R 051859Z JUN 20
MARADMIN 330/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY 2021 ENLISTED RETENTION CAMPAIGN//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CMC MMEA/20100908//
REF/B/MSGID: MSG/CMC MRA/20200527//
REF/C/MSGID: MSG/CMC MRA/20200528//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. REF B IS MARADMIN 306/20, EARLY REENLISTMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 ENLISTED RETENTION CAMPAIGN.  REF C IS MARADMIN 309/20, DELEGATION OF RETENTION AUTHORITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 ENLISTED RETENTION CAMPAIGN//
POC/A. CRUZ/MGYSGT/MMEA-1/TEL: 703-432-9125/
EMAIL:  ARBENZ.CRUZ@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The Marine Corps begins execution of the FY 2021 Enlisted Retention Campaign on 7 July 2020.  The Marine Corps primary enlisted career force objectives are to retain the most qualified force by grade and military occupational specialty (MOS) and to support the staffing of all authorized career force billets. 
2.  Detailed FY 2021 Enlisted Retention Guidelines for the First Term Alignment Plan (FTAP) and Subsequent Term Alignment Plan (STAP) will be published via the Total Force Retention System (TFRS) and available for download from the Enlisted Retention Manpower page under the references section.  Additionally, in FY21 two new retention programs, Early Reenlistment Authority and Delegation of Retention Authority, are being utilized to maximize the retention of highly qualified Marines per refs (b) and (c).
3.  Every First Term Marine, regardless of Tier status or perceived competitiveness, is highly encouraged to submit for retention.  Each member of the chain of command, from unit leaders to service headquarters, play a role in making a "whole Marine concept" determination of quality in the retention decision.  In all MOS, butespecially in Fast-Filling MOSs (FFM), a comprehensive review of Marines competing for boatspaces is conducted in order to select the most qualified.  As such, the value of comments from Commanders and senior enlisted cannot be overstated.
4. Concept of operations for FTAP and STAP is as follows:
4.a.  FTAP effort will be in two phases:
4.a.1.  Phase I:  Phase I begins 7 July 2020.  The purpose of Phase I is to initiate the submission and processing of retention requests. General submission goals, as compared to anticipated requirements, will be determined and promulgated no later than July.  Commands should utilize the submission goals to assist in formulating initial retention missions at the Major Subordinate Command (MSC) or unit level.
4.a.2 Duty Station Incentives are in effect for Tiers I-III during this phase.
4.a.3. During this Phase, Marines who fall in the FY22 retention cohort may request reenlistment under the Early Reenlistment Authority Program per ref (b).  Additionally, MSC Commanding Generals may execute approvals of reenlistment under the Delegation of Retention Authority per ref (c).  Marines reenlisting under these programs must meet all requirements listed within the references.
4.a.4. Prior to Phase I, MMEA will publish via TFRS FTAP MOSs that are likely to reach FFM status.  A compressed submission timeline of 31 August 2020 will be applied to these MOSs.  As submissions are received, Fast-Filling MOS (FFM) boards will be conducted for these MOSs during Phase 1. 
4.a.5. MSCs are encouraged to request a brief for their key leaders outlining the FTAP retention process during the initial stages of this phase.  During Phase I, MMEA will conduct the FY21 MMEA Command Visits (Roadshows).  This roadshow is expected to be executed virtually due to the challenges presented by COVID19.  During the roadshow with the major Marine Corps installations, MMEA-1 will approve Tier I and II Marines based on a percentage of the total MOS population on each installation  against the MOS boatspace requirement.  Phase I ends on 30 September 2020.
4.b.  Phase II:  Phase II begins 1 October 2020. The purpose of Phase II is to assess the progress of the FY 2021 retention effort, make required adjustments, refine guidance, and continue processing retention requests.  Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) will conduct an initial assessment of progress at the beginning of this phase.  HQMC may publish the results of this assessment via MARADMIN to keep commands informed of the overall effort.  If required, boatspaces in slow-filling MOSs may be specifically allocated in a retention mission assigned to major commands.
4.b.1 During this phase, MMEA-1 will conduct any remaining FFM boards for any MOS not identified as an FFM before Phase I.  MOSs will not be deemed a FFM after 1 October 2020.
4.b.2. The Prior Service Enlistment Program (PSEP) and PSEP Lateral Move submissions begin on 1 November 2020.
4.b.3. A midyear assessment of progress will be conducted on or about 10 January 2021 that will inform the reallocation or modification of previously assigned retention missions, if required.  The final assessment will be used to make improvements to the retention process for the following year. Phase II ends on 30 September 2021.
4.c. Retention Assist Visits (RAV) may be conducted to assist commands with retention in specific MOSs beginning in September 2020.  RAVs must be requested by commands to MMEA preferably a minimum of 30 days prior to the requested visit.  Service travel restrictions may impact the ability to execute RAVs. 
4.d. HQMC anticipates a final FTAP assessment will be conducted on or about 1 June 2021.  The final assessment will be used to make improvements to the retention process for the following year.
5.  STAP effort will be in two phases:
5.a.  Phase I:  Phase I is the prescribed submission window for STAP Marines and begins 7 July 2020 and ends on 30 November 2020.  The purpose of Phase I is to initiate the submission, processing, and, in some cases, release of retention requests.  Major Subordinate Commands (MSC) are encouraged to request a brief for their key leaders outlining the STAP retention process during the initial stages of this phase.  During Phase I Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) begins to assess the competitiveness of the STAP population.  During Phase I, MMEA will process and approve quality Marines for reenlistment based on the needs of the Marine Corps, not to exceed 50% of the total FY 2021 MOS boatspace requirement.
5.a.1.  MMEA will publish a list of STAP FFMs prior to Phase 1 beginning.  For these MOSs, commands should anticipate a submission deadline of 15 October 2020.  MMEA will only approve 30% of the boatspaces in these MOSs prior to executing a FFM Board.  For MOSs that do reach FFM status until later in Phase 1, the submission deadline will remain at 30 November 2020 and MMEA will approve up to 50% of the boatspaces in these MOSs.  Marines who do not submit in time to compete on the FFM Board will be retained at the needs of the Marine Corps.    
5.a.2. Lateral Move submissions for eligible MOSs in accordance with enclosure (1) begin on 7 July 2020.  Prior Service Enlistment Program (PSEP) submissions begin on 1 November 2020.
5.a.3. Marines who do not submit a request for further service by 30 November 2020, or by the submission deadline convey their intent to exit the Marine Corps at their current EAS.  Submissions after 30 November 2020 may be returned for failure to comply with this policy. This does not apply to Marines who are unable to submit for reasons beyond their control; i.e. service limits, medical, and legal.
5.a.4. MMEA will conduct Fast-Filling MOS (FFM) boards for MOSs that are pre-designated prior to Phase I in accordance with para 5.a.1.
5.a.5. Requests submitted during this period that require a Commanding General (CG) endorsement/waiver per ref (a) will be held for further determination until Phase II.  Phase I ends on 30 November 2020.
5.b.  Phase II:  Phase II begins 1 December 2020 and is for the evaluation and release of remaining retention requests.  MMEA will assess the progress of the FY retention effort, and continue processing retention requests submitted after the 30 November 2020 deadline.  During Phase II, retention determinations are made based on the needs of the Marine Corps.
5.b.1. During this phase, MMEA will conduct FFM Boards for any FFM that was not pre-designated an FFM per para 5.a.1.  STAP requests with a Commanding General (CG) endorsement/waiver will be processed during Phase II.
5.b.2. Late requests submitted during Phase II for MOSs deemed FFM, will require an endorsement from the first O-6 in their chain of command with justification for the late submission.
6.  The approval of a reenlistment is first and foremost based on the desire to retain the highest quality Marines.  MMEA weighs all factors including Chain of Command comments, jeopardy on contract, Permanent Change of Station Orders, MOS proficiency and competitiveness, and overall needs of the Marine Corps. 
7.  Marines continue to make the Corps a prestigious organization by upholding the standards and traditions of the Marine Corps.  As the service adapts with today's missions and the continually changing operating environment, Marines must remain adaptable, aggressive and proactive in their professional development.  Maintaining a “whole Marine concept” mindset ensures that individuals remain competitive for promotion and retention.  Retaining the most qualified Marines will continue to be the strength of our Corps.
8.  Commanding Officers and senior enlisted leaders will properly inform and counsel all FTAP and STAP Marines of any disapproved retention request from HQMC.
9.  Release authorized by MajGen David A. Ottignon, Director, Manpower Management Division.//