FY27 Reserve Senior Leader Screening Board opens for Col and Col-sel applicants

MARADMIN 464/26·October 1, 2026·3 min read·Official source

The Marine Corps is convening the FY27 Reserve Senior Leader Screening Board (RSLB) on 10 December 2026. The board will screen RC Colonels and Colonel-selects for three senior leader billets projected to open between now and September 2027. Applications close 20 November 2026, and only the online portal will be accepted. No other submission method counts.

Bottom line: If you're an RC Col or Col-sel with a qualifying PMOS, you have until 20 November 2026 to submit your complete application package through the online portal or you will not be considered.

Who it affects

RC Colonels and Colonel-selects only. You must also hold the primary MOS (PMOS) required by the specific billet you're applying for. If your PMOS doesn't match the billet, your application won't be reviewed.

You are not eligible if any of the following apply:

You have a separation, retirement, or transition date on record (including pending RAD applications).
Your mandatory removal or retirement date falls within two years of the projected billet start date.
You're in sanctuary, on orders that push you past 18 years of AD service, or the assignment itself would push you there.
You're currently serving in a billet selected by a prior Reserve Command Screening Board and won't depart before the RSLB assignment date.
You're in the Special Education Program and won't complete at least 24 months of your utilization tour before assuming the new position.

Cols who previously held an Unrestricted Col Command Billet are eligible.

What you need to do

Confirm you hold the PMOS for at least one of the three billets listed below.
Verify your OMPF is accurate. Submit any corrections through the Official Records Management Application (ORMA) at https://www4.manpower.usmc.mil/orma/#/⧉ under the "OMPF Update Requests" tab. Everything must be in MCTFS and your OMPF by 2359 EST on 20 November 2026.
Check your fitness reports are on file at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Performance-Branch/Records-and-Performance⧉ or email smb_hqmc_fitrep_processing@usmc.mil⧉.
Build your application as a single PDF named in this exact format: EDIPI_RANK_LNAME.PDF⧉ (example: 1234567890_COL_LASTNAME.PDF⧉). Incorrectly named files will be deleted.
Submit through the portal at https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/application_cac/edu/index.jsp⧉ and click "FY27 RSLB." If you don't have an M&RA portal account, the 404 error page will walk you through registration.
You'll receive an automated confirmation email when your submission is accepted.

Strongly encouraged (not required):

Include a signed Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS), NAVMC 10476. Template is on the M&RA RAM-3 webpage under "Support Documentation" at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Reserve-Affairs-Division/Reserve-Affairs-Management-RAM/Reserve-Affairs-Management-Embeds/⧉.
Include a letter to the President of the Board explaining your billet preferences, relevant background, or any record discrepancies.
Contact the Career Management Team (CMT) for counseling before you apply: smb_cmt@usmc.mil⧉ or 703-784-0557.

Key dates

20 November 2026, 2359 EST: Hard deadline for all application materials and OMPF/MCTFS updates. Nothing late will be accepted.
10 December 2026: Board convenes.
Primary selectees announced via MARADMIN after board approval. Alternates remain on the list for up to 24 months.

Available billets

Billet Title	Location	Required PMOS	Projected Assignment
Deputy Director, Reserve Legal Support	Pentagon, Arlington, VA	4402	September 2027
Deputy Commander, Marine Corps Cyber Warfare Group	Fort Meade, MD	8006	June 2027
Officer-in-Charge, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command	Virginia Beach, VA	8006	April 2027

Tour length is 24 months for each billet.

The official version

Full details are in MARADMIN 464/26. Key references: MCO 1300R.65D (Reserve Command Screening Program), MCO 1800.11A (RC service beyond 16 years AD), NAVMC 1200.1M (MOS Manual), and MCO 1300.8 CH 1 (Personnel Assignment Policy).

POCs at Reserve Affairs Careers (RAC): LtCol J. Bathen at jordan.bathen@usmc.mil⧉ / 703-784-0525, Col I. Garvey at ian.j.garvey@usmc.mil⧉ / 703-784-4882, Col K. Spicer at katherine.spicer@usmc.mil⧉ / 703-784-0525.

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.

Reserve Command Screening Program (MCO 1300R.65D)Reference
This order governs the Reserve Command Screening Program and sets the standard tour length used to calculate projected assignment dates for RSLB billets. Applicants should be familiar with it to understand assignment expectations.
Official Photographs Requirement Update (MARADMIN 582/25)MARADMIN
This MARADMIN governs how official photographs are used for non-promotion selection boards, including the RSLB. Applicants should ensure their official photograph is current and compliant.
RC Member Service Beyond 16 Years of Active-Duty Policy (MCO 1800.11A)Reference
This order covers policy for Reserve Component members serving beyond 16 years of active-duty service, which is relevant to the sanctuary and 18-year active-duty ineligibility rules described in this MARADMIN.
Military Occupational Specialties Manual (NAVMC 1200.1M)Reference
This manual defines PMOS requirements and is the authority applicants must reference to confirm they hold the required PMOS for the billet they are applying for, since applicants without the requisite PMOS will not be considered.
Marine Corps Personnel Assignment Policy (MCO 1300.8 CH 1)Reference
This order governs personnel assignment policy and is cited in relation to PMOS eligibility requirements for RSLB billet applicants.
USMC Officer/Enlisted Promotion Boards Update Material Submission Guidance (MARADMIN 077/18)MARADMIN
This MARADMIN provides guidance on submitting update materials for selection boards. It is referenced here in the context of what information can be presented to the RSLB.
Separation and Retirement Manual (MCO 1900.16 CH 3)Reference
This manual governs separation and retirement procedures and is cited as the authority governing what information recorded in MCTFS and the OMPF will be presented to the board by the submission deadline.
Reserve Senior Leader Board Alternate List (RAC website)
This document is the Reserve Affairs Careers (RAC) website, which manages officer accessions, retention, affiliation, and career development for the Marine Corps Reserve. Reserve Marines may want to open it to find resources related to commissioning programs, career management, or joining and staying in the Reserve.
FY27 RSLB Application Portal
This is the online portal where all RSLB applications must be submitted. No other application method will be accepted, and the deadline is 2359 EST on 20 November 2026.
Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS) Template / RAM-3 Support Documentation
The Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS) Template and RAM-3 support documentation cover the administrative processes managed by Reserve Affairs Management, including accession packages, retention programs, lateral moves, and incentive requests for Reserve Marines. If you are navigating an AR accession application, a lateral move, or a Reserve incentive program, this document outlines the required forms, eligibility criteria, and submission procedures you will need.
Fitness Report Receipt Verification
This document is from the Marine Corps Manpower Management Performance Branch, which oversees fitness reports, official military personnel files, and performance evaluations for active duty, Reserve, and veteran Marines. If you have questions about your fitness report status, need to contact the performance evaluation office, or are a veteran affected by the Farrell DADT class action settlement, this page has the relevant contacts and information.
Official Records Management Application (ORMA) for OMPF Updates
Officers must use ORMA to submit any corrections or updates to their Official Military Personnel File before the board deadline. Inaccurate OMPF records are the officer's responsibility to fix.

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