, submit registrations no later than 60 days before the start date.
- Any cancellations within 45 days of the convene date must go to the MARDET shared mailbox AND be reflected as a drop in MCTIMS.
A few additional requirements to know:
- Marines with an EAS within 12 months of completing a course must submit a signed letter of intent to reenlist with their enrollment request.
- Marines on limited or light duty must bring appropriate medical documentation to check-in at MARDET.
- If you fail to attend, fail to meet body composition standards at check-in, or fail to graduate, a non-compliance letter goes to Training Command (TRNGCMD).
- MCTIMS is the only authoritative source for enrollment. Local trackers and spreadsheets do not count.
Send enrollment questions to: MARDET_Training@dinfos.edu
Key dates
- 46 days before course convene date: hard deadline to be registered in MCTIMS for resident courses.
- 60 days before course convene date: recommended registration date to secure lodging (also the hard deadline for distance learning courses).
- Within 45 days of convene date: late registrations and seat swaps require direct coordination with MARDET Fort Meade.
- Message expires: 31 December 2027 (note: the MARADMIN lists "31 September 2027," which is not a valid date; verify the actual expiration with your chain of command or S-1).
FY27 DINFOS Intermediate and Advanced-Level Courses
| Course Name | Course ID (CID) |
|---|---|
| Visual Information Management | A18M6N2 |
| Intermediate Photojournalism Course | A1843E2 |
| Joint Contingency Public Affairs Course | A18DC42 |
| Public Affairs Communication Strategy Qualification Course | A18DCA2 |
| Intermediate Motion Media Course | A18KCU2 |
| Mass Communication Foundations Writing Course (Distance Learning) | A18M7L2 |
| Digital Multimedia Course | A18T4Z2 |
| Intermediate Public Affairs Course | A18DCG2 |
The official version
Full guidance is in MARADMIN 261/26. Referenced orders are MCO 1553.10 (MCTIMS Standing Operating Procedures) and NAVMC 3500.9D (COMMSTRAT Training and Readiness Manual).
POCs:
- MSgt Kassie Mcdole, 45XX OccFld Support SNCOIC, HQMC:
703-614-1494/Kassie.Mcdole@usmc.mil - MGySgt J.E. Jackson, MARDET Senior Enlisted Leader, DINFOS:
703-677-5109/jjackson8@dinfos.edu - GySgt J.R. Heins, MARDET Operations Chief, DINFOS:
301-677-7201/jheins1@dinfos.edu
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.