R 181938Z JUL 25 MARADMIN 341/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA// SUBJ//FISCAL YEAR 2027 ACTIVE RESERVE SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT CAMPAIGN// REF/A/MSGID:  DOC/CMC/YMD: 20210511// REF/B/MSGID:  MSG/CMC/DTG: 151433ZMAR22// REF/C/MSGID:  MSG/CMC/DTG: 111930ZJUN24// REF/D/MSGID:  DOC/MMPR-2/20140612 REF/E/MSGID:  MSG/CMC/DTG: 211824ZOCT20// NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS MCO 1326.6 CH 1, SELECTING, SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SCREENABLE BILLETS AND INDEPENDENT DUTY ASSIGNMENTS (SCREENMAN). REFERENCE (B) IS MARADMIN 117/22 ACTIVE RESERVE ENLISTED CAREER FORCE CONTROLS PROGRAM. REFERENCE (C) IS MARADMIN 269/24 DESIGNATION OF COMBAT INSTRUCTOR DUTY AS A SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT.  REF (D) IS MCO 1400.32D, ENLISTED PROMOTION MANUAL W/CH 2.  REF (E) IS MARADMIN 628/20 SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT PAY, ASSIGNMENT INCENTIVE PAY, AND VOLUNTEER SUPPLEMENTAL INCENTIVE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021// POC/J. T. WARD/MGYSGT/RA/TEL: 703-432-9411/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/J. C. WILLIAMS/MGYSGT/RA/TEL: 703-784-0583/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/D.B. SAMPERISI/MGYSGT/MCRC G3 PSR/TEL: 703-768-9868/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/D. T. MILLS/MSGT/MMPB-11/TEL: 703-784-2765/ EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message announces the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Reserve Affairs Management (RAM), Active Reserve, Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Campaign and provides coordinating instructions for requesting billets as a Prior Service Recruiter (PSR), Drill Instructor (DI), or Marine Combat Instructor (MCI). The SDA Campaign outlines the timeline of the FY27 voluntary and involuntary assignment periods. 2.  Background.  A successful SDA tour is a hallmark of a competitive Marine and makes him or her exceptionally qualified for promotion.  In addition to opportunities for SNCO meritorious promotions and financial incentives, an SDA tour is intellectually rewarding and both physically and mentally challenging. 3.  Situation.  The goal of the FY27 SDA Campaign is to fulfill all SDA requirements with volunteers by building upon the sustained volunteerism of recent years.  Marines approved for FY27 SDA will have a class report date between 1 October 2026 and 30 September 2027.  The FY27 SDA Campaign will be executed via voluntary and (if required) involuntary assignment periods from 1 August 2025 to 1 July 2026. 4.  Concept of operations: 4.a.  Voluntary Assignment Period (VAP) 4.a.1.  The VAP begins 1 August 2025 and ends 28 February 2026. During this period, CMC (RAM) will accept and review volunteer packages for potential assignment to a SDA of the Marine’s choice. The intent of this phase is to fulfill as many FY27 SDA openings as possible and minimize the requirement for involuntary assignments. See paragraph 5 for eligibility information. 4.b.  Involuntary Assignment Period (IVAP) 4.b.1.  The IVAP will begin on 1 March 2026.  The intent of this period is to assign only the minimum number of Marines needed to fulfill the remaining FY27 SDA openings.  Eligible Marines will be screened for involuntary assignment via CMC (RAM).  The IVAP will end 1 July 2026. 4.b.2.  During the IVAP, Marines not identified for screening may request assignment to a SDA as a volunteer.  However, these volunteers will no longer have priority for assignment and may be restricted by Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) requirements. 5.  Eligibility 5.a.  Reference (a) contains the complete listing of eligibility and screening criteria. 5.b.  Corporals through gunnery sergeants who will not exceed Enlisted Career Force Controls (ECFC) limits prior to 30 September 2030 per reference (b).  Corporals may only volunteer for MCI and PSR duty.  See paragraph 6 below concerning PSR. 5.c.  Marines must have more than 12 months time on station as of 1 March 2026.  Eligible Marines are encouraged to contact their career counselor and monitor for more information. 5.d.  Marines who have executed a lateral move into their present MOS are not eligible to submit for voluntary assignment unless they have completed a minimum of 36 months in that MOS prior to the class start date. 5.e.  Marines who have previously completed an SDA are eligible to serve on a second tour dependent on the PMOS population supportability.  Marines must have been in their PMOS a minimum of 24 months prior to their class start date. 5.f.  Marines who wish to volunteer for assignment to an SDA must submit an “SDA RELM” using the Total Force Retention System (TFRS) to HQMC (RA) with the assistance of the unit career counselor. Career counselors should include a comment in the RELM about any preferences a Marine may have (SDA type, duty locations, and class dates). 5.g.  To be considered an SDA volunteer, Marines must have an "SDA RELM" submitted in TFRS before 28 February 2026 and request assignment to one of the following duties: PSR, DI, or MCI. Marines desiring to volunteer should plan accordingly, package signature dates will not be used to determine a Marine's volunteer status. 5.h.  Eligible Marines volunteering for PSR duty are required to conduct an interview with a PSR Career Recruiter nearest their location using the PSR screening addendum.  Telephonic screenings are authorized; however, in-person interviews should be executed to the greatest extent possible.  The last page of the addendum must be signed by the career recruiter and the entire addendum is required to be attached to and submitted with the SDA RELM to include all endorsements as required.  Marines should contact the PSR District Headquarters nearest them at the number below:

1. PSRS-1, Brooklyn, NY:         (516) 824-3091 / 3095
2. PSRS-4, Columbus, OH:         (614) 809-2886 3. PSRS-6, Parris Island, SC:    (214) 558-0857
3. PSRS-8, Fort Worth, TX:       (817) 738-6260 ext. 23 / 24 5. PSRS-9, Great Lakes, IL:      (847) 688-7129 / 7130 ext. 782 / 772 6. PSRS-12, Camp Pendleton, CA:  (619) 738-5348 / (760) 763-6219
4. Noncompetitive Active Reserve corporal to sergeant PSR promotions 6.a.  All eligible corporals attending the Basic Prior Service Recruiter Course are qualified for non-competitive promotion to sergeant with a date of rank effective date of the first of the month after checking into their new duty station. 6.b.  Marines must have 12 months time in grade and 36 months active duty time in service identified by the Armed Forces Active Duty Base Date (AFADBD). 6.c.  Marines must be Professional Military Education complete to include Command Sponsored Corporals Course. 6.d.  In order to effect promotions, submit an endorsed roster by the Recruiting District Commander via Naval correspondence to enlisted Promotions Unit (MMPB-11) at [email protected] including: Rank       Name       EDIPI       MCC/Unit       PME Complete 6.e.  Upon review and approval, unit diaries will be entered by MMPB-11.  Commanders will then prepare certificates of appointment. Commanders must ensure the Marine is ready to assume the responsibilities and perform the duties of the grade in a credible and satisfactory manner.
5.  Volunteer Cancellations and Modifications 7.a.  To increase the reliability of volunteer assignments, volunteer cancellation and modification requests prior to the IVAP will be considered on a case-by-case basis based upon the needs of the Marine, the PMOS, the SDA, and the Marine's command.  Marines should provide full justifications for these requests. 7.b.  All cancellation and modification requests, for volunteers and non-volunteers alike, occurring after publication of the IVAP screening list will be scrutinized.  Marines and commands should provide thorough justifications detailing why the Marine is no longer eligible and/or the risks incurred if the Marine remains in their current assignment.
6.  Financial Incentives.  Per reference (e), all Marines who earn the additional MOS for their SDA and are assigned to the corresponding SDA billet MOS will receive SDA Pay (SDAP) and Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP).  In addition to SDAP and AIP, volunteers for Recruiting and Drill Instructor duty will receive a Voluntary Supplemental Incentive (VSI) of $10,000.00 paid in monthly payments of $278.00 or in lump sum.  Note, Combat Instructors will not receive VSI. 8.a.  Lump Sum AIP Agreement.  Commanders will ensure proper documentation via NAVMC 118 (11) for all Marines electing single lump sum payment in accordance with reference (e). 8.b.  Current volunteer financial incentives per reference (e): Duty                Total (monthly VSI)     Total (lump sum VSI) Recruiter           $703 per month          $425 monthly and $10,000 Drill Instructor    $578 per month          $300 monthly and $10,000 8.c.  Current non-volunteer financial incentives per reference (e): Duty                Total (SDAP and AIP only) Recruiter           $425.00 per month Drill Instructor    $300.00 per month 8.d.  Financial incentives for all Combat Instructors per reference (d): Duty                Total (SDAP and AIP only) Combat Instructor   $300.00 per month
7.  Questions regarding the FY27 SDA Campaign should be referred to the POCs listed above.
8.  Release authorized by Major General Karl D. Pierson, Director, Reserve Affairs Division.//