A. AR 350-1 (Army Training and Leader Development), 1 June 2025.
B. AR 600-9 (The Army Body Composition Program), 16 Jul 2019.
C. AR 614-30 (Overseas Service), 26 March 2025.
D. AR 614-200 (Enlisted Assignments and Utilization Management), 27 June 2025.
E. Army Directive 2025-06 (Army Fitness Test), 17 April 2025.
F. Army Directive 2023-11 (Army Body Fat Assessment Exemption for the Army Body Composition Program), 9 June 2023.
G. Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A) User Manual, version 19, 5 June 2026.
1. This MILPER message will expire no later than 31 December 2026.
2. This message announces the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) selection process for multiple three-year work-study programs designed to prepare highly qualified Active Army enlisted personnel for advanced technical roles at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS). Upon graduation, Soldiers are eligible for worldwide assignment.
3. Program Overview (applicants are highly encouraged to apply for any and all programs for which they meet the basic eligibility criteria):
| PROGRAM | TITLE | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| MOSAP | Military Operational ELINT Signals Analyst Program | Prepares personnel for advanced technical ELINT roles |
| MINSAP | Military Intern SIGINT Analyst Program | Prepares personnel for advanced technical SIGINT roles |
| MESAP | Military ELINT Signals Analyst Program | Prepares personnel for advanced technical ELINT roles |
| MSAP | Military Signals Analyst Program | Prepares personnel for advanced technical roles in signals analysis |
| MECCAP | Middle Enlisted Cryptologic Career Advancement Program | Develops the technical and managerial skills of middle-career enlisted personnel |
| MLAP | Military Language Analyst Program | Prepares qualified middle-career linguists to handle the most difficult aspects of their target language |
4. Eligibility Criteria (all programs). Waivers will not be granted for the minimum criteria listed below.
a. Service – No less than (NLT) 4 years and no more than (NMT) 12 years total military service.
b. Time in MOS – NLT 4 years in a qualifying MOS (35N/S/P) as of the application receipt date.
c. Time in Grade (TIG) – Staff Sergeants (SSG) must have NMT 4 years TIG as of the application receipt date.
d. Status – Must volunteer and be recommended by their commander.
e. Time on Station (TOS) – OCONUS Soldiers will not normally be selected for program attendance before completion of at least 2/3 of the prescribed tour length. CONUS Soldiers will not normally be selected for program attendance before completion of at least 24 months.
f. Security Clearance – Must have a current Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access. Status pending is not eligible. A current polygraph is recommended upon notification of acceptance.
g. Assignment Status – Must not be on assignment instructions as of the application receipt date. Soldiers serving on an OCONUS dependent-restricted tour may be considered by exception.
h. Service Obligation – Selected Soldiers incur a six-year service remaining requirement (SRR) effective the start of the program, which includes the three-year program length and three years utilization beyond. Soldiers must extend or reenlist as necessary to meet this obligation prior to departing their losing command.
5. Program Specific Eligibility. The following table identifies exceptions to the eligibility requirements listed above in paragraph 4. and additional requirements for each course:
| PROGRAM | ELIGIBLE MOS | RANK | TOS exception (0-24 months) | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOSAP | 35N, 35S | SPC – SSG | Buckley Space Force Base, CO | None |
| MINSAP | 35N | SPC – SSG | Fort Meade, MD | None |
| MESAP | 35S | SPC – SSG | Buckley Space Force Base, CO | None |
| MSAP | 35S | SPC – SSG | Fort Meade, MD | Must have completed Intermediate Signals Analysis Course (A-232-0451). |
| MECCAP | 35N, 35P, 35S | SGT – SSG | Fort Meade, MD | 35P must have DLPT of L2+/R2+ within 12 months of application. |
| MLAP | 35P | SPC-SSG | Fort Meade, MD | Must have DLPT of L2+/R2+ in a specific language within 12 months of application |
6. Application Procedures:
a. Submission – To maximize your opportunity for selection, applicants are highly encouraged to apply for any and all programs for which they meet the basic eligibility criteria. Eligible Soldiers must submit a Personnel Action Request (PAR) in the Integrated Personnel and Pay System (IPPS-A) routed to User Defined List (UDL) 000000000050670 to arrive at HRC NLT 1200 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 30 September 2026.
b. Endorsements – The PAR must be endorsed by the Commander and further endorsed by the next higher Commander (minimum O-5).
c. Required Enclosures:
(1) Soldier Talent Profile.
(2) Copies of the last five NCOERS and AERs, or number available if less than 5.
(3) DA 330s (35P applicants only).
(4) Letters of recommendation from the Chain of Command.
(5) Narrative resume.
(6) Copies of all course completion certificates (military and civilian).
(7) Commander’s certification of height, weight, and most recent record AFT (dated within two months of application).
(8) Letters of recommendation from program graduates (optional).
d. Selection and notification:
(1) Completed applications will be considered for selection at the beginning of the fiscal year.
(2) Results will not be released via telephone. All applicants will be notified through appropriate command channels.
(3) Letters of notification will be sent from HRC on or about 1 November 2026.
7. Additional information:
a. Soldiers who fail to complete graduation requirements or are administratively removed from a program will be available for immediate worldwide assignment.
b. Soldiers who initiate any personnel action that would have resulted in their packet being disapproved will be removed from consideration.
c. The final approving authority for acceptance is the Military Intelligence Branch Chief.
d. Soldiers accepted into a program will be stabilized at that duty location for the length of the program.
8. Request widest dissemination to all 35N, 35P, and 35S Soldiers. Additional information is posted at https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/35S%20Signals%20Collector/Exploitation%20Analyst.
9. Point of contact for all inquiries pertaining to the NSA/CSS internship programs is the 35N/S Talent Manager SFC Forsyth, Chelsea M., COMM: (928) 996-0035, email: chelsea.m.forsyth.mil@army.mil.