Headquarters Marine Corps released the March 2026 SNCO promotion numbers for the AR, SMCR, and IRR components on 27 February 2026. Promotions are effective no earlier than 1 March 2026. The FY26 AR lists are still pending a selection MARADMIN, so no AR promotions are happening off those lists yet.
Bottom line: If you're on the FY25 SNCO list, check your seniority number against the tables below to see if your promotion hits in March, April, or May.
Who it affects
Marines on the FY25 SNCO promotion lists for AR, SMCR, and IRR. Grades covered: SSgt, GySgt, MSgt/1stSgt, and MGySgt/SgtMaj. FY26 AR list holders are not yet being promoted (pending a separate selection MARADMIN).
What you need to do
Check your seniority number against the tables below. If your number falls within the range being promoted this month, your commander effects the promotion on or after 1 March 2026, citing this MARADMIN as authority.
One hard requirement: your Expiration of Active Service or Reserve Expiration of Current Contract must reach 28 February 2028 or later. If it doesn't, you cannot be promoted until you extend. If your contract comes into compliance after your seniority number is reached, your date of rank and effective date slide to the 1st of the month after you comply.
For questions about obligated service requirements, sequenced PME, and commander requirements, visit the Enlisted Promotions page at https://www.manpower.marines.mil (navigate to Divisions / Manpower Management / Performance-Branch / Promotion-Section / Enlisted Promotions / SNCOs / Monthly Promotion Requirements).
Key dates
FY25 SMCR promotion numbers (March 2026):
| Grade | Selected | Senior No. Prom Feb 26 | Mar 26 Prom | Last Senior No. Prom | Projected Apr 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SgtMaj/MGySgt | 48 | 20 | 4 | 24 | 4 |
| 1stSgt/MSgt | 126 | 63 | 11 | 75 | 10 |
| GySgt | 187 | 79 | 15 | 95 | 15 |
| SSgt | 273 | 116 | 23 | 140 | 23 |
FY25 IRR promotion numbers (March 2026):
| Grade | Selected | Senior No. Prom Feb 26 | Mar 26 Prom | Last Senior No. Prom | Projected Apr 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGySgt | No selections | ||||
| MSgt | 6 | No promotions (TIG) | 1 | ||
| GySgt | 7 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
| SSgt | 36 | 16 | 3 | 19 | 3 |
FY25 AR lists: All grades cleared. No March promotions off these lists.
FY26 AR lists: Pending selection MARADMIN. No promotions yet.
Projected May 2026 promotions (FY25 lists):
| Grade | AR | SMCR | IRR |
|---|---|---|---|
| SgtMaj/MGySgt | 0 | 4 | No selections |
| 1stSgt/MSgt | 0 | 10 | No promotions (TIG) |
| GySgt | 0 | 15 | No promotions (TIG) |
| SSgt | 0 | 23 | 3 |
- Effective date for promotions: On or after 1 March 2026
- Minimum contract requirement: Reserve ECC of 28 February 2028 or later
The official version
MARADMIN 072/26 is the source document. It references MCO P1400.32D w/CH 2 (Enlisted Promotion Manual) and the RAP-2 Reserve promotion projection message dated 2 February 2026.
For questions, contact:
- Promotions (MMPB-11):
william.c.griffin@usmc.milordathan.mills@usmc.mil - Reserve Affairs (RAP-2):
joel.austin@usmc.mil/ (703) 784-9879
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.