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FY26 SNCODCP Board 2 Is Open for SSgt–MSgt Applications

MARADMIN 302/26·July 1, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps has opened applications for the FY26 SNCODCP Selection Board 2. The program pays for SNCOs to finish a bachelor's degree at an NROTC-affiliated school, then assigns them to a billet in the field they studied. Open disciplines this board are Safety, Psychology, Accounting, and Education. Immediate vacancies exist at installations across CONUS, Okinawa, and Japan.

Heads up: This MARADMIN explicitly does not apply to the Marine Corps Reserve. SMCR, IMA, and IRR Marines are not eligible.

Who it affects

Active component Staff Sergeants through Master Sergeants of any PMOS. This board does not apply to the Reserve component in any category.

A few groups are specifically excluded even on the active side:

  • Gunnery Sergeants with an "F" coded in section 8c of their fitness report
  • First Sergeants, Master Gunnery Sergeants, and Sergeants Major
  • Active duty Marines who have failed selection for promotion to the next grade

What you need to do

If you are a reservist, nothing. This program is not open to the RC.

If you have active component Marines in your unit or know someone who fits the profile, point them to the details below or to their unit Career Planner.

For active duty applicants, the package goes through TFRS using the "SDA / Reenlistment / MISC" RELM request type, routed to CMC (MMEA-25) through the normal chain. The package must include:

  1. SNCODCP application (template in MCO 1560.21E, enclosure 2)
  2. Academic Certification (template in MCO 1560.21E, enclosure 3)
  3. Official transcripts
  4. Commanding Officer's Independent Duty Checklist NAVMC 11710
  5. All standard reenlistment requirements per TFRS message A66568

Contact the Leadership Scholar Program manager for help finding an approved school: francine.jarrett@usmc.mil or 703-784-0295.

Key dates

  • 15 July 2026: Application deadline
  • On or about 25 July 2026: Board convenes
  • August 2026: Results released via MARADMIN
  • Within 15 calendar days of approval: Approved RELM must be acknowledged and executed

The official version

Full details are in MARADMIN 302/26. The governing order is MCO 1560.21E, Staff Noncommissioned Officer Degree Completion Program.

POCs at MMEA-25: Maj P. N. Delacruz at patrick.delacruz@usmc.mil (703-784-9275) and GySgt B. S. Wilkins at brandon.wilkins@usmc.mil (703-432-9473).

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.

  • SNCODCP Order (MCO 1560.21E)Reference

    This is the governing order for the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Degree Completion Program. It establishes policy, eligibility requirements, the selection process, and application procedures, and contains the required application and academic certification form examples.

  • FY26 Selective Retention Bonus Program (MARADMIN 191/25)MARADMIN

    This MARADMIN covers the FY26 SRB and Broken Service SRB programs. It is referenced here because reenlistment obligations tied to the SNCODCP intersect with retention incentive programs a Marine may be eligible for.

  • SCREENMAN Order (MCO 1326.6 W/CH-1)Reference

    This order governs the screening and selection of enlisted Marines for screenable billets and independent duty assignments. It is relevant because Marines currently serving in a screenable billet outside their PMOS may not be favorably considered for SNCODCP until their obligation is complete.

  • Marine Corps Personnel Assignments Policy (MCO 1300.8 W/CH-2)Reference

    This is the overarching Marine Corps personnel assignments policy order. Orders for SNCODCP selectees will be issued in accordance with this directive.

  • FY26 Retention and Processing Guidelines (TFRS Message A66840)Reference

    This Total Force Retention System message sets FY26 retention and processing guidelines. Applicants must meet all standard reenlistment requirements contained in this message as part of their SNCODCP package.

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