PAA 02-23 - Amplifying Guidance for MARADMIN 225/23 (Small Unit Leader Initiative)

Scope

PAA 02-23 amplifies MARADMIN 225/23, which announced the Small Unit Leader Initiative (SULI). SULI provides high-performing, committed, first term Corporals eligibility for promotion to Sergeant. The advisory clarifies the SULI criteria, the approval authority threshold, and the intersection with Intended MOS (IMOS) and non-competitive promotion paths.

Audience

• S-1 desks processing SULI promotion packages.
• Career Planners verifying reenlistment status and draw case code (DCC) entries.
• O-5 commanders signing SULI recommendations.
• Marines preparing SULI packages.
• IPAC pay clerks reporting IMOS entries.
• 0102, 0111, and 0170 admin specialists.

Content scope

• Approval threshold. Recommendation requires the first O-5 commander in the Marine's chain of command. O-4 commanders, with or without special promotion authority, are not authorized to promote under SULI. O-4 commanders forward SULI requests to the next higher echelon.
• Time-in-service requirement. Minimum 36 months TIS. The 12-month time-in-grade (TIG) requirement still applies.
• Reenlistment requirement. Marine must have executed a reenlistment in FY23 or later. Draw case code (DCC) "ZU" supports queries in MCTFS. Marines without the "ZU" DCC verify reenlistment through Career Planner or TFRS.
• Professional military education. Marine must have completed all required PME.
• JEPES cutoff. Marine must meet the Junior Enlisted Performance Evaluation System (JEPES) promotion cutoff score for the month of promotion.
• IMOS handling. Marines who laterally move must have an IMOS in MCTFS and must meet or exceed that MOS's JEPES cutoff score. IPACs find the IMOS on the TMOS screen and report once verified.
• Non-competitive promotions. MOSs listed in the FY non-competitive MARADMIN (MARADMIN 518/22 for FY23) do not require a JEPES score and are eligible for a SULI promotion if they meet all other SULI requirements. Non-competitive promotions submit to MMPR-2 per MARADMIN 518/22.
• MOS school failure. Marines who fail to complete the required MOS school are administratively reduced to their previous grade and incur a promotion restriction per MCO 1400.32D w/CH2.

Connection to higher policy

• MARADMIN 225/23. Authority for the SULI program.
• MARADMIN 518/22. FY23 non-competitive promotion framework.
• MCO 1400.32D w/CH2. Marine Corps Promotion Manual. Source of the promotion restriction rule for MOS school failures.
• JEPES. Source of the monthly promotion cutoff score.

Status

Released 2023. Source MISSA portal (CAC restricted). Distribution to all subordinate organizations and units as applicable.