R 251600Z SEP 25
MARADMIN 459/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG MCRC QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/CALENDAR YEAR 2026 (CY26) MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND
ENLISTED TO OFFICER ANNOUNCEMENT SELECTION BOARDS//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1040.43B MCRC OE/YMD:20151029//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/MCRCO 1100.2B G-3/YMD:250306//
REF/C/MSGID: MSG/MARADMIN 027/24/YMD:20241201//
REF/D/MSGID: MSG/NAVMC 1560.25/YMD:20241105//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/BUMED/YMD:20050812//
REF/F/MSGID: DOC/MCO 7220.24P MPP-20/YMD:20161021//
REF/G/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1040.31 MMEA-6/YMD:20100908//
REF/H/MSGID: MSG/MARADMIN 715/19/YMD:20191227//
REF/I/MSGID: DOC/CMC MPO/YMD:20240412//
REF/J/MSGID: MSG/MARADMIN 369/21/YMD: 20210714//
REF/K/MSGID: DOC/SECNAVINST 5510.30C N092/YMD:20200124//
REF/L/MSGID: MSG/MARADMIN 458/04/YMD:20041021//
REF/M/MSGID: DOC/MCO 6100.13A CH 5/YMD:20250528//
REF/N/MSGID: DOC/MCO P1070.12K CH 1 MIFD/YMD:20000714//
REF/O/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1610.7B MMRP-30/YMD:20230605//
REF/P/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1900.16 CH 3 MMSR/YMD:20250528//
REF (A) IS MCO 1040.43B, ENLISTED TO OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS.
REF (B) IS MCRCO 1100.2B, MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND OFFICER
COMMISSIONING MANUAL (SHORT TITLE: MCRC OCM). REF (C) IS MARADMIN
027/24, TRANSFER OF POST 9/11 GI BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS (TEB) TO
DEPENDENTS PROCESS. REF (D) IS NAVMC 1560.25, MARINE CORPS
GUIDELINES FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE (SHORT TITLE: TA GUIDELINES). REF
(E) IS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY MANUAL OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
(MANMED), CHAPTER 15. REF (F) IS MCO 7220.24P, SELECTIVE RETENTION
BONUS (SRB) AND BROKEN SERVICE SELECTIVE RETENTION BONUS (BSSRB)
PROGRAM. REF (G) IS MCO 1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. REF (H) IS MARADMIN 715/19, CHANGE 1 TO MCO
1001.52K MANAGEMENT OF THE ACTIVE RESERVE (AR) SUPPORT TO THE UNITED
STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE (USMCR). REF (I) IS MCBUL 1020 THE
MARINE CORPS TATTOO POLICY. REF (J) IS MARADMIN 369/21 CLARIFICATION
ON THE REQUIREMENT FOR OFFICIAL PHOTOS. REF (K) IS SECNAVINST
5510.30C, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY PERSONNEL SECURITY PROGRAM. REF (L)
IS MARADMIN 458/04 CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICERS (CORRECTED
COPY). REF (M) IS MCO 6100.13A CH-5, MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS
AND COMBAT FITNESS TESTS (PFT/CFT). REF (N) IS MCO P1070.12K CH 1,
MARINE CORPS INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION MANUAL (SHORT TITLE:
IRAM). REF (O) IS MCO 1610.7B, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM (SHORT
TITLE: PES). REF (P) IS MCO 1900.16 CH 3, SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT
MANUAL (SHORT TITLE: MARCORSEPMAN).//
POC/MS. TROI SPENCER/MCRC ON-E/TEL:571-559-4588//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. The purpose of this MARADMIN is to announce the
convening of the CY26 Enlisted to Officer (E-O) programs, Marine
Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), Enlisted
Commissioning Program (ECP), Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program
(RECP), Meritorious Commissioning Program-Reserve (MCP-R), and
Enlisted to Judge Advocate Program (E-JA) selection boards and
process changes.
2. Boards and Selection. Per references (a) and (b), the E-O
selection boards will convene:
Board Application Deadline Board Convenes
CY26-1 16 January 2026 14 April 2026
CY26-2 19 June 2026 20 October 2026
Selection board results will be published by a separate MARADMIN.
Marines will be scheduled for the first available Officer Candidates
Class (OCC) once medically qualified. Deferment requests for the
scheduled OCC will only be entertained for medical or personal
hardships and approved on a case-by-case basis. Failure to attend
scheduled class or disapproved deferments will result in
disenrollment from the program. OCC report and graduation dates are
posted on the MCRC website.
3. Application and medical submissions. Complete applications must
be submitted by the established deadline to be considered by the
board. Requests to submit late or incomplete applications after the
deadline will be disapproved without exception. Marines must meet
program and medical requirements in accordance with references (a),
(b), (e) and application instructions at the time of application
submission regardless of their personal situation or deployment
status. E-JA applicants contact the Marines who do not meet the
requirements by the established application deadline are ineligible
and must apply to a future board once the requirements are met.
Marines are required to use the E-O application on the MCRC website.
Previous versions are obsolete. The primary way for Marines to
submit both their application and medical documentation is
established below:
a. Visit the MCRC website at www.mcrc.marines.mil. Select
Staff Sections, then G-3 Operations, then Marine Officer, then Naval
and Enlisted Programs, then click Enlisted to Officer Commissioning
tab.
b. Scroll down and download the application with instructions
and medical instructions. Marines must ensure all medical
requirements and timeframes are met per the instructions. Marines
must use a CAC enabled computer to submit their application.
c. Application must be in the same order as checklist to
include required added documents. DO NOT include master brief sheets
or other documents not listed on checklist. A signed checklist must
also be included with the application as the first page. Application
and medical must be submitted as two separate PDF files. Both should
be labeled as follows:
EDIPI_Last Name Program App (1234567890_Marine MECEP App)
EDIPI_Last Name Program Med (0987654321_Officer ECP Med)
d. Once Marines have completed their application and medical
documentation select the “Submit Your Application Here” button on the
MCRC website and follow the instructions to upload.
e. Commands are not authorized to submit the application on
behalf of the Marine. Commands are directed to provide their
endorsement letter to the Marine to include with their original
application. Marines are responsible for retaining a copy of the
completed application, to include the medical documents, for their
records as MCRC will not provide a copy.
f. Updates to original submissions must be submitted no fewer
than two weeks prior to the convening date of board via the OMB email
at e_oboard@marines.usmc.mil. Any updates received after this
deadline will not be seen by the board. It is not necessary to
resend the entire application or medical files. Submit only the
updated or requested documents. Marines shall ensure all documents
are clear, legible and that required photos are in color.
Applications and medical documents that are not complete or in the
order of the checklist will not be considered by the board. Marines
are required to have a commander's endorsement at each level of their
endorsing chain of command up to the first General Officer (GO) or
equivalent. The Chiefs of Staff are not authorized to endorse the GO
level unless they are Acting. Acting letter must be provided.
Marines who are "not recommended" for program consideration at the GO
level are ineligible, and their applications should not be submitted
to MCRC. Commands are required to review the applications to ensure
Marines meet program requirements and have included all required
documentation per the checklist and this MARADMIN. The first level
Commanders are required to sign and date the checklist to ensure
applications are complete and Marines are within program requirements
to include time in service and end of active service. All items on
the checklist are required unless stated otherwise.
g. If the website is inaccessible, the secondary way for
Marines to submit both their applications and medical documentation
is through DOD Safe at www.safe.apps.mil to the OMB email listed in
paragraph 3f. CAC is required. Select the Drop-Off tab and follow
the directions to upload and submit. Ensure all boxes are checked
prior to selecting “Send Drop-Off” button. Provide created
passphrase separately to the OMB email, not via DOD Safe and label
the email DOD Safe Passphrase. DO NOT list any other information or
punctuation with the passphrase email other than the passphrase as it
initiates an error. Failure to do so will result in your application
not being processed, screened, and boarded.
h. In the event the primary and secondary methods do not
accommodate your submission, send both the application and medical
files unencrypted to the OMB email as your last option. Attachments
must be password protected and must not exceed a combined file size
of 10 MB to be accepted by the MCRC email server. Include the
password in the email and ensure it is the same for both files.
i. DO NOT send submissions more than once or via multiple
methods. Marines whose submissions were forwarded via the primary or
secondary method will receive an automatic notification once the
files are downloaded. Marines who used the last option will receive
an email notification directly by MCRC once the files are downloaded.
4. Eligibility. Refer to references (a) and (b), and the MCRC
website for program requirements, eligibility criteria and general
qualifications.
5. Education. Official transcripts are not required. Refer to the
college transcripts and proof of degree instructions in the
application on the MCRC website for detailed requirements. MECEP
applicants who obtain a baccalaureate degree prior to selection,
attending Officer Candidate School (OCS), or attending a Naval
Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) or affiliated school will be
disenrolled and must apply to a future board for ECP.
a. MECEP Marines refer to references (a) chapter 2, (c), and
(d) for financial qualifications, NROTC participation and reporting,
academics, and educational expenses. Refer to website www.netc.navy.
mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Navy-ROTC-Schools/
for a list of NROTC affiliated institutions. MECEP Marines should
contact the Headquarters Marine Corps Leadership Scholar Program
Manager at (703) 784-3871 or email francine.jarrett@usmc.mil for
information on how to apply for their military education benefits
prior to contacting the veterans’ representative at their intended
NROTC institution. To request orders to a NROTC unit MECEP selectees
must be OCS complete and have both a school and NROTC unit acceptance
letter. NROTC Unit letter must provide a complete no later than date.
Orders requests must be submitted to MCRC POC NLT 90 days from the
requested report date for PCS orders and 30 days for PCA orders.
b. ECP, RECP, and MCP-R Marines refer to reference (a) for
education requirements from accredited colleges and universities. A
list of accredited institutions can be found on the following
website: ope.ed.gov/accreditation.
c. Marines who obtain degrees from a foreign academic
institution MUST be accepted by a nationally or regionally accredited
institution in the United States (U.S.). In many cases, Marines are
required to take additional courses to qualify for the next level of
their post-secondary education. If Marines desire to take additional
courses, they may refer to reference (d) for tuition assistance. The
domestic academic institution may or may not grant credit for courses
taken in foreign academic institutions. Marines may contact their
installation VECs to proceed in their pursuit of a degree or
credentials. Marines may also utilize the American Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) International
Education Services, National Association of Credential Evaluation
Services (NACES), or the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), to
evaluate foreign degrees for U.S. equivalencies. The link for AACRAO
international education services is www.aacrao.org. The link for
NACES is www.naces.org. The link for ECE is www.ece.org. A letter
from the accredited institution stating foreign degree has been
accepted must accompany the Marines' applications and must include
complete confer date, degree received, grade point average on a 4.0
scale and total credits. Packages received without the requirements
will be returned with no action.
6. Medical. Refer to the medical instructions on the MCRC website
for required documentation. Do not route medical forms through the
chain of command. If selected, medical documentation will be
reviewed by MCRC Medical Reviewers or the Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery (BUMED), as required. Marines requiring additional medical
documentation from BUMED or Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI)
will be contacted by MCRC. Marines will be notified by MCRC and
scheduled for an OCC once medically qualified. Any additional
medical documentation requested by MCRC must be forwarded to the
Medical Submissions link on the MCRC website. Commands and Marines
are not authorized to contact or forward any medical documentation
directly to BUMED. Review reference (e) for additional information
regarding medical clearance.
7. Additional information for application.
a. Rank requirement for MECEP is Corporal or above.
b. E-JA basic requirements are the same as ECP along with the
following:
(1) Sergeant to Gunny Sergeant rank requirement
(2) minimum of four years but not more than eight years of
total active-duty time prior to beginning law school
(3) baccalaureate degree from accredited institution with a
cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
(4) LSAT of 150 or better
Please contact the POC in paragraph 17 for additional E-JA
information.
c. Refer to references (a), (f), and NAVMC 118 (11) Entries
instructions in the application on the MCRC website for selective
reenlistment bonus and dual citizenship information.
d. Marines must meet the service requirements for their
respective programs, per reference (a) and paragraph 7b above for
E-JA to be board eligible. EAS and TIS requirement cannot be waived.
e. AR Marines applying for MECEP or ECP must be approved for
conditional release into the regular Marine Corps prior to the
application deadline. Refer to reference (a) for details. A sample
request for conditional release request is posted on the AR Enlisted
Assignments RAM-2 website at www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/
Reserve-Affairs-Division/Reserve-Affairs-Management-RAM/.
Applications received at MCRC that do not contain an approved DD Form
368 or have an expired date will not be considered. Selected AR
Marines must be non-competitively augmented to the active component
once identified as selected on the results MARADMIN. To accomplish
this, the AR selectees must initiate a Prior Service Enlisted Package
via a canvassing recruiter to Marine Corps Recruiting Command to
coordinate the augmentation. Marines must be available for world-
wide assignments and qualified to re-enlist or augment per references
(g) and (h) as applicable.
f. Only ECP applicants can apply for aviation at the time of
application. ECP aviation applicants must submit both the aviation
service agreement and ground service agreement. ECP applicants must
be NAMI qualified to compete for an Aviation Guarantee. ECP Marines
refer to medical instructions on website for flight physical
submissions. RECP and MCP-R applicants are not eligible to apply for
aviation. MECEP applicants may apply for aviation after they report
to the NROTC Unit. The NROTC unit will provide the deadline for
MECEP aviation requests. Refer to reference (a) for aviation
qualifications and requirements.
g. All Marines will complete the Tattoo Screening Form (TSF)
located in the application. Refer to reference (i) for what
constitute body markings and prohibited body markings. Refer to the
application on the MCRC website for detailed guidance on how to
complete the tattoo screening form. Commanding General, MCRC is the
adjudicating authority for any tattoo issue involving officer
accessions.
h. Refer to reference (b) and application on the MCRC website
for acceptable forms of citizenship verification and the
certification of documentation. The U.S. citizenship requirement
cannot be waived. Marines with dual citizenship must be counseled as
detailed in reference (a).
i. Refer to references (a), (k), and (l) for security
investigation information and required application submissions.
Clearances must not expire prior to reporting to college for MECEPs
or commissioning for the other programs. Secret clearances are valid
for up to 10 years and top-secret clearances are valid for up to 5
years. Security managers must utilize the security clearance
verification letter template provided in the application.
j. Marines must always possess unquestionable character and
exercise sound judgment. Accordingly, applicants must disclose all
instances of disciplinary and/or investigative actions taken against
the Marine, regardless of the outcome. Marines should refer to
references (a), (b), this MARADMIN, and the application on the MCRC
website regarding disclosure of criminal offense dispositions and
submission of required forms and proper documentation by law
enforcement agency or court.
k. All pre-service waivers and waivers required must be
addressed in first endorsement.
l. Marines must have a first-class physical fitness test (PFT)
and combat fitness test (CFT) score at time of application. Refer to
reference (m) for physical fitness scores. Marines who are
exempt from conducting a current PFT or CFT due to deployment must
provide the waiver exempting them in their applications.
m. Refer to the application on the MCRC website for aptitude
test score requirements. Scores can be requested via your education
center, or online. Qualifying test scores must be included in
application and test score requirements cannot be waived or excepted
per reference (a) and paragraph 3 of this MARADMIN.
8. Commanders, refer to reference (a) and this MARADMIN for actions
pertaining to the screening and reviewing of the applications.
Additional information provided below.
a. Ensure Marines and endorsing commands are using the
application template located on the MCRC website identified in
paragraph 3. Ensure point of contact information is on all
endorsement letters to include name, email addresses, and phone
numbers.
b. Ensure all required forms are completely filled out, signed,
and dated by the Marines and the certifying commissioned officers.
Failure to do so may end in the Marine not being considered by the
board.
c. Marines in receipt of permanent change of station (PCS)
orders prior to or after selection, must have their CO contact his or
her monitor by administrative message and request a delay of orders
until release of results MARADMIN or provide results MARADMIN number
selected on.
9. Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF). Per references (n) and
(o), Marines are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and
completeness of their OMPFs and master brief sheet (MBS) at least two
weeks prior to the board convene date.
a. Obtaining and reviewing the OMPF. The primary and most
expeditious means to obtain and view the OMPF and MBS are through
OMPF-Records Management Application (O-RMA) or via Marines Online
(MOL). Refer to reference (n), to determine which documents are
appropriate for inclusion in the OMPF.
b. Photographs. Per reference (j), official photos are not
required.
c. Records and Performance Branch.
(1) MMPB. OMPF documents can be submitted and updated via
O-RMA at www4.manpower.usmc.mil/orma/#/.
(2) Questions concerning the OMPF can be sent by the
following means:
(a) Email: smb.manpower.mmrp-20@usmc.mil
(b) Fax: Commercial (703) 784-5682, DSN: 278-5682
(c) Address: Manpower Management Records and Performance
Branch (MMPB-2)
2008 Elliot Road Quantico, VA 22134-5030
(d) Phone numbers:
Section Head, (703) 784-3901
Operations Officer, (703) 784-3950
OMPF customer Service, (703) 784-3906/3907/5640
(3) Performance Evaluation Section (MMPB-23).
Commercial (703) 784-3989, DSN: 278-3989 or toll free:
1 (877) 301-9953.
10. Per reference (p), Marine officers require 20 years of active-
duty service with ten years of active commissioned service for
retirement eligibility as a commissioned officer.
11. Common application discrepancies and board trends include:
a. Checklist not submitted or missing required signatures.
b. Leadership neglecting to thoroughly review applications to
verify Marines meet the basic requirements per reference (a) and this
MARADMIN.
c. Command endorsements neglecting to provide POC email
information as required.
d. Applications missing required endorsements or documents.
e. Commands neglecting to use the tier ranking as annotated on
endorsement letters in application (e.g. if a command has three
Marines applying to one program, they should rank 1, 2, and 3 out of
3).
f. Commands and Marines neglecting to ensure forms or documents
in the application, have required dates, signatures, full or partial
social security numbers, EDIPIs, or required statements (i.e.
information sheet, DD Forms 2808 and 2807-1, essays, page 11, etc.).
g. Documents or photos not legible or blurry within the
application (i.e. letters, social security cards, proof of
citizenship, marriage certificate, transcripts, MCTFS pages,
photographs, medical documentation, etc.) to accurately determine
program requirements for Marines.
h. Non-disclosure of preservice waivers. Failure to submit
supporting documentation for offenses not waived in enlisted record,
occurred after enlistment, or for all alcohol and assault
related violations.
i. Marines neglecting to update their OMPF, and Marine Corps
Total Force System (MCTFS) accounts. As a result, these systems do
not accurately reflect correct information which creates
discrepancies in application.
j. Failure to complete and submit the required medical forms
and supporting documentation per paragraph 6 of this MARADMIN.
k. Award citation write-ups missing in OMPF.
l. Fitness report date gaps.
m. End of active service (EAS) or time in service not within
policy outlined in reference (a) and paragraph 7c of this MARADMIN
and failure to provide proof of extension and/or reenlistment for
EAS.
12. Updates to reference (a) are outlined in this MARADMIN.
13. Recommend all qualified Marines reapply for future boards if not
selected. All forms and SOUs must be dated within one year of the
board convening date. All endorsements must be current to board
applying.
14. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
15. This MARADMIN is cancelled upon the release of the next board
announcement MARADMIN.
16. The POC for this MARADMIN is Ms. Troi Spencer. Please refer to
POC information at the beginning of this MARADMIN. For email
correspondence, email organizational mailbox
e_oboard@marines.usmc.mil.
17. The POC for additional guidance for the E-JA program is Capt
Chelsea A. Lucas at (571) 559-4525 or email chelsea.lucas@marines.
usmc.mil.
17. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,
Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.//