R 111231Z JUN 26 MARADMIN 273/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM// SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2027 COMMANDANT'S CAREER-LEVEL EDUCATION BOARD (CCLEB) ANNOUNCEMENT// REF/A/MCO/CMC/20190530// REF/B/MCO/CMC/20080125// REF/C/MCO/CMC/20250311// REF/D/MCO/CMC/20210510// REF/E/MCO/CMC/20190215// REF/F/MSG/EDCOM/20260406// REF/G/MSG/CMC/261400ZFEB2026// REF/H/MSG/CMC/241230ZMAR2026// NARR/REF A IS MCO 1524.1, MARINE CORPS GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM. REF B IS MCO 1553.4B PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (PME).  REF C IS MCO 1540.33, THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM (IAP).  REF D IS MCO 1300.8 W/CH-2, MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY.  REF E IS MCO 1900.16 CH 2, MARINE CORPS SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL (MARCORSEPMAN).  REF F IS MARADMIN 158/26, OFFICER PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION BLENDED SEMINAR PROGRAM FY26-27 SEAT QUOTA ASSIGNMENTS.  REF G IS MARADMIN 127/26 CHANGE 1 TO REQUIREMENT UPDATE ON OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS FOR NON-PROMOTION SELECTION BOARDS. REF H IS MARADMIN 066/26 CHANGE 1 TO THE ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES TO THE MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND BODY COMPOSITION EVALUATION PROCESS.// POC/DELANEY T. DUMANOVSKY/MAJ/MMOA-3/USMC/DSN 278-9285/ TEL (703)784-9285/EMAIL:  [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This message announces the Fiscal Year 2027 Commandant's Career-Level Education Board (CCLEB) convening on 04 August 2026 as part of the Commandant’s Education Board (CEB).  The purpose of this message is to announce the available programs, eligibility criteria, and timelines for the CCLEB execution. 1.a.  Changes.  In accordance with reference (g), effective 1 April 2026, Headquarters Marine Corps sponsored non-promotion boards will have access to official military personnel file (OMPF) photographs during the conduct of non-promotion selection boards. 1.b.  A photograph is considered current if the photograph is taken 365 days prior to a selection board’s convene date.  It remains the Marine’s responsibility to ensure a current photograph is in their Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) no later than 10 business days prior to the board’s convene date for which they are eligible. 1.c.  Reference (h) modifies the Height and Weight requirement to a Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) requirement.  At present, there is no method for the Digital Boardroom to pull current WHtR information aside from an officer's official photograph or fitness reports. Accordingly, Marines will not be viewed negatively solely because a current WHtR measurement is not available to the board.  However, previous Height and Weight measurements contained within a Marine's record will be considered, as well as any fitness reports that were processed with a WHtR directed comment. 1.d.  Major milestone timeline (read in two columns): Date                      Milestone Release of this message   Eligibility roster published Release of this message   CEB questionnaire opens 20 July                   All ETPs due 20 July                   CEB questionnaire closes 20 July                   Applications/board correspondence due 20 July                   Remove by Requests (RBR) due 24 July                   Non-compliance list published 31 July                   Final eligibility list published           04 August                 CEB convenes 2.  Background.  The CCLEB, as part of the CEB, is the premier Professional Military Education (PME) opportunity provided to company grade officers.  The board will convene for approximately four weeks to select the best and most fully qualified officers for resident PME programs, graduate education programs, and special duty assignments. 3.  Eligibility criteria 3.a.  All company grade officers who will complete their current tour control factor (TCF) by 30 September 2027.  Officers whose TCF is complete by 31 December 2027 may screen with PMOS monitor approval. 3.a.1.  Direct questions regarding tour lengths and dates of departure to the appropriate PMOS monitor. 3.a.2.  All company grade officers interested in attending the Naval Postgraduate School that do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined in 3.a. should reach out to their PMOS monitor and the MMOA-3 Graduate Education Manager. 3.b.  Ineligibility criteria 3.b.1.  Officers with a training primary military occupational specialty (PMOS) or departing PMOS training. 3.b.2.  Captains in-zone or above zone for major on the CY26/FY28 Major Promotion Selection Board. 3.b.3.  Officers currently enrolled in or have completed an education program slated by a previous CCLEB. 3.b.4.  Officers who have not yet fulfilled an obligated utilization tour for a previously attended program. 3.b.5.  Officers enrolled in or who have completed the Expeditionary Warfare School Blended Seminar Program (EWSBSP) will not be eligible for resident PME programs, but will be eligible for Graduate Education programs (e.g. NPS, FAO, Olmsted, etc). 3.b.6.  Officers with an approved lateral move in CY26 are ineligible for FY27 CCLEB selection and attendance due to PMOS training and assignment. 3.b.7.  Officers with an approved separation or retirement date. 3.b.8.  Restricted officers. 4.  CCLEB Available Programs 4.a.  CCLEB Resident PME 4.a.1.  Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS). 4.a.2.  PMOS-specific Captains Career Courses. 4.a.3.  Officers interested in a specific PMOS Captains Career Course will find the available schools listed on the questionnaire and should rank it according to their preferences. 4.b.  Graduate Education Programs 4.b.1.  Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)         a.  NPS Curricula: 3006, 8824, 8825, 8826, 8834, 8840, 8844,             8846, 8848, 8850, 8852, 8862, 8866, 8870.         b.  Marines holding a PMOS of 4402 are not eligible to apply             to NPS curricula.         c.  8844 is limited to 3404 PMOS. Exceptions made by request             to MMOA-3 for other MOSs.         d.  1706s eligible to screen will only be considered for the             8866 curriculum.         e.  8870 is limited to 0370 PMOS.         f.  NPS Curricula information can be found at https://nps.             edu/web/usmc/students/prospective 4.b.2.  Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)         a.  AFIT Curricula: 8820, 8831.         b.  8820 is restricted to 75XX PMOS.         c.  AFIT Curricula information on the Aeronautical             Engineering Program (8820) can be found at https://www.             afit.edu/EN/programs.cfm?a=view&D=1.         d.  AFIT Curricula information on the Engineering             Management Program (8831) can be found at https://www.             afit.edu/EN/programs.cfm?a=view&D=44. 4.b.3.  Civilian Institutions         a.  Curricula: 8802, 8878.         b.  Education (8802) applicants shall compose a letter to             the board, submitted through the questionnaire, stating             previous education and training experience, the desired             focus of education study and three prospective             universities.         c.  8802 selected officers will earn a Master's degree             from a civilian university in 24 months, followed by a             utilization tour at Marine Corps Education Command.         d.  History (8878) applicants shall compose a letter to the             board, submitted through the questionnaire, with the             preferred area of historical study and three prospective             universities.         e.  8878 selected officers will earn a master's degree             from a civilian university in 24 months, followed by a             utilization tour as a History Instructor at the US Naval             Academy.         f.  Tuition.  Marine Corps University will provide funding             for 8802 and 8878 Officers up to 19,500 dollars per year             for public or private institutions for up to two years.             Any tuition cost exceeding these amounts will be paid by             the officer.  There is no cap amount at San Diego State             University (SDSU). 4.b.4.  SDSU (4505)         a.  Limited to 4502s.         b.  Selected 4502s will earn a master's degree in Mass             Communication from SDSU.         c.  Interested officers are required to have a minimum             undergraduate GPA of 2.9.         d.  Applications to SDSU are submitted after the board             selection. 4.b.5.  Advanced Civilian Schools Program (ACSP)         a.  ACSP provides officers the ability to devote a year as a             resident student to complete a master's degree of their             choice while maintaining career progression.             Participants are highly encouraged to pursue areas of             study and research topics of interest to the Marine             Corps.         b.  Limited to no longer than 12 months and qualifies as             partially funded education per reference (a).         c.  Selected officers will receive their regular pay and             allowances, but application fees, tuition, and             matriculation fees, cost of textbooks and materials, and             all similar fees and expenses will be borne by the             officer.         d.  No utilization tour is required.  The officer's follow-             on assignment will be based on the needs of the Marine             Corps and the participant's career progression.         e.  Interested officers are required to have current GRE             scores. 4.b.6.  Foreign Area Officer Program (FAO)         a.  Officers interested in the FAO program must have less than             11 years of commissioned service by June 2027.         b.  Interested officers must submit proof of current Defense             Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) score, and must submit a             letter to the board including: Defense Language             Proficiency Test score if applicable and a statement             highlighting interest in the FAO program, to include             international experience, foreign language exposure,             desire to serve as a FAO, and clarification on region             preference via the questionnaire as a file titled             “edipi_FAO_lastname”.         c.  Program phases for selected Marines will be determined             based upon credentials and or skills Marines already             possess.         d.  See reference (c) for more information. 4.b.7.  Olmsted Scholar Program (OSP)         a.  OSP is a strategic leader development program for top             performing officers of the U.S. Armed Forces.  The             program provides outstanding Marine Corps officers an             unsurpassed opportunity to achieve fluency in a foreign             language, pursue graduate study in that language at an             overseas university, and acquire an in-depth             understanding of foreign cultures, thereby further             equipping them to serve in positions of great             responsibility as senior leaders in the Marine Corps.         b.  Limited to officers with no more than 13 years and             6 months of total Federal service as of 1 April 2027            (time at service academies does not count).         c.  Limited to the following PMOSs, as determined by the             Foundation: 02xx, 03xx, 0402, 0602, 0802, 1302, 17xx,             1803, 3002, 4502, 5803, 60xx, 66xx, 7204, 7209, 7315,             7318 and 75xx.         d.  Applicants must have completed a Defense Language             Aptitude Battery (DLAB) test with a minimum score of 95             in order to be eligible to apply.         e.  The selection process involves two steps: (Phase 1) The             board “nominates” up to eight applicants for further             consideration; (Phase 2) the Olmsted Foundation             evaluates those nominated, conducts interviews in             January 2027 and makes selections in March 2027.         f.  Nominees not selected in the second phase will be slated             to other PME or graduate education opportunities.         g.  For more information on the Olmsted Foundation:             https://olmstedfoundation.org.         h.  Officers interested should submit an initial application             to the board questionnaire, using the naming protocol:             “edipi_OSP_lastname”.         i.  Phase 2 requirements are timely and applicants are             recommended to start the process immediately.  Further             application instructions can be found at the link in             https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-             Management/Officer-Assignments/Plans-and-Programs-MMOA-3             /#tab/graduate-education-boards. 4.b.8.  Junior Officer Strategic Intelligence Program (JOSIP). Junior Officer Cryptologic Career Program (JOCCP). Junior Officer Geographic Geospatial Intelligence Program (JOGP).         a.  JOSIP and JOGP are limited to 02XX PMOS.         b.  JOCCP is available to 02XX PMOS and 1702 PMOS.         c.  Interested officers should submit completed applications             to the questionnaire, naming the file such as             “edipi_JOSIP_lastname” by the questionnaire deadline.         d.  Officers can apply to one or all the programs as eligible. 4.b.9.  The Judge Advocate Generals Legal Center and School         (TJAGLCS)         a. TJAGLCS program is restricted to 4402 PMOS Captains and            Majors.  It is a graduate-level program located at the            University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia where            a Master of Laws (LLM) in multiple disciplines can be            obtained. 4.c.  Program and further curricula information can be found at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/ Officer-Assignments/Plans-and-Programs-MMOA-3/#tab/graduate- education-boards 5.  General instructions for the eligible population 5.a.  The list of eligible officers screening for CCLEB is posted on the USMC Manpower, MMOA-3 Plans and Programs webpage: https://www. manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Officer- Assignments/Plans-and-Programs-MMOA-3/#tab/graduate-education-boards 5.a.1.  Questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the appropriate PMOS monitor. 5.b.  All eligible officers are required to complete the FY27 Commandant’s Education Board Questionnaire no later than 2359 EST on 20 July 2026.  The questionnaire is located at: https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/application_cac/ 5.c.  Note 1, Note 2 and No Note 5.c.1.  Note 1.  Within the eligibility list, officers with sufficient career timing to participate in programs ranging up to five years (i.e., NPS, AFIT) have a Note 1 next to their name. Officers with a Note 1 beside their name are required to apply and submit undergraduate transcripts to NPS no later than 2359 EST on 20 July 2026.  NPS Admissions website is located at: https://nps.edu/web/admissions/apply.       a.  After submitting the NPS application, applicants must order official transcripts from all attended undergraduate and graduate institutions for delivery from the institution(s) directly to NPS Admissions.  Transcripts must come directly from the institution or their designated transcript exchange service.  NPS does not accept transcripts submitted by the applicant.       b.  Officers that have previously applied to NPS must submit an additional application but are not required to resubmit transcripts.  Officers can submit up to three applications for those curricula listed in paragraph 4.b.1.       c.  NPS will notify MMOA-3 of an officer’s acceptance to NPS with the curricula for which the individual may or may not qualify. NPS does not provide an acceptance letter or status of acceptance to individual officers.       d.  Officers with a Note 1 beside their name who are interested in AFIT should apply and submit undergraduate transcripts to AFIT no later than 2359 EST on 20 July 2026.       e.  The AFIT admissions website is located at: https:// www.afit.edu/ADMISSIONS/AFITApplicationProcess/       f.  All officers must verify that a copy of their undergraduate transcripts is in their OMPF.  Officers must upload all higher learning institutional transcripts to their OMPF. Officers should submit OMPF update requests via OMPF-Records Management Application (O-RMA).  If assistance is required, contact your unit S-1 or local IPAC.  Officers are responsible for ensuring their OMPF is accurate at all times. 5.c.2.  Note 2.  Officers with sufficient career timing to participate in programs ranging up to three years have a Note 2 beside their name. 5.c.3.  No Note.  Officers without a note beside their name only possess the career timing to attend a one-year program.  Officers without a note beside their name who believe they have the career timing to screen for a Note 1 or 2 program should contact their PMOS monitor. 5.c.4.  Officers outside the FY27 screening window who are interested in CCLEB, must submit an Administrative Action Form (NAVMC 10274) endorsed by the first O-6, or equivalent, in the Marine’s chain of command NLT 20 July 2026 via the online questionnaire. 5.c.5.  Marines wanting to change their Note 1, 2 or No Note status must reach out to their PMOS monitor. 5.c.6.  All members requesting an ETP should also fill out the questionnaire NLT 20 July 2026 regardless of ETP status. 5.d.  Removal by Requests 5.d.1.  Officers who are listed on the eligibility roster, but do not want to screen must submit an Administrative Action Form (NAVMC 10274) positively or negatively endorsed by the first O-6, or equivalent, in the Marine’s chain of command NLT 20 July 2026 via the online questionnaire. 5.d.2.  All requests must be labeled "edipi_RBR_lastname” via the online questionnaire and members requesting an RBR should also fill out the questionnaire NLT 20 July 2026 regardless of pending RBR. 6.  Coordinating Instructions 6.a.  Graduate education programs are not a service equivalent for PME.  Marines participating in a graduate education program are required to complete a PME program commensurate with their grade on their own initiative to be considered PME complete for their grade. 6.b.  Marines shall complete grade specific PME during their respective graduate education programs. 6.c.  Obligation 6.c.1.  All service PME schools are one academic year in length and incur a 24-month service obligation. 6.c.2.  Graduate education programs vary from one to two years followed by a three-year utilization tour, unless otherwise noted, and an additional year of service obligation for a total of four years.  Utilization tours will be assigned within this four-year service obligation. 6.c.3.  For additional information on program lengths and descriptions, see reference (a) or contact the program officer in paragraph 7 below. 6.d.  Questionnaire 6.d.1.  Eligible officers must submit program preferences, applications (expect for NPS and AFIT), letters to the board, RBRs etc. via the questionnaire.  The questionnaire is the only method for MMOA-3 to receive board correspondence.  Once responses are submitted via the questionnaire, MMOA-3 will receive an automatic notification of completion. 6.d.2.  Do not submit more than seven documents. 6.d.3.  Each document must not exceed eight MB and must be in .pdf format. 6.d.4.  File naming convention is very important for board correspondence collection/consolidation.  Name the file appropriately according to the program you are applying for i.e. “edipi_OSP_lastname” or “edipi_FAO_lastname”. Condense all documents for a specific program application into one scanned PDF.  If due to size constraints the application must be split up, label as such  “edipi_JOSIP_lastname (1), edipi_JOSIP_lastname (2)”.  If submitting a supplemental board correspondence label as such: “edipi_LOR_lastname” and remove by request "edipi_RBR_lastname". 6.d.5.  Direct questionnaire functionality and accessibility questions and issues to MMOA-3 at [email protected]. 6.e.  Board Correspondence.  All correspondence to the board must originate from the officer being screened.  All submissions (letters of recommendation, clarifying statements of service, etc.) must be uploaded into the questionnaire no later than 2359 EST on 20 July 2026. 6.f.  Non-Compliance.  Officers are considered non-compliant with the above instructions: 6.f.1.  If they have a Note 1 next to their name on the eligibility roster and fail to apply and submit transcripts to NPS. 6.f.2.  If they have a Note 1 or 2 next to their name and do not complete the questionnaire and upload a legible copy of their transcripts to OMPF. 6.f.3.  Officers who fail to complete the questionnaire, fail to apply to NPS, or fail to submit transcripts will still screen and may be slated to a program at the board's discretion. 6.f.4.  A list of non-compliant officers will be provided to commands on or about 24 July 2026 for those officers who have not yet applied to NPS. 6.g.  Subsequent MARADMINS will announce FY27 CCLEB results and FY27 Graduate Education Program Results.  The results MARADMINS will serve as notification of orders for all primary selectees. 7.  Program Points of Contact 7.a.  Career-Level Schools (CLS)         Contact your PMOS monitor. 7.b.  Naval Postgraduate School         Admissions Office         Comm:  (831) 521-2190         Email:  [email protected] 7.c.  Olmsted Scholar Program          Maj Taylor Wulff-Morrison          DSN:  378-4837, Comm:  (703) 784-1209          Email:  [email protected] 7.d.  International Affairs Program (IAP)          LtCol Brett McCormick          DSN:  222-0322, Comm:  (703) 614-0322          Email:  [email protected] 7.e.  Master’s of Education          LtCol Alex P. McGraw (TECOM)          Comm:  (703) 432-2068          Email:  [email protected] 7.f.  Master’s of History          Maj Bradley S. Worthan          Comm:  (410) 293-6293          Email:  [email protected] 7.g.  Engineering Management - 8831 (AFIT)          Maj Jason McDonald          Comm:  (571) 256-2789          Email:  [email protected] 7.h.  Law Programs          Maj Matthew W. Schoneweis          Comm:  (703) 693-9059          Email:  [email protected] 7.i.  San Diego State University (SDSU)          Maj Sarah Rhodes          Comm:  (703) 693-4906          Email:  [email protected] 7.j.  JOSIP/JOCCP/JOGP          Capt Nathan Scott          DSN:  278-9277, Comm:  (703) 784-9277          Email:  [email protected] 7.k.  Graduate Education Manager          Maj Delaney Dumanovsky          Comm: 703-784-9285          Email: [email protected] 8.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. 9.  Release authorized by MajGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director, Manpower Management Division.//