MARADMIN 222/26 - Forthcoming Changes to Time in Service Requirement for Promotion to Sergeant and Changes to the Staff Sergeant Promotion Process

Scope

MARADMIN 222/26 announces three promotion policy changes affecting Sergeant and Staff Sergeant populations. The Sergeant Time in Service (TIS) requirement drops from 48 months to 30 months. The Sequenced Professional Military Education (PME) completion window for promotion to Staff Sergeant drops from 365 days to 270 days from board results release. The Staff Sergeant Promotion Board Alternate Selection List is discontinued effective FY27 and replaced by an adjusted annual promotion allocation model. The Small-Unit Leader Initiative (SULI) from MARADMIN 225/23 is cancelled.

Audience

• Corporals approaching promotion to Sergeant. New 30-month TIS standard applies.
• Sergeants selected for promotion to Staff Sergeant. New 270-day Sequenced PME window from board results release.
• Reporting officials and reporting seniors. Apply the new TIS standard. Track Sequenced PME completion on selectees.
• Career planners. Recompute the eligibility pool for the new TIS rule.
• Commanding officers. Apply the new framework. Brief Corporals on the TIS reduction.
• MMPB-11 and MMEA-2. Adjudicate cases.

Changes effective 2026-10-01

1. Sergeant TIS requirement drops from 48 months to 30 months.
2. The Small-Unit Leader Initiative (SULI) from MARADMIN 225/23 is cancelled.
3. All other eligibility requirements for promotion to Sergeant remain unchanged. Commander discretion and existing policies stay the same.

Sequenced PME window

• New deadline. 270 days from board results release.
• Requirement. Selectees complete both a qualifying resident and non-resident course under the updated EPME requirements (MARADMIN 003/24 dated 2024-12-23).
• Trigger. Apply to selections from the FY26 Staff Sergeant Promotion Selection Board onward.
• Consequence of non-completion. Selection revoked.

Staff Sergeant Alternate List discontinuation

The FY27 Staff Sergeant Promotion Selection Board will not select alternates. Promotion allocations adjust based on population shortfall forecasts.

Application

• 30-month TIS for promotion to Sergeant. Total Force.
• 270-day Sequenced PME deadline and elimination of alternate selects. Active Component and Active Reserve only.

Action items

1. Recompute the Sergeant promotion eligibility pool against the 30-month TIS rule effective 2026-10-01.
2. Identify FY26 Staff Sergeant selectees promoted via Sequenced PME. Track the 270-day window.
3. Confirm the SULI program is wound down for any unit referencing MARADMIN 225/23.
4. Coordinate with MMPB-11 on individual cases.
5. Subscribe to follow-on TFRS messages on the FY27 promotion allocation model.

Connection to higher policy

• MCO P1400.32D w/CH 1-2. Marine Corps Promotion Manual, Volume 2, Enlisted Promotions (MARCORPROMMAN Vol 2, ENLPROM).

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• MARADMIN 612/19. Announcement of Authority for Early Reenlistment, Delegation of Reenlistment Approval Authority, and Changes to Promotion Requirements Policy. The 2019 message increasing the TIS requirement to 48 months.
• MARADMIN 225/23. Establishment of the Small-Unit Leader Initiative (SULI). Cancelled by this MARADMIN.
• MARADMIN 003/24 dated 2024-12-23. Updated Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) Requirements for Active Duty and Active Reserve Marines. Defines the qualifying resident and non-resident Sergeant PME courses.

Status

Released 2026-05-15, DTG R 141400Z MAY 26. Originator CMC Washington DC MRA. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Applicability is the Total Force for TIS, Active Component and Active Reserve for PME deadline and alternate elimination. POCs MSgt Stalker at MPP-20, Major Griffin at MMPB-11, Major Campbell at MMEA-2. Effective 2026-10-01.