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FY26 Q4 Reserve Instructor Pilot Selection Board Open

MARADMIN 289/26·June 24, 2026·3 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps Reserve Instructor Pilot (MCRIP) program has a board coming up. It convenes on or about 19 August 2026, and the application deadline is tight: packages must be in hand at MATSG-42 by close of business 24 July 2026. This program places qualified reserve Naval Aviators as instructor pilots supporting the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) at Navy training wings across the country.

Bottom line: If you're a ready reserve Naval Aviator who qualifies, your complete application package must reach MATSG-42 as a single PDF by COB 24 July 2026 or it will not be considered.

Who it affects

This board is for Naval Aviators who are members of the ready reserve (SMCR, IMA, or IRR) and meet all of the following:

  • Less than 16 satisfactory years of credit toward a reserve retirement
  • Less than 1 year time in grade as a Lieutenant Colonel
  • At least 1,000 total military flight hours and 400 hours instructing in military aircraft
  • Current military medical up-chit

Active component Marines are also eligible if they have an HQMC-approved EAS and can join MATSG-42 no later than 1 April 2027.

If you're currently receiving aviation retention pay or an aviation officer affiliation bonus, you need confirmation from HQMC (MM) that they'll release you from that obligation before you'll be considered. The MATSG-42 CO can waive minimum requirements case by case.

What makes a stronger package:

  • You're a current, qualified active component instructor pilot (these get priority)
  • You're close to a training wing, willing to commute, or willing to relocate
  • You have a strong background in instructor and flight leadership roles

What you need to do

  1. Contact the TRAWING you want to be assigned to (TRAWING 1, 2, 4, or 5 only, no applications for TRAWING 6) and get a letter of acknowledgment from the Reserve Component Commander (RCC). POC info for RCCs is at https://www.cnatra.navy.mil/reserves/.
  2. Email the MATSG-42 Operations Officer at zachary.fulmer@usmc.mil to get the application form.
  3. Build your package. It must include:
    • Completed application with your desired TRAWING and reason for preference stated clearly
    • Letter to the board
    • Current Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS)
    • Current Master Brief Sheet (MBS)
    • RCC letter of acknowledgment from your desired TRAWING
    • Letter of recommendation from your current CO (required); letters from TRAWING and MATSG leadership are strongly encouraged
  4. Submit the entire package as a single PDF to the POC by COB 24 July 2026. Late or incomplete packages will not be reviewed.

If you applied to a previous board and were not selected, you must submit a completely new package.

Also worth knowing: If you're not competitive for the MCRIP board or just want to get back in a cockpit faster, there are open flying billets at tactical SMCR squadrons in 4th MAW that don't require a selection board. Some of those billets are bonus-eligible. A list of Fleet Replacement Squadron/Detachment augmentation units and tactical squadrons is in the official MARADMIN (see below). Contact Maj Fulmer for details on either.

Selectees should expect:

  • Up to 12 weeks of uninterrupted active duty training (ADT) for CNATRA instructor qualification
  • A minimum 36-month commitment as an instructor pilot after qualifying
  • Ongoing compliance with CNATRAINST 3740.8Q participation requirements; failure to meet CNATRA, USMC annual training, or admin requirements can result in involuntary removal from the program

Board results will be announced by MARADMIN and direct contact from MATSG-42. Selection serves as DIFOP approval with MATSG-42, so no separate DIFOP package is needed.

Key dates

  • 24 July 2026: Application package due to MATSG-42 (COB, single PDF via email)
  • On or about 19 August 2026: Board convenes
  • No later than 1 April 2027: Active component Marines must be able to join MATSG-42 (if applicable)

The official version

MARADMIN 289/26

Referenced instruction: CNATRAINST 3740.8Q (participation requirements for CNATRA selectees). Additional program info at https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Units/4th-Marine-Aircraft-Wing/Join/Aviation-Boards/#mcrip.

POC: Maj Zachary Fulmer, MATSG-42 Operations Officer. Email: zachary.fulmer@usmc.mil. Phone: 850.452.2268.

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.

  • CNATRA Reserves page (cnatra.navy.mil)

    This is the CNATRA Reserve Component homepage, which serves as a central hub for Naval Air Training resources including web schedules, the CNATRA e-Brief, SharePoint access, and links to the five Training Air Wings. Reserve Marines involved in naval aviation training pipelines may find the quick links to selection boards and CAC-enabled tools useful for tracking training and accessing official materials.

  • MCRIP Aviation Boards page (marforres.marines.mil)

    This page lists the Marine Corps Reserve Individual Program (MCRIP) aviation selection boards under Marine Forces Reserve, along with the units and staff sections associated with 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and the broader reserve structure. Reserve Marines interested in aviation career progression or board information for MCRIP would want to open it to find relevant board details alongside the organizational context of reserve aviation units.

  • CNATRA Instructor Pilot Participation Instruction (CNATRAINST 3740.8Q)Reference

    This instruction establishes the participation guidelines that selectees must meet. Failure to meet its requirements can be grounds for involuntary removal from the MCRIP program.

  • 4th MAW Wing Order on DIFOP (4th MAW Wing Order 5320.2V)Reference

    This order governs Duty Involving Flight Operations (DIFOP) with MATSG-42. Selection board results serve as approval under this order, so selectees do not need to submit a separate DIFOP package.

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