R 051810Z APR 21
MARADMIN 183/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON, DC MRA RA//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2021 (FY21) SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR) AVIATION BONUS (AVB)//
REF/A/DOC/TITLE 37 UNITED STATES CODE//
REF/B/DOC/DODI 7730.67/YMD: 20161020//
REF/C/DOC/MCO 1001R.1L W/CH-1/YMD: 20180315//
REF/D/DOC/MEMORANDUM/YMD: 20210223//
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 FY21 AVIATION BONUS PLAN.//
POC/S. A. BROCKWAY/MAJ/RA (RAP-22)/TEL: 703-432-9771/EMAIL: RAP@USMC.MIL//
POC/D. P. KAYWOOD/GYSGT/RA (RAP-22)/TEL: 703-432-9771/EMAIL: RAP@USMC.MIL//
POC/B. L. MARKS/GYSGT/RAM-1/TEL: (703) 432-9077/EMAIL: RAM-1@USMC.MIL//
POC/V. D. HODGE/SSGT/RAM-1/TEL: (703) 432-9233/EMAIL: RAM-1@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  In accordance with the references, this MARADMIN announces the eligibility criteria and procedures for the FY21 SMCR AvB.  The primary factors in determining AvB eligibility are the on hand staffing of each squadron, the forecasted future staffing, and operational requirements.  This incentive is offered to eligible Reserve aviators in exchange for 24 or 36 months of satisfactory service in a SMCR squadron.  The AvB is distributed on an annual basis in the amount designated in paragraphs 2.a. and 2.b. below.
2.  The FY21 SMCR AvB will be offered as follows:
    a.  Aviators serving within the following squadrons for the following amounts per year for either 24 or 36 month periods of obligation:
        (1) VMM-774:                  7532          15,000 dollars
        (2) VMGR-452:                 7556, 7557    15,000 dollars
        (3) MATSG-42, VMFAT-501 SAU:  7518          15,000 dollars
        (4) MATSG-42, Training Wing 1
            and 2 SAUs:               7503          10,000 dollars
        (5) VMM-764:                  7532          15,000 dollars
        (6) HMLA-775:                 7563, 7565    6,000 dollars
        (7) HMLA-773:                 7563, 7565    6,000 dollars
        (8) HMH-772:                  7566          9,000 dollars
        (9) VMGR-234:                 7556, 7557    15,000 dollars
        (10) VMFA-112:                7523          15,000 dollars
    b.  CMC selected and assigned O5-level operational squadron commanders are eligible for an 18,000 dollar bonus in contract lengths of either 12 or 24 months.  Contract length will run concurrently with time remaining in assigned command billet.
3.  Eligibility.  Officers must meet the following criteria at the time of application.
    a.  Be a captain or major (except as per paragraph 4.a. and 4.b. of this MARADMIN).
    b.  Be selected by Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) and assigned to O5-level operational squadron commanders in the grade of, or selected to the grade of, lieutenant colonel.
    c.  Qualified and approved to perform operational flying duty with 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW).
    d.  Entitled to Aviation Incentive Pay (AvIP).
    e.  Have less than 16 years of commissioned service (except those eligible under paragraph 3.b. of this MARADMIN).
    f.  Time in grade (TIG):
        (1) Majors with less than 36 months TIG are eligible for the 24 or 36 month contract.
        (2) Majors with between 36-48 months TIG are only eligible for the 24 month contract.
    g.  Must not be in receipt of continuation pay from the Blended Retirement System per reference (a).
    h.  Agree to affiliate or remain affiliated in a Duty Involving Flying Operations (DIFOP) billet in one of the SMCR units and MOS listed in paragraph 2.a. of this MARADMIN for 24 or 36 months.
    i.  If in the Active Component (AC), applicants must have an Expiration of Active Service (EAS) no later than 31 July 2021, and be joined, via the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS), to an SMCR squadron in an approved AvB billet as applicable, and as a Billet Identification Code (BIC) match, per paragraph 7 of this MARADMIN.
    j.  Pilots receiving transition funds to train to a different variant of their current airframe remain eligible.
    k.  Aviators currently in receipt of an AvB may apply for a subsequent AvB within 90 days of completing their current drilling obligation.  TIG eligibility will be calculated from the first day after the initial drilling obligation expires.  Subsequent AvB payment and obligation will commence after initial drilling obligation expires.
    l.  Applicants must receive DIFOP billet approval through routine correspondence from the Commanding General (CG), 4th MAW via squadron and group commanding officers or be selected on a 4th MAW hiring board announced via separate MARADMIN.
4.  Non-eligibility
    a.  Captains who have failed selection to major while in the Unrestricted Reserve competitive category are not eligible for this bonus.  Failures of selection to the next higher grade incurred while in the AC competitive category do not necessarily disqualify an otherwise eligible officer.
    b.  Aviators who are serving under a prior contract or statement of understanding (SOU) to serve in an SMCR flying squadron due to receipt of a monetary incentive are not eligible.
    c.  Aviators who are contractually obligated to serve in non-flying SMCR units, an Operational Support Aircraft (OSA) contract for VMR, or Marine Corps Reserve Flight Instructor Program (MCRIP) contract for MATSG-42 elements not listed in 3.h. are not eligible but may apply upon completion of their current obligation.
    d.  Active Reserve officers are not eligible to apply.
5.  Obligation
    a.  Eligible aviators can choose from a 24 or 36 month period of continuous satisfactory service in the SMCR, in the squadron and location designated in section 2.a.  Aviators may reapply for a subsequent AvB; however, squadron eligibility, allocations, and the amount offered are reevaluated on an annual basis.
    b.  Payments 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 AvIP, and satisfactorily participate in the SMCR.  Officers who fail to meet any of the criteria noted in this paragraph will not receive future payments.  If payments are processed in the next FY, they will be recouped.
6.  Recoupment.  Recoupment will occur on a prorated basis if the officer:
    a.  Fails to maintain eligibility per paragraph 3.
    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 and does not receive a flight time waiver from CG, 4th MAW.
    d.  Twice fails selection for promotion to major.
    e.  Separates from the Marine Corps for reasons other than designated in paragraph 6.i.
    f.  Loses designation as a naval aviator except as specified in paragraph 6.i.
    g.  Is ineligible for AvIP.
    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 AvB 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, RA will conduct an audit of Marines approved for the AvB to ensure each Marine remains eligible per this MARADMIN.
7.  Application Procedures
    a.  Applications will be accepted by Reserve Affairs (RA) via Total Force Retention System (TFRS) request upon approval of the FY21 SMCR AvB Plan and release of this MARADMIN.  Applications will include a SOU, DIFOP certification, and endorsements from the associated chain of command to include CG, 4th MAW.  DIFOP certification will be initiated by the applicant, screened by the unit, and routed through the appropriate chain of command; or the direct affiliation process to 4th MAW; or be selected on a 4th MAW hiring board announced via separate MARADMIN.  Approved DIFOP certifications will be forwarded to RA from 4th MAW.
    b.  Applicants must waive the commuting distance requirement per reference (c).
    c.  Applications from officers will be reviewed for eligibility and approved by RA.  If approved, the effective date of the AvB will be the date of approval by RA.  Mandatory drill stop date will be determined by the effective date of the AvB.
    d.  Effective date for officers approved through the Direct Affiliation Program will be the date affiliated to the unit.
    e.  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 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 upon availability if they remain eligible.
    f.  Once approved to receive the AvB, RA 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.  RA will notify the units in paragraph 2.a. with selectees and procedures for billet assignment as well as adjust the officer's mandatory drill stop date and reserve BIC as appropriate.
8.  Application Documents
    a.  The format for the FY21 SMCR AvB application and SOU can be found at the Manpower and Reserve Affairs website at www.manpower.usmc.mil.  Select “Reserve Marine”, “RAM”, “RAM-1”, “Link to References”.
    b.  The commanding officer only needs to endorse the application with:  “forwarded, recommending approval" or “forwarded, not recommending approval”.  However, the commander should take into consideration the applicant’s length of time in current assignment.
    c.  An official letter from RA detailing the applicant's service obligation and monetary amounts will be sent to the officer once the AvB is approved.  The applicant and unit are responsible for submitting a copy of this letter to Manpower Management Separation and Retirement (MMSB) for inclusion in the officer's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), uploading all paperwork into Total Force Retention System, and running the bonus on unit diary.
    d.  AvB is a force shaping tool, not a career enhancing measure.  As such, neither selection for nor loss of the AvB shall be annotated in a Marine's fitness report.
9.  For administrative issues or questions regarding the execution and processing of this program contact RA at RAM-1@usmc.mil.
10.  For questions regarding AvB eligibility and waivers contact RA at RAP@usmc.mil.
11.  Submission deadline is 31 August, 2021.
12.  This MARADMIN cancels 30 September 2021.
13.  Release authorized by Major General H. G. Pratt, Director, Reserve Affairs Division.//