R 072038Z NOV 17
MARADMIN 618/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/EARLY RELEASE POLICY FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR (CY) 2017 HOLIDAY PERIOD//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/07AUG15//
REF/B/DOC/CMC/14JUL00//
REF/C/DOC/CMC/19AUG08//
REF/D/DOC/DFAS-KC-FSP/24AUG95//
REF/E/DOC/DOD/22JUL96//
REF/F/DOC/CMC/19MAY09//
NARR/REFERENCE A IS MCO 1900.16 CH1, SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL (MARCORSEPMAN). REFERENCE B IS MCO P1070.12K CH1, MARINE CORPS INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION MANUAL (IRAM). REFERENCE C IS ONLINE MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE SYSTEM PERSONNEL REPORTING INSTRUCTION USER MANUAL (MCTFSPRIUM). REFERENCE D IS HQMC-P&R (RFF) 7220.31S, AUTOMATIC PAY SYSTEM MANUAL (APSM). REFERENCE E IS DoD 7000.14-R, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION (DoDFMR). REFERENCE F IS MCO 1050.3J, REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE//
POC/D. BURKE/LTCOL/TEL: DSN 278-9585/TEL: COMM 703-784-9585//
RMKS/1.  This MARADMIN establishes authority and criteria for the early release of Active and Reserve Enlisted Marines and Officers whose term of active service will expire during the CY 2017 Christmas and New Year holiday periods.
2.  Commanding Officers/Commanders are authorized to discharge or release from Active Duty, subject to concurrence in writing by the individual Marine, any Active or Reserve Officer or Enlisted Marine, who would normally be granted leave during the holiday season and whose Expiration of Active Service (EAS) will occur during the period 15 Dec 2017 through 5 Jan 2018, inclusive.  Marines will be separated not earlier than 11 Dec 2017.
3.  This program is limited to Marines permanently assigned in the 50 states, District of Columbia, or in their area of residence in dependencies, trusts, territories, and commonwealths.
4.  General information.
    a.  In the event of future recall, Marines released under this MARADMIN will be considered as being in the same status as those who have completed their obligated period of active duty.
    b.  Enlisted Marines separated under authority of this MARADMIN who are eligible on their normal EAS date may be awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
    c.  Marines entitled to separation benefits are authorized those benefits if released under this MARADMIN.  As a reminder, eligible Marines and their family members desiring to retain Tricare prime upon separation are required to reenroll in Tricare.
    d.  Aliens who would be released before completing three full years of service, as the result of this program, are reminded of the consequences of early release as specified in par 1104.5 of reference (a).
    e.  Marines entitled to the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) (chapter 30) or Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) (chapter 1607) benefits are reminded of the consequences of not completing the qualifying service required for eligibility.  The Selected Reserve Marine must remain in the Selected Reserve to maintain eligibility for benefits.
    f.  Marines who have transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill educational benefits are reminded of the consequences of failing to meet the additional obligated service requirements.  Those who do not fulfill their additional obligated agreements may be subject to collection by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    g.  Additionally, if the early release results in completion of less than 36 months Active Duty service, the Marine will not qualify for the 100 percent benefit level under Post 9/11 GI Bill, which will also result in his/her being ineligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
5.  Administrative Instructions:
    a.  Separation under this MARADMIN will be effected not earlier than 11 Dec 2017, except in the case of a Reserve Marine on Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT), provided that the Reserve Marine is considered by the command to be MOS qualified at the time of separation, and that meaningful training is not available during the period of 15 Dec 2017 through 5 Jan 2018.  Reserve Marines on IADT during this time frame may be released from Active Duty based upon actual or constructive travel time for transfer back to their Reserve units on 15 Dec 2017.  All requests for early release of Reserve Marines on IADT must be submitted to RA (RAP) via their section mailbox at smb-rap@usmc.mil.
    b.  Reserve Marines performing Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) may request early release modification through their commands for approval via the Marine Reserve Orders Writing System (MROWS).  Reserve Marines involuntary recalled under 12302 authority or who have volunteered for active duty under 12301(d) ADOS-CO orders may request an orders end date modification through their commands via the Marine Corps Mobilization Processing System (MCMPS).  Commands should coordinate with their higher headquarters to ensure timely request consideration and MROWS/MCMPS processing.
    c.  This MARADMIN and par 6404.3 of reference (a) are the authorities for discharge or release of enlisted Marines.
    d.  Release of Active and Reserve Component Enlisted Marines with military service obligations from Active Duty will be effected per reference (a).  A standard naval letter, similar to the example listed in figure 6-5 of reference (a) will be signed by the Commanding Officer/OIC concurring with early release for entry into the Marine’s OMPF.  Marines returning to CONUS to separate early or separating early from Hawaii will have an appropriate NAVMC 118(11) inserted in their Electronic Service Record (ESR) annotating approval of early release per par 4006.3j of reference (b).
    e.  Commanders approving such separations for Enlisted Marines will designate a specific date for separation and direct the separating unit to report the separation date immediately as a new EAS/ECC via unit diary entry per reference (c).
    f.  Unit diary entries reporting release from active duty or discharge will be IAW reference (c).
        (1) The Separation Program Designator (SPD) for officer and enlisted Marines (both Active and Reserve) with a military service obligation (completed less than 8 years of service) requesting release from active duty for transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) under the holiday early release program is MDM1.
        (2) The SPD for officer and enlisted Marines (both Active and Reserve) who have completed at least eight years of service, and do not desire to be transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve, and to be discharged is KDM4.
    g.  Active and Reserve Component Marines are required to attend mandated Transition Readiness Seminars (TRS) no less than 90 days prior to separation.
6.  It is imperative that Commanders notify their Disbursing Officers/Finance Officers (DO/FO) via a NAVMC 11116 regarding each Marine's early separation IAW reference (d).
7.  Unearned portions of bonuses will be recouped from Marines separated under this MARADMIN.
8.  Prior to discharge or release from Active Duty, Marines must be counseled regarding their educational benefits to include the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  Marines who are involuntarily separated and receive honorable discharges may elect to enroll in the MGIB.  A full 1200.00 dollars must be deducted from their pay to ensure eligibility for MGIB educational benefits.  These Marines may make a lump sum payment to their local disbursing office.  If lump sum payment is made, Disbursing Officers should include on the DD form 1131 the following statement in block 8:  “Cash collection due to early holiday release for special MGIB enrollment.”
9.  Marines who manifest symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder/traumatic brain injury and are undergoing post deployment health evaluation and management care shall not be separated under this authority until that process is complete or a waiver of treatment evaluation has been executed.
10.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to:
    a.  Marines on extensions of Active Duty.
    b.  Marines on medical hold.
    c.  Marines on legal hold.
    d.  Marines scheduled for transfer to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (FMCR) or retired list.
    e.  Marines taking terminal leave.
    f.  Marines whose early release, in the judgment of the Commanding Officer, would adversely affect the operational capabilities of the command.
    g.  Marines who are indebted to the government (to include advance and excess leave).  Indebted Marines desiring early separation will be permitted to make accelerated repayment of their debts by increasing scheduled installment amounts and by making cash collections to repay their indebtedness.
    h.  Marines being released under other HQMC directed early out programs, to include but not limited to education (par 6405 of reference (a)) and Temporary Early Retirement Authority.
11.  Release authorized by Brigadier General Scott F. Benedict, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.//