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February 2026 officer promotions announced, March projections listed

MARADMIN 033/26·January 30, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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MARADMIN 033/26 releases the February 2026 officer promotion list and projects the March 2026 list. Promotions to Col, LtCol, Maj, and Capt are included. Rank, pay, and allowances for the February list are effective 1 February 2026. Commanding officers have authority to effect promotions as soon as an officer's name appears in this message. They do not need to wait for the commission to arrive in the mail.

Bottom line: If your name is on the February list, your CO can promote you now. The physical commission is not required and will take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive separately.

Who it affects

Officers on the February 2026 promotion list (Col, LtCol, Maj, Capt) and their commands. Also affects officers whose names appear on the projected March 2026 list. Both active component and Reserve officers may appear on these lists. Check the full MARADMIN for the complete roster, including the Capt list, which was cut off in the source text.

What you need to do

If you are on the February list:

  1. Notify your commanding officer. They have legal authority to promote you now.
  2. Do not wait for the commission. It is mailed separately and takes 4 to 6 weeks. It is not required to hold the ceremony.
  3. If your command needs sample commissions or the oath of office, they are in Chapter 6 of MCO 1400.31D or on the Officer Promotions page at www.Marines.mil (navigate to Marines / Career / Promotions / Officer Promotions, then the Reference tab).

If you are on the March projected list, no action yet. That list is a projection, not authority to promote.

Key dates

  • 1 February 2026: Effective date for rank, pay, and allowances for the February list.
  • March 2026: Projected promotion month for the March list (a separate MARADMIN will authorize those promotions).
  • 4 to 6 weeks: Expected delivery time for mailed commissions.

The official version

Source: MARADMIN 033/26, released 29 January 2026.

Referenced orders: MCO 1400.31D (Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Vol. 1, Officer Promotions), SECNAVINST 1420.3, MCO 1900.16 w/Ch-3. Links to these documents are not provided here. Contact your S-1 for copies.

POC: Maj M.J. Cook, MMPB-10, (703) 784-9705, michael.j.cook@usmc.mil

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • Title 10, U.S. CodeReference

    The statutory authority governing officer promotions. This MARADMIN cites it as the legal basis for authorizing promotions to the named officers.

  • Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Volume 1, Officer Promotions (MCO 1400.31D)Reference

    The primary Marine Corps order governing how officer promotions are conducted. This MARADMIN notes that sample commissions and the oath of office can be found in Chapter 6 of this order.

  • DON Commissioned Officer Promotion Program (SECNAVINST 1420.3)Reference

    The Secretary of the Navy instruction that governs the Department of the Navy commissioned officer promotion program, cited here as authority for the promotions announced in this message.

  • Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual (MCO 1900.16 w/Ch-3)Reference

    The Marine Corps order covering separation and retirement procedures. It is cited as a regulatory reference governing officer promotions in this MARADMIN.

  • Designation of Officers as Marine Corps Judge Advocate (SECNAVINST 1120.9B)Reference

    The Secretary of the Navy instruction covering designation of Regular Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve officers as Judge Advocates. It is cited as a regulatory authority for the promotions in this message.

  • Promotion to First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps (SECNAVINST 1412.6M)Reference

    The Secretary of the Navy instruction governing promotion of officers to First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. It is cited as a regulatory reference for the promotions announced here.

  • Marine Corps Warrant Officer Promotion and Continuation Procedures (SECNAVINST 1412.11)Reference

    The Secretary of the Navy instruction covering warrant officer promotions and continuation, as well as Limited Duty Officer continuation. It is cited as a regulatory authority for officer promotions in this message.

  • Baccalaureate Degree Requirement for Reserve Officers (MARADMIN 277/01)MARADMIN

    An earlier MARADMIN addressing the baccalaureate degree requirement for Reserve officers. It is cited as one of the regulatory references that governs officer promotions covered by this message.

  • Officer Promotions Homepage (www.Marines.mil)

    The Marines.mil Officer Promotions page is where sample commissions and the oath of office are posted. The MARADMIN directs readers there via Marines/Career > Promotions > Officer Promotions > Reference tab when preparing for a promotion ceremony.

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