In an unprecedented move beginning summer 2002, the Marine Corps will send senior enlisted Marines to the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) for a master's degree. Since enlisted Marines perform the majority of network security functions, known as Information Assurance (IA), six staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCOs) were chosen for postgraduate education in the area of network security.
The enlisted Marines quest for advanced education is in direct response to the continuing emphasis placed by Congress for information assurance throughout the Department of Defense. In October 2000, Congress passed legislation to encourage the recruitment and retention of DoD personnel with computer and network skills necessary to meet DoD IA requirements. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (ASD/C3I) is administering the effort, known as the Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP). The program also establishes Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) for IA. These CAE's, located at civilian institutions of higher learning and DoD/Service schools such as the AFIT and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), will provide educational opportunities in IA to civilians and military, both officer and enlisted.
To provide the higher level of expertise and education required for assignments involving developing IA policy and providing advice and assistance for program development of information assurance strategies at Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps (HQMC), the shore establishment, and the Marine Component Headquarters; the Marine Corps solicited SNCO applicants (MARADMIN 200/02) to participate in the IASP in pursuit of a graduate degree. In order to further individual career development in IA, the Marine Corps recently established Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 0689, Information Assurance Technician.
The selected Marines represent a variety of specialities: Logistics, Supply, Communications Chiefs and Radio Chiefs, and include Marines in the Operating Forces, Training Command, and Detachment Commanders at U. S. embassies. These Marines will be breaking ground in an uncharted environment – graduate education alongside commissioned officers. The first group of enlisted Marines to participate in the IASP will be attending graduate school at AFIT beginning August 2002.
After completion of the educational requirements, a two-year program, at AFIT in the Information Resources Management Program with an emphasis on defensive aspects of Information Operations, the Marines will fill critical billets at major Marine locations – HQMC, the Marine Corps Information Technology Network Operating Center (MITNOC), and Marine Forces Headquarters. The service obligation required in these critical billets is for four years. The Marines will also be awarded the new PMOS 0689.
Though our initial investment in IASP places all six Marines at AFIT, we anticipate future qualified Marines will attend other CAEs. Efforts are underway to change the language of Title X, which presently restricts enlisted personnel from assignment to NPS as students.
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, C4 Department developed this enlisted initiative.