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FY28 CWO-to-LDO Selection Board Now Open for Applications

MARADMIN 295/26·June 29, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps has announced the FY28 Chief Warrant Officer to Limited Duty Officer (LDO) selection board. The board convenes at HQMC on or about 25 August 2026 and is open to Active Component CWOs only. Per paragraph 8 of the MARADMIN, this board explicitly does not apply to the Marine Corps Reserve.

Heads up: This board is AC-only. Reserve Marines (SMCR, IMA, IRR) are not eligible and have no action to take.

Who it affects

Active Component CWOs who meet all of the following:

  • U.S. citizen
  • At least 8 years of restricted officer service before 1 March 2027 (waiverable to 5 years, but requires a waiver request in the AA form)
  • No more than 20 years of active naval service as of 1 March 2027 (waiverable to 22 years, but only for CWOs who have never previously had an opportunity to apply, and must be requested in the AA form)
  • Has not twice failed selection for promotion to the next higher CWO grade (no waiver available)
  • First-class score on most recent PFT and CFT (no waiver available)
  • Has served in the CWO feeder MOS for the LDO MOS being requested, or is qualified without additional training
  • No pending disciplinary actions
  • Has completed The Basic School

No waivers below 5 years restricted officer service or above 22 years total naval service will be considered under any circumstances.

What you need to do

Reserve Marines: nothing. This board does not apply to you.

AC CWOs who are eligible:

  1. Review eligibility requirements in MCO 1040.42B and Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 33A.
  2. Audit your OMPF and Master Brief Sheet for accuracy before applying.
  3. Complete a NAVMC 10274 Administrative Action (AA) form. Include any required waiver requests in that form. See the MMOA-3 website for an example application.
  4. Apply for no more than two LDO MOSs. Rank your preferences on the AA form. Available MOS categories: 0430, 0605, 1705, 2102, 2305, 2340, 2802, 3102, 3302, 5502, 5902, 6004, 6302, 6502, 6802.
  5. Route the application through your chain of command for O-6 endorsement.
  6. Combine all documents into a single PDF, 8 MB or less.
  7. Email to smb_manpower_officer_programs@usmc.mil with the subject/file label formatted as EDIPI_LastName_LDO by 3 August 2026. Applications not labeled correctly or submitted late will be returned without action.

Selected CWOs will incur a 3-year service obligation upon accepting appointment as a captain (O3E).

Key dates

  • 3 August 2026: Application submission deadline (late submissions returned, no exceptions)
  • On or about 25 August 2026: Board convenes at HQMC
  • 1 March 2027: Reference date for service computation (restricted officer service and total active naval service calculations)

The official version

MARADMIN 295/26 is the authoritative source. Governing references are MCO 1040.42B (LDO and Warrant Officer Programs) and Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 33A. The MOS Manual (NAVMC, dated 2 March 2026) governs MOS-specific requirements. POC is Capt M. E. Aldred, MMOA-3, at SMB_MANPOWER_OFFICER_PROGRAMS@USMC.MIL or (703) 784-9284.

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.

  • Limited Duty Officer and Warrant Officer Programs order (MCO 1040.42B)Reference

    This is the primary governing order for the LDO and Warrant Officer programs. It sets the policies, eligibility requirements, and application procedures that all applicants must meet for this board.

  • Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 33AReference

    This is the federal law that governs appointment, promotion, and involuntary separation and retirement for members on the Warrant Officer Active Duty List. It provides the legal authority underlying the board and any resulting service obligations.

  • Military Occupational Specialty Manual (NAVMC, TECOM)Reference

    This manual defines the requirements for each MOS category being considered by the board. Applicants must meet all requirements for the LDO MOS they are requesting as detailed in this document.

  • MMOA-3 Plans and Programs website (application example and resources)

    This page covers the Marine Corps officer education boards and programs managed by MMOA-3, including the Commandant's Education Boards, law education programs, and reserve affairs resources such as career management and ADOS opportunities. Reservists interested in officer education, commissioning programs, or reserve policy information may find relevant guidance here.

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