Marine Staff Sergeant Slots to Skyrocket

By: fedweek

The Marine Corps staff sergeant board that convenes July 17 is expected to allocate 1,500 more slots than last year, for an increase of 47 percent. The spike in allocations to 4,438 comes on the heels of a 14 percent jump in allocations for the gunnery sergeant board which is currently in session. A trickle-down effect is expected to result in lower cutting scores for promotions to sergeant and corporal. The overall increase in promotions is being driven by a requirement for the Marine Corps to boost its active-duty end strength by 22,000 to 202,000 by 2011. This translates to adding some 5,000 Marines a year who will need non-commissioned officer leadership.