R 161300Z JUN 23
MARADMIN 312/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/ENLISTED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE LIMITS//
REF/A/MSGID: MSG/CMC MRA MP/132003ZDEC18//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/CMC MRA MM/YMD: 20100908//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/CMC MRA MM/YMD: 20150807//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC MRA MM/YMD: 20120614//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/CMC MCRC/YMD: 20200501//
REF/F/MSGID: DOC/CMC/20180822//
POC/L. BEINDORF/CIV/MPP-20/CMC MRA/ENLISTED PROMOTION PLANS 703-784-9361//
POC/D. QUEEN/MAJ/MMSR/CMC MRA/SEPARATIONS AND RETIREMENTS 703-784-9314//
POC/B. LODGE/MGYSGT/MMEA-1/CMC MRA/ENLISTED RETENTION 703-432-9125//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 408/19 ENLISTED ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE LIMITS AND HIGH YEAR TENURE. REF B IS MCO 1040.31, THE ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT MANUAL. REF C IS MCO 1900.16 W/CH 1, MARINE CORPS SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL. REF D IS MCO P1400.32D W/CH 2, THE ENLISTED PROMOTIONS MANUAL. REF E IS MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND ORDER 1100.1A. REF F IS MCBUL 1300 SERGEANTS MAJOR SLATING PROCESS.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. The modern battlefield is characterized by all-domain, distributed operations. The Marine Corps must retain sufficient proven, experienced, highly qualified Marines with critical war fighting skills to succeed in this technology-saturated environment.
2. Background.
2.a. The purpose of the Marine Corps’ Enlisted Career Force Controls (ECFC) program, which establishes service limits for each grade, is to support the desired by-grade distribution of Marines across the Service.
2.b. The growth of many Force Design-2030 technical skillsets, along with recent retention and promotion behavior, demands increased flexibility in the traditional “up-or-out” policy. Such refinements will improve Marine Corps warfighting capability by enabling the retention of more qualified, experienced Marines in high-demand occupational fields when required to enhance readiness.
2.c. Service limits, as outlined below, represent the maximum time a Marine can serve in a particular grade without a waiver. These below service limits do not guarantee continued service; rather eligibility for continued service remains based on Marine Corps warfighting requirements, individual performance, and personal conduct. These criteria are the primary determinates of HQMC’s reenlistment adjudication decisions.
3.  Updated Policy.
3.a. Effective 1 July 2023, HQMC is authorized to approve reenlistments and extensions of Marines who were eligible but not selected for promotion to the next grade two or more times in accordance with the below policy. Exceptions to this policy may be requested via waiver as outlined below.
3.b.  Service limits require that Marines who have reached a certain year of service in their current grade be either separated from the active component at their expiration of active service (EAS) or transferred to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (FMCR).
3.b.1. Service limits are as follows:
Cpl: 8 years active Marine Corps service
Sgt: 12 years active Marine Corps service
SSgt: 20 years active military service
GySgt: 22 years active military service
1stSgt/MSgt: 27 years active military service
SgtMaj/MGySgt: 30 years active military service
3.b.2. Marines on their first enlistment may be granted up to a 6-year reenlistment without regards to service limits.
3.c. Maximum age limit. Effective 1 July 2023, the maximum age limit for enlisted Marines’ service is hereby 59 years old.  This revision better aligns with Marine Corps Recruiting Command’s increased enlistment age policy to 29 years old, enabling these Marines to serve a full 30-year career dependent on warfighting requirements, individual performance, and personal conduct.
3.d.  Retention Waivers.
3.d.1.  Corporals may be granted a waiver for active Marine Corps service up to 10 years if favorably endorsed at the O-6 level and approved by CMC (MMEA).
3.d.2.  Sergeants may be granted a waiver for active Marine Corps service up to 14 years if favorably endorsed at the O-6 level and approved by CMC (MMEA).
3.d.3. In extraordinary circumstances, when clearly in the interest of the Marine Corps due to critical skills considerations, E6-E8 waivers to the above service limitations may be approved by CMC (MMEA). Waivers for E6-E8 will be endorsed by the Marine’s first general officer in the chain of command.
3.d.4.  Exceptions to policy for existing E9 slating processes will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If selected, continued service will be automatically authorized via slating message.
3.d.5. Marines who have received BRS continuation pay will be allowed to fulfill all remaining service obligation related to their acceptance of continuation pay.
3.e.  Transfer to the FMCR. The FMCR consists of enlisted personnel who have completed 20, but less than 30, years of active service and are receiving retainer pay.
3.e.1.  Marines eligible for retirement who have reached service limits must transfer to the FMCR per ref C. Marines must request retirement between 6-18 months of their planned retirement/resignation (PRR) date after satisfying incurred service obligations.
3.e.2.  Marines, who meet eligibility requirements to transfer to the FMCR, and are requesting a waiver of service limits will submit an AA Form/standard naval letter with justification, via the Marine's chain of command to CMC (MMSR-2) for processing.  Justifications include but are not limited to specific or mission requirements.  Service limit waivers will not be considered for service limit extensions greater than one year.
3.f. Marines who are currently approved for retirement based on previous high-year tenure guidance, but now wish to continue service can request to change their retirement date. If the change request is 18-months or more, Marines are to submit a reenlistment or extension request IAW reference B; if the change is for less than 18 months, request a modification IAW reference C. In all cases, the endorsement authority is the O5 commander.
3.g. Command teams are encouraged to identify seasoned, experienced Marines with high-demand skills and encourage their reenlistment in accordance with this policy.
4.  Reserve applicability.  This MarAdmin is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
5.  Release authorized by LtGen James F. Glynn, Deputy Commandant, Manpower & Reserve Affairs.//