Soliciting Nominations for the FY25 National Security Space Institute Courses
This MARADMIN solicits nominations for FY25 National Security Space Institute (NSSI) courses, including Space 200 (two-week introductory course) and Space 300 (three-week advanced course), to be held at Peterson Space Force Base and other Colorado Springs locations. The courses are designed to develop space operations expertise among Marine Corps personnel, with Space 200 being the primary training for the Free MOS 1786 (Space Operations Staff Officer). Applications are due by 23 August 2024.
Issued: August 19, 2024
1. Purpose. The purpose of this MARADMIN is to solicit nominees to attend Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 basic and advanced space operations courses. The National Security Space Institute (NSSI) courses include Space 200 and Space 300. Space 200 is a two-week academic course designed to provide introductory training for mid-grade officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel to gain knowledge and develop skills required to integrate space-related capabilities into combat operations. Space 200 is the primary training for billets with the Free Military Occupational Specialty (FMOS) 1786, Space Operations Staff Officer. Per reference C, only Commissioned Officers (LtCol to 2ndLt) are eligible to attend. 2. Background. Department of Defense (DoD) implemented a space professional strategy in order to grow and maintain cognizance and expertise in the space domain. In accordance with references A through C, the Marine Corps maintains a cadre of space professionals to support Marine Corps equities in space and to ensure that space-based capabilities are leveraged to the maximum extent possible in support of Fleet Marine Force commanders' objectives. Advanced space education is vital to maintaining a relevant Space Cadre. Thus, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information (HQMC DC I) provides information on space training opportunities and serves as a liaison to NSSI for attendance to these courses. 3. Course Information. 3.a.1. Space 200: Two weeks (10 training days). Marines selected to attend Space 200 will analyze the impact of space mission areas in support of joint and coalition operations and analyze the impact of offensive and defensive space control capabilities on joint and coalition forces. Topics include: principles of systems engineering fundamentals; operational risk assessment; economic, political, and military impacts; competing space and counterspace capabilities; positioning, navigation, and timing; navigation warfare; use of the GPS Interference and Navigation Tool; adversary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities; missile warning; and space and cyberspace threats. 3.a.2. Space 300: Three weeks (15 training days). Marines selected to attend Space 300 will analyze National and DoD space-related acquisitions, policy, strategy, doctrine, and international and domestic law while considering space power contributions to national security. Topics include: space law, space policy, geopolitical foundations, space doctrine, and integration of space into operational scenarios. 3.a.3. Additional course information can be found on the NSSI website: https:(slash)(slash)nssi.spaceforce.mil/ 3.b. Location: SP200 and SP300 25A-C Peterson Space Force Base, 236 W Paine St, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80914. SP300 25D-K will be held at 5030 Edison Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80915. **Note** SP300 25D-K is an off-base location and is advised to bring lunch. 3.c. NSSI requires all students to abide by DoD travel restrictions, found at: https:(slash)(slash)www.defense.gov. 3.d. Available course numbers and dates (read in 3 columns): SPACE 200: Course Number Check In Date Graduation Date SP200-25A 21 OCT 24 01 NOV 24 SP200-25B 02 DEC 24 13 DEC 24 SP200-25C 06 JAN 25 17 JAN 25 SP200-25D 27 JAN 25 07 FEB 25 SP200-25E 24 FEB 25 07 MAR 25 SP200-25F 10 MAR 25 21 MAR 25 SP200-25G 24 MAR 25 04 APR 25 SP200-25H 07 APR 25 18 APR 25 SP200-25I 21 APR 25 02 MAY 25 SP200-25J 05 MAY 25 16 MAY 25 SP200-25K 02 JUN 25 13 JUN 25 SP200-25L 14 JUL 25 25 JUL 25 SP200-25M 28 JUL 25 08 AUG 25 SP200-25N 11 AUG 25 22 AUG 25 SP200-25O 08 SEP 25 19 SEP 25 SPACE 300: Course Number Check In Date Graduation Date SP300-25A 09 OCT 24 30 OCT 24 SP300-25B 05 NOV 24 26 NOV 24 SP300-25C 02 DEC 24 20 DEC 24 SP300-25D 08 JAN 25 29 JAN 25 SP300-25E 03 MAR 25 21 MAR 25 SP300-25F 24 MAR 25 11 APR 25 SP300-25G 14 APR 25 02 MAY 25 SP300-25H 28 MAY 25 17 JUN 25 SP300-25J 07 JUL 25 25 JUL 25 SP300-25K 28 JUL 25 15 AUG 25 SP300-25L 08 SEP 25 26 SEP 25 Travel dates are one day before check in and one day after graduation. 3.e. Funding. 3.e.1. Space 200: There is no registration fee to attend Space 200. For eligible officers in a designated MOS 1786 billet, Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) funding is provided by Training and Education Command for travel, meal and incidental expenses, and lodging for Space 200 only; rental car, if authorized, will be funded at unit's expense. For Marines not in a designated MOS 1786 billet, all TAD costs must be funded by the student's command, and applications must also include a statement of acknowledgment indicating that the student's command is aware of the TAD funding requirement. HQMC DC I will not guarantee funding. 3.e.2. Space 300: There is no registration fee to attend Space 300. All TAD costs must be funded by the student's parent organization. Applications will include a statement of acknowledgment indicating that the student's command is aware of the TAD funding requirement; HQMC DC I will not guarantee funding. 4. Course Eligibility. 4.a. Rank: Active or reserve officers, enlisted, or civilians, preferably with 8-10 years' time in service for Space 200 and 10-15 years' time in service for Space 300. 4.b. MOS Eligibility: These courses are open to any MOS. For Space 200 and 300, preference will be given to personnel in billets identified with the FMOS 1786, specifically within the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), MEF Information Groups, and billets dealing with space systems. Per reference C, only Commissioned Officers (LtCol to 2ndLt) are eligible to receive the 1786 FMOS on their records upon graduation from Space 200. 4.c. Security Clearance: A Secret clearance is required for Space 200. A Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required for Space 300. This requirement cannot be waived. 5. Application Procedures. 5.a. All applications will be submitted via Administrative Action Form (NAVMC 10274) to Information Maneuver Division (IMD), DC I. If the applicant serves within a MEF, applications will be routed through their respective MEF Space Operations Officer. If the applicant serves within U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER), to include Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group and Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group, applications will be routed through the MARFORCYBER G-39. If the applicant serves within U.S. Marine Corps Forces Space Command (MARFORSPACE), or its subordinate Reserve detachments, applications will be routed through the MARFORSPACE G-7. For all other Marines not serving in a MEF, MARFORCYBER, MARFORRES, or MARFORSPACE, applications will be emailed to the Point of Contact (POC) listed at the beginning of this message. 5.a.1. MEF Space Operations Officers and MARFOR POCs are listed below: I MEF: Maj Lowe, Christopher, christopher.a.lowe@usmc.mil, 760-725-9267. II MEF: Maj Balmes, philip.balmes@usmc.mil,910-450-5739. III MEF: Capt McQuilkin, Brendan, Brendan.r.mcquilkin@usmc.mil, 760-763-5980. MARFORCYBER: Mr. Greg Winger, vwinge@nsa.gov, 667-812-1847. MARFORRES: Maj Burgy, Zachariah, Zachariah.burgy@usmc.mil, 504-697-7321 MARFORSPACE: Maj Payne, Jameson, jameson.s.payne.mil@army.mil, 719-503-3301. 5.b. Specific Instructions for Application. 5.b.1. Block 6. Appropriate MEF or United States Marine Corps Forces (MARFOR) Command point of contact, or "None". 5.b.2. Block 7. HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR INFORMATION ATTN: IMD (CAPT J.O. Rojas Rodas) 3000 MARINE CORPS PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20350-3000 5.b.3. Block 8. Request to attend NSSI [Course Name]. 5.b.4. Block 11. 5.b.4.a. Enclose an endorsement from the first O-6 or GS-15 in the applicant's chain of command describing how the student's attendance will benefit their command. 5.b.4.b. Enclose a letter from the applicant's Special Security Office certifying the security clearance held and date adjudicated. 5.b.5. Block 12. 5.b.5.a. Course date and number. If there is no preference, please state. If multiple dates/courses are acceptable, provide course numbers and dates in order of preference. 5.b.5.b. Security clearance and date adjudicated. 5.b.5.c. Work phone number (commercial or DSN) and NIPR email. 5.b.5.d. Statement of acknowledgment indicating that the applicant's command is aware of the TAD funding requirement. 5.b.5.e. Current billet title. State if the position has a Billet MOS of 1786, Additional Skill Designator of 1786, or if current billet structure does not reflect a 1786 requirement. 5.b.5.f. Time left on current contract. 5.b.5.g. Designate whether Active Duty or Reserve. 5.c. All applications are due to IMD by 23 August 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. IMD will assign course dates based on priority in consultation with MEF Space Operations Officers, MARFOR points of contact, and student preferences. Selection results will be announced via MARADMIN. Encrypted email will be used for the transmittal of any personally identifiable information or other sensitive information. 6. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force. 7. Release authorized by LtGen Melvin G. Carter, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.