MARADMINs

This MARADMIN announces the Fiscal Year 2026 Career Counselor Retention Planning and Training Symposium, scheduled for 17-21 August 2026 at Quantico, VA. The symposium is designed for Career Counselors serving at Major Subordinate Command (MSC) and Major Subordinate Element (MSE) levels, with participation capped at 40 Marines. Attendees must notify POCs and confirm lodging reservations by 2 August 2026.

This MARADMIN provides a post-symposium report from the FY26 Combat Marksmanship Symposium held 24-26 September 2025, announcing several approved changes to Marine Corps marksmanship programs. Key updates include authorization of new optics and pistols for qualifications, changes to Tables 3-6 requirements (now tied to deployments rather than annual), elimination of "Destroy" targets for Annual Rifle Qualification, and updates to instructor training and competition programs including the new Marine Corps Attack Drone Competitions.

This MARADMIN announces the results of the FY26 Foreign Area Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (FAS) Program study track selection panel. Three Gunnery Sergeants have been selected to participate in the program, with assignments to INDOPACOM and AFRICOM regions. Selectees are directed to contact the point of contact for further guidance on orders to either Naval Postgraduate School or training locations in the National Capital Region.

This MARADMIN announces the Spring 2026 Marine Corps Cyber Games, a Service-wide Capture the Flag (CTF) competition focused on Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) taking place on 8 May 2026. The competition is open to cyberspace operators from DCO-IDM Companies and the Cyber Mission Force, with up to 32 teams competing across four two-day sessions in May 2026. Teams must register by 13 March 2026, with late registration accepted until 20 March 2026.

This MARADMIN announces the publication of MCO 1500.52E, which introduces major revisions to the Marine Corps Water Survival Program (MCWSP) and Underwater Egress Training (UET). The new order standardizes water survival qualification levels, updates exemption criteria for senior personnel, establishes a progressive UET continuum, and mandates the use of RFMSS for scheduling pool training. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to the Total Force.

This MARADMIN announces the Calendar Year 2026 training schedule for the Martial Arts and Fitness Center of Excellence (MAFCE), which will offer resident and mobile training courses for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), Force Fitness Program (FFP), and Water Survival Advanced (WSA) courses. The message provides specific dates, locations, and registration procedures for various instructor certification and recertification opportunities throughout 2026.

This MARADMIN solicits applications for Fiscal Year 2027 lateral moves to three specialized officer military occupational specialties: 1702 Cyberspace Warfare Officer, 1706 Maritime Space Officer, and 1707 Influence Officer. Active component unrestricted officers in grades of captain through lieutenant colonel who meet specific eligibility requirements may apply by May 25, 2026, with the selection panel convening on June 15, 2026.

This MARADMIN announces the Training and Education Command (TECOM) Instructor of the Year Awards Program for Academic Year 2025-2026, recognizing exceptional full-time instructors, faculty advisors, and professors across TECOM. The program will honor 12 formal school instructors/faculty advisors and one MCJROTC instructor for service from June 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, with an awards ceremony scheduled for May 7, 2026, in the National Capital Region.

This MARADMIN announces Change 2 to the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test and Body Composition Evaluation Process, specifically updating the Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) standard to less than or equal to 0.52 for all Marines regardless of sex. This change modifies paragraph 6 of the previous MARADMIN 066/26, while all other instructions from that message remain in effect.

This MARADMIN announces changes to the Marine Corps body composition evaluation process, replacing the semiannual height and weight requirement with a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) methodology effective 1 January 2026. All Marines in the Total Force are affected and must be evaluated using the new WHtR standard of <0.52, with those exceeding the standard undergoing body fat evaluation via tape test or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

The Deputy Commandant for Aviation will host the 2026 Marine Aviation Readiness and Operations Summit (MAROS) at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, Texas, from 11-15 May 2026. The summit focuses on the 2026 Marine Aviation Plan, emphasizing balancing crisis response with modernization through AI/ML integration, and will consolidate Operational Advisory Group meetings to discuss readiness, aviation programs, and tactics in one centralized location.

This MARADMIN announces the convening of the Fiscal Year 2027 Total Force Integrator (TFI) Free Military Occupational Specialty (FMOS) Enlisted Selection Board on April 1, 2026. Active Reserve (AR) Marines at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant are encouraged to apply for seven TFI billets across various commands that will support large-scale force integration and mobilization planning. Applications are due by March 20, 2026, and selected Marines will incur a 24-month utilization tour.

This MARADMIN solicits nominations for the National Security Agency (NSA) Cryptologic Internship Programs for Fiscal Year 2027, which provide three-year intensive training for active-duty Occupational Field 26XX enlisted Marines at NSA facilities. Five different programs are available for Corporals through Staff Sergeants in various cryptologic specialties (SIGINT, ELINT, language analysis), with selectees incurring a six-year service obligation and reporting to duty locations in Maryland or Colorado during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026.

This MARADMIN solicits nominations for the FY26 Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) Fellowship Program, which offers active-duty Marines and Sailors temporary assignments (up to 179 days) to participate in science and technology development, live-force experimentation, and wargaming activities. The program is open to Corporals through Gunnery Sergeants and 2nd Lieutenants through Captains across various MOS fields, with fellowships running from April 2026 to September 2026.

This MARADMIN announces the approval of seven Marine Corps doctrine and training publications during Q4FY25 and Q1FY26, covering topics including amphibious combat vehicles, operational contract support, water support operations, security cooperation, health service support, mountain warfare, and ground-based air defense. All publications are approved for public release and available via the Marine Corps Doctrine website and MCPEL, with several superseding or consolidating previous versions.

This MARADMIN announces Modern Day Marine (MDM) 2026, the premier Marine Corps exposition and symposium, to be held April 28-30, 2026 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Marines and civilian employees in the National Capital Region are highly encouraged to attend this free professional military education event, which features over 400 industry displays, senior leader talks, wargaming, and employment fairs. Registration is required and already open online at marinemilitaryexpos.com.

Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARFORSOC) is soliciting qualified Marines from Intelligence (02XX) and Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare (26XX) MOSs to become Intelligence Special Operations Capability Specialists (SOCS). Eligible Marines must be E-3 through E-6 (E-7 with less than 1 year TIG considered case-by-case), have 36 months TIS, possess Top Secret/SCI clearance, and meet physical fitness requirements including an 8-mile ruck in 2 hours with 45-pound load.

This MARADMIN announces the FY2026 Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) Selection Board for Marines in the 55XX Occupational Field (music specialties). The board will convene on or about 13 April 2026 at HQMC to select Marines for specialized music leader and technical Staff NCO billets including Ensemble Leader, Production Manager, and Instrument Repair Technician positions, with applications due by 30 March 2026.

This MARADMIN announces the establishment of the MUX-TACAIR (MAGTF Unmanned Expeditionary – TACAIR) Transition Task Force to manage the introduction of the MUX-TACAIR platform into Marine Corps Aviation operations. The Deputy Commandant for Aviation will lead the effort, coordinating with numerous USMC and Navy organizations to ensure effective transition and integration of this unmanned capability.

This MARADMIN announces the FY2026 course registration process for 06XX (Communications) and 28XX (Electronics Maintenance) occupational field training courses. It outlines registration procedures, deadlines, funding requirements, and provides a comprehensive list of available courses at various locations including MCCES California, Communication Training Centers, and other military installations. Marines must submit enrollment requests through designated email addresses with registration deadlines of 21 days (Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force courses) or 45 days (Army courses) prior to course start dates.