Starting 1 January 2027, the Marine Corps is standing up a mandatory portfolio program for all COMMSTRAT Marines. If you hold PMOS 4512, 4541, or 4571, you will be required to build and maintain a professional portfolio, reviewed twice a year. The program is running on interim guidance while the formal order (MCO 5700.45 volume 3) finishes staffing.
Bottom line: If your PMOS is 4512, 4541, or 4571, you will have a mandatory portfolio requirement starting 1 January 2027, active and reserve alike.
Who it affects
All Marines, active and reserve, holding PMOS 4512 (Combat Photographer), 4541 (Combat Videographer), or 4571 (Visual Information Officer). The MARADMIN says "all active and reserve Marines" explicitly, so SMCR and IMA billets in these MOSs are included.
What you need to do
Right now, the detailed content guidelines and scoring rubrics are still being finalized. A working group is supposed to meet within 30 days of this message (released 18 September 2026) to lock those down. In the meantime, the MARADMIN points to the CY2025 Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC) Awards Program SOP as the interim reference for content requirements and evaluation criteria.
Practically speaking:
- Know your PMOS is in scope and this applies to you.
- Pull the CY2025 VIEC Awards Program SOP and use its "of the year" submission criteria as the baseline for what your portfolio should look like.
- Watch for follow-on guidance from your MAJCOM's Visual Information Officer (VIO) or SNCO, who will set regional benchmarks and validate portfolios.
- Expect semiannual portfolio reviews aligned with your normal counseling schedule.
- Check with your unit S-1 or COMMSTRAT leadership once the working group publishes finalized guidelines (expected by mid-October 2026).
Portfolios will be hosted on existing enterprise cloud storage, so no new systems or costs are involved. Separate guidance on folder structure and naming conventions is coming.
Your portfolio will also serve as the baseline submission for the annual VIEC awards program, so this isn't extra work on top of awards, it is the awards pipeline.
Key dates
- 1 January 2027: Program is effective. Portfolio requirement is mandatory.
- ~18 October 2026: Working group deadline (30 days from message release) to finalize content guidelines and scoring rubrics.
The official version
Referenced documents:
- MCO 3104.1B w/CH 1 (Combat Camera)
- CY2025 VIEC Awards Program SOP (no public URL provided; request through your chain)
POC: MSgt K.L. McDole, OFS/CD, (703) 614-1494, kassie.mcdole@usmc.mil
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.