FISCAL YEAR 2026 (FY26) ENLISTED TO CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 (CWO2) MARINE GUNNER SELECTION BOARD

R 181545Z DEC 24
MARADMIN 613/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/USMTF 2024/CG MCRC QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2026 (FY26) ENLISTED TO CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2
(CWO2) MARINE GUNNER SELECTION BOARD//
REF/A/MSGID:MCO/CMC MPP/YMD:20190716//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/CMC C 466/YMD:20230609//
REF/C/MSGID:DOC/CMC MIFD/YMD:20000714//
REF/D/MSGID:RMG/CMC MCUB/YMD:20240412//
REF/E/MSGID:DOC/CMC C 469/YMD:20220323//
REF/F/MSGID:DOC/CMC C 469/YMD:20211207//
REF/G/MSGID:DOC/BUMED/YMD:20050812//
REF/H/MSGID:DOC/CMC MMEA-6/YMD:20100908//
REF/I/MSGID:DOC/CMC MRA/YMD:20140204//
REF/J/MSGID:DOC/CMC MMRP-30/YMD:20180501//
REF/K/MSGID:DOC/CMC MRA/YMD: 20200825//
NARR/REF (A) IS MCO 1040.42B, WARRANT OFFICER (WO) AND LIMITED DUTY
OFFICER (LDO) ACCESSION PROGRAMS. REF (B) IS NAVMC 1200.1J,
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES MANUAL. REF (C) IS MCO P1070.12K,
W/CH 1 MARINE CORPS INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION MANUAL (SHORT
TITLE: IRAM). REF (D) MCBUL 1020, MARINE CORPS TATTOO POLICY. REF
(E) IS MCO 6100.13A W/CH 4, MARINE CORPS PHYSICAL FITNESS AND COMBAT
FITNESS TESTS (PFT/CFT). REF (F) IS MCO 6110.3A CH 3, MARINE CORPS
BODY COMPOSITION AND MILITARY APPEARANCE PROGRAM. REF (G) IS NAVMED
P117, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, MANUAL OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
(MANMED), CHAPTER 15. REF (H) IS MCO 1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION
AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. REF (I) IS MCO 1230.5C,
CLASSIFICATION TESTING. REF (J) IS MCO 1610.7A, PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION SYSTEM (SHORT TITLE: PES). REF (K) IS MARADMIN 491/20,
REMOVAL OF PHOTOGRAPHS FROM CONSIDERATION BY PROMOTION BOARDS AND
SELECTION PROCESSES PERTAINING TO ASSIGNMENT, TRAINING, EDUCATION
AND COMMAND//
POC/BRENT R. REIDENBACH/MCRC ON-E/TEL: (571) 559-4396/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. The purpose of this MARADMIN is to announce the
FY26 Enlisted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) Marine Gunner
Selection Board. Qualified Marines are encouraged to submit
applications in accordance with the guidelines provided by reference
(a) and this MARADMIN.
2. Dates
a. Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) will convene the
FY26 WO Marine Gunner Selection Board at Headquarters, U.S. Marine
Corps on or about 8 July 2025 for approximately three days.
b. Application Deadline. The deadline for submission of
applications is 2 June 2025. Marines should complete their
applications and submit them before the established deadline.
3. Per references (a) and (b), the Marine Gunner Selection Board is
designed to provide the Marine Corps with technical specialists who
perform duties that require extensive knowledge of MOS 0306 and can
be assigned successive tours of duty. MOS credibility is a key
factor for selection. The Commandant has directed that Marine
Gunners come from the ranks of infantry senior staff noncommissioned
officers in the grade of gunnery sergeant or above. These Marines
must possess combat arms skills, operational experience, extensive
knowledge of infantry weapons, combat marksmanship, and other such
expertise that will make a significant contribution to the
warfighting capability of their future units and to the
infantry/ground combat element advocacy process as a whole. As
Marine Gunners, they will be a source of expertise on all aspects of
infantry weapons and combat marksmanship. They will maintain their
high degree of expertise with assignments within the operating
forces, installations, and supporting establishments. Due to
continual operating forces assignments, Marine Gunners should expect
to receive Permanent Change of Station orders upon graduation and
spend a large amount of time deployed.
4. Marine Gunners will advise commanders at all levels on the
tactical employment of weapons and optics organic to infantry and
infantry-like units. Additionally, they will develop, coordinate,
and monitor unit training programs to improve the employment and
maintenance of infantry weapons, and to instill and foster combat
marksmanship skills throughout the force. Therefore, only
experienced Marines with a primary MOS of 0321, 0363, 0369, or 0372
will be considered. Specific prerequisites and caveats for
eligibility are addressed in reference (b). Should E-8 and E-9
Marines in the 8999 MOS choose to apply they must have held the
0321, 0363, 0369, or 0372 MOS prior to the 8999 MOS or be eligible
and meet the prerequisites and caveats addressed in reference (b).
We recognize that few have the broad scope of knowledge and
experience required to become a Marine Gunner. The training track
developed for this MOS will build on the selectees' present base of
experience to produce an officer qualified to carry out the duties
of a Marine Gunner. Following the Warrant Officer Basic Course
(WOBC), newly commissioned Marine Gunners will attend the Infantry
Weapons Officer Course. Interested Marines are highly encouraged to
contact their primary MOS monitors prior to formally submitting an
application.
5. Marines are encouraged to contact the 0306 Occupational Field
Manager, Marine Gunner, CWO5 Jeremy Barone for more information to
help determine their qualifications, at commercial (703) 614-8498,
DSN prefix 278 or via email at [email protected].
6. Electronic Applications. All CWO applications will be submitted
electronically in accordance with the instructions provided in the
following paragraphs. All submitted documents shall be legible.
Marines who have questions regarding the technical use of the
electronic application may contact the MCRC point of contact listed
in paragraph 28 of this message. Qualified Marines are required to
obtain a commanding officer (CO) endorsement at each level of
command up to the first general officer (GO) in their chain of
command, and submit their complete applications through DoD SAFE
(Secure Access File Exchange), https:(slash)(slash)safe.apps.mil/,
to the following email address: [email protected].
Marines are to follow all instructions within DoD SAFE when uploading
and submitting their applications. Hard copy applications will be
accepted on a case-by-case basis. Marines must send their complete
applications to the electronic mail address listed above prior to the
application deadline. Each CO must ensure that his or her
endorsement, denoting the level of confidence in the applicant, is
promptly returned to the Marine so that the Marine may submit the
application prior to the deadline. Commands must ensure that Marines
receive original copies of all endorsements.
7. If an applicant is assigned to a command or institution of
another Service or country that will locally provide endorsements
and evaluations based on their own Service or national perceptions
and values, consultation with a field grade Marine Corps officer or
higher is encouraged. This will ensure clarification of the
inclusion or exclusion of Service unique information. Endorsements
from these senior Marines should be included, if appropriate. This
does not exclude the requirement of a GO-level endorsement. COs
must ensure applications are forwarded via the chain of command and
include a GO-level endorsement.
8. Applications received without all endorsements from the Marine's
chain of command will not be considered by the board. Ineligible
Marines will not be considered by the board. COs should not
recommend appointment for Marines who do not meet the eligibility
criteria and do not qualify for a waiver. Waivers are granted on a
case-by-case basis only to the exceptionally qualified. If the
senior endorser deems a Marine "not recommended" for appointment,
the Marine is ineligible for board consideration. Marines who
receive an endorsement of "not recommended" from the senior endorser
and forward their application to MCRC will have their application
removed from consideration and not forwarded to the board. COs are
directed to pass this information to eligible Marines in their
commands, review applications for completeness, ensure that Marines
requesting waivers receive comprehensive justification on all
endorsements from the chain of command (including the senior
endorser), and make definitive recommendations regarding all Marines
who submit an application. COs must specifically address the
technical proficiency of the Marine in each MOS(s) for which they
are applying. Endorsements and applications must be screened
closely to ensure that only technically and professionally qualified
Marines are submitted for consideration.
a. Submit appropriate Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS)
screens for Service Record Book (SRB) pages that have been replaced
per reference (c) by MCTFS. Marines must ensure SRB pages which
have been removed and replaced by MCTFS are updated, and these pages
must be made part of their application. Due to operational
necessity, all Marines are required to provide their full Social
Security Number (SSN) and other Personally Identifiable Information
(PII) on the data sheet only. PII is required to track, identify
and evaluate applicants throughout the application process.
b. Reference (d) covers the Marine Corps tattoo policy.
All Marines will complete the Tattoo Screening Form (TSF) and
Statement of Understanding (SOU). A copy of the TSF and SOU may be
found on the MCRC website at http:(slash)(slash)www.mcrc.marines.mil
/Marine-Officer/Officer-Naval-Enlisted-Applicants. Marines and
certifying commissioned officers are required to fill out the entire
form except the re-verification portion. Commands must ensure that
color photos are included and forwarded with the application.
Marines with body markings must submit a close-up color photo and
explanation of each body marking addressing the content (description
and meaning), location, size, number of body markings and date the
body marking was made. In addition, Marines must submit full length
photos in Physical Training (PT) gear (green shorts-green t-shirt)
from the left, right, front and back. For body markings located in
private areas, Marines will submit a drawing and a written
description detailing the criteria cited by this paragraph in lieu
of a photograph. Private areas are defined as any portion of the
body that is covered by the PT uniform. Photo/drawing of the body
marking is required in the application only. Digital
photos/drawings of body markings will not be filed in the Marines'
OMPFs, nor will the photos be seen by the board. All
photos/drawings are used for tattoo waiver and review purposes only.
c. Per reference (c), Unit Punishment Book (UPB) entries are
only filed in the SRB if applicable. For those Marines who do not
have a UPB, include a statement as an additional paragraph in the
basic application that states "No UPB is provided due to no record
of non-judicial punishment or other disciplinary action."
d. Marines must possess unquestionable character and exercise
sound judgment at all times. Accordingly, applicants must disclose
all instances of disciplinary and/or investigative actions taken
against the Marine, regardless of the outcome. This includes but is
not limited to: court martial proceedings, civilian court
proceedings, administrative separation processing, non-judicial
punishment, command investigations, Prohibited Activities and
Conduct investigations, and any other investigation conducted by a
government agency. This includes court proceedings of any kind
resulting in an acquittal, a dismissal, or a deferred prosecution;
and any investigation or proceeding in which the basis is unfounded
or unsubstantiated. Marines reporting such instances must provide a
detailed statement with any associated documentation explaining the
circumstances of the matter and the disposition.
e. Per reference (e), Marines are required to have a current
Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT) on file. The PFT induction
standard for The Basic School (TBS) is a first class PFT defined in
reference (e). Per reference (f), all Marines are required to
adhere to Marine Corps body composition and military appearance
standards.
f. Marines must submit a 100 - 500-word essay that must
address the following subjects:
1. What is the most compelling reason I desire to become a
CWO2 Marine Gunner in the Marine Corps.
2. What I feel my duties will entail on a daily basis.
3. How I intend to make the transformation to a CWO2.
g. Pre-commissioning physical examination documents must be
submitted per chapter 15 of reference (g). Reference (g) can be
accessed via the following website: https:(slash)(slash)www.med.
navy.mil/directives/pages/navmedp-mandmed.aspx. See paragraph 15
of this MARADMIN for additional information regarding submission of
medical documents.
9. Qualifications. In addition to the requirements contained in
references (a) and (b), Marines must meet the basic reenlistment
prerequisites per reference (h). Applying to the Marine Gunner
selection board does not justify an extension of an End of Active
Service (EAS) date or a reenlistment as the sole basis. If a
Marine will EAS prior to the commissioning date on or about 1
February 2026, the Marine will need to coordinate with their
respective career planners and COs for guidance.
10. Per reference (a), no age restriction is established. Marines
must meet service eligibility requirements established by reference
(a). Marines must have at least one year time in grade at GySgt and
not more than 23 years of service by the convening date of the board.
Use the convening date of the board when computing the amount of
active naval service, 8 July 2025. Active duty in the U.S. Army or
U.S. Air Force is not creditable as naval service.
11. Per reference (a), Marines must possess a minimum General
Technical (GT) score of 110 derived from the Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) or the Army Classification
Battery-61. Marines must use the Basic Training Record (BTR) as
evidence of a qualifying GT score. Classification test score is
located on the test score screen of MCTFS. If the score is in MCTFS
but does not appear on the BTR, attach a copy of the test score
screen to the BTR and submit as an enclosure to the application.
Only a GT score resident within MCTFS will be accepted as an
official score of record for all Marines.
12. Those Marines whose test scores do not satisfy the minimum
requirements are encouraged to retest immediately to ensure scores
are posted 30 days prior to the board convening date, 8 July 2025.
Marines will not be allowed to retest without first obtaining
written authorization from their commands at the battalion/squadron
level via the command authorization letter found within reference
(i). These requests may be signed "by direction" from the unit
Career Retention Specialists or any staff officers with "by
direction" authority from the CO. Marines are highly encouraged
to follow the Command Authorization Letter template found within
reference (i), enclosure (1), to avoid administrative processing
delays due to incorrect letter format. The Command Authorization
Letter template can also be downloaded from the Manpower Studies
and Analysis (MPA) Test Control website at https:(slash)(slash)
www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/MPA/Testing. Marines
should then schedule an Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT)
retest with the nearest base or installation Education Center or an
authorized Marine Corps test site. Marines are not authorized to
take an AFCT retest at a Military Entrance Processing Station or
Military Entrance Test Site. Marines may only take the AFCT twice
in a 12-month period. In addition, Marines will not be retested
earlier than six months following the most recent retest. Marines
who fill recruiter billets must follow special instructions which
require approval from MPA. This authority is not delegated.
Recruiters can contact MCRC G-3 Enlisted Operations, Deputy Head,
Enlisted Recruiting Comm: (703)432-9650 or contact MPA Test Control
DSN 278-9368 or Comm: (703)784-9368. Exceptions to those
requirements can only be authorized by the Commandant of the Marine
Corps, MPA. Failure to follow AFCT retesting policy will result in
test score invalidation. Marines may submit applications with a
pending AFCT retest if they are using their GT scores to meet the
aptitude test score requirements established by reference (a)
provided the following conditions are met:
a. In order for the applications to be accepted, commands must
endorse applications with a projected date for testing availability
and test results.
b. To ensure test scores can be recorded and reflected in
MCTFS, testing must be completed no later than 60 days prior to the
convening of the selection board. The convening date of the board
is on or about 8 July 2025; therefore, testing must be completed
by 9 May 2025.
c. If a qualifying score is not reflected in MCTFS 30 days
prior to the convening of the board, 8 July 2025, the application
will be determined ineligible. Marines must provide a copy of
their updated scores as soon as they receive them.
13. Reference (i) provides information on the Marine Corps
Classification Testing Program and publishes initial testing and
retest prerequisites. Arrangements and coordination with Army
testing facilities in Kuwait have been made to test Marines. Army
testing facilities are located at Camp Arifjan and Camp Buehring.
If not located within 50 miles of a Marine Corps or sister service
testing facility or if any other extenuating circumstances exist
regarding AFCT authorization, contact MPA Test Control DSN 278-9368
or Comm: (703) 784-9368.
14. Waivers. Requests of waivers for eligibility requirements
and exceptions to policy, except those established as non-waivable
by law or those specified as non-waivable by this MARADMIN, may be
considered on a case-by-case basis by the CG, MCRC.
15. Per references (c) and (j), each Marine is personally
responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of their
OMPF and Master Brief Sheet (MBS). If deficiencies such as missing
fitness reports, date gaps or unreadable documents are present in
the OMPF, Marines are personally responsible for correcting the
problem officially with Manpower Management Records and Performance
Branch (MMRP). The deadline to submit OMPF related information is
no later than 10 calendar days prior to the board convene date. All
emails submitted to MMRP-20 related to this Board must be indicated
on subject line. Ex: FY26 ENLISTED TO CWO2 Marine Gunner Selection
Board. Emails not including said information on subject line or
submitted after said date may not be reviewed in time for said board.
Marines are advised that the OMPF and MBS are distributed to the
board room prior to the convening date.
16. Medical Qualifications. A complete medical exam must be
completed and submitted separately from the application. Medical
documents must include a Report of Medical Examination (DD Form
2808), Report of Medical History (DD Form 2807-1), Annual
Certification of Physical Condition or current Periodic Health
Assessment (PHA) if applicable, and any supporting documentation as
needed. Physicals must have been completed within 24 months prior
to anticipated date of appointment, 1 February 2026. Marines
currently deployed to locations that do not have access to medical
facilities are authorized to submit pre-commissioning medical
documents immediately upon return stateside, but no later than 1
September 2025. Applicants must pay particular attention to the
following items:
a. Marks and scars must be listed.
b. Dental class type 1 or 2, documented on the DD Form 2808 in
block 43, and have block 83.a. signed by a dentist or submit a
dental examination as a separate enclosure. Dental records should
be updated to reflect the most current dental examination.
c. HIV results must be within 24 months of check-in to include
date tested and roster number.
d. Distance vision must be documented in block 61 of the DD
Form 2808. If vision does not correct to 20/20, a current manifest
refraction and ophthalmology evaluation is required. Applicants
with a history of vision correction surgery must have all
pre-operative and post-operative reports included with the medical
documents.
e. The results of an updated audiogram must be included in DD
Form 2808 block 71.a. or as a separate enclosure. If any of the
results are outside the normal range, per reference (h), section 38,
submit an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) or Audiology
consultation/evaluation and interpretation.
f. Female Marines over the age of 21 must have a current
Papanicolaou (PAP) test within the past 36 months. The pathology
report from the most recent test must be submitted.
g. Ensure all "Yes" answers on DD Form 2807-1 are explained by
the physician in block 29. All pertinent medical clearance
documents for each condition disclosed in the DD Form 2807-1 should
be provided.
h. Ensure all answers on DD Form 2808 blocks 17-42 (excluding
block 41 for males) are marked normal or abnormal. "NE" is not an
acceptable answer.
17. Medical documents will be reviewed for completeness once
received. Additional medical documentation or testing may be
required. Upon publication of the selection list, it is the
responsibility of the Marine Gunner selectees to contact MCRC to
ensure that medical requirements are met for commissioning. Select
grade to Marine Gunner will not be reflected in MCTFS until
selectees have met all medical requirements to accept commission.
Orders to the WOBC will not be initiated until selectees are
determined to be medically qualified by Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery via MCRC.
18. Ensure proper filing of separate correspondence addressed to
the president of the board for inclusion with an application,
include the Marines' names, EDIPI numbers, and MOS choices.
Letters of recommendation from officers outside the normal COC who
have knowledge of the Marines' leadership qualities and their
potential for appointment may be submitted electronically to
[email protected] up until 30 June 2025 in order
to be considered. Correspondence arriving after this date will not
be seen by the board.
19. Selection results are considered confidential and will not be
released under any circumstances until approved by the Commandant of
the Marine Corps (CMC). Once CMC has approved the select list,
results will be published by a MARADMIN message. Selectees are
scheduled to be commissioned on or about 1 February 2026. The
selectees will attend the WOBC. By separate orders, selectees will
be ordered to report to the CG, Training and Education Command, to
attend the WOBC at TBS in January 2026.
20. Selectees from the FY26 Enlisted to CWO2 Marine Gunner selection
board are tentatively scheduled for commissioning on 1 February 2026.
Those selected to Marine Gunner will be appointed by commission, by
the President, to the grade of CWO2, designated Marine Gunner, and
authorized to wear the bursting bomb insignia.
21. Lineal control numbers will be determined by the class standing
upon completion of the WOBC.
22. Per Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1165, CMC may recommend
termination of any permanent regular warrant officer at any time
within 3 years after the date when the officer accepted
commissioning as a CWO2. Accordingly, the CO, TBS or any required
MOS follow-on school shall request that CMC terminate the commission
of a warrant officer who fails the WOBC or any required MOS follow-on
school.
23. Selection results are considered confidential and cannot be
released under any circumstances until approved by the CMC. Results
will be published via MARADMIN immediately upon CMC approval.
Selection results will not be released telephonically or via email.
24. Recurring application discrepancies noted on past selection
boards include:
a. Senior endorsers neglecting to make definitive
recommendations regarding a Marine's application
b. Marines applying for an MOS for which they are not qualified
c. COC neglecting to vet Marines for MOS qualification
d. Gaps in fitness reports
e. Missing statements supporting NJPs and page 11 entries
(i.e. fraternization statement)
f. Incomplete statements regarding initiation, completion, or
type of security investigation/clearance
g. Missing current physical fitness or combat fitness test
score
h. Missing proof or verification of citizenship (if Basic
Individual Record reflects Alien)
i. Letters of recommendation neglecting to address the
Marines' experience in the MOS for which they are applying
j. Missing documents from the OMPF:
1. Fitness reports
2. Award citation write-ups
3. Any information not documented in the OMPF
25. COs should notify MCRC ON-E in writing, of any changes
affecting enlistment status or disciplinary action which occur after
submission of an application.
26. This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
27. This MARADMIN is cancelled 28 February 2026.
28. The point of contact (POC) for the MARADMIN is Mr. Brent
Reidenbach. Please refer to the POC information at the beginning of
this MARADMIN for telephone number or email
[email protected].
29. Release authorized by Major General William J. Bowers,
Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.//