Top Level School Opportunities

Top Level School (TLS) programs offer Marine Corps officers a unique opportunity for high quality non-resident education to further enhance their professional knowledge and expertise. Top Level Schools open to Marine officers include the U.S. Army War College and the Air War College.

Reserve component: the Reserve Professional Military Education (RPME) Board convenes in September of each year to competitively select reserve component officers applying for RPME and Staff Training Course opportunities. Each year, the convening MARADMIN is released NLT July and it outlines the eligibility criteria and the application process. Officers are encouraged to review the Reserve Officer PME website for additional course information and frequently asked questions. If you still have questions, email Reserve Affairs Personnel Management Branch (RAM-3) at RPME@usmc.mil or contact them at (703) 784-0531.

U.S. Army War College Distance Education Course

The U.S. Army War College Distance Education Course (USAWCDEC) is two-year program consisting of preparatory reading, 11 correspondence sub-courses, and two mandatory two-week resident phases at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. The course begins in July, with the first resident session held the following June, and the final resident session held one year later at the end of the course. The program requires a significant commitment of time and effort.

The course is organized into three primary areas of study: Command Leadership and Management, the U.S. World Environment and National Military Strategy, and Military Strategy and Planning. For more information on the USAWCDEC, please visit their website at https://dde.carlisle.army.mil/.

If you decide to participate in the U.S. Army War College Distance Education Course, active component officers will need to contact Mr. Dennis Chinault, the Operations Officer at CDET, about the application process.

Air War College Distance Learning

Air War College is the senior school in the Air Force professional military education system. This 44-week course for lieutenant colonels develops senior leaders for strategic-level employment of air, space, and cyberspace forces. The curriculum emphasizes coalition war fighting and national security. The course includes seminars, simulation exercises, electives, international travel and a national security symposium. For more information on the Air War College, please visit their website at http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/.

All officers interested in the Air War College Distance Learning program should contact the Air War College registrar directly for enrollment procedures.

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