Provide the best and most highly qualified personnel to serve in the Defense Attaché Service (DAS) representing the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy and the Commandant of the Marine Corps at U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. Service priorities for assignments to the DAS will reflect the significant contributions of this critical joint duty to the advancement of U.S. foreign policy, Department of the Navy maritime strategy, and the national security of the United States.
Being an attaché is a unique opportunity unlike any other in the Marine Corps. Attachés are part of a vital team with four principal responsibilities:
Representing SECDEF, SECNAV, CMC, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Geographic Combatant Commanders
Serving as military advisors to the U.S. Ambassador while advancing U.S. national and foreign security policies along with the specified interests of DoD, DoN, and the Corps
Reporting on host nation/regional political-military activities
Supporting U.S. military theater security cooperation and/or security assistance programs in selected countries
Provide day-to-day DAO management and coordinate other activities assigned by the SDO/DATT.
Provide operational, financial, administrative, and logistical advice to the SDO/DATT, Service Attachés, DLOs, and DAO/DLO support staff.
Act as primary action officers to the U.S. diplomatic mission and DIA mission support offices.
Provide supervision to assigned NCOs, U.S. civilian employees, and locally employed staff as assigned or directed by the SDO/DATT.
The DAS plays a vital role in supporting U.S. national interests. The men and women who have served as military attachés reaped personal rewards rarely duplicated in any other part of the Corps while:
Coordinating administrative and security matters for all U.S. military personnel in-country
Working as part of the U.S. diplomatic mission’s "Country Team" and performing a crucial role as one of the U.S. Ambassador’s key advisors
Perfecting language skills and area knowledge for greater effectiveness
Developing a new appreciation for foreign military policy and international environment complexities
MARA assignments are based on DoD and State Department strategic planning guidance; geographical locations; political-military situations; and the ongoing interaction with foreign government representatives in that host nation or region
Service in the DAS is open to all Military Occupational Specialties regardless of billet designator. The DAS is looking for Marines who:
Thrive on adventure, challenge, and change
Adapt easily to the world around them
Are willing to be involved in the local culture
Can positively influence peoples' opinions and understanding of the United States and its policies
Are often the first Americans a host nation military official will get to know on a personal basis
This requires a mature Individual who is:
Sensitive to cultural differences
Knowledgeable about the U.S. diplomatic mission
Able to communicate U.S. Government policies on political-military issues
Always exemplifying American values through their demeanor, reputation, and attitude
MARAs / OPSCOs / OPSNCOs are specially trained for their service abroad, which is conducted through the Defense Intelligence Agency and includes:
Introduction to the local culture and social customs of the country
Familiarity with the politics of the country
Understanding of the country's foreign policy and military affairs
Language instruction
A MARADMIN will be released in January announcing selection board details, including submission process and timeline. The board convenes for up to a week during the month of May and the results will be published by the fall, following SECNAV approval. *Due to the updated board timeline, this year, all packages are due NLT 31 March 2025. To accommodate this expedited timeline, a full medical screening is not required until after selection (see more under “How to Apply”).*
Applications for MARA, OPSCO and OPSNCO billets will be submitted through the applicant’s chain of command and must include an O6 command endorsement. “By direction” endorsements will not be accepted.
A complete list of the countries available for each given year is posted on this website (details below). Applicants should list available billets in order of preference; however, applicants may be selected for any country based on the needs of the Marine Corps. An individual’s specific education, language, regional or cultural expertise will take precedence of individual desires when slating selectees. Declination of MARA assignment may impact an applicant’s ability to apply for the MARA program again.
For reserve billets, applicants must belong to the reserve component (SMCR, IMA, IRR) or the active component with a transfer date to the USMCR before the end of the FY. Applicants with over 5040 Active Duty Points on their Career Retirement Credit Report are ineligible.
(Note: Countries are listed with rank requirement, language requirement, tour length, current dependent restrictions, and if it is being screened on the FY27 Board, it is depicted in BOLD):
SDO/DATT
MARA
OPSCO
OPSNCO
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FY27 Attaché Application Information and Checklist
FY2Y Application Letter (ACTIVE)
FY2Y Application Letter (RESERVE)
Declining Selection and Commitment to Serve Minimum Full Tours Memo
DIA Form 886 Attaché Biography
2016 SF 86
SF86C
Certification of Suitability for Overseas Assignment
It is imperative applicants disclose ongoing conditions to best ensure the applicant and family members' needs can be met.
If selected, applicants must complete a 1300/1 and 1300/16 within 90 days of acceptance.
HQMC Intelligence Department
COMM: 703-693-5421
Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA)
COMM: 703-432-5992
Reserves HQMC IMA Det. Sponsor
COMM: 703-695-0720