SAW Prospective Applicants

 

AY 2022-2023 SAW APPLICATION PROCESS

 

Intent to Apply NLT 1 August 2022 

Application materials due by 15 August 2022

Interviews begin 1 September 2022

Selection Policy

Admission to SAW is based on allocations granted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Student applications to SAW are processed annually in the following manner: the SAW selection process begins in the summer with the release of a MARADMIN (Marine Corps-wide administrative correspondence) to inform potential applicants about the course, application requirements, and deadlines.

In August and September, the Director of SAW briefs all students attending Marine Corps Command and Staff College, U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and U.S. Naval War College about the SAW program and application requirements.

The application includes: various personal and education information, faculty and reporting senior recommendations, and a topical essay requirement.  The essay question is updated every year.  Most recent Reporting Seniors (RS) recommendation or Military faculty advisors endorse graduate or current resident ILS students’ applications, and adjunct faculty advisors (CDET regional coordinators) and Reporting Seniors endorse non-resident ILS student applications.

Deadline

Officers meeting the admissions criteria will, in accordance with this message, accomplish the following: (1) submit an email stating intent to apply by 1 August 2022, (2) submit all application materials via Moodle by 15 August 2022, and (3) participate in a SAW selection panel interview. Selected applicants and alternates will be screened for eligibility, notified by MARADMIN, and issued orders to attend SAW. Send the Intent to Apply to the Program Manager at melissa.calloway@usmcu.edu and Admin Support at sky.green@usmcu.edu. You will receive further instructions following regarding the application process. 

Eligible and competitive applicants will schedule an individual panel interview between 1 September and 1 November 2022 with SAW Program Manager. All needed information will be sent by email. In-person interviews for out-of-area applicants are not required; applicants outside the Washington, D.C. area who cannot make an in-person interview will be scheduled to conduct a Google Hangout video teleconferencing (VTC) or phone interview. More than half of the interviews are conducted via VTC and applicants are discouraged from flying to the DC area specifically for the interview. 

Selection:

Selection of USMC, sister service and international students is identical. Once a completed application is received an interview can be scheduled and is conducted by a board appointed by the SAW Director. Interviews are conducted in person, via VTC, or via telephone for distant applicants as required.  
 
After interviews are completed, a board convenes to select applicants.  Recommended selections are forwarded to each service's headquarters for final authority to enroll. Nominated international officers are invited through the International Military Training office, which in turn coordinates with the officers’ military assignment staff. Once approved, all applicants are notified of the selection results via MARADMIN in mid-December.

 

Admission Requirements

General eligibility prerequisites for the School of Advanced Warfighting are those regulations and requirements established by the military services to select active duty, military students to attend an advanced intermediate-level professional military education (PME) institution.  Specific admissions prerequisites for the School of Advanced Warfighting are contained in the MARADMIN.  General requirements are listed below:

Active duty, or international military officer.

Grade: A promoted O-4 (Major/LCDR) and must not have previously failed selection for O-5. An officer must not be a selected or promoted Lieutenant Colonel at the time of application to SAW. If in zone for selection at the time of application to SAW, failure for selection to Lieutenant Colonel terminates SAW eligibility.

Marine Corps officers must meet O-4 PME requirements as identified in the USMC PME Order (MCO P1553.4B). Distance Education Program (DEP) applicants must be graduates of the 8800-series seminar based CSCDEP course. 
 
Currently enrolled CSCDEP students may apply provided their commanding officer or College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) regional coordinator certifies that the applicant can reasonably complete the 8800 series program no later than the commencement of the upcoming academic year.
 
Security Clearance: For U.S. officers, a SECRET clearance that will not expire during the academic year. USMC officers must have or be eligible to obtain a Top Secret/Special Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) clearance for post-graduation assignments.
 
Approval from service personnel assignment section.
 
Professional experience that will allow the student to interact in discussions involving the operational level of war and ensure suitability for future assignments involving significant responsibilities.
 
SAW battlefield staff rides require international travel and applicants are encouraged to possess a current passport prior to commencement of the academic year.
 
Ability to rapidly comprehend and analyze large amounts of reading and contribute effectively during graduate-level, competitive seminars led by a variety of professors and military faculty.
 
A regionally or nationally accredited undergraduate degree (United States bachelor’s degree or its equivalent).
 
Graduate-level capabilities to read, comprehend, speak, and write in English.

Physical and Skill requirements:

The SAW curriculum requires students to be able to travel extensively and participate actively in various educational forums to include battlefield site studies involving moderate to rigorous hikes over rough terrain and in remote sites overseas. Active duty military students must meet the mandatory physical fitness and height/weight requirements for their respective military service.

Selection Policy

Admission to SAW is based on allocations granted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Student applications to SAW are processed annually in the following manner: the SAW selection process begins in the summer with the release of a MARADMIN (Marine Corps-wide administrative correspondence) to inform potential applicants about the course, application requirements, and deadlines.

In August and September, the Director of SAW briefs all students attending Marine Corps Command and Staff College, U.S. Naval War College, U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College, and U.S. Army Command and General Staff College about the SAW program and application requirements.

The application includes: various personal and education information, faculty and reporting senior recommendations, and a topical essay requirement.  The essay question is updated every year.  Most recent Reporting Seniors (RS) recommendation or Military faculty advisors endorse graduate or current resident ILS students’ applications, and adjunct faculty advisors (CDET regional coordinators) and Reporting Seniors endorse non-resident ILS student applications.

Deadline:

No later than September 08, 2017, applicants will send an “intent to apply” via email to SAW’s organizational mailbox: mcu_saw_applications@usmcu.edu. Subject line should read “LASTNAME, F.M. - INTENT TO APPLY”.

Applicants should begin the application process as soon as possible. Applicants should submit a completed application package no later than 29 September, 2017.

Eligible and competitive applicants will be contacted to schedule an individual panel interview between 10 October and 10 November 2017. In-person interviews for out-of-area applicants are not required but recommended. Applicants outside the Washington, D.C. area who cannot make an in-person interview will be scheduled to conduct a video teleconferencing (VTC) or phone interview.

Those applying must submit completed and endorsed applications to the Director, School of Advanced Warfighting by the deadline announced in the MARADMIN; applications are normally due at the end of September or early October.

See MARADMIN for application deadline.

Selection:​

Selection of USMC, sister service and international students is identical. Once a completed application is received an interview can be scheduled and is conducted by a board appointed by the SAW Director. Most interviews are conducted in person, but video teleconference or telephone interviews are conducted for distant applicants when required.  
 
Contact SAW Admin Office to via email or phone to schedule desired interview.
 
After interviews are completed a board convenes to select applicants.  Recommended selections are forwarded to each service's headquarters for final authority to enroll. Nominated international officers are invited through the International Military Training office, which in turn coordinates with the officers’ military assignment staff. Once approved, all applicants are notified of the selection results via MARADMIN.

Contact:

All personnel applying to SAW are required to send an email expressing intent to apply.  Subject of email should read ““LASTNAME, F.M. - INTENT TO APPLY” and should be emailed to:

MCU_SAW_applications@usmcu.edu

In the email provide first name, middle initial, last name, rank, branch of service, military email, personal email, personal and work contact phone numbers.  
 
Applicants will receive an email from SAW that contains application forms and additional instructions for application completion.  If an applicant does not receive an email within 48 hours he/she should contact the SAW POC.  Admission Requirements

General eligibility prerequisites for the School of Advanced Warfighting are those regulations and requirements established by the military services to select active duty, military students to attend an advanced intermediate-level professional military education (PME) institution.  Specific admissions prerequisites for the School of Advanced Warfighting are contained in the MARADMIN.  General requirements are listed below:

Active duty, or international military officer.

Grade: A promoted O-4 (Major/LCDR) and must not have previously failed selection for O-5. An officer must not be a selected or promoted Lieutenant Colonel at the time of application to SAW. If in zone for selection at the time of application to SAW, failure for selection to Lieutenant Colonel terminates SAW eligibility.

Marine Corps officers must meet O-4 PME requirements as identified in the USMC PME Order (MCO P1553.4B). Distance Education Program (DEP) applicants must be graduates of the 8800-series seminar based CSCDEP course. Non-seminar CSCDEP students may apply for a waiver, which may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
 
Currently enrolled CSCDEP students may apply provided their commanding officer or College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) regional coordinator certifies that the applicant can reasonably complete the 8800 series program no later than the commencement of the upcoming academic year.
 
Security Clearance: For U.S. officers, a SECRET clearance that will not expire during the academic year. USMC officers must have or be eligible to obtain a Top Secret/Special Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) clearance for post-graduation assignments.
 
Approval from service personnel assignment section.
 
Professional experience that will allow the student to interact in discussions involving the operational level of war and ensure suitability for future assignments involving significant responsibilities.
 
SAW battlefield staff rides require international travel and applicants are encouraged to possess a current passport prior to commencement of the academic year.
 
Ability to rapidly comprehend and analyze large amounts of reading and contribute effectively during graduate-level, competitive seminars led by a variety of professors and military faculty.
 
A regionally or nationally accredited undergraduate degree (United States bachelor’s degree or its equivalent).
 
Graduate-level capabilities to read, comprehend, speak, and write in English.

Physical and Skill requirements:​

The SAW curriculum requires students to be able to travel extensively and participate actively in various educational forums to include battlefield site studies involving moderate to rigorous hikes over rough terrain and in remote sites overseas. Since all students are active duty military, all must meet the mandatory physical fitness and height/weight requirements for their respective military service.

Selection Policy

Admission to SAW is based on allocations granted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Student applications to SAW are processed annually in the following manner: the SAW selection process begins in the summer with the release of a MARADMIN (Marine Corps-wide administrative correspondence) to inform potential applicants about the course, application requirements, and deadlines.

In August and September, the Director of SAW briefs all students attending Marine Corps Command and Staff College, U.S. Naval War College, U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College, and U.S. Army Command and General Staff College about the SAW program and application requirements.

The application includes: various personal and education information, faculty and reporting senior recommendations, and a topical essay requirement.  The essay question is updated every year.  Most recent Reporting Seniors (RS) recommendation or Military faculty advisors endorse graduate or current resident ILS students’ applications, and adjunct faculty advisors (CDET regional coordinators) and Reporting Seniors endorse non-resident ILS student applications.

Deadline:

No later than September 08, 2017, applicants will send an “intent to apply” via email to SAW’s organizational mailbox: mcu_saw_applications@usmcu.edu. Subject line should read “LASTNAME, F.M. - INTENT TO APPLY”.

Applicants should begin the application process as soon as possible. Applicants should submit a completed application package no later than 29 September, 2017.

Eligible and competitive applicants will be contacted to schedule an individual panel interview between 10 October and 10 November 2017. In-person interviews for out-of-area applicants are not required but recommended. Applicants outside the Washington, D.C. area who cannot make an in-person interview will be scheduled to conduct a video teleconferencing (VTC) or phone interview.

Those applying must submit completed and endorsed applications to the Director, School of Advanced Warfighting by the deadline announced in the MARADMIN; applications are normally due at the end of September or early October.

See MARADMIN for application deadline.

Selection:​

Selection of USMC, sister service and international students is identical. Once a completed application is received an interview can be scheduled and is conducted by a board appointed by the SAW Director. Most interviews are conducted in person, but video teleconference or telephone interviews are conducted for distant applicants when required.  
 
Contact SAW Admin Office to via email or phone to schedule desired interview.
 
After interviews are completed a board convenes to select applicants.  Recommended selections are forwarded to each service's headquarters for final authority to enroll. Nominated international officers are invited through the International Military Training office, which in turn coordinates with the officers’ military assignment staff. Once approved, all applicants are notified of the selection results via MARADMIN.

Contact:

All personnel applying to SAW are required to send an email expressing intent to apply.  Subject of email should read ““LASTNAME, F.M. - INTENT TO APPLY” and should be emailed to:

MCU_SAW_applications@usmcu.edu

In the email provide first name, middle initial, last name, rank, branch of service, military email, personal email, personal and work contact phone numbers.  
 
Applicants will receive an email from SAW that contains application forms and additional instructions for application completion.  If an applicant does not receive an email within 48 hours he/she should contact the SAW POC.  Admission Requirements

General eligibility prerequisites for the School of Advanced Warfighting are those regulations and requirements established by the military services to select active duty, military students to attend an advanced intermediate-level professional military education (PME) institution.  Specific admissions prerequisites for the School of Advanced Warfighting are contained in the MARADMIN.  General requirements are listed below:

Active duty, or international military officer.

Grade: A promoted O-4 (Major/LCDR) and must not have previously failed selection for O-5. An officer must not be a selected or promoted Lieutenant Colonel at the time of application to SAW. If in zone for selection at the time of application to SAW, failure for selection to Lieutenant Colonel terminates SAW eligibility.

Marine Corps officers must meet O-4 PME requirements as identified in the USMC PME Order (MCO P1553.4B). Distance Education Program (DEP) applicants must be graduates of the 8800-series seminar based CSCDEP course. Non-seminar CSCDEP students may apply for a waiver, which may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
 
Currently enrolled CSCDEP students may apply provided their commanding officer or College of Distance Education and Training (CDET) regional coordinator certifies that the applicant can reasonably complete the 8800 series program no later than the commencement of the upcoming academic year.
 
Security Clearance: For U.S. officers, a SECRET clearance that will not expire during the academic year. USMC officers must have or be eligible to obtain a Top Secret/Special Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) clearance for post-graduation assignments.
 
Approval from service personnel assignment section.
 
Professional experience that will allow the student to interact in discussions involving the operational level of war and ensure suitability for future assignments involving significant responsibilities.
 
SAW battlefield staff rides require international travel and applicants are encouraged to possess a current passport prior to commencement of the academic year.
 
Ability to rapidly comprehend and analyze large amounts of reading and contribute effectively during graduate-level, competitive seminars led by a variety of professors and military faculty.
 
A regionally or nationally accredited undergraduate degree (United States bachelor’s degree or its equivalent).
 
Graduate-level capabilities to read, comprehend, speak, and write in English.

Physical and Skill requirements:​

The SAW curriculum requires students to be able to travel extensively and participate actively in various educational forums to include battlefield site studies involving moderate to rigorous hikes over rough terrain and in remote sites overseas. Since all students are active duty military, all must meet the mandatory physical fitness and height/weight requirements for their respective military service.

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