Promotion Withholds and Removals

Three Commander Actions on Promotions

The CO interacts with promotion decisions in three ways.

A withhold is unit-level. A removal is M&RA-level via recommendation. A delay is set higher than the CO.

Promotion Withhold

A CO has authority to withhold a Marine's promotion when there is pending adverse action or investigation affecting promotion eligibility. The withhold is administrative, not disciplinary.

When a withhold is appropriate

Procedure

1. Written notification to the Marine. Specific basis. Effective date of withhold. Expected duration.
2. Opportunity for the Marine to consult counsel and submit rebuttal.
3. CO signs the withhold directive.
4. Documentation in MOL promotion module and via S-1.
5. Page 11 entry per MCO P1070.12.
6. Notification up the chain per local SOP.
7. Periodic review (typically every 30 days) of the basis.

Resolution paths

A withhold resolves in one of three ways:

• Underlying action favorable to the Marine. Withhold lifted. Marine promoted with backdated effective date if appropriate.
• Underlying action adverse but not disqualifying. Withhold lifted. Marine promoted with current effective date.
• Underlying action disqualifying. Withhold leads to removal recommendation or other adverse action.

Common withhold failures

• Withhold imposed without written notification. Procedural defect.
• Withhold imposed without specific basis. Defect grounds.
• Withhold left in place after the underlying issue resolved. Marine challenges and wins.
• Withhold imposed on hearsay rather than verified fact. Defect.

Promotion Removal Recommendation

A Marine selected for promotion but not yet promoted is subject to removal recommendation if conduct or performance disqualifies them.

Authority

The CO recommends removal. The decision authority is M&RA per MCO P1400.32D. The path:

1. CO identifies the basis
2. CO notifies the Marine in writing
3. Marine has opportunity to consult counsel and submit rebuttal
4. CO submits removal package via the chain
5. M&RA / Commandant adjudicates
6. Result: Marine promoted (no removal), or Marine removed from selection list

When removal is appropriate

• NJP imposed between selection and promotion with adverse impact
• Court-martial conviction between selection and promotion
• AdSep proceeding initiated and characterizing as adverse
• Substantiated misconduct discovered after selection
• Failure to maintain qualifications required for the next grade
• Pattern of substandard performance documented after selection

Procedural rules

• Notification in writing
• Specific basis with supporting documentation
• Opportunity to consult counsel
• Rebuttal opportunity per MCO P1400.32D
• SJA review of the package before submission
• Routing through the chain

A removal recommendation without complete procedural support is sent back. The Marine remains on the selection list and the unit retains the obligation.

Response to a Promotion Delay

Higher headquarters or M&RA sometimes delays a promotion administratively for reasons outside the unit's view (record completeness, board action timing, statutory requirements).

CO's role

• Receive notification of the delay
• Communicate the delay to the Marine
• Confirm whether the delay is for reasons the unit needs to address (e.g., missing record items, expired qualification)
• Coordinate with S-1 and MMEA / MMPR on resolution
• Track the timeline

A delay resolving at higher level is not the CO's call. A delay caused by a unit-level records gap is the CO's responsibility to clear.

OSTC Overlap on Promotion Actions

Per MARADMIN 633/24, Marines under OSTC case authority on a covered offense are not eligible for promotion change processing without OSTC and SJA coordination. The withhold path is the typical mechanism.

A Marine alleged to have committed a covered offense, with OSTC reviewing the case, should have a promotion withhold in place pending OSTC disposition. The withhold is administrative. The OSTC review is the underlying action.

Marine's Appeal Path

Marines retain appeal rights on adverse promotion actions.

The Performance Evaluation Review Board (PERB) handles certain adverse personnel record matters. The Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) handles record correction at a higher level.

Documentation Set

For any promotion adverse action, the documentation includes:

• Written notification to Marine
• Rebuttal received from Marine (or signed declination)
• CO's adverse action directive
• Page 11 entry
• OMPF routing record via IPAC
• MOL promotion module entry
• SJA coordination memorandum (where applicable)
• Higher-headquarters routing record for removal cases

A withhold or removal without this documentation set is challengeable on procedural grounds.

Common Failures

1. Verbal withhold. Without written notification and basis, the action is voidable.
2. Removal recommendation without SJA review. Procedural risk and likely return.
3. Marine promoted while withhold remained on record. Administrative confusion. The promotion stands or fails depending on circumstances.
4. Withhold based on hearsay. Defect grounds.
5. Failure to notify chain. Higher headquarters surprised at the next promotion board.
6. OSTC overlap missed. Marine under OSTC review promoted without coordination. MARADMIN 633/24 violation.
7. Removal package incomplete. Returned for completion. Marine in limbo.

Decision Framework Before Initiating

Before signing any promotion adverse action:

1. Is there a specific, documented basis?
2. Have I notified the Marine in writing?
3. Has the Marine had opportunity to consult counsel and submit rebuttal?
4. For removal: has SJA reviewed the package?
5. Is there OSTC overlap requiring coordination?
6. Is the documentation routed to S-1, OMPF, and MOL?
7. What is the Marine's appeal path?

A "no" on any of these is grounds to delay until corrected.

What This Topic Does Not Cover

• Selection board actions. Promotion selection happens at HQMC. The unit influences via FITREP, not by direct action on the board.
• PERB appeals. PERB is a process the Marine drives with unit support. Different procedural set.
• Statutory promotion limits. Time-in-grade, time-in-service requirements come from law and MCO P1400.32D. The CO does not waive them.
• Promotion ceremonies. Process and pomp, not adverse action.

Related Pages

• Personnel Decisions Overview (this topic, order 1)
• Administrative Separation Authority (this topic, order 2)
• Retirement Processing (this topic, order 3)
• Reductions in Grade (this topic, order 4)
• NJP Routing and Commander Authority (Discipline and Records topic) - NJP outcomes affect promotion eligibility
• OSTC Covered Offenses (Turnover topic) - overlap rules for case-authority Marines
• Page 11 Entries (Discipline and Records topic) - documenting the withhold or removal basis