Calendar Year 2026 (CY26) Marine Corps Recruiting Command Enlisted to Officer Announcement Selection Boards

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.