Change 1 to MARADMIN 188/25: "Advance Notification of Changes to Special Leave Accrual"
This MARADMIN suspends Special Leave Accrual (SLA) authorization for Marines assigned to deployable ships, mobile units, or other operational duties that have not been formally designated by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). The suspension does not affect Marines serving in Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) or Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) designated locations who meet the 120 consecutive day requirement. The Marine Corps is coordinating with the Department of the Navy to establish required SECNAV designations, and a follow-on MARADMIN will be published once approvals are obtained.
Issued: July 28, 2026
1. Purpose. This MARADMIN updates Special Leave Accrual (SLA) policy in reference (a) and upcoming change to reference (b). This policy change is effective upon release of this MARADMIN. 2. Background. References (c) and (d) outline qualifying criteria for SLA. Under these references, the Secretary concerned—for the Marine Corps, the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) must formally designate the specific deployable ship, specific mobile unit, or other qualifying duty to establish SLA eligibility. 3. Policy Update and Suspension. Reference (a) provided advance notice of SLA policy changes but did not explicitly clarify that SECNAV must formally designate the specific deployable ship, mobile unit, or other duty before eligibility is established. Absent these formal SECNAV designations, the first Marine general officer in the Marine's administrative chain of command does not possess the authority to approve SLA under these categories. Consequently, the Marine Corps is suspending the authorization of SLA for Marines assigned to deployable ships, mobile units, or other operational duties not otherwise exempted in paragraph 4. 3.a. The first Marine general officer in the Marine's administrative chain of command will not approve SLA requests citing the following criteria from reference (a): 3.a.1. Paragraph 6.b (Deployable Ship or Mobile Unit). 3.a.2. Paragraph 6.c (Other duty). 3.a.3. Paragraph 6.d (Contingency Operations). 3.b. Unit commanders will return any pending SLA requests submitted under these criteria to the Marine without action until SECNAV publishes formal designations. 4. Exceptions (Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay). This suspension does not apply to Marines serving in locations formally designated for Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) or Imminent Danger Pay (IDP). Marines serving at least 120 consecutive days in an HFP/IDP area remain eligible for SLA in accordance with paragraph 6.a of reference (a). 5. Future Guidance. Manpower and Reserve Affairs is coordinating with Department of the Navy to establish the required SECNAV designations. Headquarters Marine Corps will publish a follow-on MARADMIN to announce designated ships, mobile units, and other qualifying duties once SECNAV approves. 6. Direct all questions concerning this update to local administration sections or local Installation Personnel Administration Centers (IPAC). 7. This MARADMIN applies to the Total Force. 8. This MARADMIN remains in effect until incorporated into reference (e) or cancelled, whichever occurs first. 9. MARADMIN release authorized by Senior Executive Service Michael R. Melillo, Acting Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.