08/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2026 12:29
R 141300Z AUG 26
MARADMIN 368/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACADEMIC YEAR 2027 ENLISTED COLLEGE
DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM WEEKEND SEMINARS//
REF/A/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC/231503ZDEC24//
REF/B/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC/231749ZDEC24//
REF/C/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC/231830ZDEC24//
NARR/REF A, MARADMIN 627/24,
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE STAFF NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER LEADERSHIP
SCHOOL. REF B, MARADMIN 631/24 UPDATED ENLISTED PROFESSIONAL
MILITARY EDUCATION (EPME) REQUIREMENTS FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND ACTIVE
RESERVE MARINES. REF C, MARADMIN 631/24, UPDATED ENLISTED
PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (EPME) REQUIREMENTS FOR
SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR), INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE
(IRR), AND INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEE (IMA) MARINES.
POC/J.A.LANG/ENLISTED RESERVE LIAISON, MCU/LOC: QUANTICO/TEL:
(703) 784-4497/EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This message announces the Academic Year (AY) 2027
class dates for the College of Distance Education and Training (CDET)
Enlisted College (EC) weekend seminar programs: Sergeants School
Seminar Program (SSSP) and SNCO Leadership School Seminar
Program (SLSSP).
2. For purposes of promotion and assignment, completion of a seminar
program is equivalent to completion of the associated school at a
Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy.
3. Seminars are executed through the CDET regional campuses.
Weekend seminars will be conducted concurrently across participating
regions for each cycle; however, specific weekend dates may vary by
region. Class locations for each region are published on the Marine
Corps University (MCU) website located at https:(slash)(slash)
www.usmcu.edu/CDET/enlisted/cdet_enrollment#enlisted-college-dep.
4.a. AY 2027 projected Weekend Seminar Cycle Schedule (read in four
columns):
Registration Seminar First Final
Cycle Deadline Start Weekend Weekend
Fall 04 Aug 2026 Aug 2026 Sep 2026 Dec 2026
Spring 06 Jan 2027 Jan 2027 Feb 2027 May 2027
4.b. "Off-cycle" classes may be initiated if the minimum enrollment
of eight students is reached. Regional directors are authorized to
establish seminar locations and dates based on student
home-of-record considerations.
5. Coordinating instructions
5.a. Course prerequisites include: nominees must meet the Marine
Corps Body Composition Program standards, have completed the
associated prerequisite Distance Education Program (DEP) on
MarineNet (EPME5000BA Sergeants Course DEP for SSSP,
EPME6000BA Career Course DEP for SLSSP), and be endorsed by their
commanding officer.
5.b. Course registration
5.b.1. To apply for a funded seat, individual units or Marines will
forward their completed CEME Command Screening Checklist to the
Enlisted Reserve Liaison Office (E-RLO) at [email protected].
5.c. CDET and the EC recognize the value of attendance of the seminar
programs by sister service members. The different perspectives and
experiences of these students are an invaluable addition to the
education of the force. To this end, a limited number of seats are
typically available for sister service members within each region.
Nominees must be within their services height/weight standards and
have completed the associated prerequisite DEP on MCELE. This is
accomplished by creating an account at
https://www.mcele.usmc.mil/MarineNet/SSOlogin.aspx?View=3.
Questions regarding availability, or assistance with the distance
education requirement, should be directed to the E-RLO.
6. Amplifying instructions
6.a. Weekend seminars are available for the Total Force. Active and
Reserve component Marines may apply.
6.b. Funding
6.b.1 SMCR and IMA Marines in a drilling status who are approved for a
funded seat will receive funding from Marine Forces Reserve
(MARFORRES) G-3/5 Formal Schools, using the MROWS and their
DTS-R account.
6.b.2 IRR Marines must contact MCIRSA directly to coordinate orders
and travel funding. DTS-R will not be used for Marines in the IRR.
6.b.3 SMCR, IMA, or IRR Marines on ADOS during the seminar will not
receive additional funding from MARFORRES for weekend sessions. It is
recommended to discuss with the unit providing the ADOS funding if
they are willing to provide lodging and travel funding for the weekend
sessions.
6.b.4 Active Duty and Active Reserve Marines are permitted to attend,
but do not receive any PME or DTS funding from MARFORRES.
Unit funding must be secured for travel and lodging if required.
6.c. All students require access to a personal computer with audio,
video, and the internet while participating in a seminar program. If a
student does not own a computer, it is recommended that the unit
temporarily loan the student a computer that is Wi-Fi enabled and
equipped with a word processing application.
6.d. Sergeants attending the SSSP will be required to read the book
"You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For." Students are
required to purchase, or otherwise acquire through the base or local
library, this book for the duration of the seminar.
6.e. Staff Sergeants and Gunnery Sergeants scheduled to attend the
SLSSP will be required to read the book, "Black Hearts: One Platoon's
Descent Into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death." Students are
required to purchase, or otherwise acquire through the base or
local library, this book for the duration of the seminar.
7. Release authorized by Brigadier General M. W. Tracy, President,
Marine Corps University.//