The Marine Corps just announced the second round of FY26 meritorious promotion allocations for Marines serving in SDA billets. These are competitive, command-nominated promotions to SSgt and GySgt, separate from the regular promotion board process. If your Marines are serving in one of the covered SDA billets, their commands need to act before June 1.
Bottom line: SDA commands must submit nominations to MMPB-11 by 1 June 2026, with date of rank hitting 2 July 2026.
Who it affects
Marines currently serving in the following SDA billets, in both the active component and the active reserve component:
- Recruiters (MCRC)
- Drill Instructors (TECOM)
- Combat Instructors (TECOM)
- Embassy Security Guards (Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, MCESG)
- Security Force Guards (Marine Corps Security Force, MCSF)
This covers SSgt and GySgt promotions only. Marines already selected for the next grade by a regular promotion board are still eligible, as long as their seniority number hasn't been reached yet.
What you need to do
This is primarily action for commanders, not individual Marines. Here's how it runs:
- The command convenes a selection board to identify nominees.
- The commander endorses recommendations and submits via naval correspondence to MMPB-11.
- Each nomination package must include: Rank, Name, EDIPI, MCC/Unit, PME Complete status, and Obligated Service (OBS).
- CMC reviews and approves. MMPB-11 enters unit diary entries.
- The commander prepares certificates of appointment.
One hard requirement: selected Marines must have at least 24 months of obligated service remaining on contract from the date of promotion.
POC for this: MSgt Dathan Mills, MMPB-11. dathan.mills@usmc.mil / DSN 278-3622. Civilian POC: lane.e.beindorf@usmc.mil / DSN 278-9361.
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations due (all commands) | 1 June 2026 |
| Date of rank (if selected) | 2 July 2026 |
Allocation numbers by command
| Command | Billet | SSgt slots | GySgt slots |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCRC | Recruiters | 66 | 18 |
| TECOM | Drill Instructors | 21 | 6 |
| TECOM | Combat Instructors | 16 | 4 |
| MCESG | Embassy Security Guards | 22 | 3 |
| MCSF | Security Force Guards | 6 | 1 |
The official version
Full details are in MARADMIN 088/26. The governing authority is MCO P1400.32D with CH 2 (the Enlisted Promotion Manual, ENLPROMMAN) and MARADMIN 334/20.
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.