Marine Corps Enlisted Promotions

U.S. Marine Corps breast patch on fatigues

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By
Rod Powers
Rod Powers
  • Air Force NCO Academy

Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service.

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Updated on 05/06/19

To determine the "best qualified" for promotion to Corporal (E-4) and Sergeant (E-5) in the Marine Corps, the Marines use a "composite point" system. Promotion points within each MOS are determined with promotion points that are awarded for the following:

  • Rifle Marksmanship Score Determined based on the Marine's score on the rifle range. See conversion chart to convert rifle range scores to promotion points.
  • Physical Fitness Score Determined based on the Marine's latest physical fitness test. See conversion chart to convert Marine Corps PFT scores to Promotion Points.
  • Average Duty Performance Ratings A Marine's duty performance is rated periodically by his/her supervisors. The ratings used for promotion points are the average of all the duty performance ratings received since the last change in rank (promotion, demotion, etc). The average of duty proficiency marks are rounded off to the nearest 10th (4.44 would be 4.4; 4.45 would be 4.5).
  • Average Conduct Ratings Like duty performance ratings, a Marine's conduct is rated periodically by his/her superiors. The ratings used for promotion points are the average of all the conduct ratings received since the last change in rank (promotion, demotion, etc). The average of duty conduct marks are rounded off to the nearest 10th (4.44 would be 4.4; 4.45 would be 4.5).
  • Time-in-Service The number to be used is the total months in service (U.S. Armed Forces--active and Reserve) accrued in the military.
  • Time-in-Grade The computation of the total months in grade includes the number of months in the present grade on the current enlistment and the time-in-grade in the current or higher grade from a previous enlistment (USMC or USMCR [SMCR or IRR]), if the service was satisfactorily performed.
  • Drill Sergeant/Recruiter/Security Guard Bonus Points Commanders can add 100 bonus points for Marines who are performing duty as Drill Instructors, Recruiters, and Marine Corps Security Guards.
  • Self-Education E-3s and E-4s competing for promotion receive bonus points for military and civilian education. See conversion charts for points that can be awarded.
  • Command Recruiting Referrals E-3s and E-4s can refer individuals to recruiters. If those individuals then enlist in the Marine Corps, the E-3/E-4 will receive 20 bonus points for each individual referred (Note: Marine Corps Recruiters are not eligible for these referral points -- but they are eligible for the 100 point Recruiter Bonus, above).

Use the table below to compute total promotion composite score:

Line # Item Example Score Total
1 Rifle Marksmanship Promotion Points 5.0 5.0
2 Physical Fitness Promotion Points 5.0 5.0
3 Add lines 1 and 2 together 10 10
4 Divide the results by 2 5 5
5 Multiply Duty Performance Marks Average by 100 44.5 49.5
6 Multiply Conduct Rating Average by 100 43.5 93
7 Multiply number of months time-in-grade by 10 50 143
8 Multiply number of months time-in-service by 2 6 149
9 Self-Education Points (maximum 75) 25 169
10 Add Drill Instructor/Recruiter/Security Guard Points (if applicable) 100 269
11 Add 20 points for each recruiting referral (maximum 100 points) 40 289
12 Total Composite Score 289

Above Information Derived from MCO P1400.32C, Marine Corps Enlisted Promotion Manual