May 2026 Active-Duty Corporal and Sergeant Promotion Authority
The promotion authority and administrative guidance for active-duty Lance Corporals and Corporals promoting to Corporal and Sergeant on 1 May 2026. This applies to active-duty Marines only; cutting scores are available in MCTFS after select grades post.
This is a routine update — a name list, a set of results, or a recurring notice. There is nothing here to translate into plain English, so the official text is reproduced in full below. Read it on marines.mil
Official text
R 221536Z APR 26 MARADMIN 187/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM// SUBJ/MAY 2026 ACTIVE-DUTY CORPORAL AND SERGEANT PROMOTION AUTHORITY// REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO/MMPR-2/14JUN2012// REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCO/MRA/25NOV2020// NARR/REF A IS MCO P1400.32D W/CH 2, ENLISTED PROMOTION MANUAL. REF B IS MCO 1616.1, JUNIOR ENLISTED PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM (JEPES)// POC/WILLIAM C. GRIFFIN/MAJ/MMPB-11/TEL: 703-784-3440/DSN 278-3440/ EMAIL: WILLIAM.C.GRIFFIN@USMC.MIL// POC/DATHAN T. MILLS/MSGT/MMPB-11/TEL: 703-784-2765/DSN 278-2765/ EMAIL: DATHAN.MILLS@USMC.MIL// POC/SETH D. EVANS/CIV/MMPB-11/TEL: 703-784-9635/DSN 278-9635/ EMAIL: SETH.D.EVANS.CIV@USMC.MIL// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This MARADMIN is the promotion authority for all lance corporals (LCpls) and corporals (Cpls) of the active duty Marine Corps. Cutting scores are available in the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) after the current month select grades post. Prior to effecting promotions, commands are reminded of their requirement to verify each select grade Marine’s JEPES promotion score meets or exceeds the published cutting score. Retain the current month cutting scores with this MARADMIN for future reference. 2. For additional details regarding requirements related to viewing cutoff scores in MCTFS, time in grade, time in service, professional military education, commander responsibilities, and the junior enlisted remedial process, visit the Enlisted Promotions website at https://www.manpower.marines.mil, click on “Divisions” / “Manpower Management” / “Performance Branch” / “Promotion Section” / “Enlisted Promotions” / “Sergeants and Below Promotions.” 3. References (a) and (b) set forth guidance and instructions for effecting monthly promotions of LCpls and Cpls who meet the following criteria: 3.a. SEL CPL ED: 20260501 3.b. SEL SGT ED: 20260501 3.c. DATE OF RANK: 20260501 3.d. EFFECTIVE DATE: 20260501 4. The command cutoff for 1 May 2026 promotions is 31 March 2026. Entries with a date after 31 March 2026 will not count towards a 1 May 2026 promotion score. 5. For Marine enlisted promotion matters, e-mail inquiries to smb_manpower_enlisted_promotions@usmc.mil. 6. Release authorized by BGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director, Manpower Management Division.//
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 P1400.32D W/CH 2)Reference
This is the governing order for enlisted promotions. This MARADMIN cites it as the authority for effecting monthly promotions of LCpls and Cpls.
- Junior Enlisted Performance Evaluation System order (MCO 1616.1)Reference
This order establishes the JEPES framework. This MARADMIN cites it because commands must verify each select's JEPES promotion score meets or exceeds the published cutting score before effecting a promotion.
This is the official Manpower and Reserve Affairs website, which covers enlisted and officer promotions, assignments, reenlistment programs, retention bonuses, and reserve-specific career management resources. A reservist might visit to find information on enlisted promotions, ADOS opportunities, or reserve separation and retirement.