The Marine Corps has opened the FY28 Special Duty Assignment (SDA) campaign. If you want to serve as a Recruiter, Drill Instructor, Combat Instructor, or Marine Security Guard Detachment Commander (MSG DC) with a class report date between 1 October 2027 and 30 September 2028, this is your window. The voluntary assignment period (VAP) is already open. The sooner you move, the more options you have.
Bottom line: Submit your SDA volunteer package in TFRS no later than 12 February 2027 to lock in volunteer status and the financial incentives that come with it.
Who it affects
Active-duty enlisted Marines eligible for SDA. The eligibility basics:
- Minimum 24 months time of station before your FY28 class report date.
- If you lateral-moved into your current MOS, you need at least 24 months in that MOS before class start.
- Second-tour volunteers are eligible with at least 24 months in the Fleet Marine Forces before class start.
- Infantry Marines: most Combat Instructor billets are restricted to infantry PMOSs. You're more likely to get a directed assignment, so volunteering early is in your interest.
Reserve Marines not currently on active duty are not the primary audience here, but any reservist exploring an SDA tour or active-duty service should read the eligibility criteria in MCO 1326.6 Change-1.
What you need to do
- Talk to your career counselor. They submit the package with you.
- Submit an "SDA RELM" (reenlistment, extension, or lateral move request) through TFRS, listing your preferred duty and class.
- Make sure the TFRS "Submitted Date" is 12 February 2027 or earlier. The signature date does not count.
- If you want a specific recruiting station, watch for the separate Recruiting Station Incentive (RSI) MARADMIN. RSI slots are first-come, first-served.
- If you need to cancel or modify your package before the involuntary period, submit a full written justification. After the HQMC SDA Screening Team (HSST) list publishes, cancellations get heavy scrutiny.
Key dates
- 1 May 2026: VAP opens (already open as of this MARADMIN)
- 29 July to 3 September 2026: SDA Opportunities Brief roadshow at commands
- November 2026: Career counselors receive SDA-eligible Marine lists via TFRS
- December 2026: Second roadshow before the involuntary period
- 12 February 2027: Volunteer package deadline in TFRS
- 1 March 2027: Involuntary assignment period (IVAP/HSST) begins
- 31 July 2027: IVAP ends
- 1 October 2027 to 30 September 2028: FY28 class report date window
Financial incentives
Volunteer pay (monthly VSI option):
| Duty | Monthly total |
|---|---|
| Recruiter | $703/month |
| Drill Instructor | $578/month |
| MSG DC | $578/month |
| Combat Instructor | $300/month (no VSI) |
Volunteer pay (lump-sum VSI option, where eligible):
| Duty | Monthly base + lump sum |
|---|---|
| Recruiter | $425/month + $10,000 |
| Drill Instructor | $300/month + $10,000 |
| MSG DC | $300/month + $10,000 |
Non-volunteer pay (SDAP and AIP only):
| Duty | Monthly total |
|---|---|
| Recruiter | $425/month |
| Drill Instructor | $300/month |
| MSG DC | $300/month |
Volunteers get an additional $278/month VSI on top of SDAP and AIP, or a $10,000 lump sum instead. Combat Instructors do not receive VSI regardless of volunteer status. If you elect lump-sum, your commander documents it via NAVMC 118(11).
The official version
Full guidance is in MARADMIN 181/26. Eligibility and screening criteria are in MCO 1326.6 Change-1. Pay rates are governed by MCO 7220.12R and MARADMIN 628/20.
POCs at MMEA-25:
- SDA general questions: Maj P.N. DeLaCruz,
patrick.delacruz@usmc.mil, 703-784-9257 - SDA Retention Chief: SSgt E.J. Serwas,
erich.serwas@usmc.mil, 703-432-9745 - Recruiting Monitor: GySgt B.J. Walker,
blake.walker@usmc.mil, 703-432-9474 - DI Monitor: GySgt Y.A. Henderson,
yaffa.henderson@usmc.mil, 703-432-9472 - MSG Monitor: GySgt D.A. Hamrick,
david.a.hamrick.mil@usmc.mil, 703-432-9476 - Combat Instructor Monitor: GySgt B.S. Wilkins,
brandon.wilkins@usmc.mil, 703-432-9473
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.