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FY26 Active Reserve Career Counselor of the Year nominations open

MARADMIN 420/26·September 16, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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Reserve Affairs is soliciting nominations for the FY26 Active Reserve (AR) Career Counselor of the Year (CCOY) award. This recognizes AR and Direct Affiliation Program (DAP) career counselors who made a measurable difference in their unit's retention mission. The winner gets a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and, if they're a Sergeant, a meritorious promotion. The runner-up receives a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Bottom line: Nomination packages are due to CMC RA by 2359 EST on October 15, 2026. Late packages will not be considered.

Who it affects

This is narrow. It applies only to AR and DAP career counselors currently serving in valid career counselor billets who hold PMOS 4821. Nominees must be a Sergeant or Staff Sergeant. Each MSC and MEF can submit one nomination.

What you need to do

If you're a commander or career counselor putting a package together, here's what's required:

  1. Confirm the nominee meets all eligibility criteria (see below).
  2. Secure a General Officer endorsement via Naval Letter or NAVMC 11537.
  3. Assemble the full nomination package (Command Nomination Letter, AR CCOY Checklist, AR CCOY Data Sheet, one-page autobiography, Pages 11/12/13 copies, Career Planning Program 1040 IG Checklist, and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal recommendation).
  4. Initiate the award recommendation in the HQMC awards processing system. The first sentence of the Summary of Action must read: "Nominee for Active Reserve Career Counselor of the Year for Fiscal Year 2026."
  5. Email the complete package to SMB_RA_Retention@usmc.mil before the deadline.

Required forms and templates are available in TFRS.

Eligibility checklist (no waivers):

  • Has not previously won CCOY
  • Holds PMOS 4821 and served in a valid AR or DAP career counselor billet for the entire fiscal year
  • Is a Sergeant or Staff Sergeant
  • Meets BCE standards
  • Has a first-class PFT and CFT
  • Is PME complete for current grade
  • Has received a mission capable rating from a Staff Assist Visit (SAV) or Commanding General Readiness Inspection (CGRI) within the previous 12 months (Marines without an inspection requirement must complete a modified SAV or CGRI)
  • Meets all reenlistment prerequisites per MCO 1040R.31

Key dates

  • October 15, 2026 at 2359 EST: Nomination package submission deadline
  • On or about October 22, 2026: FY26 AR CCOY Board convenes at HQMC

The official version

This guidance comes from MARADMIN 420/26. It references MCO 1040R.31 (Marine Corps Reserve Enlisted Retention and Career Development Program) and MCO P1400.32D w/CH2 (Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Volume 2). POC is MGySgt J.E. DeNeve at SMB_RA_Retention@usmc.mil or (703) 784-9671.

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 Reserve Enlisted Retention and Career Development Program (MCO 1040R.31)Reference

    This order established the AR Career Counselor of the Year Award and governs the reenlistment prerequisites nominees must meet. Eligibility criteria throughout this MARADMIN trace back to it.

  • Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Volume 2, Enlisted Promotions (MCO P1400.32D W/CH2)Reference

    This manual governs enlisted promotions and is relevant here because a Sergeant selected as AR CCOY may be eligible for meritorious promotion under its provisions.

  • MCATS Approval Establishing Meritorious Promotion Allocation for AR Career Planner of the Year (REF C)Reference

    This approval from MMPR created the meritorious promotion allocation tied to this award. It establishes that only the AR CCOY winner, not the runner-up, is eligible for meritorious promotion.

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FY26 Active Reserve Career Counselor of the Year nominations open — Reservable