The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory's Future Technology Office (FTO) is soliciting nominations for the CY27 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Service Chiefs' Fellowship Program (SCFP). The SCFP is a 12-week assignment in Arlington, Virginia where Marine officers embed with one of the DoD's premier research agencies and get direct exposure to cutting-edge technology development programs. Fellows return as informal liaisons between DARPA and the Marine Corps. The deadline to submit is 30 September 2026.
Heads up: Applications are due 30 September 2026, regardless of which quarter you are applying for, and previous applicants must reapply.
Who it affects
This MARADMIN explicitly covers active-duty Marine officers, SNCOs, and officers on active reserve status. Most reservists in the SMCR or IMA capacity will not qualify unless they are on active reserve status orders at the time of application. If you are not sure whether your current status makes you eligible, check with your S-1.
Primary targets: senior captains (O-3E), majors (O-4), and lieutenant colonels (O-5) in any MOS. Highly qualified SNCOs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. GS-14/GS-15 civilian personnel can also be nominated, though active-duty officers take priority.
Other eligibility requirements:
- Highly competitive for promotion
- Bachelor's degree minimum (competitive applicants have graduate credentials too)
- Secret clearance minimum; TS preferred
- No expected resignation or retirement within three years of program completion
- If applying for a quarter after your rotation date, coordinate with your monitor and get receiving command approval first
What you need to do
The application package goes to the POCs listed below via the AA form (NAVMC 10274). Send it electronically.
POC 1: Chandler B. Hirsch, chandler.hirsch.ctr@usmc.mil, (571) 254-7249
POC 2: John E. Moore, john.e.moore4@usmc.mil, (571) 254-7185
Address the AA form as follows:
- Block 7 (To): Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, Attn: Future Technology Office, 1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Stafford VA 22554
- Block 8 (Subject):
DARPA Service Chiefs Fellowship Program Application - Block 11 (Enclosures): Military photo, military bio, Master Brief Sheet, undergraduate transcripts (unofficial accepted), graduate transcripts if applicable, DAU transcripts if applicable
- Block 12 (Supplemental Information): Personal statement on your motivation, up to three focus areas of interest (e.g., unmanned systems, electromagnetic spectrum operations), preferred quarter(s) in order, primary and secondary MOS, current assignment and rotation date, security clearance level and adjudication date, deployment history, key billets held, degree info, contact info, and the following statement verbatim:
"I do not anticipate resigning or retiring within three years of program completion."
Your package also needs an endorsement from the first colonel (or higher) in your chain of command.
Applying for both quarters improves your chances. After the deadline, additional packages may be accepted on a space-available basis.
Key dates
- 30 September 2026: Application deadline (same for both quarters)
- QTR 1: 11 January 2027 to 31 March 2027, Arlington, VA
- QTR 2: 5 April 2027 to 23 June 2027, Arlington, VA
- Selection results announced via MARADMIN after the semi-annual board
The official version
Full details are in MARADMIN 414/26. Program background is governed by the CMC Memorandum of Agreement from 1 February 2011. Additional information on DARPA programs is available at www.darpa.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.