R 182000Z NOV 25
MARADMIN 554/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/WARRANT OFFICER (WO) ACCESSION PROGRAM UPDATES//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250307//
REF/B/DOC/TITLE 10 U.S.C.//
REF/C/MSGID: MSG/CMC/DTG: 151500ZSEP25//
REF/D/MSGID: MSG/CMC/DTG: 151505ZSEP25//
REF/E/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250307//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1040.42B W/ADMIN CH-1, WARRANT OFFICER (WO) AND
LIMITED DUTY OFFICER (LDO) ACCESSION PROGRAMS. REF B IS TITLE 10,
UNITED STATES CODE (U.S.C.) CHAPTER 33A. REF C IS MARADMIN 429/25,
FISCAL YEAR 2026 (FY26) ENLISTED TO WARRANT OFFICER REGULAR
SELECTION BOARD RESULTS MARADMIN. REF D IS MARADMIN 430/25, FISCAL
YEAR 2026 (FY26) ENLISTED TO WARRANT OFFICER RESERVE SELECTION
BOARD RESULTS MARADMIN. REF E IS NAVMC 1200.1L, MOS MANUAL.//
POC/T. J. GOODMAN/MAJ/MPP-30/TEL: (703) 784-9365/EMAIL:
THOMAS.GOODMAN@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This message announces changes to the Warrant
Officer (WO) accession process which will be codified in an update
to reference (a), when published. References (a) and (b) provide
governing law, policies, and instructions for application,
eligibility, and selection procedures for the Warrant Officer
Accession Program.
2. Effective 1 January 2026, the following changes are in effect,
to include modifications to references (c) and (d):
2.a. Deferrals.
2.a.1. Marines selected for the regular Enlisted to WO accession
program no longer have the option to defer their attendance at the
Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC). If the Marine experiences a
hardship that precludes their attendance at the WOBC to which they
are ordered to attend, the Marine shall submit a Declination of
Appointment letter to Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting
Command (CG, MCRC), via their chain of command, indicating they
are formally declining their selection to WO accession.
2.a.2. Marines already approved for deferral prior to 1 January
2026 will be allowed to execute the deferral to WOBC 1-27. Further
deferrals will not be accepted. If the Marine would like to pursue
WO accession at a later date, they may apply for a future WOBC
using the procedures outlined in the subsequent WO Accession
Selection Board MARADMIN.
2.a.3. Marines selected for the Reserve Other Than Active Reserve
(OTAR) WO program who, due to personal hardship, are not prepared
to attend TBS will not be appointed. The individual will remain
on the list of Marines approved to be appointed to the grade of WO
for no more than one deferment.
2.b. Appointment.
2.b.1. Beginning with WOBC 1-26, the appointment date for WOBC
attendees will be “the first day of the month of which graduation
will occur” following the completion of all graduation requirements
in the program of instruction. A determination of likelihood to
successfully complete the period of instruction will occur not
earlier than training day 50 of the current period of instruction.
2.b.2. This change in appointment date enables a more streamlined
administrative process and eliminates the need for a formal
reversion request to the Secretary of the Navy for Marines who did
not or could not complete the course.
2.b.3. Marines who fail to complete the graduation requirements
will not be appointed/commissioned.
2.b.4. Based on the current program of instruction, The
appointment/commission date for WOBC 1-26 is 1 April 2026.
3. Effective 1 May 2026, the following changes are in effect, to
include modifications to references (c) and (d):
3.a. Marines who have been passed for promotion in their current
paygrade are not eligible to apply for appointment to WO.
3.b. The minimum 8 years’ Time in Service (TIS) will no longer be
waived. All interested Marines must have a minimum of 8 years’
TIS by the selection board’s convening date.
4. Commanders are directed to disseminate this announcement to all
Marines within their command currently selected for, or
considering apply to, the WO accession program.
5. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
6. Release authorized by LtGen William J. Bowers, Deputy Commandant
for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//