Officer promotions effective March 2026 and projected April 2026 promotions

MARADMIN 063/26·February 26, 2026·2 min read·Official source

Listen to this article3 min

0:00 / 3:07

CMC published the official promotion list for March 2026 and projected promotions for April 2026. Appearing on this MARADMIN (or a follow-on CMC message) is the legal trigger for a promotion to be effected. Commanding officers have the authority to promote as soon as a name is published here. The physical commission certificate is not required to conduct the ceremony and will arrive separately.

Bottom line: If your name is on this list, your commanding officer can promote you now. The commission in the mail is a keepsake, not the legal authority.

Who it affects

Officers whose names appear in this message: those promoted to Col, LtCol, Maj, and Capt effective 1 March 2026, and officers projected for April 2026. The list includes both Regular and Reserve officers. Check the message for your name and your MCC (manning control code).

What you need to do

If you are on the March 2026 list, coordinate with your commanding officer to schedule your promotion ceremony. You do not need to wait for your commission to arrive.

If you are a commander or NCOIC supporting a promotion:

Confirm the officer's name appears on this MARADMIN or a follow-on CMC message before effecting the promotion.
Use the sample commissions and oath of office in Chapter 6 of MCO 1400.31D, or find them on the Officer Promotions homepage at www.Marines.mil⧉ (navigate to Marines / Career / Promotions / Officer Promotions / Reference tab).
Expect the physical commission to arrive by mail to the parent command within 4 to 6 weeks. Do not delay the ceremony waiting for it.

Key dates

1 March 2026: Effective date for rank, pay, and allowances for all officers listed in paragraph 2 of the MARADMIN.
April 2026: Projected promotion date for officers listed in paragraph 3 (check the full MARADMIN text for those names; the text provided here was truncated).

The official version

MARADMIN 063/26 is the authoritative source and the legal authority for commanding officers to effect these promotions.

Referenced orders: MCO 1400.31D (Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Vol. 1), SECNAVINST 1420.3, MCO 1900.16 w/CH-3, and others listed in the MARADMIN. POC for questions: Maj M.J. Cook, MMPB-10, at (703) 784-9705⧉ or 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. Code (Ref A)Reference
The federal law that governs officer promotions in the armed forces. This MARADMIN cites it as one of the authorities regulating all Marine Corps officer promotions.
Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Volume 1, Officer Promotions (MCO 1400.31D)Reference
The primary Marine Corps order governing officer promotions. This MARADMIN notes that sample commissions and the oath of office are located in chapter 6 of this order, making it directly relevant for anyone conducting a promotion ceremony.
Department of the Navy Commissioned Officer Promotion Program (SECNAVINST 1420.3)Reference
The Secretary of the Navy instruction governing the commissioned officer promotion program. This MARADMIN cites it as one of the authorities under which the promotions listed here are authorized.
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 one of the references regulating officer promotions in this MARADMIN.
Designation of Officers as Marine Corps Judge Advocate (SECNAVINST 1120.9B)Reference
The Secretary of the Navy instruction governing designation of Regular Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve officers as Judge Advocates. It is cited as one of the authorities regulating the promotions in this MARADMIN.
Promotion of Officers to First Lieutenant (SECNAVINST 1412.6M)Reference
The Secretary of the Navy instruction covering promotion of officers to First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. It is cited as one of the authorities regulating the promotions listed in this MARADMIN.
Marine Corps Warrant Officer Promotion and Continuation and LDO Continuation Procedures (SECNAVINST 1412.11)Reference
The Secretary of the Navy instruction governing warrant officer promotions and continuation, as well as Limited Duty Officer continuation. It is cited as one of the authorities regulating officer promotions in this MARADMIN.
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 references regulating all Marine Corps officer promotions in this message.
Officer Promotions Homepage (www.Marines.mil)
The Marines.mil Officer Promotions page is where this MARADMIN directs readers to find sample commissions and the oath of office for use in promotion ceremonies. Navigate to Marines/Career, then Promotions, then Officer Promotions, and look under the Reference tab.

promotionleadershippolicy

Take it to drill

A one-page brief you can print or save. Built for SNCOs to brief their Marines.