PERS-4010G

Responsibilities of DAO Staff Support Members

     1.  Operations Coordinator (OPSCO)

The OPSCO is the liaison within the DAO. Service members who typically fill OPSCO billets include LDOs, CWOs, and senior enlisted (E-9/E-8/E-7). Responsibility of OPSCOs include:

• Overseeing administrative and operational procedures
• Preparing and maintaining finances
• Drafting policy
• Implementing and enforcing policy
• Managing and maintaining assets
• Managing and maintaining personnel

     2.  Operations Assistant (OPS ASST)

​Personnel perform administrative and operational support functions for the DAO. Service members between the paygrades of E-5 to E-8 fill OPS ASST billets. Responsibilities of an OPS ASST include:
 
• Preparing orders
• Country clearances
• Correspondence (letters, memoranda, message traffic)
• Mail delivery and receipt
• Housing administration
• Budgets
• VIP visit coordination
• Contact with host government and third country embassy personnel
 

Embassy Duty Qualifications
Any Rate can apply!
DAO Staff Support candidates must be able to meet the following guidelines:

• Paygrade E-5 or higher. (No waivers)
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance. (No waivers)
• Must be able to complete a favorable Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph (No waivers)
• No non-judicial punishment (NJP) or civilian convictions within 36 months. (No waivers)
• No record of drug or alcohol abuse. (No waivers)
• No financial problems. (No waivers)
• Member must be United States citizen. (No waivers)
• All dependent(s) must be United States citizens. (Dual citizen waiver for dependents on a case-by-case basis)
• Minimum Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) score of 95 (The DLAB score may be waived, case by case, based on need).
• Member and family must be able to complete all applicable screenings. (No waivers)
• Excellent moral character, sound judgment, and strong interpersonal skills

Note: Service members must comply with host country laws; this means a Sailor applying might not be eligible due to the local laws.  For example, if a service member is in a same sex marriage, they may not qualify for a country where same sex marriage is illegal.

The Embassy Duty program accepts service members who are naturalized citizens and/or have naturalized spouses.  To avoid conflict of interest they cannot be placed into a country where the service member or the service member's family:

• Was born or previously was a citizen.
• Has family currently living there.
• Has business ties there.
* Due to the nature of the screening and training process, we cannot accept enlisted reserve members. *
How the Application and Selection Process Works

IAW NAVADMIN 062/18 "to ensure that only the best and most highly qualified Navy officers and enlisted personnel are selected to represent the Navy."
 
Service members applying for Embassy Duty must be at least 15-18 months from their PRD.


• Update your contact info on My Navy Assignment – this is how you will be contacted.
• Contact your rating detailer to be released to Shore Special Programs (PERS-4010G) Embassy Duty. 
• Candidates will receive a naval screening message via email with further instructions on how to put the screening package together.
• Candidates will have 30 days to complete the screening package and send to the Navy Attaché Affairs enlisted program managers (located in Washington, D.C.) IAW the screening message.
 
Any member without an active T5 (TS/SCI) investigation must work with their command to initiate the T5 investigation within 30 days of receiving their message to remain eligible for the program.  If selected SNM must hold a TS/SCI adjudicated clearance before orders can be written.  Please contact PERS-4010G if you have any questions.
This is a highly competitive program. Screening starts the moment member receives their screening message.  100% package competition will be vital to your selection.  If candidates are not nominated for one of the available billets within their PRD window, they will be returned to their rating detailer for orders within rate.  

* The tour forecast located on the Officer Naval Attaché MyNavy HR webpage is ONLY for officers. An enlisted tour forecast will be provided by the Navy Attaché Affairs Team after screening message has been released to SM.*

References:  MILPERSMAN 1306-900; MILPERSMAN 1306-914; MILPERSMAN 1301-207

Department of State and Host Nation information can be found at www.state.gov  

Embassy Duty
The Rewards of a Unique Experience
The Navy looks to its most qualified and capable personnel to fill demanding and rewarding positions as Operations Coordinators (OPSCO) and Operations Assistants (OPSAsst) in exotic and unique locations.  They serve as a part of the U.S. Defense Attaché Office (USDAO) team, based at U.S. Embassies in more than 50 countries.  All candidates train at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) 13-week Joint Military Attaché School (JMAS), and depending on their assigned country, extensive language training may be provided prior to arriving on station.  Our Defense Attaché Office (DAO) teams build strong, lasting relationships with partners who share a common vision of maritime security.  LDOs, CWOs, and Enlisted Sailors serve in either OPSCO or OPSAsst positions, supporting the day-to-day operations of a DAO.  The men and women who have served in DAOs have reaped personal rewards rarely duplicated in any other part of the military service.


For additional information or questions: NCC Parris Gordon