R 041200Z JAN 23
MARADMIN 003/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/OPT OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR THE REGULAR FY25 MAJOR, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, AND COLONEL PROMOTION SELECTION BOARDS//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CONGRESS/8AUG2018//
REF/B/DOC/DOD /16DEC2020//
REF/C/DOC/SECNAV /28MAR2019//
REF/D/MSGID:DOC/SECNAV MEMO/5JAN2022//
NARR/REF (A) IS TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE. REF (B) IS DOD INSTRUCTION 1320.14, COMMISSIONED OFFICER PROMOTION PROGRAM PROCEDURES. REF (C) IS SECNAVINST 1420.3, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY COMMISSIONED OFFICERS PROMOTION PROGRAM. REF (D) IS THE SECNAV MEMO WHICH DELEGATES OPT OUT AUTHORITY TO THE MARINE CORPS.//  
POC/M. J. MCCLINNIS/MAJ/MMPR-1/TEL: (703) 784-9704//
POC/C. E. PENNINGTON/CAPT/CMC MPP-30/TEL: (703) 784-9365//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose.  This MARADMIN solicits applications for and describes the process for opting out of consideration for promotion. Additionally, it provides background information in advance of execution of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Regular Unrestricted Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel Promotion Boards, convening in summer 2023.
2.  The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2019 provides relief to officers from the legacy up or out promotion system.  Opt out of consideration for promotion is a statutory authority that allows eligible officers to request to opt out of consideration for promotion in a given year without penalty.
3.  Opt out of consideration for promotion.  Section 619 of reference (a) is the statutory authority granting the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the discretion to authorize eligible officers to opt out of consideration for promotion by a promotion selection board (PSB).  Reference (d) delegates authority to the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC M&RA) to approve the request of an officer to opt out of consideration.  DC M&RA may only approve a request if all three of the following criteria are met:
    a.  The basis for the request is to allow an officer to complete a broadening assignment, advanced education, another assignment of significant value to the Marine Corps, or a career progression requirement delayed by the assignment or education;
    b.  DC M&RA determines the opt out of consideration is in the best interest of the Marine Corps based on the statutory guidelines, MOS strengths, and the needs of the Service; and
    c.  The officer has not previously been considered in-zone for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.
4.  The following categories of officers may be eligible to opt out.
    a.  Examples of broadening assignments include, but are not limited to:  Utilization tours associated with the Marine Corps’ Graduate Education Program, Foreign Professional Military Education, Congressional Fellowship, Commandant’s National Fellows, and Tours with Industry.
    b.  Examples of qualifying advanced education include, but are not limited to:  Full-time resident graduate or doctoral education, Olmsted Scholar, and equivalent service institutions and/or resident civilian education programs.
    c.  Examples of another assignment of significant value include, but are not limited to:  Foreign Area or Regional Area Affairs, and Personnel Exchange Program.
5.  Eligible officers
    a.  All active component unrestricted officers who are eligible to be considered as in-zone or above-zone not previously considered eligible for promotion to Major, Lieutenant Colonel, or Colonel in FY25, who meet the following requirements: 
    b.  Must not have previously been considered in-zone for promotion to the grade for which the officer requests the exclusion from consideration.
    c.  Must be within height and weight standards. 
    d.  Must have no outstanding investigations, pending legal matters, or in-grade adverse material.
6.  Officers who meet the requirements in paragraphs 4 and 5 may submit a request to opt out of consideration for promotion.
    a.  Officers may request to opt out of promotion consideration no more than one time per grade. 
    b.  Requests shall include the officer's justification for the request to opt out of consideration for promotion, current assignment, Primary Military Occupational Specialty, statement attesting to eligibility per paragraph 5, and endorsements from the chain of command.  
    c.  Applications must be endorsed by the first general officer in the applicant’s chain of command. 
    d.  Requests must be submitted to HQMC via the NAVMC 10274 Administrative Action (AA) request form no later than 24 March 2023.  Submit endorsed AA forms to Manpower Management Promotions Branch (MMPR) email address:  [email protected] or mailing address: 
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (MMPR-1)
Attn:  Opt Out of Consideration for Promotion
Harry Lee Hall
17 Lejeune Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5104
7.  Coordinating instructions.  Lieutenant colonel and colonel commanders will endorse the applicant’s request to opt out of consideration for promotion.  The first general officer in the chain of command will provide a recommendation to DC M&RA for all officers requesting opt out.  Manpower Management Division (MM) and Manpower Plans and Policy Division (MP) will review all requests to make a determination on the eligibility of the applicant and provide an appropriate recommendation to DC M&RA for final determination.  MMPR will ensure that approved officers are removed from the eligible population for consideration for promotion, appropriately update the history of lineal establishment database to memorialize that the officer opted out of consideration for promotion, and update post board reports in accordance with references (b-d).
8.  Recommendations for opt out requests will be based on the service of an officer in a broadening assignment, advanced education, or assignment of significant value, overall performance history, and ability to meet career progression milestone requirements. 
9.  MMPR will notify officers by letter of their approval or disapproval after DC M&RA has made final determination.  A copy of the approval letter will be placed in the officer’s official military personnel file.
10.  In-zone officers who are approved for opt out of consideration for promotion will be removed from the FY25 eligible population to be considered with the in-zone population for the FY26 Regular Major, Lieutenant Colonel, or Colonel Promotion Boards, without penalty. 
11.  Officers approved for opt out are not precluded from receiving PCS orders. 
12.  Officers may view the current zones chart projections at: https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/MPP30
13.  Officers considering opt out of consideration for promotion are advised to consult with their respective monitor, executive officer, or commanding officer for guidance on career progression and eligibility.
14.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserves.
15.  This MARADMIN cancels after the results of the FY25 Regular Marine Corps Major through Colonel selections are made public via ALNAV or approximately 31 Dec 2023.  
16.  Release authorized by LtGen James F. Glynn, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//