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FY26 Career Designation Panel 2 convenes in July for AC officers

MARADMIN 241/26·May 28, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps is running its second FY26 Career Designation (CD) panel, convening on or about 27 July 2026. CD is the process by which AC unrestricted officers are selected to continue their careers beyond their initial service obligation. This MARADMIN is explicitly not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.

Heads up: This MARADMIN does not apply to reservists, but if you know an AC officer approaching their EAS, pass it along.

Who it affects

Active Component unrestricted officers only. This MARADMIN has no effect on SMCR, IMA, or IRR Marines.

For AC officers reading this through a reserve channel: you are eligible to screen if you meet all of the following:

  • You hold a non-student PMOS and have been designated in that PMOS for 540 days from the panel start date (meaning PMOS assignment no later than 2 February 2025).
  • You are an unrestricted AC officer who has not previously declined CD.
  • You are a 1stLt who has not been twice passed over for captain.
  • Your EAS is no earlier than 15 September 2026. If it falls before that date, contact your monitor about an extension.

What you need to do

If you are a reservist: Nothing. This panel does not apply to you.

If you are an AC officer: Check the eligibility list the Retention and Release Officer (RRO) will publish before the panel convenes at the Manpower Management Officer Assignments page. If your name is wrong (on or off the list in error), contact the RRO before the panel sits.

If you want to communicate with the panel, you must:

  1. Draft your correspondence.
  2. Save it as a single PDF.
  3. Name the file in this exact format: EDIPI_LastName_CD
  4. Email it to SMB_MANPOWER_OFFICER_PROGRAMS@USMC.MIL no later than 15 July 2026.

Anything received after that date will not reach the panel. There is no requirement to submit correspondence, and no "remove by request" letter is needed.

Key dates

  • 2 February 2025: Latest date for PMOS designation to meet the 540-day requirement
  • 15 July 2026: Deadline for EAS extension requests to MMOA-3 and for any panel correspondence
  • On or about 27 July 2026: CDP2 convenes
  • Up to 1 February 2027: Maximum EAS extension available to officers not selected, for transition purposes

The official version

MARADMIN 241/26 is the source. The governing order is MCO 1001.65A, Officer Retention and Prior Service Accessions. POC is MMOA-3 at (703) 784-9284 or SMB_MANPOWER_OFFICER_PROGRAMS@USMC.MIL.

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.

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.

  • Officer Retention and Prior Service Accessions order (MCO 1001.65A)Reference

    This is the governing order for Career Designation and officer retention that this MARADMIN temporarily updates. Enclosure (2) of this order covers EAS extension requests for officers who need more time to screen.

  • CDP Eligibility List (Manpower Officer Assignments portal)

    This document is the CDP Eligibility List hosted on the Manpower Management Officer Assignments portal, which outlines how MMOA assigns officers to billets based on performance, career stage, and Service needs. Reserve officers approaching promotion or seeking competitive assignments may find it relevant for understanding how selection boards, fitness reports, and PME factor into their career opportunities.

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