DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WASHINGTON, D. C. 20380 MCO 3821.1A INTM: JEH:jeh 6 Sep 1978 MARINE CORPS ORDER 3821.1A 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 Marine Corps Personnel (2) Qualifications for Assignment to the Defense Attache System (3) Documents/Certificates Required from Personnel to be Nominated for Assignment with the Defense Attache System (4) Sample Nomination Letter 1. Purpose. To publish information and quidance pertaining to U. S. Marine Corps participation in the Defense Attache System and the prerequisites for selection and assignment of Marine Corps personnel to the Defense Attache System. 2. Cancellation. MCO 3821.1. 3. Background a. The Secretary of Defense established the Defense Attache System under the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency in i965. b.. Reference (a), sets forth policy and guidance for the operation and management of the system and defines the status, functions, relationships, selection and training of attache personnel. c. The Marine Corps participates in the Defense Attache System by providing qualified personnel to serve in the following positions: (1) Defense Attache (DATT). (2) Naval Attache (American Legation, U. S. Naval Attache (ALUSNA)). PCN 102 035525 00
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 (3) Assistant Naval Attache (Assistant, American Legation, U. S. Naval Attache (A/ALUSNA)). (4) Assistant Naval Liaison Officer (Assistant, American Legation, U. S. Naval Liaison Officer (A/ALUSNLO)). (5) Intelligence Assistant, U. S. Defense Attache Office. d. The principal duties of a Marine officer assigned to the Defense Attache System are: (1) To collect and report information. (2) To provide military advice to the Chief of the Diplomatic Mission. (3) If assigned as the DATT, to represent the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Commanders of Unified Commands, and other DOD and military components. (4) If assigned as the ALUSNA, to represent the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. (5) I£ assigned as the A/ALUSNA, and the ALUSNA is a naval officer, to represent the Commandant of the Marine Corps. (6) If designated the U. S. Defense Representative, to carry out security assistance and other responsibilities, and implement instructions from the appropriate Unified Commander. (7) In the absence of a U. S. security assistance organization in the host country, administer security assist- ance activities in accordance with appropriate directives. e. An enlisted Marine assigned to the Defense Attache System normally serves as an Intelligence Assistant. As an Intelligence Assistant he/she provides administrative and technical support to the Defense Attache Office. 4. General Information a. Definition of Terms . (1) Defense Attache System (DAS). A system estab- lished as an organizational function Gt the Defense
MCO 3821.1A ‘ 6 Sep 1978 Intelligence Agency (DIA), directed and maintained by the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency and supported by the military departments and other Department of Defense components as directed by the Secretary of Defense, consisting of: (a) All military and other Department of Defense personnel assigned as members of the diplomatic staff of a mission for the performance of attache duties, and all per- sonnel on competent orders for assignment to duty at Defense Attache Offices. (b) Such headquarters, subordinate units, facilities and administrative functions as are specifically established by the Defense Intelligence Aqency for the operation, control and maintenance of the system. (2) Defense Attache (DATT). The senior military officer assigned to a Defense Attache Office and so desiqnated by the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency. Marine officers are designated as Defense Attaches. (3) Service Attache. An officer of a military service, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency and designated by the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency as an Army, Naval or Air Attache or Assistant Army, Naval or Air Attache. Marine officers are designated as Naval Attaches/Assistant Naval Attaches. In exceptional circumstances enlisted Marines may be designated as Assistant Naval Attaches- (4) Service Liaison Officer. An officer of a military service assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency and desig- nated by the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency as an Army, Naval, or Air Liaison Officer or Assistant Army, Naval or Air Liaison Officer. Marine officers are designated as Assistant Naval Liaison Officers. (5) Attache. A generic term encompassing the ter- minology in subparagraphs 4a(2), (3), and (4) above. (6) Defense Attache Office (DAO). The office in a foreign country consisting of all attaches and other assigned attache personnel, materiel, activities, and facilities for which the Defense Attache has operating responsibilities. The DAO is a component element of a United States embassy or legation. (7) Defense Liaison Office (DLO). The office in a foreign country consisting of all liaison officers and other assigned military personnel, materiel, activities, and facil- ities for which the Defense Liaison Office has operating
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 responsibilities in lieu of a Defense Attache Office when the United States representation is not of the rank of embassy or ‘legation. (Hereinafter all references to DAO are equally applicable to DLO.) b. Enclosure (1) is a current listing of the Defense Attache System billets requiring Marine Corps personnel. In- cluded are tour length, length of training and language/grade/ MOS requirements. 5. Selection and Nomination Procedures a. General. The successful accomplishment of the tasks assigned to personnel within the Defense Attache System de- pends upon selection of the most highly qualified personnel available for assignment. It is mandatory that personnel selected possess the attributes which will ensure successful completion of a tour of duty within the Defense Attache System. Enclosure (2) is a listing of the mandatory and desirable qualifications prerequisite for assignment to the Defense Attache System. A background in intelligence is highly de- sirable although other qualities such as command, operational or staff experience, language ability or aptitude and area backgzound can outweigh a lack of intelligence experience. b. Selection (1) Selection of personnel for assignment to the Defense Attache System is the responsibility of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. This responsibility is discharged by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower (CMC Code M) in coordination with the Director of Intelligence (CMC Code INT), Headquarters, Marine Corps. (2) Personnel may be selected from 1 to 2 years prior to arriving on station at a Defense Attache Office. This lead- time is required to meet attache training requirements which may include language training of up to 48 weeks in length. (3) Although individuals may be selected for assign- ment to the Defense Attache System where a volunteer is not available, service with the Defense Attache System is normally on a volunteer basis. (4) Candidates for selection are determined by a re- view of records at Headquarters, Marine Corps of personnel who have requested attache assignments, personnel who have a language capability for the country under consideration, and personnel whose career pattern meets the training and tour of duty schedule requirements for the billet to be filled.
MCO 3821.14 6 Sep 1978 c. Nomination (1) Upon notification by the Commandant of the Marine Corps (Code M) that a Marine is being considered for nomina- tion for duty with the Defense Attache System, the prospective nominee will forward the forms and certificates listed in en- closure (3) to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (Code M). (2) Upon determination by the Commandant of the Marine Corps (Code M) that the Marine is qualified for service with the Defense Attache System, a nomination letter, utilizing the format shown in enclosure (4), will be forwarded to the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency via the Director of Naval Intelligence, who must endorse Marine Corps nominations. (3) The Director, Defense Intelligence Agency is re- sponsible for final approval of personnel nominated for ser- vice with the Defense Attache System. 6. Application. Personnel desiring to apply for assignment to the Defense Attache System will make application by an appropriate entry in item 10, Section A of the U. S. Marine Corps Report of Fitness (NAVMC 10835) or submission of a re- quest on an Administrative Action Form (NAVMC 10274) to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (Code M). 7. Action a. Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower (CMC Code M) (1) Make initial selection of Marine Corps candidates for service with the Defense Attache System. (2) In coordination with the Director of Intelligence (CMC Code INT), determine qualifications of candidates and approve final selection of each nominee. (3) Submit the nomination letter to the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency utilizing the format shown in enclosure (4). (4) Upon approval of the nominee by the Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, issue appropriate orders. (5) In coordination with the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Training (CMC Code OT) schedule sufficient quotas for appropriate attache/language courses to meet planned and anticipated requirements. (6) Prepare and submit brief digest of Military His- tory on each nominee.
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 b. Director of Intelligence (CMC Code INT) (1) Act as point of contact between the Commandant of ‘ the Marine Corps and the Defense Intelligence Agency in Defense Attache System matters. (2) Monitor Marine Corps participation in the Defense Attache System. (3) Ensure that attache personnel requirements are provided to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower for action. (4) Coordinate with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Man- power in determining candidate qualifications. (5) Coordinate with other staff agencies in the es- tablishment and disestablishment of attache system billets as required. 8. Reserve Applicability. This Order is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. a FD serel— L. F. SNOWDEN Chief of Staff DISTRIBUTION: A Copy to: 8145001
({) GYNSOTONGA DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM BILLETS FOR MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL COUNTRY AUSTRALIA CHILE DENMARK DENMARK DOMINICAN REPUBLIC EGYPT FRANCE GREECE HONG KONG HONG KONG INDONESIA ITALY JAMAICA LEBANON LEBANON MALAGASY REPUBLIC MEXICO MOROCCO NORWAY SENEGAL THAILAND TURKEY UNITED KINGDOM USSR BILLET A/ALUSNA IntelAsst A/ALUSNA IntelAsst DATT/ALUSNA IntelAsst A/ALUSNA A/ALUSNA A/ALUSNLO IntelAsst A/ALUSNA A/ALUSNA DATT/ALUSNA DATT/ALUSNA IntelAsst A/ALUSNA A/ALUSNA DATT/ALUSNA IntelAsst DATT/ALUSNA A/ALUSNA A/ALUSNA A/ALUSNA A/ALUSNA GRADE Major SSgt Major SSgt LtCol SSgt LtCol Major LtCol GySgt Major Major LtCol Colonel SSgt SSgt Major Colonel GySgt Ltcol Major Major LtCol LtCol TOUR TRAINING LENGTH TIME 3 yrs 5 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 13 months 3 yrs 15 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 17 months 3 yrs 18 months 3 yrs 15 months 2 yrs 17 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 5 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 12 months 2 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 12 months 3 yrs 12 months 2 yrs 14 months 3 yrs 17 months 3 yrs 17 months 3 yrs 5 months 3 yrs 17 months LANGUAGE English Spanish Danish Danish Spanish Arabic French Greek Chinese Chinese Indonesian Italian English French French French Spanish French Norwegian French Thai Turkish English Russian MOS REQUIRED Any Gnd 0251 Any Gnd 0251 Any Gnd 0251 Any Gnd Any Gnd Any Gnd 0251 Naval Aviator Any Gnd Any Gnd 9906 0251 0251 Any Gnd 9906 0251 Any Gnd Naval Aviator Any Gnd Any Gnd Any Gnd 8L6T dag 9 WI°TZ8E OOW
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 QUALIFICATIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT TO THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM l. Mandatory Qualifications a. Be married and be accomnanied to station by family. b. Have demonstrated outstancing degrees of reliability, initiative and military performance, and the ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations. c. Be able to express himself/herself well, both orally and in writing. d. Not be within 5 years of mandatory retirement on the projected date of arrival on station unless he/she is fully qualified at the time of nomination to go on station without any further investment in language training. e. If below the grade of colonel, be in a competitive status for promotion to the next higher grade, i.e., not previously considered for promotion and failed of selection. f. Have a background investigation current within the last 5 years and be eligible for access to Sensitive Comvart- mented Information (SCI). g. Be physically qualified to perform all duties and present a proper appearance in military and civilian dress. h. Possess social and moral attributes which will re- flect credit upon the Marine Corps. i. If under consideration for a Defense Attache/Naval Attache position, possess a baccalaureate degree and be a graduate of an intermediate and/or top level school. j. If under consideration for an Assistant Naval Attache/ Assistant Naval Liaison Officer position, possess a bacca-~ laureate degree and be a graduate of an intermediate level school. k. Be aU. S. citizen, preferably by birth, and be free of any family, commercial or other influencing relationship within any foreign country. 1. If knowledge of a foreign lanauage is required, the Marine must attain a minimum score of 25 on the Defense Language Aptitude Test (DLAT) or a minimum standard score of 89 on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB). ENCLOSURE (2)
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 2. Desirable Qualifications a. Command and combat experience appropriate to his/her grade and specialty (officers). b. Prior intelligence experience with division level or higher intelligence staff. c. Familiarity with Department of Defense/Joint Chiefs of Staff intelligence organization and functions. d. Experience in administration. e. Degree in international relations from an accredited college or university (officers only). f. Has not previously served an accommanied, overseas tour of duty. 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 influenc- ing relationships within any foreign country. c. Be free of family problems or business implications which might divert the Marine from his/her attention to Military duty. dad. Be free from recurrent or chronic diseases which would require specialized medical care and/or extended routine medical treatment. e. Be free from any behavioral or medical problems which would preclude performance of official and social duties of representing the United States publicly and privately ina foreign capital. 4. Desirable Qualifications (Family) a. Proficiency or aptitude in foreign languages. b. In the case of the spouse, possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (officer). ENCLOSURE (2)
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 c. In the case of the spouse, dependent upon the avail- ability of Government funds, be willing to participate in training in the customs, culture, and language of the country to which his/her spouse is to be accredited. ENCLOSURE (2)
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 DOCUMENTS /CERTIFICATES REQUIRED FROM PERSONNEL TO BE NOMINATED FOR ASSIGNMENT WITH THE DEFENSE ATTACHE SYSTEM 1. Documents a. From the individual to be nominated: (1) DD Form 398, Statement of Personal History. (Original and 5 copies. NOTE: All signatures must be original.) (2) DD Form 1584, Department of Defense National Agency Check Request. (Original and 4 copies.) (3) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card. (2 sets.) (4) Privacy Act Statement. (5) Educational Records Release Statement. (4 copies.) (6) Credit Records Release Statement. (4 copies.) (7) Photographs. (2 sets, full length and full face each set, appropriate service uniform.) b. From spouse of individual to be nominated: (1) DD Form 398, Statement of Personal History. (Original and 5 copies. NOTE: All signatures must be origi- nal. This form is only required from spouse of officer nominee «) (2) DD Form 1584, Department of Defense National Agency Check Request. (Original and 4 copies. NOTE: From spouse of enlisted nominee, only items 1 through 6 must be completed.) (3) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card. (2 sets. NOTE: This form is only required from spouse of officer nominee .) (4) Photographs. (2 sets, full length and full face each set.) 2. Certificates a. The individual to be nominated must complete the certificate as shown on page 2, enclosure (3) to MCO 3821.1A. b. A medical officer must complete a certificate as shown on page 3, enclosure (3) to MCO 3821.1A. ENCLOSURE (3) tet
ad MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep1978 NOTICE: Read the Privacy Act Statement before filling out this form. Authority for obtaining information on this form is Title 5 U. S. Code, Section 301. This form is used as the basic document for determining suitability for assignment to the Defense Attache System. The information is used as the basis for initial determination that the Marine and his/her family are qualified for assignment to the Defense Attache System. The information provided will not be divulged without prior written consent except to other Federal agencies also charged with making the foregoing determination. Providing informa- tion for the certification is voluntary, however, failure to furnish all or part of the certification will result in non- selection to the Defense Attache System. (DATE REQUIRED BY THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 - 5 U. S. C. 552A) CERTIFICATION (For Completion by Military Member) 1. List below any medical/behavioral problem or unusual family circumstance involving you’ or your family which could affect your selection for or performance of duty with the Defense Attache System. 2. I certify that neither I nor my dependents have a history of medical, dental, psychiatric problems, drugs, alcoholism, antisocial behavior, or other potentially dis- qualifying ailments/circumstances other than as listed above. 3. If my nomination is approved, I accept the assignment as to (Title Of position for which nominated) (Country) (SIGNATURE) ENCLOSURE (3)
MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 CERTIFICATION (To be completed by a Medical Officer) 1. I certify that I have personally examined the military member and the member's dependents listed below and have also personally reviewed their medical records. I have examined the military member and dependents with the knowledge that they are under consideration for assignment to the Defense Attache System in . (Insert Country) RELATIONSHIP NAME 2. I have found the above individuals free from recurrent or chronic physical (including dental) or emotional illnesses which would require specialized medical care and/or extended routine medical treatment. 3. My examination and my review of the above individuals' records reveal no history of psychiatric problems, drugs, alcoholism, antisocial behavior or other potentially dis- qualifying ailments. From the medical standpoint, there is no information which would indicate that the above military member and dependents will have any difficulty in performing the demanding official and social duties of representing the United States publicly and privately in a foreign capital and in participating fully in the exacting public life of a United States embassy. (SIGNATURE OF MEDICAL OFFICER) ENCLOSURE (3)
From: Via: Subj Ref: Encl: MCO 3821.1A 6 Sep 1978 SAMPLE NOMINATION LETTER Commandant of the Marine Corps Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (Attn: AH) Washington, D. C. 20301 Commander, Naval Intelligence Command (Attn: NIC=-22) 2461 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria 22331 Nomination of Colonel I. M. MARINE 000 10 00 01/9906, USMC as DATT/ALUSNA for any country (a) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) 1. Colonel the Defense DIA request 000-YR/RPM-2C(PR) of (date) Brief Digest of Military History of Colonel Marine DD Form 398, Statement of Personal History (Original and 5 copies, case of Colonel Marine) DD Form 1584, National Agency Check Request (Original and 4 copies, case of Colonel Marine) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card (2 sets) Privacy Act Statement Educational Records Release Form (4 copies) Credit Records Release Form (4 copies) Photographs (full length, full face) Certificate of family medical history signed by Colonel Marine Medical Officer's Certificate DD Form 1584, National Agency Check Request (Original and 4 copies, case of Mrs. Marine) FD Form 258, Fingerprint Card (2 sets, case of Mrs. Marine) . Photographs (full length, full face of Mrs. Marine I. M. MARINE 000 10 00 01/9306 USMC is nominated as Attache/U. S. Naval Attache for any country. 2. As required by the reference, enclosures (1) through (13) are forwarded. 3. Colonel MARINE is currently serving with the Second Marine Division, FMF, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 28542. Copy to: A. B. CEE By direction CMC (INT) ENCLOSURE (4)