MARADMIN 343/24 - Academic Year 2025-2026 Advanced Intermediate Level School Application Message
Please contact the SAW Program Manager at (703) 784-6800 for any questions.
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 15 August 2024, (2) submit all application materials, 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 steven.iulio@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 2024 with SAW Program Manager. 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.