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FY27 CPIB: What Reservists Need to Know (Spoiler: Almost Nothing)

MARADMIN 274/26·June 12, 2026·1 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps announced the FY27 Commandant's Professional Intermediate-Level Education Board (CPIB), which convenes 4 August 2026. The board selects officers for resident intermediate-level schools, graduate education programs, and CMC fellowships. The application deadline is 20 July 2026. This is an active component board.

Heads up: Paragraph 8 of this MARADMIN states explicitly: "This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve."

Who it affects

This board does not apply to reservists. SMCR, IMA, and IRR officers are excluded by the message itself. If you are an active component major or captain in-zone for major on orders, talk to your PMOS monitor.

What you need to do

Nothing. If you are a reservist, this board is not for you. If you have questions about PME opportunities available to reserve officers, contact your unit S-1 or MMOA-3 at SMB_MMOA_GRAD_EDU@USMC.MIL.

Key dates

MilestoneDate
CEB questionnaire closes20 July 2026
Applications and board correspondence due20 July 2026
Non-compliance list published24 July 2026
Final eligibility list published31 July 2026
Board convenes4 August 2026

These dates are for active component officers only.

The official version

MARADMIN 274/26 is the source document. Referenced orders include MCO 1524.1 (Marine Corps Graduate Education Program) and MCO 1553.4B (PME).

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.

  • Marine Corps Graduate Education Program (MCO 1524.1)Reference

    This order governs the Marine Corps Graduate Education Program. It is a foundational reference for the CPIB graduate education opportunities announced in this message.

  • Professional Military Education order (MCO 1553.4B)Reference

    This order governs Professional Military Education across the Marine Corps. It underpins the PME programs the CPIB board selects officers to attend.

  • International Affairs Program (MCO 1540.33)Reference

    This order governs the International Affairs Program. It is relevant to officers interested in Foreign PME or international-focused opportunities available through the CPIB.

  • Marine Corps Personnel Assignment Policy (MCO 1300.8 w/CH 2)Reference

    This order covers personnel assignment policy, including tour control factors and utilization tours that determine eligibility for CPIB selection.

  • Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual, MARCORSEPMAN (MCO 1900.16 CH 2)Reference

    This manual governs separation and retirement. Officers with an approved separation or retirement date are ineligible for CPIB, making this relevant to anyone in that situation.

  • Officer PME Blended Seminar Program FY25-26 Seat Quota Assignments (MARADMIN 158/26)MARADMIN

    This MARADMIN addresses the Command and Staff Blended Seminar Program seat quotas. Officers who completed that program are ineligible for resident PME through the CPIB, so this message is relevant context.

  • Official Photographs Requirement for Non-Promotion Selection Boards, Change 1 (MARADMIN 127/26)MARADMIN

    This MARADMIN established that HQMC-sponsored non-promotion boards, including the CPIB, now have access to official OMPF photographs. Marines need a current photo in their OMPF no later than 10 business days before the board convenes.

  • Changes to Marine Corps PFT and Body Composition Evaluation, Change 1 (MARADMIN 066/26)MARADMIN

    This MARADMIN modified the body composition standard from Height and Weight to a Waist-to-Height Ratio requirement. The CPIB board will consider this information as available in a Marine's record.

  • NPS Prospective Students Page for USMC Curricula

    This page from the Naval Postgraduate School outlines admissions information for Marine Officers interested in pursuing master's or doctoral degrees at NPS, including how eligibility rosters, Academic Profile Codes, and dual-degree programs work. If you have a "Note 1" on the CCLEB or CPIB Eligibility Roster or are exploring graduate education options, this page is your starting point for understanding requirements and applying online.

  • AFIT Aeronautical Engineering Program (Curriculum 8820)

    This document outlines AFIT's accredited 18-month Master of Science program in Aeronautical Engineering, including admissions requirements, degree requirements, and faculty research areas. Reserve Marines with an engineering background who are considering a fully-funded graduate education opportunity through military sponsorship may want to review whether they qualify and how to apply.

  • AFIT Engineering Management Program (Curriculum 8831)

    This document describes AFIT's Master's degree program in Engineering Management, which is specifically tailored to the US Marine Corps Environmental Engineering Management community. Reservists with a STEM background who want to integrate technical and managerial skills for managing DoD infrastructure and complex technology-driven problems should read it to understand admissions requirements and what the curriculum covers.

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