R 151915Z MAY 26 MARADMIN 227/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA// SUBJ/CONVENING OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2027 ACTIVE RESERVE MARINE CORPS GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM (GEP) SELECTION BOARD// REF/A/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20230602// REF/B/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20190215// REF/C/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250528// REF/D/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250307// REF/E/DODI/SECWAR/YMD: 20080429// REF/F/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA/YMD: 032017Z DEC 25// REF/G/DODI/SECWAR/YMD: 20171128// NARR/REFERENCE A IS MCO 1524.1, MARINE CORPS GRADUATE EDUCATION  PROGRAM (GEP).  REFERENCE B IS MCO 1001.52K, MANAGEMENT OF THE ACTIVE RESERVE (AR) SUPPORT TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE  (USMCR).  REFERENCE C IS MCO 1900.16 CH 3, SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL.  REFERENCE D IS MCO 1001R.1L CH 2, MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL (MCRAMM).  REFERENCE E IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1322.10, POLICY ON GRADUATE EDUCATION FOR MILITARY OFFICERS.  REFERENCE F IS MARADMIN 582/25, REQUIREMENT UPDATE ON OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS FOR NON-PROMOTION SELECTION BOARDS. REFERENCE G IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1332.43, VOLUNTARY SEPARATION PAY (VSP) PROGRAM FOR SERVICE MEMBERS.// POC/TIMOTHY A. DEMPSEY/LTCOL/RAP/TEL: 703-432-9205//EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/DAVID B. KRAFT/MAJ/RAM-3/TEL: 703-784-1275/EMAIL: [email protected]//  POC/GREGORY BOGACZYK/MSGT/RAM-3/TEL: 703-784-1231/EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/GEORGE A. TISNADO/MSGT/RAM-3/TEL: 703-784-1231/EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/BRENNETT FORD/CIV/RAM-3/TEL: 703-784-9218/EMAIL: [email protected]// DSN: 278-9218/EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN announces the Academic Year (AY) 2027 Active Reserve (AR) Graduate Education Program (GEP) Selection Board, which convenes on 14 September 2026.  The AR GEP provides requisite graduate education opportunities for AR officers to fill validated billet requirements.  The Reserve Component (RC) competitive categories are the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), and Active Reserve (AR).  RC officers in the grades of Major and Captain are eligible to apply IAW time-in-grade exceptions listed in Paragraph 4.  Major timelines and milestones are (read in two columns): Date                                Milestone Release of this message             AR GEP questionnaire opens 15 August 2026                      NPS application closes 28 August 2026                      AR GEP questionnaire closes 28 August 2026                      Update material deadline 14 September 2026                   AR GEP board convenes TBD October 2026                    AR GEP board results released TBD November 2026                   Declination and/or deferral due 2.  Reserve Affairs Division (RA) is soliciting applicants for one GEP opportunity, as per reference (a).  The officer will receive a Master of Science in Management degree from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in the Manpower Systems Analysis (MSA) 847 curriculum. The course objective is to prepare officers to serve as manpower planners by conducting and participating in manpower related studies to ensure that sound management techniques are used at all levels of manpower systems.  The course description is to prepare graduates to develop manpower policy and implement manpower techniques; to conduct studies and surveys; and to analyze objectives, policies, procedures, organization, and administrative actions to assess the effect of management policies.  This degree will be accompanied by the 8840 Additional Military Occupational Specialty (AMOS).   3.  Service Obligation and Statement of Understanding (SOU).  This opportunity will require service in the AR Program (Component B1), as per reference (b).  All officers will be required to sign a SOU when applying to AR GEP and, if selected, will be obligated to participate in the AR Program with an incurred service obligation as per references (c), (d), and (e).  This obligation will be detailed in the SOU and reported administratively by establishing an incurred obligation service code “CD” for service education relative to their projected graduation date.  This obligation shall not be waived,  including requests to Return to Active Duty (RAD).   3.a.  Service Assignment.  The officer selected will be assigned to a three-year AR Program utilization tour within the Manpower Plans Section, RA, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), immediately upon graduation. 4.  Ineligibility Criteria 4.a.  Rank.  Majors with greater than one-year time-in-grade on 1 June 2026.  Captains with less than two-years time-in-grade on 1 June 2026. 4.b.  SMCR/IMA/IRR applicants who do not meet officer accession requirements in accordance with reference (b). 4.c.  Officers who have been passed for promotion selection in their current grade, in any competitive category, will not be considered. 4.d.  AR Specific Ineligibility Criteria  4.d.1.  Career designated AR officers who have a Date Current Tour Began (DCTB) on or after 1 October 2025. 4.d.2.  AR officers on their accession tour who have a DCTB on or after 1 October 2024. 4.d.3.  AR officers who do not have two-years time-on-station (TOS) by 1 June 2026. 5.  Application Process 5.a.  The AR GEP application process is a two-step process, with Step 1 being a requirement leveraged by NPS and Step 2 being a requirement of HQMC.  The following guidelines apply: 5.a.1.  Step 1:  All applicants will be screened by NPS for the MSA curriculum.  Applicants must complete the NPS online application located at “https://nps.edu”.  Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be submitted directly to NPS from the institutions attended.  The transcripts need to include all academic credits, to include letter grades, and can either be physically mailed or electronically submitted.  Mailed transcripts may be sent to the following recipient address:  Naval Postgraduate School Admissions Office, 1 University Circle, He-046, Monterey, CA 93943-5100.  Electronic transcripts may be submitted from the respective educational institution to NPS via the admissions office at “[email protected]”.  Applicants are responsible for ensuring their official transcripts arrive to NPS NLT 15 August 2026. Any questions regarding the NPS process may be addressed via email to the admissions email address listed above.   5.a.2.  Step 2:  Officers with a Manpower and Reserve Affairs (MRA) Manpower Information Portal (MIP) account will be allowed to proceed through the login process. 5.a.2.a.  Webportal Survey Application.  Applicants are required to apply via the online RPME application website at “https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/application_cac/”. Common Access Card (CAC) certification is not required to access this website. 5.a.2.b.  Officers who do not have an MRA MIP account will receive a “404 access error” when attempting to access the website.  The error message contains instructions on how to register for an MRA portal account.  Officers may register for MRA MIP access via the website at “https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/apps-home/”.  Any officer who cannot access the application process should contact the POCs listed in this MARADMIN. 5.a.2.c.  The webportal survey application will consist of the following items:  (1) contact information, (2) career counseling confirmation, (3) acknowledgement of applying to the GEP opportunity, (4) acknowledgement of obligation and SOU requirement, and (5) the option to attach upload material. 5.b.  Upload Material Contents.  Applicants are responsible for ensuring their application and any uploaded material are complete and  accurate. 5.b.1.  Application Requirements.  All applications will include a letter to the board with a signed Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS - NAVMC 10476) as an enclosure.  The RQS template can be found on the M&RA RAM-3 webpage at “https://www.manpower.marines.mil/ Divisions/Reserve-Affairs-Division/Reserve-Affairs-Management-RAM/ Reserve-Affairs-Management-Embeds/” under the “Reserve Programs and Boards (RAM-3)” section, “Support Documentation” dropdown menu. Applicants may also provide relevant update material as an additional  enclosure. 5.b.2.  Applicants must submit the AR GEP Application and Privacy Act Statement.  This document can be accessed on the RAM-3 website in the same location as the RQS template listed above.  Applicants must ensure to modify the document accurately, correctly, and specific to their individual and career characteristics.  5.b.3.  Applicants must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.  The transcripts need to include all credits and letter grades. 5.b.4.  Applicants must submit the SOU GEP MSA Form.  This document can be accessed on the RAM-3 website (listed above).   5.b.5.  Upload Material Submission Format.  All material must be uploaded in a single digital file and formatted in portable document format (PDF).  The submitted name of the digital file must  be in the following format: EDIPI_ARGEP_LNAME  (e.g., 1234567890_ARGEP_SMITH). Files not submitted in this format  are not compatible with Digital Boardroom (DBR) and will be deleted. 5.c.  Application Deadline.  The deadline for submitting applications and all uploaded material is 2359 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 28 August 2026.  Late submissions will not be accepted.  The web-based, online application is the only method to apply. 6.  OMPF Material.  Officers are responsible for ensuring their OMPF is accurate and updated.  All OMPF material will be updated through the OMPF Records Management Application (ORMA) located on the Manpower MMPB-2 page by accessing  “https://www4.manpower.usmc.mil/orma/#/” under “My OMPF”, then select the “OMPF Update Requests” tab. 6.a.  Photographs.  Photographs are used in the RPME board per  reference (f).     7.  Administration 7.a.  Applicants must ensure their application e-mail address and telephone number are current and functional.  These will serve as the primary means of contact throughout the board process. 7.b.  Notification of selection.  The board may select a primary and a sufficient number of alternates.  The results MARADMIN will announce the primary selectee.  Alternate selectees will be listed on the RAM-3 website.  Any unanticipated vacancies will be filled by alternates. 7.c.  A primary selectee who subsequently declines or requests deferment to the opportunity selected must submit their declination or deferment to the Director, RA via an Administrative Action form (NAVMC 10274) endorsed by the first General Officer in their chain of command. 7.d.  Per reference (g), officers who participated in the Voluntary Separation Pay (VSP) program may face recoupment if they voluntarily return to active duty for more than 180 days. 8.  Applicants are highly encouraged to consult with a Career Counselor via the Career Management Team (CMT), Reserve Affairs Division.  To request counseling services, please send an e-mail to “[email protected]” or call 703-784-0557. Additional information can be found by accessing the CMT website at “https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Reserve-Affairs-Division /Career-Management-Team-CMT/” then select “Contact Us". 9.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Reserve Component. 10.  Release authorized by Major General John F. Kelliher III, Director, Reserve Affairs Division.//