HQMC released the May 2026 SNCO promotion figures for AR, SMCR, and IRR Marines. Promotions are effective no earlier than 1 May 2026. If your seniority number falls within the ranges below, your command is authorized to promote you now.
Bottom line: Check your seniority number against the tables below. If it's in range, your commander can promote you on or after 1 May 2026.
Who it affects
SMCR, IRR, and AR SNCOs (SSgt through SgtMaj/MGySgt) who are on the FY25 or FY26 SNCO promotion lists. You must have an Expiration of Active Service or Reserve Expiration of Current Contract dated 30 April 2028 or later to be promoted. If you don't meet that obligated service (OBS) requirement before your number is reached, your date of rank shifts to the first of the month after you come into compliance.
What you need to do
Check your seniority number against the tables below. If your number has been reached, talk to your S-1 or commander. They cite this MARADMIN as the authority for promotion. No separate approval is needed from HQMC.
If you have questions about OBS, sequenced PME requirements, or commander certification requirements, the Enlisted Promotions page is at https://www.manpower.marines.mil (navigate to Divisions / Manpower Management / Performance-Branch / Promotion-Section / Enlisted Promotions / SNCOs / Monthly Promotion Requirements).
Key dates
- 1 May 2026: Earliest date promotions may be effected
- Projections for June and July 2026 are estimates only and may shift
FY25 SMCR SNCO Promotion List
| Grade | # Selected | Senior No. Prom Apr 26 | May 26 Prom | Last Senior No. Prom | Projected Jun 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SgtMaj/MGySgt | 48 | 28 | 4 | 32 | 4 |
| 1stSgt/MSgt | 126 | 85 | 10 | 95 | 11 |
| GySgt | 187 | 110 | 15 | 125 | 16 |
| SSgt | 273 | 164 | 23 | 187 | 23 |
FY25 IRR SNCO Promotion List
| Grade | # Selected | Senior No. Prom Apr 26 | May 26 Prom | Last Senior No. Prom | Projected Jun 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGySgt | No selections | — | — | — | — |
| MSgt | 6 | — (Note 3) | — (Note 3) | 4 | 1 |
| GySgt | 7 | 6 | List cleared | List cleared | List cleared |
| SSgt | 36 | 22 | 3 | 25 | 3 |
FY26 AR SNCO Promotion List
| Grade | # Selected | Senior No. Prom Apr 26 | May 26 Prom | Last Senior No. Prom | Projected Jun 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGySgt | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | No promo (TIG) |
| MSgt | 26 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| GySgt | 69 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| SSgt | 140 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 20 |
FY25 and FY26 Projected July 2026 Promotions
| Grade | AR (FY26) | SMCR (FY25) | IRR (FY25) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SgtMaj/MGySgt | 1 | 4 | No selections |
| 1stSgt/MSgt | 3 | 11 | List cleared |
| GySgt | 6 | 15 | List cleared |
| SSgt | 20 | 21 | 3 |
Note: SMCR July figures are FY25 list. AR July figures are FY26 list. IRR has no selections for MGySgt; GySgt and 1stSgt/MSgt lists are cleared.
The official version
This information comes from MARADMIN 204/26. The governing authority is MCO P1400.32D w/CH 2, the Enlisted Promotion Manual. For reserve allocation questions, contact RAP-2 (Reserve Affairs Policy, Plans, and Programming Branch, Enlisted Plans):
- Maj William C. Griffin, MMPB-11:
william.c.griffin@usmc.mil/ 703-784-3440 - MSgt Dathan T. Mills, MMPB-11:
dathan.mills@usmc.mil/ 703-784-2765 - MSgt Joel S. Austin, 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.