The Marine Corps is accepting applications for five Executive Level Education (ELE) assignments in FY27. These are 10 to 12 month education and fellowship programs for senior officers who have completed Top Level School (TLS). Paragraph 8 of the MARADMIN states explicitly that this message applies to the active component only. Reserve officers should be aware of it, but there is no action required.
Heads up: This MARADMIN is active component only. Reserve officers have no action.
Who it affects
Active component colonels, colonel-selects, and post-TLS lieutenant colonels who meet the eligibility criteria below.
Eligible:
- Colonels and colonel-selects with 24 months time-on-station (TOS) by 31 July 2027, or scheduled to complete their prescribed tour control factor (TCF) in FY27
- Officers selected for colonel on the FY28 Promotion Screening Board
Not eligible:
- Lieutenant colonels in the above zone for promotion
- Limited duty officers
- Officers with an approved voluntary separation or retirement date
- Officers who have previously declined an ELE selection
- Officers already in receipt of FY27 orders
What you need to do
If you are active component and eligible, apply through the manpower portal by 9 October 2026. Email your PMOS monitor to notify them of your intent before you submit.
The application is here: https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/application_cac/edu/index.jsp
A few application rules worth knowing:
- The online questionnaire is the only accepted submission method. Emails to MMOA-3 will not be processed.
- List your preferred programs in priority order. You are not required to list all five.
- You may submit supporting documents not in your OMPF (letters of recommendation, a letter to Director Manpower Management, etc.).
- Do not submit more than seven documents. Each must be in
.pdfformat and under 800 KB. - Name files using this convention:
EDIPI_LOR_lastnamefor a letter of recommendation, orEDIPI_LOR_lastname (1)/EDIPI_LOR_lastname (2)if submitting multiples of the same type.
If you are selected and need to decline, you have 10 calendar days from the results MARADMIN. Declining makes you ineligible for future ELE assignments unless Director, Manpower Management approves an exception. Deferrals for extraordinary personal circumstances are possible but must go through your first general officer in the chain.
Key dates
- Now: Application period open
- 9 October 2026: Applications due (hard deadline)
- 10 days after results MARADMIN: Deadline to submit a declination if selected
Available assignments
| Assignment | Location | Report | Rotate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATO Defense College | Rome, Italy | Aug 27 | Jun 28 | FPME |
| India National Defense College | New Delhi, India | Dec 27 | Dec 28 | FPME |
| RAND Corporation Fellowship | Arlington, VA | Aug 27 | Jun 28 | CMC Fellowship |
| Hoover Institution | Stanford, CA | Aug 27 | Jun 28 | CMC Fellowship |
| Centre des Hautes Études Militaires (CHEM) | France | Aug 27 | Jun 28 | French DLPT required |
The CHEM slot in France requires a French Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) score from FY26: 2 listening, 2 reading, 1+ speaking.
- Foreign PME information:
https://www.usmcu.edu/Academic-Programs/CMC-Fellows-Strategists-Foreign-PME-Olmsted-Scholars/Foreign-Professional-Military-Education/ - CMC Fellowships information:
https://www.usmcu.edu/Academic-Programs/CMC-Fellows-Strategists-Foreign-PME-Olmsted-Scholars/Commandant-of-the-Marine-Corps-Fellowships/
The official version
This is MARADMIN 421/26. It references MCO 1300.8 CH-1, Marine Corps Personnel Assignment Policy.
POC for application questions: Maj T. J. Schulze, MMOA-3, joseph.schulze1@usmc.mil, (703) 784-9284.
MCU POC for FPME and fellowships: LtCol J. D. Pineiro, Fellows_FPME_Olmsted@usmcu.edu, (703) 432-4837.
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.