R 011800Z JUL 26 MARADMIN 304/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM QUANTICO VA// SUBJ/ACADEMIC YEAR 2027-2028 ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE LEVEL SCHOOL  APPLICATION MESSAGE// REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1553.4B// REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1300.8// REF/C/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1001.52K// REF/D/MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA/YMD:031800Z OCT 25 REF/E/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250528// REF/F/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250307// REF/G/DODI/SECWAR/YMD: 20080429// NARR/REF A IS MCO 1553.4B MARINE CORPS PROFESSIONAL MILITARY  EDUCATION. REF B IS MCO 1300.8 MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT  POLICY. REFERENCE C IS MCO 1001.52K, MANAGEMENT OF THE ACTIVE RESERVE (AR) SUPPORT TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE  (USMCR).  REFERENCE D IS MARADMIN 470/25 REFERENCE E IS MCO 1900.16  CH 3, SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL.  REFERENCE F IS MCO 1001R.1L CH 2, MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL (MCRAMM). REFERENCE G IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1322.10, POLICY ON  GRADUATE EDUCATION FOR MILITARY OFFICERS. //POC/J.E. CAVAN/LTCOL/SAW DEPUTY DIRECTOR/TEL:   DSN 278-6890/TEL: (703)784-6890/EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/MELISSA CALLOWAY/SAW PROGRAM MANAGER/TEL: DSN 278-6800/TEL: (703)784-6800/E-MAIL: [email protected]// POC/MCU REGISTRAR/E-MAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Situation.  Advanced Intermediate Level Schools  (A-ILS) produce officers qualified to fill high-impact service and joint planning billets.  These programs enhance an officer's ability  to derive critical insights from large quantities of information,  make timely and effective decisions, communicate succinctly  verbally, visually, and in writing; and collaborate to design  cogent orders and plans.  The curricula of each A-ILS program:   School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW),School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), School of Advanced Air and Space Studies  (SAASS), and the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS)  feature rigorous case studies, exercises, staff rides, and a  consideration of future war.  Marine graduates earn the free  Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0505 Operational Planner and an  accredited master's degree.  A-ILS graduates also have a strong  record of selection for promotion and command based on their well- developed capability as leaders who reason critically, solve complex  problems, and apply operational art. SAW's application and selection  process aligns with the Commandant’s Professional Intermediate-Level  Education Board (CPIB) timeline. 2.  Mission.  From August through September 2026, A-ILS selection  boards will convene to select the best qualified applicants for  Academic Year 2027-2028 (AY 27-28) in order to ensure the Marine  Corps is supported with highly capable and effective operational  planners. 3.  Execution. 3.A.  Commanders Intent.  SAMS, SAASS, MAWS, and SAW offer  exceptional opportunities for officers to enhance their problem  solving and leadership skills through advanced intermediate level  education programs.  The Marine Corps seeks to maximize the number of high-caliber officers applying for and being selected into these  programs.  Each school has overlapping selection timelines and unique submission requirements that interested officers must meet.  The end  state is an A-ILS AY 27-28 student body composed of officers who  demonstrate the character, competence, and creativity to excel as  planners, staff officers, and future commanders. 3.B.  Concept of Operations.  This concept of operations is separated  into four parts to represent the different A-ILS application and  selection processes.  Marine officers interested in pursuing a path  to the Operational Planner MOS are highly encouraged to apply to  multiple schools.  Because each program has its own requirements,  applicants should check the respective websites and contact  representatives at each school. Applicants are also encouraged to  begin preparations early to better meet the application requirements.   Reserve Component Marine Officers normally only attend SAW, but may  apply to other schools after consulting with Reserve Affairs (RAM)  and SAW leadership. 3.B.1.  SAW 3.B.1.A.  Officers meeting the admissions criteria will, in  accordance with this Marine Administrative Message (MARADMIN), accomplish the following: (1) submit a non-binding email stating  intent to apply, (2) submit all application materials, and (3) if  invited, participate in a SAW selection panel interview.  Selected applicants and alternates will be screened for eligibility, notified by MARADMIN or service communication channels, and issued orders to attend SAW. 3.B.1.B.  General Eligibility Guidelines 3.B.1.B.1.  Unrestricted officers from all MOS fields who are majors, major-selects at the time of application, and those in zone for the  Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Board.   3.B.1.B.2.  Security Clearance:  U.S. officers are  required to have, or have initiated, a Top Secret-Sensitive  Compartmented Information (TS-SCI) clearance before AY 27-28 school  year begins. 3.B.1.B.3.  Reserve Component (RC) Eligibility.    Active Reserve (AR), Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR)  officers are eligible to apply.  This opportunity requires service in the AR Program, per references (c) and (d). Reserve officer  applications must include a Statement of Understanding (SOU)  provided by Reserve Affairs Manpower Management (RAM) and receive  an application endorsement letter from the RAM Branch Head. If  selected for A-ILS, Reserve officers will attend their assigned  school via participation in the AR Program for a minimum of 24-months including attendance at school and a 12-month utilization tour at  Headquarters, Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) in New Orleans, LA.  Selected officers incur 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.B.1.B.4.  Applicants from all U.S. Department of Defense service  branches and the U.S. Coast Guard must be Intermediate Level School (ILS) or Intermediate Developmental Education (IDE) complete or  currently enrolled in good standing; and projected to complete  resident/non-resident ILS/IDE requirements no later than (NLT) June  2027.  Failure to complete ILS (resident or non-resident) will  terminate eligibility. 3.B.1.B.5.  International officers from non-English speaking  countries must have graduate-level capability to comprehend, read,  speak and write English (Test of English as a Foreign Language  (TOEFL):  83 on the internet based test or 560 on the paper based  test).  The TOEFL score must be included on the application under the civilian education section. 3.B.1.B.6.  International officers must hold a qualifying  undergraduate degree (U.S. regionally or nationally accredited  bachelor’s degree or equivalent).  U.S. Officers with international  degrees should contact Marine Corps University (MCU) Registrar office  for special instructions.  Registrar point of contact (POC) is  [email protected], (703) 432-5503, and DSN 278-5503. 3.B.1.C.  The following are not eligible for consideration. 3.B.1.C.1.  Marine Officers who have not satisfied time on station  requirements and are not eligible to execute Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders during the summer of 2027.  Marine Officers who  are not summer of 2027 movers should contact their primary MOS  monitor (MMOA or RAM-2) to determine eligibility for PCS orders and  submit an Administrative Action (AA) form to request a tour length  waiver. Officers should not delay completion or submission of their  application while awaiting AA decision. 3.B.1.C.2.  Officers who have not fulfilled an obligated payback tour for a previously attended program. 3.B.1.C.3.  Captains who are in zone for the FY 2028 Promotion  Selection Board for Major. 3.B.1.C.4.  Officers may not be a Lieutenant Colonel or selected on  the FY 2027 Promotion Board or earlier at the time of application.   If an officer is in zone for Lieutenant Colonel on the (FY) 2028  Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Board and they fail promotion  selection, their eligibility to attend A-ILE will be terminated. 3.B.1.C.5.  Joint Service Reserve and National Guard officers are not eligible to apply. 3.B.1.C.6.  Officers selected to assume command of a recruiting  station during FY 2027 are not eligible to apply. 3.B.1.D.  Application Timeline 3.B.1.D.1.  NLT 31 July 2026, applicants will send their “intent to  apply” via email to the SAW Program Manager,  [email protected].  Active component applicants will carbon  copy the 0505 monitor and their PMOS monitor.  The subject line  should read “LAST NAME, F. M. - INTENT TO APPLY TO SAW”.  If applying  to multiple programs, indicate this in the subject line  (e.g., SAW/SAMS/SAASS/MAWS). RC applicants must first contact RAM to  obtain a signed SOU and an endorsement letter from RAM.  RC officers  who email an intent to apply without a SOU and endorsement from RAM  will not be considered.    3.B.1.D.2.  In the body of the email, provide first name, middle  initial, last name, rank, branch of service, military email, personal email, and personal and work contact phone numbers.  Applicants will be sent a reply email with a link to application instructions, forms,  and the essay prompt.  This information must be completed NLT 10  August 2026.  If the reply email is not received within 48 hours,  contact the SAW POC via phone or email. 3.B.1.D.3.  For SAW, competitive applicants will be contacted to  schedule an individual panel interview between 1 August 2026 and  30 September 2026.  In-person interviews for out-of-area applicants are not required.  Applicants outside the National Capital Region  who cannot make an in-person interview will be scheduled to conduct a video teleconference (VTC) or phone interview.  Out-of-area applicants who choose to execute a face-to-face interview in  Quantico, VA will be responsible for travel, lodging, and incidental  costs. Contact information for each A-ILE program is provided below  so that all interested officers have access. 3.B.1.D.4.  Interview dates for SAW selection: 1 August 2026 to 30  September 2026. 3.B.1.D.5.  Interview location:  Warner Center, Bldg. 2044, Suite  2122, South Street, Quantico, VA, 22134.  SAW will not conduct  on-site interviews at the United States Army Command and General  Staff College, Naval War College, or Air Command and Staff College.   Joint service SAW applicants from these sites will conduct VTC or  phone interviews.  Marine POCs at the above locations, listed in  paragraph five, will assist in the scheduling of VTC interviews. 3.B.1.D.6.  In early October 2026, SAW will ensure selected students  for all A-ILE programs are approved for attendance by their  respective service or nation.  Nominated international officers are  invited through the International Military Training office,  which in turn coordinates with the officers military assignment  staff.  Once approved, selection results will be announced via  separate MARADMIN with a goal for release of the selection message in late October 2026.   3.B.1.D.7.  Questions regarding the application process or website  problems should be directed to SAW POC, Ms. Melissa Calloway. 3.B.2.  SAMS 3.B.2.A.  The Advanced Military Studies Program (AMSP) is a one year  graduate-level education program of SAMS.  The vision for AMSP is to  develop effective planners who help senior leaders understand the  operational environment and then visualize and describe viable  solutions to operational problems.  Graduates of the AMSP are  critical and creative thinkers grounded in operational theory, doctrine, and history; can identify problems and propose viable  solutions; can clearly communicate to various audiences orally,  graphically, and in writing; are good leaders and great teammates  who collaborate effectively to get the job done; have the courage to lead from above, beside, and below; are physically and mentally  tough; and are humble professionals who are more than they seem. 3.B.2.B.  The AMSP is for majors and junior lieutenant colonels who  have completed their Intermediate Level Education requirement or  123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 equivalent, with the majority coming to AMSP from Command and General  Staff College.  Reserve Component Marine Officers normally do not  attend SAMS, but may apply after consulting with RAM and SAW  leadership. 3.B.2.C.  If interested in applying to the United States Army AMSP,  contact Mr. Jeremy Cole, (comm) (913) 758-3300/DSN 585 or  [email protected], and LtCol James O’Shaughnessy, (comm)  (913) 758-3455 or [email protected]. 3.B.2.D.  Marine officers who apply to SAMS must provide a copy of  their Master Brief Sheet via email to the SAW Program Manager,  [email protected].  Active component applicants will carbon  copy the 0505 monitor and their PMOS monitor.  The subject line  should read “LAST NAME, F. M. - INTENT TO APPLY TO SAMS”.  3.B.3.  SAASS 3.B.3.A.  The SAASS mission is “To educate strategists for the Air  Force, Space Force, and nation.” It is a 49-week program designed for  majors and junior lieutenant colonels across all services,  international officers, and DAF civilians. The cornerstone of the  curriculum is the Socratic seminar, and syllabi cover theories of  strategy, airpower history, international politics, coercion,  irregular warfare, and cyber, space, and technology domains.  Coursework is book-based, and students author course papers and an academic thesis on an issue of military strategy. SAASS graduates  are equipped to think critically, analyze, synthesize, develop  military strategy, and to communicate ideas verbally and in  written form. Graduates receive a Master of Philosophy in  Military Strategy.  For a select cadre of top graduates, SAASS also offers a Doctorate of Philosophy in Military Strategy.   3.B.3.B.  SAASS is tailored for majors and junior Lieutenant Colonels that have completed resident Intermediate Level Education.   Reserve Component Marine Officers normally do not attend SAASS, but  may apply after consulting with RAM and SAW leadership.   3.B.3.C.  If interested in applying to SAASS, information can be  found at https:(SLASH)(SLASH)www.airuniversity.af.edu/SAASS/ and  inquiries can be submitted to the SAASS organizational email address  at [email protected].  3.B.3.D.  Marine officers who apply to SAASS must provide a copy of  their Master Brief Sheet via email to the SAW Program Manager,  [email protected].  Active component applicants will carbon  copy the 0505 monitor and their PMOS monitor.  The subject line  should read “LAST NAME, F. M. - INTENT TO APPLY TO SAASS”.  3.B.4.  MAWS 3.B.4.A.  MAWS is the U.S. Navy's resident A-ILE program, completed  in conjunction with the College of Naval Command and Staff  curriculum.  This course develops strategic and operational leaders  with the skills required to plan, execute, and assess combined,  joint, and naval operations. 3.B.4.B.  U.S. Marine Officers are selected to attend MAWS through  SAW’s application and selection process. Officers interested in  attending MAWS should apply to SAW in accordance with the  instructions provided in paragraph 3.B.1. of this message. 3.B.4.C. Since MAWS is completed in conjunction with the Naval  Command and Staff program, applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements defined in paragraph 3.B.1.B.4. are eligible to attend  MAWS. Marine officers who have not completed (or are not on track to  complete) ILS may apply for MAWS only and must indicate this on  their application. 3.B.4.D. Reserve Component Marine Officers who apply to SAW will be  considered for MAWS if they are selected for Reserve PME at the  College of Naval Command and Staff. 3.B.4.E. For those interested in the U.S. Navy MAWS, information can  be found at https:(SLASH)(SLASH)usnwc.edu/college-of-naval-command- and-staff/Additional-Academic-Opportunities/Maritime-Advanced- Warfighting-School.html and specific inquiries can be submitted to  the MAWS organizational email address at: [email protected]. 4.  Administration and Logistics 4.A.  Active Component Marine A-ILS graduates normally serve 36  months in a utilization tour as 0505 Operational Planners.   Lieutenant Colonels and Lieutenant Colonel-selects who are accepted  into A-ILS programs will be granted an exception to policy to screen  for command prior to completion of 12 months of a utilization tour. 4.B.  Reserve Component Statement of Understanding (SOU) 4.B.1. SMCR, IMA, IRR, and AR officer applications must include a  signed SOU and a letter of endorsement from RAM. SOUs and  endorsement letters are obtained through the RAM POC.  4.B.2.  SMCR, IMA, and IRR officers, after completion of an A-ILS  program, will conduct a minimum one-year active-duty utilization tour at Headquarters, Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) with priority  placed on valid 0505 structure. Utilization tours may be voluntarily  extended to 24-months depending on funding availability.  4.B.3. Current AR Officers must communicate their intent to apply to  RAM-2 and include a signed SOU endorsed by RAM-2.  AR SAW graduates  will be assigned a 36-month utilization tour upon graduation as an  Operational Planner at MARFORRES or within the needs of the AR  Program as determined by RAM. 4.B.5 RAM POC: Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Grodek, USMC, comm (703)  784-0531/DSN 278-0531 or [email protected]. 5.  Command and Signal 5.A.  POC at SAW: 5.A.1.  SAW Deputy Director:  Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Cavan, USMC,  comm (703) 784-6890/DSN 278-6890 or [email protected]. 5.A.3.  SAW Program Manager:  Ms. Melissa Calloway, comm (703)  784-6800/DSN 278-6800 or [email protected]. 6.  Release authorized by Brigadier General M. W. Tracy, Commanding  General, Education Command.//