A. AR 350-1 (Army Training and Leader Development), 1 June 2025
B. AR 600-8-19 (Enlisted Promotions and Demotions), 6 March 2026.
C. AR 601-280 (Army Retention Program), 14 April 2023.
D. AR 614-200 (Enlisted Assignments and Utilization Management), 27 June 2025.
E. AR 635-200 (Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations), 30 June 2025.
F. MILPER Message 25-497, AHRC-PDV-PE, 9 December 2025, subject: FY26 Regular Army (RA)/United States Army Reserve (USAR) Active Guard Reserve (AGR) and Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Master Sergeant (MSG) Evaluation Board Announcement Message.
1. This message outlines selection criteria for the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Course (SMC) Class 78, for Regular Army (RA), U.S. Army Reserve Active Guard Reserve (USAR AGR) and Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Soldiers and will expire not later than (NLT) 15 June 2027.
2. Selection to attend the SMC is a readiness-based decision designed to ensure enough noncommissioned officers (NCOs) are trained across all military occupational specialties (MOSs) to qualify them for potential promotion to SGM against future Army requirements. The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Master Sergeant (MSG) Evaluation Board Order of Merit List (OML) will inform selection by Career Progression MOS (CPMOS). Selection requires NCOs to meet the eligibility criteria in para 6 below before the established suspense date. Failure to qualify by the established suspense date will result in non-selection, regardless of OML standings.
3. Selection consideration.
a. All NCOs evaluated by the FY26 MSG Evaluation Board will be able to view their individual OML standings on 24 June 2026 in IPPS-A in the promotion point tile. The OML standing informs each member of their individual ranking compared to the number of records in their Career Progression Military Occupational Specialty (CPMOS).
b. Soldiers may elect to OPT-OUT of consideration for SMC selection. On 26 June 2026, HRC will open the SMC consideration OPT-OUT window, and it will remain open until 10 July 2026. All eligible MSGs must access their My Board File (MBF) at the Army Selection Boards System (ASBS) website: https://mbf.hrc.army.mil/. Select the card labeled with the board name, then select either: “I WANT TO BE CONSIDERED” or “I DO NOT WANT TO BE CONSIDERED” from the popup. The Soldier may change their selection until the opt-out consideration window is closed on 10 July 2026. To change the opt-out selection, select the “Change My Decision” button on the left side under the “OPT-IN/OUT” Sub-Header.
NOTE: MSGs who do not make an election during the MBF Opt-Out period are considered for selection/attendance.
c. The SMC consideration opt-out window will remain open from 26 June – 10 July 2026. All MSGs will need to make their election for consideration for the SMC by 10 July 2026. Although all MSGs who were evaluated by the FY26 MSG Evaluation Board will have access to the SMC consideration opt-out, only those who meet the criteria outlined in paragraph 6 below are eligible for potential selection to attend the SMC. The Army will attempt to honor these preferences; however, Army requirements may result in selection when readiness demands dictate. Previous designations are not considered for this board.
4. By electing to compete for attendance at the SMC, you understand that you are expected to meet the course requirements for attendance at the course and comply with any permanent change of station (PCS) order issued by HRC. You also understand that if you decline to be considered for attendance at the SMC, that election will only apply for consideration for Class 78.
a. The Army will identify Soldiers selected to attend the SMC by releasing an official selection list. The effective date of the release of the selection list will be published in a separate MILPER message. The selection list constitutes official notification of permanent change of station (PCS) assignment instructions (AI) to attend the SMC resident course.
b. If Soldiers DO NOT opt out IAW para 3 above, they must comply or if eligible, request retirement in lieu of PCS. However, approval of retirement requests is not automatic. Soldiers who have attained 19 or more years of active service may apply to retire in lieu of PCS; however, their requested retirement date must be within 12 months of SMC selection date. All service obligations resulting from promotion, training, or similar action must be fulfilled no later than the approved retirement date. If the Soldier elects to retire, a DA Form 2339, application for retirement in lieu of PCS, must be submitted NLT 30 days after official selection list release. Applications for retirement received by HRC after this deadline are not normally considered favorably and the Soldier is expected to comply with the PCS orders.
c. Soldiers serving on an indefinite reenlistment cannot submit a Declination of Continued Service Statement (DCSS). Non-retirement eligible Soldiers may submit for separation under the applicable provisions of Reference E, para 4-4.
5. The primary method for completing the SMC is by attending the resident course of instruction at the United States Army NCO Academy (USANCOA) Fort Bliss, TX or the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy (JSOFSEA). Designation of training paths (SMC-Resident or JSOFSEA) will be made by 31 January 2027 in the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS). Soldiers may request to attend SMC Non-Resident (SMC Non-RES) if an operational or medical/compassionate (documented) reason exists that prevents attendance at the SMC- Resident. Requests for SMC Non-RES are approved by HRC and will not be accepted after 15 February 2027.
6. The following SMC eligibility criteria ensure that all Soldiers selected to attend training remain otherwise eligible for promotion for one full year following graduation of the resident course of instruction while still meeting the service remaining requirement for promotion before the established mandatory retirement date as a SGM. All eligibility criteria must be met NLT 15 September 2026:
a. Must be a First Sergeant (1SG)/Master Sergeant (MSG) and be otherwise established as most qualified or fully qualified by the FY26 MSG Evaluation Board and meet the following criteria below:
| RA/AGR/IMA | 1SG/MSG |
|---|---|
| RA/AGR/IMA GED | 15 October 2024 and earlier |
| RA/AGR/IMA BASD | 1 July 2002 and later |
| RA/AGR/IMA DOB | 1 July 1972 and later |
b. Must be an MLC graduate (Exception: if grandfathered to E8 without MLC – DOR must be before 1 OCT 2018)
c. Must be in good standing.
d. Must have a valid interim secret (or higher) security clearance.
e. Soldiers must maintain active, updated medical and/or special education records. The EFMP expiration date must not be earlier than the projected course completion date.
7. Soldiers with the following conditions are ineligible for selection:
a. Soldiers previously disenrolled from the SMC for any reason other than compassionate or medical are permanently ineligible for further selection to attend the course (Reference A, paragraph 1-11(a)(14).
b. Soldiers who are suspended from favorable personal actions or ineligible to reenlist.
c. All 1SG/MSGs who have declined SMC consideration during the Opt-Out period listed in paragraph 3 above.
d. All 1SG/MSG with an approved retirement/involuntary separation date under the QMP (IMREPER codes 9M and 9L).
e. All 1SG/MSG with an approved retirement (IMREPR 9Y).
f. Soldiers not meeting the selection criteria identified above.
8. All Soldiers selected to attend the SMC:
a. Must maintain a valid secret clearance or their selection will be terminated NET 90 days prior to SMC- RES report date.
b. If serving overseas, the date estimated return from overseas service (DEROS) will be adjusted to meet the resident course report date timeline.
c. Incur a 24-month service remaining requirement (SRR) upon graduation from SMC-RES or 9-month SRR for JSOFSEA and a 6-month SRR for SMC Non-RES. Soldiers will be required to sign a statement before movement to the RES course or enrollment in JSOFSEA or Non-RES, acknowledging they have been informed that voluntary retirement will not be approved until the SRR is completed after graduation. Soldiers eligible to but refusing to take action to satisfy the SRRs must be processed in accordance with AR 601-280.
d. Must meet the Army’s personnel suitability screening requirements (Reference B, paragraph 1-40) prior to enrollment into the SMC in ATRRS and being placed on AI.
9. Training reservations will be made in ATRRS NLT 31 January 2027.
10. All PCS AIs will be issued NLT 31 March 2027 (except for those who are pending suitability screening or EFMP updates).
11. Important milestones:
| EVENT | DATE |
|---|---|
| IPPS-A updated with OML information | On or about 24 June 2026 |
| CPD Open | 26 June through 10 July 2026 |
| Meet Selection Eligibility Criteria | NLT 15 September 2026 |
| Submit Retirements in Lieu of PCS | NLT 30 days after official list release |
| Training Reservations in ATRRS | NLT 31 January 2027 |
| SMC Students on AI | NLT 31 March 2027 |
12. Points of contact at HRC is: Ms. Diane Goldman (RA Only) at diane.goldman.civ@army.mil or571-644-9528.
13. Points of contact at Senior Leaders Development Office (SLDO):
usarmy.usarc.ocar.mbx.sldo-e9@army.mil
a. USAR AGR and IMA Soldiers should email usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.rpmd-ord-ncoes-reserve-schools@army.mil.