MCO 3821.lB INTM 7/158 1 Jul 1988 MARINE CORPS ORDER 3821.lB From: Commandant of the Marine Corps To: Distribution List Subj: The Defense Attache System Ref: (a) DIAR 100-5, Defense Attache System (NOTAL) Encl: (1) Defense Attache System Billets for Active Duty Marine Corps Personnel (2) Prerequisites for Assignment within the Defense Attache System (3) Documents/Certificates Required from Personnel to be Nominated for Assignment within the Defense Attache System (4) Sample Nomination Letters (5) Reserve Attache Program (6) Defense Attache System Billets for Reserve Marine Corps Personnel 1. Purpose. To publish information and guidance pertaining to U.S. Marine Corps participation in the Defense Attache System (DAS) and the prerequisites for selection and assignment of Marine Corps personnel to the DAS. 2. Cancellation. MCO 3821.lA. 3. Definitions of Terms a. Defense Attache System (DAS). A system established to observe and report items of interest to national security, represent a military service overseas, advise the ambassador, and supervise military assistance programs in some nations. The DAS is an organizational function of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), directed and maintained by the Director, DIA and is supported by the military departments and other Department of Defense (DoD) components as directed by the Secretary of Defense. The DAS consists of: (1) All military personnel accredited as attaches to foreign governments, other DoD or Department of Transportation personnel assigned to attache posts, and all personnel on competent orders for assignment to duty at Defense Attache offices (DAO's). (2) Such headquarters, subordinate units, facilities and administrative functions as established by DIA for the operation, control, and maintenance of the system. MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 b. Defense Attache office (DAO). The office in a foreign country consisting of all attaches and other assigned personnel, materiel, activities, and facilities for which the DATT has operating responsibilities. The DAO is an element of a United States embassy or legation. c. Defense Attache (DATT). The senior military officer assigned to a DAO and so named by the Director, DIA, and approved by the Chief of Mission (COM) of the embassy to which nominated. d. Service Attache. An officer of a military service assigned to a DAO and named by the Director, DIA as an Army, Naval, Air, or Coast Guard attache or Assistant Army, Naval, Air, or Coast Guard attache. Marine officers may be designated as Naval attaches/assistant Naval attaches. e. Defense Liaison Office (DLO). The office in a foreign country of United States representation below the rank of embassy or legation. It consists of all service liaison officers and other assigned military personnel, materiel, activities, and facilities for which the DLO has operating responsibilities. (Further references to a DAO are equally applicable to a DLO.) f. Service Liaison Officer. A military officer assigned to a Defense Liaison Office (DLO) and named by the Director, DIA as the Army, Naval, or Air Liaison Officer or Assistant Army, Naval, or Air Liaison Officer. Marine officers may be designated as Assistant Naval Liaison officers (ANLO). g. Attache. A general term referring to the titles in subparagraphs 3c, d, and f above. 4. Background a. The SecDef established the DAS under the Director, DIA in 1965. b. Reference (a) contains policy and guidance for the operation and management of the system and includes definitions of status, functions, relationships, selection, and training of attache personnel. c. The Marine Corps participates in the DAS by providing qualified personnel to serve in the following positions: (1) DATT. (2) Naval Attache (American Legation, U.S. Naval Attache (ALUSNA)). (3) Assistant Naval Attache (Assistant, American Legation, U.S. Naval Attache A/ALUSNA)). 2 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 (4) Intelligence Assistant (IA), U.S. DAO. (5) Operations Coordinators (OPSCO), U.S. DAO (case-by- case basis). d. The principal duties of a Marine officer assigned to the DAS are to: (1) Collect and report information. (2) Provide military advice to the Chief of the Diplomatic Mission. (3) Administer security assistance activities per appropriate directives in the absence of a U.S. Government security assistance organization in the host country. (4) If assigned as the DATT, represent the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), commanders of unified commands and other DoD and military components. (5) If assigned as the ALUSNA, represent the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC). (6) If assigned as the A/ALUSNA, represent the CMC. (7) If designated the U.S. Defense Representative, provide security assistance and implement instructions from the appropriate unified commander. e. Enlisted Marines assigned to the DAS normally serve as IA's. They provide administrative and technical support to the DAO and, on occasion, are required to serve as OPSCO. f. Enclosure (1) lists the active duty DAS billets requiring Marine Corps personnel. Included are tour length, length of training, and language/grade/MOS requirements. 5. Selection and Nomination Procedures a. General. Assignment of the highest qualified personnel ensures success in accomplishing the mission within the DAS. Enclosure (2) provides the prerequisites for assignment to the DAS. In addition to the prerequisites, a background in intelligence is highly desirable although other qualities such as command, operational or staff experience, language ability or area background can outweigh a lack of intelligence experience. b. Selection (1) The CMC is responsible for the nomination of Marine Corps personnel for assignment within the DAS. This responsibility is discharged 3 MCO 3821.lB I Jul 1988 by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower (CMC (M)) in coordination with the Director of Intelligence (CMC (INT)). (2) Since extended training may be required, individuals may be selected 1 to 2 years prior to arriving at the DAO. (3) Service in the DAS is normally voluntary; however, when volunteers are not available, individuals may be assigned to duty within the DAS. (4) Most billets require a foreign language. Candidates should possess the required language capability prior to volunteering, but should not be discouraged from applying if highly interested. If all other mandatory requirements and a minimum passing score on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) are met, the DIA will provide the appropriate language training. (5) The DAS candidates are selected by Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps through a service record review of Marines who have requested attache assignment, have the appropriate language capability (if required) for the country under consideration, and whose career patterns meet the training and tour of duty requirements of the billet to be filled. c. Nomination (1) Marines are notified by the CMC (M) that they are being considered for duty within the DAS. They will be provided the forms and certificates, listed in enclosure (3), to complete and forward to the CMC (INTM). (2) When the CMC determines that a Marine is qualified for service within the DAS, a nomination letter in the format of enclosure (4) will be sent to the Chief, Attache Personnel Support Branch, DIA via the Commander, Naval Intelligence Command (NIC). (3) The Director, DIA gives final approval or disapproval of nominees as DATT's. d. Approval/Disapproval (1) The Director, DIA approves all nominees as DATT's. Once the Director gives approval, the COM of the subject country must also give approval. (2) Except for DATT's, the Director, DIA delegates approval authority of all nominations to primary or assistant attaches to the Deputy Director for Attaches and Operations (DA). (3) The Director, DIA has further delegated approval authority on all individuals nominated as IA's to the Chief, Military Personnel Operations Division (RHR-3). 4 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 6. Application. Marines who desire to apply for assignment within the DAS may do so by either indicating such in item 10, section A of the fitness report (NAVMC 10835) or by submitting an Administrative Action Form (NAVMC 10274) to the CMC (MM). Enclosures (5) and (6) contain guidance pertaining to the Reserve Attache Program. 7. Action a. Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower (CMC M)) (1) Make the initial selection of Marine candidates for service within the DAS. (2) In coordination with the Director of Intelligence (CMC INT)), determine candidate qualifications and approve the final selection of nominees. (3) Submit nomination letters to the Attache Personnel Support Branch, DIA, using the format in enclosure (4). (4) Upon approval of the nominees by the DIA, issue appropriate orders. (5) In coordination with the Director, Training and Education Center, MCCDC, schedule sufficient quotas for the appropriate attache courses to meet anticipated requirements. (6) Prepare a brief military history of the nominees. b. Director of Intelligence (CMC (INT)) (1) Act as point of contact between the CMC and the DIA in DAS matters. (2) Monitor Marine Corps participation within the DAS. (3) Ensure that attache personnel requirements are provided to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower (CMC (M)). (4) Coordinate with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower (CMC (M)) to determine candidate's qualifications. (5) Coordinate with other Headquarters staff agencies to establish and delete DAS billets as required. (6) Review and approve Reserve attaches nominated by the OIC of the HQMC Intelligence Reserve Augmentation Unit (RAU). c. Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (T&E). In coordination with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, schedule sufficient quotas for the appropriate attache courses to meet anticipated requirements. 5 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 8. Reserve Applicability. This Order is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. L. H. BUEHL Chief of Staff DISTRIBUTION: A less 3530010/7352037/8180016, 026 plus 2157004/7862002 (1) Copy to: 8145001 6 MCO 3821.1B 1 Jul 1988 DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM BILLETS FOR ACTIVE DUTY MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL TOUR APPROX COUNTRY BILLET GRADE LENGTH* TRAINING LANGUAGE MOS REQ AUSTRALIA A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 6 MONTHS English PILOT CHINA A/ALUSNA LtCol 2 YRS 12 MONTHS Chinese 0202 DENMARK A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 12 MONTHS Danish 0202 DOM REP DATT/ALUSNA LtCol 3 YRS 13 MONTHS Spanish 0202 EGYPT IA SSgt 2 YRS 15 MONTHS Arabic 0251 EL SALVADOR ALUSNA LtCol 2 YRS 12 MONTHS Spanish 0202 EL SALVADOR IA GySgt 2 YRS 6 MONTHS Spanish 0251 FRANCE A/ALUSNA LtCol 3 YRS 12 MONTHS French 0202 GREECE A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 17 MONTHS Greek PILOT GUATEMALA A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 12 MONTHS Spanish 0210 HONG KONG IA GySgt 3 YRS 15 MONTHS Chinese 0251 INDONESIA A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 17 MONTHS Indonesian PILOT ITALY A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 12 MONTHS Italian 0202 JAMAICA DATT/ALUSNA LtCol 2 YRS 6 MONTHS English 0202 LEBANON ALUSNA LtCol 18 MONTHS 12 MONTHS Arabic 0202 LEBANON IA GySgt 1 YR 12 MONTHS French 0251 MEXICO A/ALUSNA Major 2 YRS 12 MONTHS Spanish 0202 MOROCCO DATT/ALUSNA Col 3 YRS 22 MONTHS French/Arabic 9907 MOROCCO OPSCO GySgt 3 YRS 6 MONTHS French 0251 OMAN ALUSNA LtCol 2 YRS 17 MONTHS Arabic 0202 OMAN IA GySgt 2 YRS 6 MONTHS Arabic 0251 NORWAY A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 12 MONTHS Norwegian 0202 PHILIPPINES A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 7 MONTHS English 0210 SENEGAL DATT/ALUSNA LtCol 2 YRS 14 MONTHS French 0202 TUNISIA IA GySgt 3 YRS 12 MONTHS French 0251 TURKEY A/ALUSNA Major 3 YRS 17 MONTHS Turkish PILOT U.K. A/ALUSNA LtCol 3 YRS 6 MONTHS English 0202 USSR A/ALUSNA LtCol 2 YRS 17 MONTHS Russian 0202 ENCLOSURE (1) MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 PREREQUISITES FOR ASSIGNMENT WITHIN THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM 1. Mandatory Qualifications a. Be married and be accompanied to station by family. b. Demonstrate outstanding reliability, initiative, military performance, and ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations. c. Ability to express oneself well, both orally and in writing. d. Not be within 5 years of mandatory retirement at the time of nomination. Exceptions may be made for those who do not require language training prior to assignment. e. Have a special background investigation current within the last 4 1/2 years, and be eligible for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. f. Be physically qualified to perform all duties and present a proper appearance in military and civilian dress. g. Possess social and moral qualities reflecting credit upon the Marine Corps. h. If considered for a Defense Attache/Naval Attache position, possess a baccalaureate degree. i. Be a U.S. citizen and be free of any family, commercial, or other influences from within any foreign country. j. If foreign language ability is required, attain a minimum score of 110 (waiverable to 100) on the DLAB. 2. Desirable Qualifications a. Command and combat experience appropriate to the grade and specialty (officers). b. Prior intelligence experience with MEF level or higher intelligence staff. c. Familiarity with DoD/JCS intelligence organization and functions. d. Experience in administration. e. A baccalaureate degree in international relations from an accredited college or university (officers only). ENCLOSURE (2) 1 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 3. Mandatory Qualifications (Family) a. Family members must present a good appearance and be free of physical handicaps. b. Be citizens of the United States, preferably by birth, and must be free of any family, commercial, or other influences from within any foreign country. c. Be free of family problems or business complications which might divert the Marine's attention from military duty. d. Be free from recurrent or chronic diseases which would require specialized medical care or extended routine medical treatment. e. Be free from any behavioral or medical problems which would preclude performance of official and social duties while representing the United States publicly and privately in a foreign capital. f. Be eligible to receive an interim secret clearance. 4. Desirable Qualifications (Family) a. Proficiency or aptitude in foreign languages. b. In the case of an officer's spouse, possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. c. In the case of the spouse, depending upon the availability of Government funds, be willing to participate in training in the customs, culture, and language of the country to which the spouse is to be accredited. ENCLOSURE (2) 2 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 DOCUMENTS/CERTIFICATES REQUIRED FROM PERSONNEL TO BE NOMINATED FOR ASSIGNMENT WITHIN THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM 1. Documents a. From the nominee: (1) DD Form 398, Statement of Personal History (Enclosure (3), pages 2 to 4). Submit original and five copies. (All signatures must be original.) (2) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card (obtainable from local command). Submit two sets. (3) DD Form 2221, Privacy Act Statement (enclosure (3), pages 5 and 6). Submit original and six signed copies. (All signatures must be original.) (4) Two full-length photographs in the service A uniform. (5) DAS Nomination Biography Worksheet (enclosure (3), pages 7 to 9). (6) Medical Officer Certificate (enclosure (3), page 10). (7) Nomination Letter (enclosure (4), page 1 or 2). b. From spouse of individual to be nominated: (1) DD Form 398, Statement of Personal History (enclosure (3), pages 2 to 4). Submit original and five copies. (All signatures must be original, and the form must be filled out completely.) (2) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card (obtainable from local command). Submit two sets. (3) DD Form 2221, Privacy Act Statement (enclosure pages 5 to 6). Submit original and six signed copies. (All signatures must be original.) (4) Two full-length photographs. ENCLOSURE (3) 1 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 (LETTERHEAD) SAMPLE NOMINATION LETTERS (OFFICER) Ofc Symbols Date From: Commandant of the Marine Corps To: Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DA) Via: Commander, Naval Intelligence Command (NIC-OON) Subj: NOMINATION OF COLONEL I. M. MARINE 000 10 0001/9906 USMC AS DATT/ALUSNA FOR ANY COUNTRY Ref: (a) DIA request 000-yr/RPM-2C (PR) of (date) Encl: (1) DD Form 398 Statement of Personal History (2) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card (3) Photographs (4) Medical Officer's Certificate (5) DAS Nomination Biography Worksheet 1. Colonel I. M. Marine 000 10 0001/9906 USMC is nominated as the Defense Attache/U.S. Naval Attache for any country. 2. Enclosures (1) through (5) are forwarded per the reference. 3. Colonel Marine is currently serving with the Second Marine Division, FMF, Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0001. A. B. CEE By direction Copy to: CMC (INT) ENCLOSURE (4) 1 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 (LETTERHEAD) SAMPLE NOMINATION LETTERS (ENLISTED) Ofc Symbols Date From: Commandant of the Marine Corps To: Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DA) Subj: NOMINATION OF GYSGT I. M. MARINE 000 10 0001/0251 USMC AS INTELLIGENCE ASSISTANT FOR ANY COUNTRY Ref: (a) DIA request 000-yr/RPM-2C (PR) of (date) Encl: (1) DD Form 398, Statement of Personal History (2) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card (3) Photographs (4) Medical Officer's Certificate (5) DAS Nomination Biography Worksheet 1. Gysgt I. M. MARINE 000 10 0001/0251 USMC is nominated as the Intelligence Assistant for any country. 2. Per the reference, enclosures (1) through (5) are forwarded. 3. GySgt MARINE is currently serving with the Second Marine Division, FMF, Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0001. M. E. MARINE By direction Copy to: CMC (INT) ENCLOSURE (4) 2 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 RESERVE ATTACHE PROGRAM 1. MISSION a. Marine Corps Reserve attaches will augment the active forces in wartime, crisis, and contingency mobilizations in support of the DIA HUMINT collection, operations, and management mission and provide a corps of qualified reservists for deployment within the DAS. b. Assigned Marine Reserve attaches must be trained and available to contribute the maximum practical support to collection, operations, and management responsibilities of the DIA/Defense Attache (DA) geographic country officers, functional divisions, and DAC's worldwide. 2. TRAINING. The Reserve attache training is a phased sequence program consisting of the following training: a. Independent study consisting of two parts. Part one provides extension course units under the aegis of DIA in coordination with the Defense Intelligence College (DIC). Successful completion of part one is a prerequisite for attendance at the part two DIC Reserve Attache Course. This 2-week Reserve Attache Course is conducted yearly by the DIC at Bolling AFB, Washington, DC. b. Following completion of part two of the independent study extension course, an active duty for training tour will be provided on station within a DAO. c. Two active duty training tours will be provided, at least one of which will be with the DIA Directorate for Operations and Attaches and includes country officer and collection operations management training. d. The completion of the formal training phase via a tour on station within a DAO. e. Follow-on active duty proficiency training. This may include additional DAO tours, assignments at DIA, or other such training that would increase the overall proficiency of the Reserve attache. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE. Applications to fill the Reserve Attache billet positions should be forwarded to the CMC (INTM) for staffing and forwarding to the DIA. Nominees should meet the general requirements identified for the active duty attache along with the following specific requirements: a. Submit Special Background Investigation once nominated. b. Possess area knowledge, experience, and/or academic qualifications appropriate for the position sought. ENCLOSURE (5) 1 MCO 3821.IB 1 Jul 1988 c. Available for mobilization and not a key employee of another organization which would preclude mobilization. d. No conflict of interest between the Marine's civilian occupation and the Reserve attache position sought. e. Linguistic skills appropriate for position sought. f. Have demonstrated outstanding degrees of reliability, initiative, military performance, and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations. g. Be physically qualified to perform all duties and present a proper appearance in military and civilian attire. ENCLOSURE (5) 2 MCO 3821.lB 1 Jul 1988 DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM BILLETS FOR RESERVE YIARINE CORPS PERSONNEL COUNTRY BILLET GRADE TOUR LENGTH APPROX TRAINING CHINA A/ALUSNA Major TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS DENMARK A/ALUSNA Major TO BE DETEMIINED 4 YEARS EGYPT A/ALUSNA LtCol TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS FRANCE A/ALUSNA LtCol TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS GREECE A/ALUSNA Major TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS HONDURAS A/ALUSNA Major TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS ITALY A/ALUSNA Major TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS JAPAN A/ALUSNA LtCol TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS KOREA A/ALUSNA LtCol TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS MOROCCO A/ALUSNA LtCol TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS NORWAY A/ALUSNA Major TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS UNITED KINGDOM A/ALUSNA LtCol TO BE DETERMINED 4 YEARS ENCLOSURE (6)