R 181938Z JUL 25
MARADMIN 341/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA//
SUBJ//FISCAL YEAR 2027 ACTIVE RESERVE SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT
CAMPAIGN//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 20210511//
REF/B/MSGID: MSG/CMC/DTG: 151433ZMAR22//
REF/C/MSGID: MSG/CMC/DTG: 111930ZJUN24//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/MMPR-2/20140612
REF/E/MSGID: MSG/CMC/DTG: 211824ZOCT20//
NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS MCO 1326.6 CH 1, SELECTING, SCREENING, AND
PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SCREENABLE BILLETS AND INDEPENDENT
DUTY ASSIGNMENTS (SCREENMAN). REFERENCE (B) IS MARADMIN 117/22
ACTIVE RESERVE ENLISTED CAREER FORCE CONTROLS PROGRAM. REFERENCE (C)
IS MARADMIN 269/24 DESIGNATION OF COMBAT INSTRUCTOR DUTY AS A
SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT. REF (D) IS MCO 1400.32D, ENLISTED
PROMOTION MANUAL W/CH 2. REF (E) IS MARADMIN 628/20 SPECIAL DUTY
ASSIGNMENT PAY, ASSIGNMENT INCENTIVE PAY, AND VOLUNTEER SUPPLEMENTAL
INCENTIVE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021//
POC/J. T. WARD/MGYSGT/RA/TEL: 703-432-9411/
EMAIL: JEFFERY.T.WARD@USMC.MIL//
POC/J. C. WILLIAMS/MGYSGT/RA/TEL: 703-784-0583/
EMAIL: RA-RETENTION@USMC.MIL//
POC/D.B. SAMPERISI/MGYSGT/MCRC G3 PSR/TEL: 703-768-9868/
EMAIL: MCRCPSR@MARINES.USMC.MIL//
POC/D. T. MILLS/MSGT/MMPB-11/TEL: 703-784-2765/
EMAIL: ENLISTEDPROMOTIONS@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This message announces the Fiscal Year 2027
(FY27) Reserve Affairs Management (RAM), Active Reserve, Special
Duty Assignment (SDA) Campaign and provides coordinating
instructions for requesting billets as a Prior Service Recruiter
(PSR), Drill Instructor (DI), or Marine Combat Instructor (MCI).
The SDA Campaign outlines the timeline of the FY27 voluntary and
involuntary assignment periods.
2. Background. A successful SDA tour is a hallmark of a
competitive Marine and makes him or her exceptionally qualified for
promotion. In addition to opportunities for SNCO meritorious
promotions and financial incentives, an SDA tour is intellectually
rewarding and both physically and mentally challenging.
3. Situation. The goal of the FY27 SDA Campaign is to fulfill all
SDA requirements with volunteers by building upon the sustained
volunteerism of recent years. Marines approved for FY27 SDA will
have a class report date between 1 October 2026 and 30 September
2027. The FY27 SDA Campaign will be executed via voluntary and
(if required) involuntary assignment periods from 1 August 2025 to
1 July 2026.
4. Concept of operations:
4.a. Voluntary Assignment Period (VAP)
4.a.1. The VAP begins 1 August 2025 and ends 28 February 2026.
During this period, CMC (RAM) will accept and review volunteer
packages for potential assignment to a SDA of the Marine’s choice.
The intent of this phase is to fulfill as many FY27 SDA openings as
possible and minimize the requirement for involuntary assignments.
See paragraph 5 for eligibility information.
4.b. Involuntary Assignment Period (IVAP)
4.b.1. The IVAP will begin on 1 March 2026. The intent of this
period is to assign only the minimum number of Marines needed to
fulfill the remaining FY27 SDA openings. Eligible Marines will be
screened for involuntary assignment via CMC (RAM). The IVAP will
end 1 July 2026.
4.b.2. During the IVAP, Marines not identified for screening may
request assignment to a SDA as a volunteer. However, these
volunteers will no longer have priority for assignment and may be
restricted by Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS)
requirements.
5. Eligibility
5.a. Reference (a) contains the complete listing of eligibility and
screening criteria.
5.b. Corporals through gunnery sergeants who will not exceed
Enlisted Career Force Controls (ECFC) limits prior to 30 September
2030 per reference (b). Corporals may only volunteer for MCI and
PSR duty. See paragraph 6 below concerning PSR.
5.c. Marines must have more than 12 months time on station as of
1 March 2026. Eligible Marines are encouraged to contact their
career counselor and monitor for more information.
5.d. Marines who have executed a lateral move into their present
MOS are not eligible to submit for voluntary assignment unless they
have completed a minimum of 36 months in that MOS prior to the class
start date.
5.e. Marines who have previously completed an SDA are eligible to
serve on a second tour dependent on the PMOS population
supportability. Marines must have been in their PMOS a minimum of
24 months prior to their class start date.
5.f. Marines who wish to volunteer for assignment to an SDA must
submit an “SDA RELM” using the Total Force Retention System (TFRS)
to HQMC (RA) with the assistance of the unit career counselor.
Career counselors should include a comment in the RELM about any
preferences a Marine may have (SDA type, duty locations, and class
dates).
5.g. To be considered an SDA volunteer, Marines must have an
"SDA RELM" submitted in TFRS before 28 February 2026 and request
assignment to one of the following duties: PSR, DI, or MCI. Marines
desiring to volunteer should plan accordingly, package signature
dates will not be used to determine a Marine's volunteer status.
5.h. Eligible Marines volunteering for PSR duty are required to
conduct an interview with a PSR Career Recruiter nearest their
location using the PSR screening addendum. Telephonic screenings
are authorized; however, in-person interviews should be executed
to the greatest extent possible. The last page of the addendum must
be signed by the career recruiter and the entire addendum is
required to be attached to and submitted with the SDA RELM to
include all endorsements as required. Marines should contact the
PSR District Headquarters nearest them at the number below:
1. PSRS-1, Brooklyn, NY: (516) 824-3091 / 3095
2. PSRS-4, Columbus, OH: (614) 809-2886
3. PSRS-6, Parris Island, SC: (214) 558-0857
4. PSRS-8, Fort Worth, TX: (817) 738-6260 ext. 23 / 24
5. PSRS-9, Great Lakes, IL: (847) 688-7129 / 7130 ext. 782 / 772
6. PSRS-12, Camp Pendleton, CA: (619) 738-5348 / (760) 763-6219
6. Noncompetitive Active Reserve corporal to sergeant PSR promotions
6.a. All eligible corporals attending the Basic Prior Service
Recruiter Course are qualified for non-competitive promotion to
sergeant with a date of rank effective date of the first of the
month after checking into their new duty station.
6.b. Marines must have 12 months time in grade and 36 months active
duty time in service identified by the Armed Forces Active Duty Base
Date (AFADBD).
6.c. Marines must be Professional Military Education complete to
include Command Sponsored Corporals Course.
6.d. In order to effect promotions, submit an endorsed roster by
the Recruiting District Commander via Naval correspondence to
enlisted Promotions Unit (MMPB-11) at
enlistedpromotions@usmc.mil including:
Rank Name EDIPI MCC/Unit PME Complete
6.e. Upon review and approval, unit diaries will be entered by
MMPB-11. Commanders will then prepare certificates of appointment.
Commanders must ensure the Marine is ready to assume the
responsibilities and perform the duties of the grade in a credible
and satisfactory manner.
7. Volunteer Cancellations and Modifications
7.a. To increase the reliability of volunteer assignments,
volunteer cancellation and modification requests prior to the IVAP
will be considered on a case-by-case basis based upon the needs of
the Marine, the PMOS, the SDA, and the Marine's command. Marines
should provide full justifications for these requests.
7.b. All cancellation and modification requests, for volunteers and
non-volunteers alike, occurring after publication of the IVAP
screening list will be scrutinized. Marines and commands should
provide thorough justifications detailing why the Marine is no
longer eligible and/or the risks incurred if the Marine remains in
their current assignment.
8. Financial Incentives. Per reference (e), all Marines who earn
the additional MOS for their SDA and are assigned to the
corresponding SDA billet MOS will receive SDA Pay (SDAP) and
Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP). In addition to SDAP and AIP,
volunteers for Recruiting and Drill Instructor duty will receive a
Voluntary Supplemental Incentive (VSI) of $10,000.00 paid in
monthly payments of $278.00 or in lump sum. Note, Combat
Instructors will not receive VSI.
8.a. Lump Sum AIP Agreement. Commanders will ensure proper
documentation via NAVMC 118 (11) for all Marines electing single
lump sum payment in accordance with reference (e).
8.b. Current volunteer financial incentives per reference (e):
Duty Total (monthly VSI) Total (lump sum VSI)
Recruiter $703 per month $425 monthly and $10,000
Drill Instructor $578 per month $300 monthly and $10,000
8.c. Current non-volunteer financial incentives per reference (e):
Duty Total (SDAP and AIP only)
Recruiter $425.00 per month
Drill Instructor $300.00 per month
8.d. Financial incentives for all Combat Instructors per
reference (d):
Duty Total (SDAP and AIP only)
Combat Instructor $300.00 per month
9. Questions regarding the FY27 SDA Campaign should be referred to
the POCs listed above.
10. Release authorized by Major General Karl D. Pierson, Director,
Reserve Affairs Division.//