MCO 5420.16D - Enlisted Remedial Selection Board (Ersb)

Scope

MCO 5420.16D governs the Enlisted Remedial Selection Board (ERSB), the Headquarters Marine Corps body constituted by authority of the Commandant to review enlisted personnel records referred to it and to make recommendations concerning remedial promotion to SNCO grades. Signed 2008-11-02. The document's opening section states its purpose.

This revision updates information, guidance, and assigns responsibilities concerning the operation and functioning of the Enlisted Remedial Selection Board (ERSB). It further updates membership requirements for board members, and provides additional guidance for appointing board members

Audience

• Enlisted Marines seeking remedial consideration for promotion to SNCO grades. Requests go directly to MMPB-11. Command endorsement is not required.
• MMPB-11, the Enlisted Promotion Section. Administers the ERSB, validates eligibility, and releases results.
• Board members drawn from HQMC divisions, staff agencies, and designated local commands.
• S-1 staff and leaders coaching Marines on the remedial pathway.

Content scope

The order covers ERSB operation and functioning, board membership requirements, and guidance for appointing board members. Eligibility criteria for remedial consideration live in MCO P1400.32D Chapter 3 Section 6, not in this order.

Operative content

• The ERSB is duly constituted by authority of the Commandant and is authorized to review all Marine enlisted personnel records referred to it for recommendations concerning remedial promotion to SNCO grades.
• The board is composed of members representing the divisions and staff agencies of Headquarters Marine Corps and other local commands as designated in MCO 5420.16D.
• MMPB-11 administers the ERSB under MCO 5420.16D and MCO P1400.32D Chapter 3 Section 6.
• The ERSB meets monthly, typically the second or third Wednesday, with results finalized within three weeks, per MMPB-11 published guidance cited alongside this order.

Connection to higher policy

The portal names no statute, DoD issuance, or SECNAV parent for this order. Board authority flows from the Commandant through the enlisted promotion framework.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• MCO P1400.32D W/CH 2, the Enlisted Promotion Manual. Chapter 3 Section 6 sets ERSB eligibility. Paragraph 3602 lists approval and disapproval grounds and the due diligence requirement.
• MARADMIN 559/23. Junior enlisted remedial promotion runs as a separate, largely automatic MCTFS process outside the ERSB.
• MCBul 5420. Board schedule guidance cited with this order on the SNCO selection boards page.
• DD Form 149 to BCNR. The route for backdating an existing promotion, an action outside ERSB scope.

Status

Signed 2008-11-02. MCPEL lists the order as Current. Source PDF on file from the 2026-04-28 archive snapshot. Published by Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The signature date is over 17 years old, so confirm board schedule and submission mechanics against current MMPB-11 guidance before acting.