The September 2026 SNCO promotion MARADMIN is out. It covers AR, SMCR, and IRR Marines on FY25 and FY26 promotion lists, and gives projected numbers through November 2026. Commanders may not promote anyone before 1 September 2026, but should act on this as soon as that date hits.
Heads up: You must have an Expiration of Active Service or Reserve Expiration of Current Contract dated 31 August 2028 or later to be promoted. If you don't meet Obligated Service requirements before your seniority number comes up, your date of rank gets pushed to the 1st of the following month after you comply.
Who it affects
AR, SMCR, and IRR SNCOs (SSgt through SgtMaj/MGySgt) who are on FY25 or FY26 promotion lists. Commanders of those Marines also need to act.
What you need to do
If you're on a promotion list: Confirm your contract expiration meets the 31 August 2028 cutoff. Make sure your OBS is squared away before your seniority number is reached. For details on OBS, Sequenced PME requirements, and promotion backdate requests, go to the Enlisted Promotions section at https://www.manpower.marines.mil (Divisions > Manpower Management > Performance Branch > Promotion Section > Enlisted Promotions > SNCOs).
If you're a commander: Effect promotions no earlier than 1 September 2026, citing MARADMIN 363/26 as your authority.
Key dates
- 1 September 2026: Earliest date promotions may be effected
- 31 August 2028: Minimum contract/EAS expiration required for promotion eligibility
Promotion numbers
FY25 SMCR lists (Note 1: lists cleared after September)
| Grade | Selected | Senior # Prom Aug 26 | Sep 26 Prom | Last Senior # Prom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SgtMaj/MGySgt | 48 | 44 | 4 | List cleared |
| 1stSgt/MSgt | 139 | 128 | 11 | List cleared |
| GySgt | 187 | 172 | 15 | List cleared |
| SSgt | 273 | 251 | 20 | List cleared |
FY26 AR lists
| Grade | Selected | Senior # Prom Aug 26 | Sep 26 Prom | Last Senior # Prom | Oct 26 Projected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MGySgt | 7 | (Note 3) | 1 | 5 | (Note 3) |
| MSgt | 26 | 15 | 3 | 18 | (Note 3) |
| GySgt | 69 | 30 | 6 | 36 | 6 |
| SSgt | 140 | 99 | 17 | 116 | 4 |
FY26 SMCR and IRR lists: All grades pending results of a selection MARADMIN (Note 4). No numbers available yet.
FY26 November 2026 projections (AR only with firm numbers):
| Grade | AR |
|---|---|
| GySgt | 6 |
| SSgt | 4 |
MGySgt and MSgt AR projections for November are blocked by TIG requirements or grade caps. SMCR and IRR November projections remain pending the selection MARADMIN.
Note 3: No promotions due to TIG requirements or grade caps. Note 4: Pending results of selection MARADMIN.
The official version
Full details are in MARADMIN 363/26. The governing reference is MCO P1400.32D w/CH 2, the Enlisted Promotion Manual.
For Reserve SNCO allocation questions, contact RAP-2 (Reserve Affairs Policy, Plans, and Programming Branch, Enlisted Plans):
- Maj William C. Griffin, MMPB-11:
william.c.griffin@usmc.mil| 703-784-3440 - MSgt Dathan T. Mills, MMPB-11:
dathan.mills@usmc.mil| 703-784-2765 - MSgt Joel S. Austin, RAP-2:
joel.austin@usmc.mil| 703-784-9879
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.