FY27 MARINE CORPS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMS (PHDP) SELECTION BOARD RESULTS

R 182030Z MAY 26
MARADMIN 231/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY27 MARINE CORPS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMS (PHDP)
SELECTION BOARD RESULTS//
REF/A/MSGID: MCO/MPO/YMD: 20250307//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DODI/YMD: 20080429//
REF/C/MSGID: WEB/U.S.C/YMD: 20110107//
RED/D/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD: 20190530//
REF/E/MSGID: MCO/CMC/YMD: 20210519//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1300.8 W/CH 2, MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT
POLICY. REF B IS DOD INSTRUCTION 1322.10, POLICY ON GRADUATE
EDUCATION FOR MILITARY OFFICERS. REF C IS 10 U.S.C SECTION 2013,
TRAINING AT NON-GOVERNMENT FACILITIES. REF D IS MCO 1524.1,
GRADUATE EDUCATION ORDER, REF E IS MCO 1524.2, MARINE CORPS
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM POLICY//
POC/J. L. ASH/LTCOL/USMC/PP&O/PHDP-S/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/E. W. AKIN/LTCOL/USMC/CD&I/PHDP-T/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/J. D. PINEIRO/LTCOL/USMC/MCU//
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/D. T. DUMANOVSKY/MAJ/USMC/MMOA-3/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. To announce the results of the Fiscal
Year 2027 (FY27) Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Programs (PHDP)
Selection Board. On 4 May 2026, the FY27 PHDP Board selected two
officers for the Marine Corps Doctor of Philosophy Strategist
Program (PHDP-S) and one officer for the Marine Corps Doctor of
Philosophy Technical Program (PHDP-T). To accommodate the
extremely competitive admissions process at top civilian
universities and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), the board
selected additional highly qualified officers as alternates.
2. Major milestone timeline (read in two columns):
NLT Date Milestone
10 days from release of this MARADMIN Acceptance of selection
1 April 2027 PHD program acceptance
letters due to MMOA-3
3. Board results
3.a. The board selected the following officers as primary selects
for PHDP-S (read in four columns):
Name Rank PMOS MCC
Ramsey, Aric A. Maj 0602 U02
Donahue Jr, Michael W. Maj 0202 110
3.b. The board selected the following officers as alternates for
PHDP-S (read in four columns):
Name Rank PMOS MCC
Schmitt, Jesse B. Maj 0202 QAT
Thomsen, Tyler J. Maj 6002 1TC
3.c. The board selected the following officer as primary select
for PHDP-T (read in four columns):
Name Rank PMOS MCC
Rosario-Hoover, Ricardo J. Capt 7209 QAE
3.d. The board selected the following officer as an alternate for
PHDP-T (read in four columns):
Name Rank PMOS MCC
Ball, Colin P. Capt 3002 J38
4. Coordinating Instructions
4.a. Acceptance and Obligations
4.a.1. Primary select officers must contact MMOA-3 via email at
[email protected] to accept selection and assignment to
the PHDP NLT 10 days from release of this MARADMIN. Officers who,
due to extraordinary circumstances, are not able to participate in
the program beginning in FY27 may request a deferral NLT 10 days
from release of this MARADMIN. Officers requesting a deferral must
do so via administrative action form, endorsed by the first general
officer in their chain of command, forwarded to HQMC (MMOA-3).
4.a.2. Acknowledging selection and assignment to PHDP also
acknowledges that the officer agrees not to tender resignation or
request retirement while enrolled in the program. Officers further
agree to remain on active duty after completion of degree
requirements or upon separation from the program. Service
obligations incurred for this program are in accordance with
references (b), (d) and (e).
4.a.3. Upon successful completion of their degree program,
PHDP-T participants will serve in at least two 36-month utilization
tours prior to separation from the active-duty Marine Corps, based
on the needs of the Marine Corps.
4.a.4. PHDP-T participants will not be screened on any Command
Screening Board until they have completed their two 36-month
utilization tours.
4.a.5. Upon successful completion of their degree program,
PHDP-S participants will serve a total of 72-months of service
obligation.
4.a.5.a. Within the 72-months of service obligation they will serve
at least one 36-month utilization tour.
4.a.5.b. PHDP-Ss are eligible to screen on Command Screening boards
provided they will be All But Dissertation (ABD) complete and meet
all other established requirements in the annual Command Screening
Board Announcement MARADMIN.
4.a.6. Marine Corps University will contact selected officers for
PHDP-S to assist with the completion of their prospective civilian
university's PHD applications.
4.a.7. Deputy Commandant Combat Development and Integration,
Operations Analysis Directorate will contact selected officers for
PHDP-T to assist with the completion of NPS's PHD application.
4.a.8. Participating in the PHDP is contingent upon acceptance to
one of the specified doctoral programs at a civilian university or
NPS. NLT 1 April 2027, selected officers will electronically submit
all doctoral program acceptance letters to MMOA-3 via email. MMOA-3
will coordinate with MCU in regards to approval and report dates and
then issue orders.
4.a.9. Alternates are encouraged to apply to high-quality PHD
programs in order to have the opportunity to attend in the event
that a primary select officer cannot attend.
4.b. Studies and Tuition
4.b.1. Officers selected for this program must maintain a full-time
student status with the university. If the officer anticipates not
meeting program requirements, they must notify MMOA-3 immediately.
4.b.2. Tuition. PHDP-S primary select officers must contact the
Education Command (EDCOM) Office at [email protected] to
obtain a third-party billing letter. When contacting the office,
the email must utilize the third-party billing letter request
template found at: https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.marines.mil/
Divisions/Manpower-Management/Officer-Assignments/Plans-and-Programs
-MMOA-3/#tab/graduate-education-boards
4.b.2.a. Once EDCOM receives a primary's third-party billet letter
request, they will provide instructions for tuition payments to the
student and the school's third-party billing office.
4.b.2.b. It is the student's responsibility to ensure the school
receives the letter and that the tuition is paid.
5. Program points of contact:
5.a. PHDP-S Program
LtCol Jamie L. Ash
Email: [email protected]
5.b. PHDP-T Program
LtCol Ezra W. Akin
Email: [email protected]
5.c. Graduate Education Manager (MMOA-3)
Maj Delaney T. Dumanovsky
Email: [email protected]
MMOA-3 OMB: [email protected]
5.d. Third-party Billing, EDCOM
Email: [email protected]
6. This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
7. Release authorized by MajGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.//