MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Marines should be led by the best the Marine Corps has to offer. New procedures have been put into effect to ensure those quality Marines are retained.
Marine Administrative Message 273-11, released May 5, lets Marines know what to expect when re-enlisting, beginning with fiscal year 2012 re-enlistments.
“The Marine Corps wants to keep the best and the brightest,” said Sgt. Ryan Plummer, career retention specialist for Headquarters and Service Battalion. “They are emphasizing these procedures to retain the best qualified Marines in each military occupational specialty.”
To ensure that the most qualified Marines get boat spaces rather than those who are first to volunteer, four new initiatives are being implemented.
The purpose of the MARADMIN is to outline the new re-enlistment procedures approved by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Marines will now have a 90-day window to submit their re-enlistment request starting July 1 and ending September 30. After that date, Headquarters Marine Corps will start to commence military occupational specialty boards for fast-filling MOSs Re-enlistment packages also now include a four-tiered evaluation system rather than the traditional commander’s recommendation, for example a tier one Marine is an extremely qualified Marine, while tier four Marines may or may not meet the minimum standards set by the Marine Corps.
“Marines should prepare for their re-enlistment the same as they would for a promotion, like making sure they have high PFT, CFT, rifle range scores and pros and cons [proficiency and conduct marks],” said Plummer. “The better you look, the better your package will look, and you want to present your package as the best.”
Targeted re-enlistment will also be implemented. This means that Marines can be offered lateral moves to highly technical MOSs the Marine Corps has a tough time filling, based on an evaluation of their record.
Commanding generals can solicit reenlistment approval from HQMC above boatspace allocations for qualified Marines.
“This MARADMIN was released to benefit Marines by keeping them informed,” said Plummer. “If Marines have any questions or concerns they should contact their battalion career planner they will be the best source for the answers.”