What are the types of promotion Marine Corps?

The Marine Corps created a new staff noncommissioned officer promotion warrant that states the leadership roles and responsibilities of ranks staff sergeant through sergeant major.

Previously, the SNCO and junior Marine promotion warrants were identical, implying that SNCO and junior Marine roles and responsibilities were the same.

A working group consisting of senior enlisted Marines convened to establish a previously undefined institutional understanding of the SNCO roles, responsibilities, and development as a 21st century warfighter in the Marine Corps.

“Promotion means growth and growth has expectations. The new warrant lays the foundation of that expectation from the day they pin-on and leaves little ambiguity in what they are responsible for as a SNCO,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Chelsea Jones, Combat Logistics Regiment 17 logistics/mobility chief and member of the working group.

As the Marine Corps institutes force modernization changes that require responsibilities be pushed to the lowest level of leadership, the working group communicated that it was imperative to set distinctions between the senior and junior enlisted ranks through doctrine.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger stated in his Commandant’s Planning Guidance that the Marine Corps “will generate a comprehensive, yet succinct and understandable hierarchy of orders and directives that define roles and responsibilities within the enterprise.”

The new warrant clarifies the roles and responsibilities that set SNCOs apart from a lance corporal and assists Marines in understanding expectations. It also empowers SNCOs to institute their leadership as a standard in all Marine Corps units across the force.

“While merely creating a SNCO promotion warrant may be perceived as elementary, it must be noted that doctrine provides the foundation of a learning culture and, most significantly, the cultivation of critical thinkers within the profession of arms,” said Sgt. Maj. Ryan Meltesen, 3rd Marine Logistics Group sergeant major and the working group coordinator.

One of the phrases in the new warrant is “dedication to the moral and ethical imperatives necessary to accomplish assigned missions.” This is an example of how the language has changed to reflect the responsibility SNCO’s have taken on over the years. It also supports Force Design 2030’s goal of developing small, better-connected formations that prevail in contested operating environments. Force Design 2030 expands on concepts in the Commandant’s Planning Guidance by outlining force modernization efforts to meet the demands of today’s battlespace.

“The commandant is making changes to the Marine Corps starting with doctrine,” said Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. “Doctrine is a guiding document that outlines expectations, roles, and responsibilities. What the Corps demands of its Marines must start with the lessons learned from nearly two decades of SNCO’s leading and taking on additional roles and responsibilities.”

Sgt. Maj. Monica Cervantes, a member of the working group, partnered with the Marine Corps History Division to find background information on the previous warrant. Their research found the new warrant not only marks a doctrinal change, it also marks a clear shift in the history and tradition of promotion warrants.

“This warrant is the first of its kind,” said Meltesen. “What we’re reflecting on now is [people whose job is] the profession of arms. [SNCOs] teach, lead and mentor junior Marines, but they also influence and educate officers above them.”

The new distinction between the SNCO and junior Marine warrant requires SNCOs to exercise authority over which they are responsible for as the Corps shifts to a 21st century warfighting model. Phrases in the new warrant include “possessing the technical and tactical proficiency,” and “guardian of our culture,” which implies capable SNCOs who lead and manage junior talent and advise senior officers during operations on the battlefield.

ADVANCING THROUGH THE RANKS

Every Marine, from the very beginning of their time in the Corps, holds a rank with an associated pay grade and set of responsibilities and education requirements. Making up a force that is always on the advance, Marines are expected to do all that is necessary to rise in rank with time and experience.

Junior Enlisted Marines: Private, Private First Class & Lance Corporal

These Marines are new to the Corps and are focused on developing and growing as an individual while honing their skills and core values.

Marine NCOs have faced a number of physical and mental challenges and are considered experienced Marines. Beginning at the rank of Sergeant, Marine NCOs can seek the opportunity to serve as Drill Instructors in charge of a recruit training platoon.

Marine Staff NCOs are highly experienced Marines who work in tandem with NCOs, responsible for the welfare, morale, discipline, and efficiency of Marines in their charge.

STAFF SERGEANT – responsible for the proficiency, training and administration of Marines in their charge.

GUNNERY SERGEANT – serves as their unit’s operations chief, working with superior officers on training, operations, and tactical advising.

MASTER SERGEANT – provides technical leadership as specialists in their specific MOS.

FIRST SERGEANT – serves as the senior enlisted Marine in the company, assisting in their unit’s discipline, administration, morale, and Marine welfare matters.

MASTER GUNNERY SERGEANT – provides technical leadership as specialists in their specific MOS.

SERGEANT MAJOR – serves as the principal enlisted advisor for a senior Marine commander, making high level strategic decisions that impact the entire Marine Corps.

SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE MARINE CORPS – the senior enlisted Marine of the entire Corps, personally selected by the commandant.

Warrant officer Marines are officer-level technical specialists in their respective fields, providing leadership, training, and extensive knowledge to the Marines in their MOS. To advance to this rank, the secretary of the Navy approves a warrant for a sergeant or staff NCO to be appointed a warrant officer. These Marines become commissioned officers when achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2.

SECOND LIEUTENANT – leads at the platoon or company level and looks to their senior officers for guidance and intent.

FIRST LIEUTENANT – leads in a similar way as second lieutenant but with increased responsibility immediately upon promotion.

CAPTAIN – responsible for leading entire companies of Marines, serving as company commander, leading tactical operations with the support of junior commissioned officers and senior enlisted noncommissioned officers.

MAJOR – typically serves in roles including battalion executive officer, weapons company commanders, or regimental or brigade staff members.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL – a key decision-maker; may serve as a battalion commander.

COLONEL – serves as a regimental commander, brigade executive officer, or division staff member.

BRIGADIER GENERAL – A one-star general, a Brigadier General is nominated by the President and must also be confirmed for duty by the Senate.

MAJOR GENERAL – A two-star general, a Major General is nominated by the President and must also be confirmed for duty by the Senate.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL – A three-star general, a Lieutenant General is nominated by the President and must also be confirmed for duty by the Senate.

GENERAL – A four-star general, the most senior officer rank, a General is nominated by the President and must also be confirmed for duty by the Senate.

ASSISTANT COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS – the second-highest ranking Marine Officer, and also a four-star general, serves as deputy for the Commandant.

COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS – the highest-ranking Marine Officer, also a four-star general, serves on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

After a Marine has completed their initial training and has become proficient in their MOS, the opportunities for self-improvement and advancement continue on pace with that Marine's desire to succeed. Additionally, there are numerous special training schools, advanced educational opportunities, and Specialty Duty Assignments available to Marines who prove they are up to the task.

For enlisted Marines, promotion beyond the rank of lance corporal is primarily based upon time in service, time in grade (rank) and level of performance. Enlisted promotions are competitive and are based on specific vacancies that occur within MOSs. Each year, Congress states, by law, what percentage of Marines can serve in each grade above Corporal. The Marine Corps takes the number of available openings it has for each enlisted rank and then assigns them to different MOSs. Because there are a finite number of positions within each MOS, promotion to the ranks of Corporal and above require an intense devotion to the duties of that MOS.

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