Fiscal Year 2025 Applications for the National Security Agency Computer Network Operations Development Program Announcement

1.  Purpose.  In accordance with the references, 
this message provides background on the National Security Agency 
(NSA) Computer Network Operations Development Program (CNODP) and 
the procedures for Marines to apply to attend the class of 2028. 
1.a.  Major timeline milestones are below:
Date                       Milestone
13 September 2024          FY25 CNODP applications submitted 
23 September 2024          Marine Corps FY25 CNODP Board Convenes
20 January 2025            FY25 CNODP Selection Results Released
1.a.1.  Refer to paragraph 6 of this message for details regarding
applications.  FY25 CNODP selection results are released after final
NSA review and approval of Marine Corps selected applicants.  
2.  Background.  This is a calling message for Marines to apply 
for the CNODP class of 2028.  The CNODP comprises the NSA system 
and network interdisciplinary program (SNIP) and the USCYBERCOM 
Joint Cyber Development Program (JCDP).  This is an opportunity for 
a select group of highly technically inclined individuals to 
develop capabilities and tools required for Computer Network 
Operations (CNO) and to thereby develop their skills in the areas of
secure system design, vulnerability analysis, computer network 
defense (CND), and computer network exploitation (CNE).  The goal of
the program is to develop a cadre of technical leaders who will 
improve the DoD's and the service's CNO capabilities with hands-on 
work solving new, current, and ongoing issues with a variety of CNO 
mission focuses.
3.  Class of 2028 overview.  The CNODP class of 2028 will begin
training on 7 July 2025. Students will report to Fort Meade no later
than 25 April 2025.  This will allow sufficient time for 
in-processing, orientation, and security clearance verification.  
The first three months of the program consists of mandatory core 
training.  Non-emergency leave will not be approved during these 
three months.  Training is followed by a 30-month period where 
students will perform duties in offices at the cutting edge of CNO. 
Students will work alongside experienced experts, performing many 
of the same technical duties.  CNODP concludes with a three-month 
final project where students will solve a challenging technical 
problem of significance to the CNO community.
3.a. Interested applicants are encouraged to join an Information 
Session hosted by Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I) to 
learn more about the program.  The virtual meeting will be hosted 
via the 17XX Teams channel on 29 August 2024 at 1300 Eastern. 
Additional details and dial-in instructions are available via the 
Teams channel.  Request to join at 
https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/xTL9YA4
4.  Eligibility
4.a.  Application is open to active duty, enlisted Marines in the 
rank of E-6 and below, chief warrant officers beyond their 
three-year probationary period, and active-duty officers in the 
rank of O-2 and O-3.  Officers must be career designated.  
4.b.  Captains in-zone on the CY25/FY27 major promotion selection
board are ineligible.  Captain applicants must have a date of rank
junior to 01 October 2021 or lineal control number greater than 
38103000.
4.c.  Enlisted applicants must have between 4-12 years of service as
of 25 April 2025.
4.c.1.  Officer applicants must have between 4-14 years of service 
as of 25 April 2025.
4.c.2.  Marines selected for the program will incur a six-year total
obligation (three-year internship and a three-year follow-on 
assignment).  Nominees will be required sign a page 11 entry
acknowledging the obligated service requirement.  Enlisted selectees
must incur the obligated service prior to detaching from their 
current command. 
4.d.  Selected applicants must possess a fully adjudicated TS/SCI 
security clearance and a current counter-intelligence (CI) polygraph
before the class start date 7 July 2025.  If possible, nominees 
should complete their polygraph prior to detaching from their 
current command to reduce wait time at their gaining command.
The application to CNODP is not sufficient justification for TS/SCI
investigation.
4.e.  Applicants must meet the minimum time-on-station (TOS) 
requirement for their current orders to apply.  Contact PMOS monitor
for clarification. Applicants who have not fulfilled an obligated 
payback tour for a previously attended program will not be 
considered.
4.f.  All applicants will notify their primary MOS monitor of their 
intent to apply for the program.  Applicants who fail to receive 
written acknowledgements and recommendation from their PMOS monitor
and include with their application are ineligible.  A negative 
recommendation does not preclude an applicant from applying.
5.  Desired Applicant Qualities.  Competitive CNODP applicants will
generally have the following qualifications or qualities.  However, 
these are not requirements to submit an application.
5.a.  Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in the areas
of engineering, computer science, electronic and electrical 
engineering, or applied mathematics, or be able to demonstrate 
equivalent experience.
5.b.  Exceptional academic performance and professional 
accomplishments are required, as well as demonstrated interest in 
and ability to perform technical hands-on oriented work.
5.c.  Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
5.d.  Working knowledge in one or more telecommunications or 
computer network disciplines (computer hardware, software, 
networks).
5.e.  Demonstrated computer programming skills in C or C++.  Python 
and some assembly are desired.
5.f.  The primary military occupational specialties of 1702, 1710, 
1720, and 1721.
6.  Application and Selection Process  
6.a.  Overview.  In accordance with the timeline in paragraph
1, Marines will submit applications to DC I as outlined below.  
Cyber occupational field professionals will conduct an initial 
review of applications.  A board consisting of Marine Corps 
personnel will convene on or about 23 September 2024 to review all 
eligible applications.  This board will select the best and and 
fully qualified applicants and will forward those to the NSA 
CNODP selection board.  The NSA CNODP selection board will review 
and select applicants, and provide final results for Manpower 
Management to announce on or about 20 January 2025.
6.b.  Application process.  Applications must arrive at HQMC, DC I 
NLT 13 September 2024.  Send applications via e-mail to 
cyberoccfld@usmc.mil.  Applicants will receive a confirmation of 
receipt from this email address as soon as the application has been 
received at HQMC DC I.  If applicants do not receive a confirmation 
email within three business days, applicants should send a follow-on
email.  Submit applications in .pdf format with the file name 
'EDIPI_LNAME_FNAME_FY25CNODP' (ex. 1234567891_SMITH_JOHN_FY25CNODP).
6.c.  Applications will consist of the following:
6.c.1.  All applicants should ensure their official military
personnel files are up to date and all applicable college
transcripts are uploaded.  If college transcripts are not uploaded, 
they must be submitted with the application.
6.c.2.  TS/SCI clearance verification letter.
6.c.3.  Enclose a letter from the applicant's Special Security 
Office (SSO) certifying fully adjudicated TS/SCI security clearance 
held and date adjudicated.  If applicant has a current CI polygraph,
include date completed on SSO letter.
6.c.4.  All applicants will be required to complete additional 
agency access screening with the MARFORCYBER SSO prior to the 
selection board convene date.  Instructions will be provided in 
separate correspondence after 23 September 2024.
6.c.5  Letter of recommendation from the applicant's commanding 
officer.
6.c.6  Letter of recommendation from the applicant's supervisor, 
instructor, etc. attesting to the applicant's technical skills 
and abilities.
6.c.7  An optional letter of recommendation at the applicant's 
discretion.
6.c.8  An essay from the applicant answering the following questions
(two pages or fewer):
6.c.8.1.  Why do you think that CNODP is the right choice for you? 
What are your goals that you wish to accomplish in CNODP?
6.c.8.2.  What experience with programming languages do you have? 
List each programming language and your familiarity with it, how 
long you coded in it, and the year you last coded in it.  Only 
include languages for which you have actually written (or 
substantially modified) code.  Include any and all: assembly, 
hardware-based, high and low-level and scripting languages.
6.c.8.3.  Other than programming language expertise listed above, 
how does your experience and training relate to the core fields 
(hardware, software, and networks)?
6.c.8.4.  Teaming: Describe a positive teaming experience that you 
have had.  Describe your role on the team and how you contributed.  
You may include experiences from work or school.
6.c.8.5.  Technical Experience:  Describe an unclassified project 
that best exemplifies your technical development activities and 
experiences.  Tell us the technical details of your contributions to
that project, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses.  The 
project can be work, home or school related.
6.c.8.6.  Self-directed:  Give one example of a project where you 
worked by yourself with very little guidance; briefly describe what 
you accomplished, how you approached the problem and how you liked/
disliked working in that capacity.
7.  Board-selected applicants will participate in an interview with 
the NSA selection board between November 2024 and January 2025.  
Applicant's parent commands will fund TAD costs incurred by the 
applicant to attend the interview.  Video teleconferencing is
authorized when coordinated with NSA.
8.  Manpower Management will publish the results of the final
NSA selection board via MARADMIN and will issue orders accordingly.
9.  Direct all questions or concerns to cyberoccfld@usmc.mil.
10.  Release authorized by MajGen Ryan S. Rideout, Director, 
Manpower Management Division.