R 301830Z NOV 23
MARADMIN 611/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/OPT OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR THE REGULAR ACTIVE, UNRESTRICTED RESERVE, AND ACTIVE RESERVE FY26 MAJOR, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, AND COLONEL PROMOTION SELECTION BOARDS//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CONGRESS/8AUG2018//
REF/B/DOC/DOD/16DEC2020//
REF/C/DOC/SECNAV/28MAR2019//
REF/D/DOC/SECNAV MEMO/5JAN2022//
NARR/REF (A) IS TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE. REF (B) IS DOD INSTRUCTION 1320.14, COMMISSIONED OFFICER PROMOTION PROGRAM PROCEDURES. REF (C) IS SECNAVINST 1420.3, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY COMMISSIONED OFFICERS PROMOTION PROGRAM. REF (D) IS THE SECNAV MEMO WHICH DELEGATES OPT OUT AUTHORITY TO THE MARINE CORPS.//
POC/M. J. MCCLINNIS/MAJ/MMPB-10/TEL: (703) 784-9704//
POC/C. E. PENNINGTON/CAPT/CMC MPP-30/TEL: (703) 784-9365//
POC/S. A. STEELE/MAJ/CMC RAP-2/TEL: (703) 784-9135//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN solicits applications for and describes the process for opting out of consideration for promotion. Additionally, it provides background information in advance of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Regular, Unrestricted Reserve, and Active Reserve Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel Promotion Selection Boards.
2. The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act FY19 allows eligible officers to request to opt out of consideration for promotion in a given year without penalty.
3. Opt Out of Consideration for Promotion. Sections 619 and 14301 of reference (a) are the statutory authorities granting the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the discretion to authorize eligible officers to opt out of consideration for promotion by a promotion selection board (PSB). Reference (d) delegates authority to the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA) to approve the request of an officer to opt out of consideration. DC M&RA may only approve a request if all three of the following criteria are met:
3.a. The basis for the request is to allow an officer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, another assignment of significant value to the Marine Corps, or a career progression requirement delayed by the assignment or education.
3.b. DC M&RA determines the opt out of consideration is in the best interest of the Marine Corps based on the statutory guidelines, MOS strengths, and the needs of the Service; and
3.c. The officer has not previously been considered in-zone for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.
4. The following officer categories may be eligible to opt out.
4.a. Examples of broadening assignments include but are not limited to: Utilization tours associated with the Marine Corps’ Graduate Education Program, Foreign Professional Military Education, Congressional Fellowship, Commandant’s National Fellows, and Tours with Industry.
4.b. Examples of qualifying advanced education include but are not limited to: Full-time resident graduate or doctoral education, Olmsted Scholar, and equivalent Service institutions and/or resident civilian education programs.
4.c. Examples of assignments of significant value include but are not limited to: Foreign Area or Regional Area Affairs, and Personnel Exchange Program.
5. Eligible Officers
5.a. All regular and reserve officers, to include active reserve, who are eligible to be considered as in-zone or above-zone, not previously considered eligible, for promotion to Major, Lieutenant Colonel, or Colonel in FY26, who meet the following requirements:
5.b. Must not have previously been considered in-zone for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.
5.c. Must be within height and weight standards.
5.d. Must have no outstanding investigations, pending legal matters, or in-grade adverse material.
6. Officers who meet the requirements in paragraphs 4 and 5 may submit a request to opt out of consideration for promotion.
6.a. Officers may request to opt out of promotion consideration no more than one time per grade.
6.b. Requests shall include the officer's justification for opting out of consideration for promotion, current assignment, primary military occupational specialty, statement attesting to eligibility per paragraph 5, and endorsements from the chain of command.
6.c. Applications must be endorsed by the first O-6 in the applicant’s chain of command.
7. Coordinating instructions. The first O-6 in the chain of command must endorse the applicant’s request and provide a recommendation to DC M&RA.
7.a. Regular Active Officers
7.a.1 Requests must be submitted to Manpower Management Promotions Branch (MMPB-10) via the NAVMC 10274 Administrative Action (AA) Form no later than 31 January 2024.
7.a.2. Submit endorsed AA Forms to MMPB-10 at: officerpromotions@usmc.mil or mailing address:
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (MMPB-10)
Attn: Opt Out of Consideration for Promotion
Harry Lee Hall
17 Lejeune Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5104
7.a.3. Manpower Management Division and Manpower Plans and Policy Division will review all requests to make a determination on the eligibility of the applicant and provide an appropriate recommendation to DC M&RA for final determination. In accordance with references (b) through (d), MMPB-10 will ensure approved officers are removed from the eligible population for consideration for promotion, appropriately update the history of lineal establishment database to memorialize that the officer opted out of consideration for promotion, and update post-board reports.
7.b. Unrestricted Reserve and Active Reserve Officers
7.b.1. Requests must be submitted to Reserve Affairs Personnel Policy, Plans, and Programming (RAP-2) via the NAVMC 10274 AA Form no later than 29 March 2024.
7.b.2. Submit endorsed AA Forms to RAP-2 at: RAP@usmc.mil or mailing address: Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (RAP- 2) Attn: RC Opt Out of Consideration for Promotion 3280 Russell Road Quantico, VA 22134-5103
7.b.3. RAP-2 and Reserve Affairs Management (RAM-2) will review all requests and provide appropriate recommendation to DC M&RA for final determination. In accordance with references (b) through (d), RAP-2 will ensure approved officers are removed from the eligible population for consideration for promotion, appropriately update the history of lineal establishment database to memorialize that the officer opted out of consideration for promotion, and update post-board reports.
8. Recommendations will be based on the service of an officer in a broadening assignment, advanced education, assignment of significant value, overall performance history, and ability to meet career progression milestone requirements.
9. MMPB-10 (active component) or RAP-2 (reserve component) will notify officers by letter of their approval or disapproval after DC M&RA has made final determination. MMPB or RAP-2 will place a copy of the approval letter in the officer’s official military personnel file.
10. In-zone officers who are approved will be removed from the FY26 eligible population to be considered with the in-zone population for the FY27 Major, Lieutenant Colonel, or Colonel Promotion Boards, without penalty.
11. Officers approved for opt out are not precluded from receiving PCS orders.
12. Regular active officers may view the current zones chart projections at: https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/ MPP30
13. Unrestricted reserve and active reserve officers may view the current zones chart projections at: https: (slash)(slash) www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/RAP2/Personnel%20Plans%20(RAP-2)
14. Officers considering opting out of consideration for promotion are advised to consult with their respective monitor, executive officer, or commanding officer for guidance on career progression and eligibility.
15. This MARADMIN cancels after the results of the FY26 Marine Corps Major through Colonel selections are made public via ALNAV.
16. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Total Force.
17. Release authorized by Lieutenant General James F. Glynn, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//