Marines hoping to take advantage of early exit opportunities this year had better as the Corps shrinks back to pre-war personnel levels had who want the drawdown to open the door to an early exit better act fastand those hoping to remain Marines who want to stay in uniform better make sure their re-up packages are is squared away.
After years of drawing down troop levels, the Marine Corps is on track to meet its steady state authorized end strength of 182,000 by the end of September, about a year sooner than expected. this fiscal year. As the service closes in on its goal, the sun is setting on early out programs.
"As a result of achieving our target end strength, the use of many of our force-shaping measures has been suspended," said Col. Gaines Ward, head of Manpower and Reserve Affairs' plans, programs and budget branch.
Enlisted retention opportunities are increasing, but not everyone is out of the woods. Personnel officials are assessing whether another retention board is needed for staff sergeants twice passed over for promotion to gunny.staff sergeants, hoping for promotion to gunny, 2P Staff Sergeant Retention Board is needed. The "2P" refers to "twice passed" for promotion to gunny. An The annual board was initiated in 2014, and in the . In the past two years, 314 out of 1,061 eligible Marines were denied further service by the board.
Career designation for officers has have returned to an optimum 85 percent (from a low of 55 percent). Personnel officials also expect promotion opportunities gradually to slowly increase back to desired goals over the next few years. That means the sun is setting on early-out programs.
"As a result of achieving our target end strength, the use of many of our force-shaping measures have been suspended," said Col. Gaines Ward, head of Manpower and Reserve Affairs' plans, programs and budget branch.
For officers, the following programs have been suspended:
- Eight8-years commissioned service waiver. This 2011 change allowed retirement-eligible, prior enlisted officers to pop smoke retire after eight, rather than 10, instead of 10 years of commissioned service.
- Time-in-grade waiver. This program allowed selected the release of officers to leave the service prior to them fulfilling service obligations incurred when they accepted promotion.
- Company Grade Early Out Program. This allowed company grade officers to end their active service up to one year early in exchange for two years' service in the Reserves.
- Selective Early Retirement Board. The Corps established this board used this to help correct manage officer grade imbalances and strength overages among for in the competitive category of regular unrestricted colonels and lieutenant colonels. In recent years, tThe board forced selected recommended about two dozen officers at in each rank were forced into early retirement in recent years.
- Officer Voluntary Early Release Program. Marines approved for this program were allowed to separate up to 180 days early. Though authorized through Sept. 30, 2016, the program was shut down last summer.
Enlisted Marines will have at least one more shot at the Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program, or VEERP. The Corps will announce details in July or August, Ward said. VEERP does not offer a financial incentive. On average, Marines leave the service about four months early under the program, which is typically used by a Marines who does not have enough time left on their his contract to deploy and chooses not to extend.
The Voluntary Separation Pay Program is suspended for officers and enlisted. This mainstay of the drawdown offered six-digit payouts for Marines with six to 20 years of service. Though the list fluctuated, it usually included about 70 eligible military occupational specialties.
Marines looking for an early out can still get some extra cash through the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, or TERA. The Corps is mainly using theat program for MOS/grade shaping, officials said, so it is restricted to specific grades and MOSs. It also serves as a beneficial tool to offer twice-passed majors and staff sergeants retirement benefits, with a reduced pension based on years of service. The program has congressional approval through 2018.
While the end of the drawdown means Marines who desire to stay in uniform will have an easier time, re-up is no guarantee. Ward encouraged Marines to submit a re-enlistment package for their MOS, or consider a lateral move into a high-demand/low-density MOS.
Lance M. Bacon is a senior reporter for Marine Corps Times. He covers Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Marine Corps Forces Command, personnel / career issues, Marine Corps Logistics Command, II MEF, and Marine Forces North. He can be reached at lance.bacon@hotmail.com.
