101215Z FEB 17
MARADMIN 073/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON, DC MRA RA//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2017 (FY17) SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR) AVIATION RETENTION BONUS (ARB)//
REF/A/DOC/TITLE 37 UNITED STATES CODE//
REF/B/DOC/DODI 7730.67/YMD:  20111212//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/MCO 1001R.1L/YMD: 20151223//
REF/D/DOC/MEMORANDUM/YMD: 20170207//
NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS TITLE 37 U.S.C., CHAPTER 5, SUBSECTIONS II AND III. REFERENCE (B) IS DOD INSTRUCTION 7730.67 AVIATOR INCENTIVE PAYS AND BONUS PROGRAM. REFERENCE (C) IS THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL (MCRAMM). REFERENCE (D) IS THE MEMORANDUM FOR DEPUTY COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS (MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS) APPROVING THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE FY17 AVIATION RETENTION BONUS PLAN.//
POC/N. R. ALEN/MAJ/RA (RAP-22)/TEL: 703-784-9135/EMAIL: RAP(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/S. J. JACKSON/MSGT/RA (RAP-22)/TEL: 703-784-9135/EMAIL: RAP(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. L. POLANCO/GYSGT/RA (RCT)/TEL: 703-432-9771/EMAIL: SMB-RIT(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to announce the FY17 SMCR ARB eligibility and procedures.  In accordance with the references, this incentive is offered to Marine Corps Reserve Aviators who meet the eligibility and are approved for the bonus incentive by RA (RAP) in exchange for three years of satisfactory service in an SMCR squadron.  The intent is to attract transitioning active component (AC) aviators to serve with SMCR tactical flying squadrons.
2.  Eligibility.  Officers must meet the following non-waiverable criteria at the time of application.
    a.  Must be a captain or major (except as per paragraph 3a and 3b).
    b.  Must be qualified and approved to perform operational flying duty with 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW).
    c.  Must be entitled to Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP).
    d.  Have no more than 16 years of commissioned service at the time of application.
    e.  Agree to affiliate or remain affiliated in a Duty Involving Flying Operations (DIFOP) billet in one of the below SMCR units in the listed MOS for a period of three years.
        (1) HMLA-773:  7563, 7565
        (2) HMLA-775:  7563, 7565
        (3) HMH-772:   7566
        (4) VMM-774:   7532
        (5) VMM-764:   7532
        (6) VMFA-112:  7523
        (7) VMGR-234:  7556
        (8) VMGR-452:  7556, 7557
    f.  Current reserve officers may have served no more than 16 cumulative months in any of the SMCR squadrons listed in paragraph 2e at the time of application.
    g.  If in the AC, applicants must have an Expiration of Active Service (EAS) no later than 31 July 2017, and be joined, via the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS), to an SMCR squadron in an approved ARB billet as applicable, per paragraph 6 of this bulletin.
    h.  Pilots receiving transition funds to train to a different variant of their current airframe remain eligible.
    i.  Applicants must receive a favorable endorsement and DIFOP billet confirmation through routine correspondence from the Commanding General (CG), 4th MAW via squadron and group commanding officer.
3.  Non-eligibility.
    a.  Captains passed for promotion to major in the reserve component are not eligible.
    b.  Majors with greater than 36-months time-in-grade at the time of application are not eligible.
    c.  Aviators who are serving or have served under a prior contract or statement of understanding (SOU) to serve in a SMCR flying squadron due to receipt of a monetary incentive or retraining funds (prior service MOS retraining, lateral move, and transition/conversion programs) are not eligible.
    d.  Aviators who are contractually obligated to serve in non-flying SMCR units, an OSA contract for VMR, or Marine Corps Reserve Flight Instructor Program (MCRIP) contract for Marine Aviation Training Support Group 42 are not eligible but may apply upon completion of their current obligation.
    e.  Active Reserve officers are not eligible to apply.
4.  Obligation.
    a.  The signed SOU obligates the Marine to three continuous years of satisfactory service in the SMCR, in the squadron and location designated (if applicable).  There are only two options in tour lengths offered for three years of service in the SMCR.  One year extensions will not be entertained for three year contracts.
    b.  Payments of 15,000 dollars are made annually for the length of the contract.
    c.  In order for subsequent annual payments to be made, the Marine must remain affiliated in the approved squadron billet in a DIFOP status, eligible for ACIP, and satisfactorily participate in the SMCR.
5.  Recoupment.  Prorated recoupment of the annual payment will occur if the officer:
    a.  Fails to maintain eligibility per paragraph 2.
    b.  Fails to complete 48 drills and annual training each anniversary year, unless activated for a period of at least 90 days with their SMCR squadron during that fiscal year.
    c.  Fails to meet minimum annual flight time requirements.  This provision may only be waived by CG, 4th MAW.
    d.  Captains that twice fail to be selected for promotion to Major.
    e.  Is separated from the Marine Corps for reasons other than designated in paragraph 5i.
    f.  Loses designation as a naval aviator except as specified in paragraph 5i.
    g.  Termination of ACIP eligibility.
    h.  Is medically incapacitated or physically disabled as a result of misconduct, gross negligence, or as a result of a period of unauthorized absence.
    i.  Officers will not be subject to recoupment of ARB payments if eligibility is terminated for the following reasons:
        (1) Involuntary separation from military service by operation of law, or involuntary separation by operation of military service or DOD policy (except separation or dismissal for cause, resignation in lieu of court martial, or processing for administrative separation).
        (2) Death or disability, including medical grounding or suspension, which is not the result of misconduct, willful negligence, and not resulting from a period of unauthorized absence.
    j.  On an annual basis 45 days prior to payment, RA (RCT) will conduct an audit of Marines approved for ARB to ensure each Marine remains eligible.
6.  Application Procedures.
    a.  Applications will be processed and adjudicated on a semi-annual basis in FY17 with payments occurring on 1 April 2017 and 1 September 2017.  The application window for the 1 April 2017 payment is 8 February 2017 through 1 March 2017 and requires an EAS NLT 31 January 2017.  The application window for the 1 September 2017 payment is 1 May 2017 through 1 August 2017.
        (1) Applications received after 1 March 2017, but before 1 May 2017 will be returned to the applicant without action.
        (2) Applications received after 1 August 2017 will be returned to the applicant without action.
    b.  Availability of bonuses will vary throughout the year as retirements and other separations become effective, causing variations in staffing levels.
    c.  Applications will be accepted by RA (RCT) via Total Force Retention System (TFRS) request upon approval of the FY17 SMCR ARB plan and release of this MARADMIN.  Applications will include a SOU, the associated chain of command application endorsements, and a 4th MAW endorsement with DIFOP certification.  DIFOP endorsement will be initiated by the applicant, screened by the unit, included on the applications endorsement and routed through the appropriate chain of command, or the direct affiliation process to 4th MAW.  Approved DIFOP requests will be forwarded to RA (RAP) from 4th MAW.
    d.  Submit electronically scanned copies with appropriate signatures to RA (RCT) routed per paragraph 6c.  Hard copies will not be accepted.
    e.  Applicants must waive the commuting distance requirement per reference (c).
    f.  Applications from officers will be reviewed for eligibility and approval by RA (RCT).  If approved the effective date of the ARB will be either 1 April 2017, or 1 September 2017 as appropriate.
    g.  Due to limited availability of this bonus, as the number of applications for individual units/locations reaches or exceeds the number of available authorizations, RA (RCT) along with RA (RAP) will convene a board to select the best qualified officers to receive the bonus.  Upon completion of any necessary board, applications in excess of the unit/location allocations will be disapproved and returned.  Applicants may resubmit in subsequent periods if they remain eligible.
    h.  Once approved to receive a bonus by Director, Reserve Affairs Division, RA (RCT) will notify the officer via naval letter correspondence detailing the unit and location that the officer was approved to serve with, as well as the contract end date.
    i.  RA (RCT) will notify the units in paragraph 2e with selectees and procedures for billet assignment.
    j.  RA (RCT) will adjust the officers mandatory drill stop date and reserve Billet Identification Code as appropriate.
7.  Application Documents.
    a.  The format for the FY17 SMCR ARB application and SOU can be found at http:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil.  Enter search string "FY17 SMCR ARB application" in the search box in the upper right hand corner of the screen.  Click on the "FY17 SMCR ARB application" link from the results and download as appropriate.
    b.  The Commanding Officer only needs to endorse the application with:  "forward recommending approval" or "forward not recommending approval".
    c.  An official letter from RA (RCT) detailing the applicants service obligation and monetary amounts will be sent to the officer once the ARB is approved.  The unit will be responsible for submitting a copy of this letter to Manpower Management Records and Performance Branch (MMRP) for inclusion in the officers Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).
    d.  ARB is a force shaping tool, not a career enhancing measure.  As such, selection for ARB shall not be annotated in a Marines fitness report.
8.  For administrative issues, contact the RA (RCT) Incentives Section at email SMB-RIT(at)usmc.mil.
9.  For questions regarding ARB eligibility issues and waivers contact RA (RAP) at the POC listed above.
10.  For questions regarding the execution and processing of this program contact RA (RCT) at the POC listed above.
11.  This MARADMIN cancels 30 September 2017.
12.  Release authorized by Colonel J. M. Morrisroe, Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Acting.//