FISCAL YEAR 2027 MARINE CORPS GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM ENLISTED (PILOT PROGRAM)

R 291717Z JUN 26
MARADMIN 301/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2027 MARINE CORPS GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM
ENLISTED (PILOT PROGRAM)//
REF/A/DOC/MCO/30MAY2019/
REF/B/DOC/TITLE 10 ARMED FORCES, CH855/10AUG1956/
REF/C/DOC/H.R. 9279 - 117TH CONGRESS/
REF/D/DOC/MCO/11MAY2021/
REF/E/DOC/MCO/08SEP2010/
REF/F/DOC/TALENT MANAGEMENT UPDATE/NOV2024/
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1524.1, THE MARINE CORPS GRADUATE
EDUCATION PROGRAM. REF B IS TITLE 10, U.S. CODE, CH 855 IS LAW ON
NAVAL POSTRADUATE SCHOOL. REF C IS THE STRENGTHENING THE
FORCE AND FLEET THROUGH ENLISTED EDUCATION ACT. REF D IS MCO 1326.6
W/CH-1, SELECTING, SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR
SCREENABLE BILLETS AND INDEPENDENT DUTIES (SCREENMAN). REF E IS MCO
1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. REF F
IS TALENT MANAGEMENT UPDATE, DATED NOVEMBER 2024.
POC/D. T. DUMANOVSKY/MAJ/MMOA-3/USMC/DSN 278-9285/
EMAIL: [email protected]/TEL: 703-784-9285/
POC/P. N. DELACRUZ/MAJ/MMEA-25/TEL: 703-784-9472/
EMAIL: [email protected]/
POC/B. S. WILKINS/GYSGT/MMEA-25/TEL: 703-432-9473/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This message announces the Fiscal Year
2027 Marine Corps Graduate Education Program-Enlisted (MCGEP-E)
pilot program convening on 04 August 2026 as part of the
Commandant's Education Board. The purpose of this message is to
announce the available curriculum, eligibility criteria, timelines
for execution, and solicit applications from enlisted
Marines to attend Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) for a masters
degree in the below listed programs.
1.a. Major milestone timelines:
NLT Date Milestone
26 Jul 2026 Applications due to NPS
26 Jul 2026 Applications due to HQMC
04 Aug 2026 MCGEP-E Board Convenes
25 Jun 2027 NLT report date to NPS
2. Background. Senior leadership recognizes the need to develop
resident talent within the enlisted ranks and to manage and retain
our highly educated Marines. The MCGEP-E pilot program allows
selected enlisted personnel to earn a masters degree at NPS. This
is a fiscally disciplined investment in education that will develop
enlisted professionals for duty in directed assignments within
Headquarters Marine Corps. Selection will be based upon
consistently outstanding professional performance,
promotion potential, academic background, capabilities,
and accomplishments. Program and utilization placement shall be
commensurate with the academic qualifications, needs of the Marine
Corps, and in coordination with the NPS admissions office and
Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments (MMEA). Details regarding
the standard curriculum are listed in paragraph 4.a of this message.
3. Eligibility
3.a. Grade
3.a.1. Active-duty Marines in the grades of E6 and E7 with no
more than 16 years of service by end of degree completion and prior
to beginning their utilization tour (case-by-case exceptions).
3.a.2. Marines in the grade of E5 may apply and request a grade
exception if they possess at least 24-months time in grade at time
of application.
3.a.3. Marines passed for promotion to the next grade are not
eligible to apply.
3.a.4. Marines in the grades of E8 and E9 are not eligible due to
manpower shortfalls.
3.a.5. Gunnery Sergeants who denote "F" in section 8c of their
fitness reports may apply. However, due to 8999 primary military
occupational specialty career timing and staffing requirements,
selection may be less favorable for these Marines. If selected
for First Sergeant while in the program, Marines should expect to
serve 24 months in a First Sergeant billet following completion of
the mandatory MCGEP-E utilization tour prior to becoming eligible
for promotion consideration to Sergeant Major.
3.b. Any PMOS is encouraged to apply, though a focus will be placed
on those most closely correlated to an eligible program. See
paragraph 4.a.
3.c. Must meet reenlistment requirements per reference (e) and
obligate sufficient service for the program length and 48-months
of service upon degree completion. The 48-month service requirement
upon degree completion will include a 24-month utilization tour and
a 24-month tour in the Marine's PMOS.
3.d. Applicants must have a minimum of 24-months time on station
prior to the NPS report date of June 2027, must not be stabilized
for deployment and must not be in receipt of orders. Waivers may be
requested.
3.e. All applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree.
3.f. The application criteria for NPS is further described,
promulgated, and updated via the NPS Admissions Office website.
3.g. Must hold, or be eligible for, a security clearance as
required by program placement and utilization. See paragraph 4.a.
3.h. Applicants must be Professional Military Education complete
for their current rank prior to executing orders.
4. Program Information
4.a. Programs available for application:
Program AMOS NOTE
815 - Contingency Contracting 3006 1
847 - Manpower Systems Analysis 8840 2
837 - Financial Management 8844 3
817 - Defense Systems Analysis 8852 4
827 - Defense Logistics Management 8862 5
Notes
1 - Aligns with 3044.
2 - Aligns with 0111 and 4821 PMOSs.
3 - Aligns with 34xx PMOSs.
4 - Must be eligible for a secret security clearance.
5 - Aligns with 04xx/30xx/35xx/66xx PMOSs.
4.b. Marines are not charged for program tuition and will receive a
book stipend based on the length of their curriculum. Students will
retain all rated allowances.
4.c. Program lengths vary and can be found via the NPS Admissions
Office Website at https://nps.edu/web/usmc. Students will be
required to follow the designated curriculum for degree completion
but are authorized to take additional credit hours, if available.
Additional courses offered by NPS are covered through enrollment at
no cost to the Marine.
5. NPS Application Process
5.a. Applications to NPS must be submitted by 26 July 2026.
5.b. The steps to apply to NPS can be found at
https://nps.edu/web/admissions/apply.
5.c. Applicants will need to request copies of official
undergraduate and graduate transcripts to be sent directly to NPS.
This should include all undergraduate schools, if more than one was
attended.
5.c.1. Transcripts must come directly from the institution or their
designated transcript exchange service. NPS does not accept
transcripts submitted by the applicant.
5.d. Joint services transcripts (JST) should be requested from
https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do to be sent directly to NPS.
The JST will cover other types of military education and training
not included in undergraduate transcripts.
6. USMC Application Process
6.a. Completed packages are due NLT 2359 EST on 26 July 2026 via
the Total Force Retention System (TFRS).
6.b. Completed packages must be submitted electronically
using the "SDA/Reenlistment/MISC" Reenlistment Extension Lateral
Move (RELM) request type in TFRS. RELMs will be submitted to CMC
(MMEA-25) via the normal RELM routing chain. Unit Career Planners
have access to TFRS. The enclosures to the RELM will contain the
following:
6.b.1. Administrative Action (AA) Form.
6.b.2. Official biography and professional resume.
6.b.3. Copy of diploma and official transcripts.
6.b.4. Any supporting documentation or educational attainments.
6.b.5. Letters of recommendation (limit of four).
6.b.6. Security clearance verification letter.
6.c. In the required AA form, all applicants must acknowledge the
following:
6.c.1. Not request separation or retirement while participating
in the program or during the period of service obligation.
6.c.2. Accept an active-duty service commitment of 48-months beyond
NPS graduation.
7. Selection
7.a. Applicants will be boarded on the Commandant's Education Board
to determine which applicants will be selected for MCGEP-E.
7.b. Applicants will be notified of the results in a subsequent
MARADMIN. They will also receive any necessary guidance for
completing their enrollment with NPS.
7.c. Director of Manpower Management is the final approval
authority for all assignments to MCGEP-E.
8. Questions
8.a. NPS admission questions should be directed via e-mail to
[email protected].
8.b. USMC application submission questions regarding TFRS can be
directed to unit Career Counselors. Any other USMC application
submission questions should be directed to the MMEA-25 POC GySgt
Brandon Wilkins via email to [email protected].
9. This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
10. Release authorized by MajGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.//