R 171336Z JUN 25
MARADMIN 281/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM PRES MCU QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 FIRST SERGEANTS SCHOOL
CID M02L645//
POC/J. TOWNSEL/SGTMAJ/8999 Program Lead/Marine Corps Senior Enlisted
Academy/College of Enlisted Military Education/Marine Corps
University/TEL: Office: 703-432-3224 Duty phone:(571)320-4909
EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/
- Situation. Since 1996, the Commandant of the Marine Corps has
directed a formal course of instruction to be provided for all newly
promoted and selected First Sergeants. The course facilitates the
transition from Gunnery Sergeant to First Sergeant.
- Mission. The Marine Corps Senior Enlisted Academy (MCSEA) will
conduct the First Sergeants School to provide quality instruction
covering their upcoming duties and responsibilities across the
Marine Air Ground Task Force.
- Execution.
3.A. Dates for Fiscal Year 2026 courses are as follows:
Course Class Code Convene Graduate
1-26 2026001 08 Dec 25 19 Dec 25
2-26 2026002 02 Feb 26 13 Feb 26
3-26 2026003 23 Mar 26 03 Apr 26
4-26 2026004 01 Jun 26 12 Jun 26
5-26 2026005 17 Aug 26 28 Aug 26
3.A.1. Allocations may be submitted throughout the fiscal year;
each class will have a maximum of 50 seats. These school seats are
available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If a class reaches
capacity, students are placed on a waiting list in Marine Corps
Training Information Management Systems (MCTIMS) and registered
in the order they were added. Individuals are encouraged to view
class availability on MCTIMS.
3.B. Coordinating instructions and the command screening checklist
will be sent via separate correspondence approximately 45 days
before the start of the respective class.
3.B.1 Attendance is highly recommended within the first 12 months
of promotion/frocking.
3.B.2. Student Registration. Parent command G-3/S-3 are required
to submit nominees to [email protected].
To avoid any delay, ensure the subject line
reads "ATTN: Operations/1stSgt".
The email body must include the following information:
Name:
Rank:
EDIPI:
Class Code:
Active Duty or Reserve:
Upon receipt of the nomination, the MCSEA staff will register the
student in MCTIMS and funding letters will be available for
download following approval from Training and Education Command
Formal Schools.
3.B.3. Cancel registration. All registration cancellation
requests must be sent from the individual's Sergeant Major to
[email protected] and carbon copy (CC) the
8999 Program Lead, Sergeant Major Jacqueline Townsel at
[email protected].
3.B.4. Clearance verification. A classified brief has been
implemented to enhance understanding of the organization's
preparation for future conflicts as part of enlisted education
progression. No later than two weeks prior to attendance,
all participants must ensure their parent command's security
manager submits a visit access request (VAR) to:
SMO Code: MS3302 (Marine Corps University, Quantico VA)
Visit Name: First Sergeants School
Start Date: (Class start date)
End Date: (Class end date)
Access Level: Secret
Reason: Resident PME
Defense Information System for Security (DISS) point of contact:
Lisa Nelson, [email protected], 703-432-5578. Security
Managers must ensure they grant secret clearance access upon
submitting the visitor's request.
3.C. Mentor Nominations. Each class requires six Sergeants Major
to serve as mentors. Sergeants Major may be active or reserve.
3.C.1. Sergeant Major mentor allocations and details for each
course are as follows:
Command Allocations
MARFORPAC 02
MARFORCOM 01
MARFORRES 01
MCICOM 01
TECOM 01
3.C.2. All mentor names shall be submitted to the Director of MCSEA,
at the following email address: [email protected],
ATTN: Director, no later than 90 days prior to the class report date.
Course Travel Day Mentor Orientation
1-26 05 Dec 25 06 Dec 25
2-26 30 Jan 26 31 Jan 26
3-26 20 Mar 26 21 Mar 26
4-26 29 May 26 30 May 26
5-26 14 Aug 26 15 Aug 26
- Administration and Logistics.
4.A. Active Component.
4.A.1. Orders. Temporary additional duty orders will be
non-reporting.
4.A.2. Travel/per diem is provided by TECOM World-Wide Travel.
4.B. Reserve Component
4.B.1. Orders. Marine Reserve Order Writing System Professional
Military Education/school orders will be routed through Marine
Forces Reserve G-3 in order to receive funding and will be
non-reporting.
4.B.2. Travel/per diem shall be requested through Defense Travel
System (DTS)-Reserve Travel.
4.B.3. Reserve Marines can attend any course; however, course
1-26 is recommended for all Reserve Marines.
4.C. Transportation. Attendees should not schedule any flight
departures prior to 1800 on the graduation date. Parent commands
are responsible for the cost of rental cars.
4.D. Lodging.
4.D.1. Mentors who require lodging are required to lodge at
Inns of the Corps, Quantico, commercial: (703) 630-4444.
4.D.2. Students who require lodging are required to lodge at
Liversedge Hall, commercial: (703) 784-3149.
4.D.3. If billeting is not available, Marines must receive a
statement of non-availability from Liversedge Hall and Inns of
the Corps, Quantico, before arranging off-base lodging.
4.E. Uniform.
4.E.1. The prescribed uniform is the Marine Corps Combat Utility
Uniform and appropriate seasonal service uniform.
4.E.2. Students should bring a sufficient number of uniforms for
the duration of the class. The seasonal service uniform will be
worn on the last Friday of the calendar month only.
4.E.3. Appropriate civilian attire and suit are required. Further
guidance will be provided via separate correspondence.
4.F. Social Events. All attendees shall attend a professional
dinner. The prescribed uniform for the dinner is formal business
attire. Solid color suits for males and solid color dress or
formal business attire equivalent for females are required.
- Reporting Instructions.
5.A. Marines will report by 0700 in authorized USMC green
on green PT gear (green undershirt and green shorts) with
white socks (no logos) ready to conduct a height and weight
verification.
5.B. Marines must bring or have completed the following items
when checking-in:
5.B.1. Completed Command Screening Checklist.
5.B.2. Approved Duty Status Waiver (if required).
5.B.3. All pre-course work submitted in MOODLE by 0700 on the day
of check-in.
5.C. Students are required to bring a Personal Electronic Device
(PED), such as a laptop, tablet, etc. Students who do not own a
device are not required to purchase one. It is the unit's
responsibility to provide the Marine a temporary loan device for
the duration of the class.
- Command and Signal. Direct all inquiries regarding the content
of this Marine Administrative Message to Sergeant Major Jacqueline
Townsel, 8999 Program Lead, at [email protected], or
[email protected], ATTN: Operations/ 1stSgt School.
- Release authorized by Brigadier General Matthew Tracy,
President, Marine Corps University.//