ANNUAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FROM QUALIFIED NAVY PERSONNEL FOR THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ADVANCED MILITARY VISUAL JOURNALISM TRAINING PROGRAM 2026

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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/
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SUBJ/ANNUAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FROM QUALIFIED NAVY PERSONNEL FOR
THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ADVANCED MILITARY VISUAL JOURNALISM TRAINING
PROGRAM 2026//
POC/MCCM HOLLY BOYNTON GRAY/CHINFO SEA/LOC: WASHINGTON DC/TEL: COMM:
 (703) 692-4704/DSN: 222-4704/EMAIL:
HOLLY.A.BOYNTONGRAY.MIL(AT)US.NAVY.MIL//
RMKS/1. The Navy is soliciting applications from Mass Communication
Specialists (MC) for the Syracuse University Newhouse School's
Advanced Military Visual Journalism (AMVJ) training program for
academic year 2026-2027. The class reporting date for the
photojournalism, videography and graphic design programs is
tentatively scheduled for 30 July 2026 with a projected graduation
date on or around 6 May 2027. Specific portfolio requirements are in
paragraph 2d. Applicants may apply to programs by submitting the
appropriate portfolio as outlined in paragraphs 2c. and d.
2. Applications must be submitted no later than 16 January 2026. For
complete directions and guidance for electronic submission, contact
POC listed above and in paragraph 7. Applications must include the
following:
 a. A command endorsement on letterhead summarizing the
candidate's qualifications, including a statement certifying the
portfolio is the sole work of the applicant, and recommendation for
candidate's acceptance in the program. Parent commands are
responsible for eligibility verification of endorsed candidates and
submission of applicable waivers. Waivers of prerequisites (e.g.,
TIS, PG, TOS, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Commanding Officers should address applicant's maturity, ability to
work independently, financial security, and academic ability when
recommending a nominee, particularly when requesting waivers.
 b. An essay explaining why a candidate is interested in the AMVJ
program. Essay should include motivations, influences, expectations,
and post-course desires.
 c. A portfolio demonstrating sufficient technical ability to
successfully complete the course. An applicant must submit a
portfolio with communication products from across the full-spectrum of
media disciplines. Each product in the portfolio must follow the
rules listed in the category descriptions found within the standard
operating procedures for Navy Public Affairs Awards.
 d. Photojournalism program portfolio requirements. Candidates
must submit a portfolio consisting of seven examples of their work.
Portfolio must contain the following:
 (1) One writing product from the Individual Writing category.
 (2) One video story from the Individual Video category.
 (3) Four photo products from the Individual Photo category
(must have one photo series, one portrait, and two photos from any
other Individual Photo category).
 (4) One graphic design product from any of the Individual
Graphic Design categories.
 e. Videography program portfolio requirements. Candidates must
submit a portfolio consisting of four examples of their work.
Portfolio must contain the following:
 (1) One video story from the Individual Video category.
 (2) One multimedia product from the Individual Video category.
 (3) One video spot from the Individual Video category.
 (4) One b-roll product from the Individual Video category.
 f. Graphics program portfolio requirements. Candidates must
submit a portfolio consisting of seven examples of their work.
Portfolio must contain the following:
 (1) One animation product.
 (2) Two layout and design products.
 (3) Two digital art products.
 (4) One identity design product.
 (5) One writing product from the Individual Writing category.
 g. Applicants are required to provide a biography as part of the
submission process. The biography is not part of the selection
process but will be used to identify and introduce the selectees to
the faculty and staff at the university if selected. No biography
photo required.
3. Prior to acceptance to the program and distribution of orders,
applicants must:
 a. Be approved to reenlist or extend in the MC Rating through
June 2031.
 b. Have a command endorsed 1306.
 c. Be within physical fitness assessment standards to include no
PFA failures in the past three years.
 d. Not have any civil or Non-Judicial Punishment violations in
the past three years.
4. Course scope, prerequisites and portfolio requirements are found
in CANTRAC, which can be accessed via the Navy Education and Training
Command website at https://www.netc.navy.mil/. Click on the CANTRAC 
icon at the bottom of the webpage and search for course information
using either Course Identification Number listed in paragraph 1 or the
title, Advanced Military Visual Journalism.
5. Applicants in their orders window, and not yet selected for
orders, must contact the detailer with their intentions. Applicants
who have executed orders and are en route to their next command are
not eligible. Navy Personnel Command has the final approval prior to
final selection.
6. The selection board will convene in February 2026. Selectees will
be notified via Naval message in February 2026.
7. Point of contact is MCCM Holly Boynton Gray who can be reached by
email at holly.a.boyntongray.mil(AT)us.navy.mil or by phone at (703)
692-4704.
8. Contact Master Chief Gray directly for the submission process.
9. Request widest dissemination.
10. Released by RDML J. A. Robinson, Chief of Information.//
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