SOLICITATION OF APPLICATIONS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 (FY27) E8 REDESIGNATION BOARD PILOT

R 231315Z JUL 26
MARADMIN 334/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/SOLICITATION OF APPLICATIONS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2027
(FY27) E8 REDESIGNATION BOARD PILOT//
REF/A/MCO 1610.7B PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM (PES)//
POC/DAVID R. MURRAY/LTCOL/MMEA-2/-/TEL:703-784-9569/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/MIGUEL CUESPINOSA/MAJ/MMEA-3/-/TEL:703-784-9657/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
POC/JAMES FOSTER/SGTMAJ/MMEA SGTMAJ/-/TEL:703-784-9899/
EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. In alignment with continual refinement of
Talent Management, the Marine Corps aims to improve the process
by which we select highly qualified Marines to serve as First
Sergeants. As part of this initiative, Headquarters Marine
Corps will conduct a second E8 redesignation board pilot.
2. On 20 October 2026, the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) USMC E8
Redesignation Board will convene to consider applications in
alignment with the guidelines below.
3. Eligibility
3.a. Must have been selected to Master Sergeant as a primary
selectee on either the FY25 or FY26 Active Duty Gunnery Sergeant
to Master Sergeant Promotion Selection Board (PSB). Non-select
Marines and Marines selected as alternates are not eligible.
Only Marines on the alternate promotion list who have been
activated for promotion prior to the submission deadline may
apply for the pilot program.
3.b. Master Sergeant date of rank must be no earlier than 1
April 2025 or must still be a Gunnery Sergeant.
3.c. Redesignation is open to any Military Occupational
Specialty (MOS). The redesignation allocations available per MOS
may be impacted by MOS health and number of applicants. MOS
health will be included within the selection criteria based on a
recommendation from Director, Manpower Management. MOS health
will serve as a discriminator, not as a disqualifier.
3.d. Marines must be able to incur a minimum of 24 months of
additional obligated service upon acceptance of redesignation.
4. Submission
4.a. Submission deadline for consideration is 2359, Eastern
Standard Time (EST) on 31 August 2026. Applications received
by Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments - 2 (MMEA-2) after
this date will be returned without action and the Marine will be
excluded from consideration.
4.b. Complete packages must be electronically submitted via
email at [email protected]. The request must be in
Naval letter format with a positive endorsement from the
first commanding general in the chain of command. The request
must contain the following information:
4.b.1. From: Rank, Name, EDIPI, MOS.
4.b.2. To: President, FY27 E8 USMC Redesignation Board.
4.b.3. Via: (1) O5 Commander (2) O6 Commander, and (3)
First Commanding General in the chain of command.
4.b.4. Subject: Consideration for Redesignation.
4.b.5. First paragraph will be a concise statement of why the
application should receive favorable consideration.
No more than 100 words.
4.b.6. Subsequent paragraphs can be added to provide additional
information regarding any issues in the record that need
clarification or explanation.
4.b.7. Last paragraph must state "I understand that if selected
for redesignation I will not be eligible for promotion to
Sergeant Major until I have served two years time in grade as a
First Sergeant and that I may receive permanent change of station
orders requiring me to obligate additional service."
4.b.8. Letter must contain either the Marine's electronic or
hard copy signature.
4.c. Letters of recommendation may be included as enclosures.
4.d. Applicant must submit a 500-word essay to the President of
Board explaining reason for redesignation, why he or she should
be considered for redesignation, and how this request is in the
best interest of the Marine Corps.
4.e. Marine must submit with package a Page 11 entry stating "I
have been counseled by my Commanding Officer this date that I
must incur an additional 24-month Obligated Service upon
acceptance of redesignation to the rank of First Sergeant. Also,
I understand that if selected for redesignation
I will not be eligible for promotion to Sergeant Major until
I have served two years time in grade as a First Sergeant and
that I may receive permanent change of station orders requiring
me to obligate additional service."
4.f. Only complete packages will be processed and approved for
consideration during the redesignation board.
4.g. The Reenlistment Extension Lateral Move Request
(NAVMC 11537) will not be accepted in lieu of the Naval
letter format request.
4.h. For a sample format of the application go to: https://
www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/
Enlisted-Assignments/Assignments-MMEA-2/#tab/sgtmaj1stsgt-monitor
5. Board Preparations
5.a. The record cutoff for all data elements is 2359 EST 10
October 2026.
5.b. Marines should ensure accuracy of data elements in the
Marine Corps Total Force System including but not limited to
date of rank, armed forces active-duty base date, pay entry
base date, professional military education, service school
completion, billet description, primary military occupational
specialty, training scores, and personal awards.
5.c. Marines should conduct a self-audit prior to the board
convening to confirm accuracy of Official Military Personnel
File and Master Brief Sheet.
5.d. Fitness Reports are due in accordance with reference (a).
Marines' preference for "F" or "M" on previous Fitness Reports
will not affect selection or board process and do not preclude
a Marine from requesting consideration.
6. Execution
6.a. The E8 Redesignation Board will convene right after the
First Sergeant to Sergeant Major PSB.
6.b. Marines selected for redesignation will be announced
in conjunction with the 8999 PSB results via MARADMIN.
6.c. Selected Marines will retain their current time in grade.
6.d. Marines should consider any career or personal implications
prior to applying.
7. Points of contact for application submissions.
7.a. SgtMaj James Foster
Comm: (703)784-9899
Email: [email protected]
7.b. GySgt Israel J. Stanislaus
Comm: (703)784-9217/9955
Email: [email protected]
8. The information in this MARADMIN should receive widest
dissemination to eligible Marines.
9. This MARADMIN is only applicable to the Active Component.
10. Release authorized by MajGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.//