Convening of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Reserve Senior Leader Screening Board (RSLB)

1.  The FY27 Reserve Senior Leader Screening Board (RSLB) will convene on 10 December 2026 for Reserve Component (RC) colonels (Col) and Col selects (Col-sel). The board will select RC officers for designated Reserve Senior Leader Billets projected to be vacated between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027.
2.  Purpose. The RSLB ensures that Marines serving in units that do not require board-selected O-6 commanders continue to receive the best possible Reserve senior leadership. It also ensures that eligible officers retain fair and equitable opportunities to compete for Reserve Senior Leader Billets.
3.  Board Process.
3.a.  The board will select a primary officer for each available billet.  Additionally, the board will select a sufficient number of alternates to meet requirements if primary selectees decline or are otherwise unable to fulfill the assignment.
3.b.  The board will develop a proposed Reserve Senior Leader slate and forward it, along with the alternate list, to the Director, Reserve Affairs (RA) for approval.
3.c.  Once approved, primary selectees will be announced via MARADMIN. Alternate selectees will retain their status for up to 24 months.
3.d.  The alternate list will be posted on the Reserve Affairs Careers (RAC) website at: https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/ Reserve-Affairs-Division/Reserve-Affairs-Careers-RAC/Career- Management-Team-CMT/ under the "Reserve Senior Leader Board" link.
4.  Board Composition. The RSLB will consist of Active Component (AC) and RC officers representing all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and the supporting establishments.
5.  Application Procedures. Applicants must submit a web-based, online application as outlined in paragraph 10. No other application methods will be accepted. In accordance with reference (D), applicants must possess the primary military occupational specialty (PMOS) required by the billet(s) listed in paragraph 8. Applicants who do not possess the requisite PMOS will not be considered.
6.  Eligibility.
6.a.  The board will select the best and fully qualified officers from a list of eligible Cols and Col-sels.
6.b.  Cols who have previously held an Unrestricted (UR) Col Command Billet are eligible to apply for Reserve Senior Leader Billets.
7.  Ineligibility. Officers meeting any of the following criteria are ineligible and their applications will not be considered:
7.a.  Officers with an established separation or retirement date or who have applied for transition to the Active Component via the Return to Active Duty (RAD) program.
7.b.  Officers (including retired recalled) with a mandatory removal or retirement date within two years of the projected billet assumption date.
7.c.  Officers approved for sanctuary (attained DC M&RA approval to exceed 18 years of active duty (AD) service), those serving on orders ending beyond 18 years of AD service, or those whose assignment would push them beyond 18 years of AD service.
7.d.  Officers currently serving in a billet selected by a prior Reserve Command Screening Board (RCSB) who are not scheduled to depart that billet prior to the RSLB assignment date.
7.e.  Officers in the Special Education Program, unless they will complete at least 24 months of their utilization tour prior to assuming the Reserve Senior Leader position.
8.  Available Senior Leader Billets.  The following billets will be slated by the FY27 RSLB.
Billet Title | Location | Eligible MOS | Projected Assignment
---|---|---|---
Deputy Director, Reserve Legal Support | Pentagon, Arlington, VA | 4402 | September 2027
Deputy Commander, Marine Corps Cyber Warfare Group | Fort Meade, MD | 8006 | June 2027
Officer-in-Charge, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command | Virginia Beach, VA | 8006 | April 2027
9.  Assignment. The projected assignment dates listed above are based on a standard tour length of 24 months per reference (A).
10.  Application Process.
10.a.  The deadline for submitting an application and all update materials is 2359 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 20 November 2026.
10.b.  Applications must be submitted online via the Reserve Senior Leader Board application portal at: https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/ application_cac/edu/index.jsp. Click "FY27 RSLB" to begin.
10.c.  Officers without an M&RA portal account will receive a "404-access error" containing instructions for registering. This portal is available to all officers. If technical issues persist, contact the POCs listed in this message.
10.d.  The application allows document attachments and billet preference selections via drop-down menus. The entire application package must be uploaded as a single PDF formatted as: EDIPI_RANK_ LNAME.PDF (e.g., 1234567890_COL_LASTNAME.PDF). Incorrectly formatted files will be deleted.
10.e.  Applicants are highly encouraged to submit a signed Reserve Qualification Summary (RQS) (NAVMC 10476).  The template is available on the M&RA RAM-3 webpage under "Support Documentation" at: https:// www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Reserve-Affairs-Division/Reserve- Affairs-Management-RAM/Reserve-Affairs-Management-Embeds/.
10.f.  Applicants are highly encouraged to submit a letter to the President of the Board to explain their billet preferences, highlight relevant background capabilities, or address any record discrepancies.
10.g.  Upon successful submission, officers will receive an automated confirmation email.
11.  Update Material.
11.a.  Update material must be uploaded via the online portal, addressed to the President, FY27 RSLB. In accordance with reference (G), only information recorded in the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) and Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) by 2359 EST on 20 November 2026 will be presented to the board.
11.b.  Late submissions will not be accepted. All materials submitted to the board will be destroyed upon board adjournment.
11.c.  Photographs. Official photographs will be utilized by the board in accordance with reference (B).
11.d.  Fitness Reports. Officers can verify receipt of fitness reports at: https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower- Management/Performance-Branch/Records-and-Performance, or by emailing smb_hqmc_fitrep_processing@usmc.mil.
11.e.  OMPF Updates.  Officers are responsible for OMPF accuracy. Updates must be submitted via the Official-Records Management Application (ORMA) under the "OMPF Update Requests" tab at: https://www4.manpower.usmc.mil/orma/#/.
12.  Career Counseling. Applicants are highly encouraged to consult with a Career Counselor via the Career Management Team (CMT), Reserve Affairs Division.  Request services via smb_cmt@usmc.mil, call 703-784-0557, or visit the CMT website at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Reserve-Affairs-Division/ Reserve-Affairs-Careers-RAC/Career-Management-Team-CMT/.
13.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Reserve Component.
14.  Release authorized by Brigadier General Guillermo Rosales Jr., Director, Reserve Affairs Division.