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PromotionPolicy change

Active-duty DI corporals can now be promoted to sergeant noncompetitively

MARADMIN 060/26·February 23, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps has authorized noncompetitive promotions from corporal to sergeant for active-duty drill instructors at both MCRDs. Eligible corporals currently on DI duty can be promoted effective 1 March 2026. Going forward, any corporal who graduates Drill Instructor School will be eligible for the promotion starting the first day of the month after they report to their assigned MCRD.

Heads up: This policy is active-duty only. It does not apply to Reserve Marines in any component.

Who it affects

Active-duty corporals currently serving or who will serve on drill instructor duty at MCRD Parris Island or MCRD San Diego. Reserve Marines, including SMCR, IMA, and IRR, are explicitly excluded.

What you need to do

This is an active-duty policy. If you are a Reserve Marine, no action is required.

For active-duty commands processing these promotions, the steps are:

  1. Confirm the Marine meets eligibility: 12 months time in grade, 36 months time in service, and all PME requirements for the grade of sergeant.
  2. Build an endorsed roster with the following fields for each Marine: Rank, Name, EDIPI, MCC/Unit, PME Complete.
  3. Have the Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment endorse the roster via Naval correspondence.
  4. Submit the roster to Enlisted Promotions Unit (MMPB-11) at SMB_MANPOWER_ENLISTED_PROMOTIONS@usmc.mil.
  5. After MMPB-11 approves and enters unit diary entries, the commander prepares the certificate of appointment.
  6. Before delivering the promotion warrant, the commander must certify the Marine is ready to assume the duties and responsibilities of sergeant.

Key dates

  • 1 March 2026: Effective date for eligible corporals already on DI duty at the time of this MARADMIN.
  • Ongoing: For future DI School graduates, the promotion is effective the first day of the month after reporting to MCRD PI or MCRD SD.

The official version

This policy is covered in MARADMIN 060/26. It references MCO 1400.32D (Enlisted Promotion Manual) and MCO 1553.4B (Professional Military Education). POCs are Maj William C. Griffin at william.c.griffin@usmc.mil (703-784-3440) and MSgt Dathan T. Mills at dathan.mills@usmc.mil (703-784-9720), both at MMPB-11.

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.

  • Enlisted Promotion Manual (MCO 1400.32D w/ Ch 2)Reference

    This is the governing order for enlisted promotions cited as a primary reference in this MARADMIN. It provides the regulatory basis for the non-competitive promotion authority described here.

  • Professional Military Education order (MCO 1553.4B)Reference

    This order governs Professional Military Education requirements. It is cited because Marines must meet PME requirements for their grade before they can be promoted to sergeant under this program.

  • Updated Enlisted PME Requirements MARADMIN (TECOM, 24DEC23)MARADMIN

    This message updated the PME requirements for active-duty and reserve Marines. It is cited alongside MCO 1553.4B as the basis for the PME eligibility criteria that must be met before promotion.

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