R 162015Z JUN 25
MARADMIN 279/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/UPDATE TO IMPLEMENTING POLICY ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY 
EXCELLENCE AND READINESS//
REF/A/MEMO/SECDEF/8MAY25//
REF/B/MSG/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/121919ZMAY25//
REF/C/MEMO/OUSD(PR)/26FEB25// 
REF/D/MEMO/OUSD(PR)/28FEB25// 
REF/E/MEMO/ASD/09MAY25// 
REF/F/MEMO/OUSD(PR)/15MAY25// 
REF/G/DOC/SECDEF/28NOV17//
REF/H/DOC/SECDEF/03MAR17// 
REF/I/DOC/SECDEF/21DEC18// 
REF/J/DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/R202131ZMAY25//
REF/K/DOC/CMC/19MAY09//
REF/L/DOC/CMC/28MAY25//
REF/M/MEMO/ASN M&RA/3JUN25//
NARR/REF A IS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM, IMPLEMENTING POLICY 
ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS.  REF B IS ALNAV 
038/25, IMPLEMENTING POLICY ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND 
READINESS.  REF C IS UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND 
READINESS MEMORANDUM, ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY 
EXCELLENCE AND READINESS.  REF D IS CLARIFYING GUIDANCE ON 
UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS MEMORANDUM, 
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND 
READINESS.  REF E IS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM, 
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE ON TREATMENT OF GENDER DYSPHORIA.  REF F IS UNDER 
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS 
MEMORANDUM, PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS: 
IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE.  REF G IS DODI 1332.43, VOLUNTARY SEPARATION 
PAY (VSP) PROGRAM FOR SERVICE MEMBERS.  REF H IS DODI 1332.29, 
INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION PAY (NON-DISABILITY).  REF I DODI 1332.46, 
TEMPORARY EARLY RETIREMENT AUTHORITY (TERA) FOR SERVICE MEMBERS.  
REF J IS MARADMIN 239/25, IMPLEMENTING POLICY ON PRIORITIZING 
MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS VOLUNTARY SEPARATIONS.  REF K IS 
MCO 1050.3J, REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
ABSENCE.  REF L IS MCO 1900.16 W/ CH 3, SEPARATIONS AND RETIREMENT 
MANUAL.  REF M IS ASN M&RA MEMO ADDITIONAL DIRECTION CONCERNING 
VOLUNTARY SEPARATION UNDER ALNAV 038/25.//
POC/MPO/EMAIL: SMB_HQMC_MPO@USMC.MIL./TEL: (703) 784-9632.
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Pursuant to reference (b), this MARADMIN 
provides guidance for implementing reference (a) through (f).
2.  In accordance with reference (c), individuals who have a current
diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, 
gender dysphoria are no longer eligible for military service.  As 
such, all Marines must adhere to the standards in accordance with 
their biological sex as defined in Executive Order 14168.   
3.  Revocation of Exception to Policy (ETP)
3.a.  Marines will continue to conform to all military standards 
associated with their biological sex, including pronoun usage and 
facilities.
3.b.  As directed by reference (c), all previously approved ETPs 
from Department of Defense Instruction 1300.28 or Secretary of the 
Navy Instruction 1100.1A are revoked. 
3.c.  Revoked ETPs include those approved by HQMC and those approved 
locally.
3.d.  No further ETPs will be approved.  
3.e.  Absent operational necessity, Commanders will not allow Marines 
of opposite biological sexes to use or share sleeping quarters, 
changing rooms, or bathing facilities, unless only one biological sex 
uses the facility at any given time. 
4.  Correction of Gender Marker in Defense Enrollment Eligibility 
Reporting System (DEERS).  
4.a.  HQMC will correct all gender marker changes in DEERS to ensure 
all markers match the member’s biological sex.
4.b.  No further gender marker change requests will be accepted or 
processed.  All Marines must conform to the standards of their 
biological sex. 
5.  Administrative Absence
5.a.  Commanders have the authority to approve administrative absence 
for Active Component and Active Reserve Marines who have requested 
voluntary separation.  
5.b.  Commanders of Selected Marine Corps Reserve Marines may excuse 
Marines who have requested voluntary separation from drill execution 
for the duration of their separation process. Commanders will ensure 
all excused drills are reported as “EA – OTHER” via unit diary.
5.c.  Commanders of Marines affected by reference (b) who have not 
submitted a request for voluntary separation may request to place 
those Marines on administrative absence.  
5.c.1.  Commanders will submit such requests to the Director, 
Manpower Plans and Policy Division via the first General Officer in 
the Marine’s chain of command.  
5.c.2. Commanders will contact the Military Manpower Policy Branch 
(MPO), Manpower Plans and Policy Division, for further instructions 
before routing the request.
5.d.  Commanders will ensure every Marine affected by reference (b), 
completes their pre-separation requirements outlined in 
reference (l). These pre-separation requirements may be completed 
while the Marine is on administrative absence.
5.e.  Commanders will carefully consider the impact on good order and 
discipline within their unit, the Marine’s well-being, and their 
ability to provide effective oversight and support throughout the 
separation process.
5.f.  Location of administrative absence can be determined by the 
Commander.  Commanders will consider separation requirements and 
access to care when approving non-local administrative absence.
5.g.  Administrative absence of more than 30 days is authorized. 
Regardless of the administrative absence duration, commanders will 
proactively communicate with the impacted Marine.  Commanders will 
maintain accurate and up to date contact information, monitor the 
Marine’s well-being, and keep the Marine apprised of the status of 
their separation request.
5.h.  Administrative absences will be recorded as 
Permissive-Temporary Additional Duty.  Requests will be initiated 
through the Marine Online Leave and Liberty module with the type 
as “Other-(Enter Reason in Comment Box).” The comment to be recorded 
is “Administrative absence in accordance with ALNAV 038/25 for the 
duration of the retirement/separation process.”
5.i.  Pursuant to reference (b), Marines in an administrative absence 
status will be afforded the maximum flexibility to complete 
separation requirements, such requirements may be completed remotely 
or in civilian attire. 
6.  Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) ETP
6.a.  Reference (c) authorizes early retirement under TERA for 
Marines with over 18 years but less than 20 years of total active 
duty service.
6.b.  Per reference (m), Marines with over 15 years but less than 18 
years of total active duty service may request the Under Secretary 
of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) approve an exception to policy 
to reference (c) authorizing early retirement.   
6.b.1.  Such request shall be routed via the first General Officer 
in the Marine’s chain of command and Deputy Commandant Manpower and 
Reserve Affairs, to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Manpower and 
Reserve Affairs.    
7.  Administrative Notes
7.a.  Marines desiring to request a retention waiver must articulate 
a compelling government interest that directly supports warfighting 
capabilities as defined in reference (d).  For questions regarding 
waiver submission contact HQMC (MPO).  
7.b.  Marines will receive full pay and benefits until their 
separation is complete.
7.c.  Commanders will maximize the use of all available command 
authorities to ensure impacted personnel are afforded dignity and 
respect throughout the separation process.
7.d.  Consistent with existing law and policy, commanders will 
protect the privacy of protected health information that they may 
receive under this policy in the same manner as they would any other 
protected health information. Such health information will be 
restricted to personnel with a specific need to know to conduct 
official duties. Personnel will be accountable for safeguarding 
health information.
8.  Reporting Requirements to HQMC (MPO)  
8.a.  Date Commander notifies Marine of revocation of ETP.
8.b.  Date Marine placed on administrative absence.  
8.c.  If Marine returns from administrative absence, date of return. 
8.d.  Commanders will submit the following data bi-monthly, on the 
15th and last day of each month, via naval correspondence: Marine’s 
rank, name, EDIPI, date of birth, expiration of active service, 
physical location, administrative absence status, situational report 
of the Marine’s welfare, and separation actions (e.g., Transition 
Readiness Seminar, final physical, etc.).
9.  Processing of Volunteer Separation 
9.a.  SECNAV is the separation authority for Marines affected by 
reference (c).
9.b.  Medical verification will be determined by the Bureau of 
Medicine and Surgery.  Commanders will not direct or request any 
personal health information be provided from the member or any other 
Department of Defense personnel as part of the voluntary separation 
process. 
9.c.  HQMC Manpower Management Separations and Retirement Branch will 
complete administrative separation actions upon receipt of Secretary 
of the Navy’s separation approval.
9.d.  Commanders will submit the following pre-separation forms upon 
completion as an enclosure to the bi-monthly report outlined in 
paragraph 8.d of this MARADMIN:
9.d.1.  Final Physical (only page 3 of DD 2808 or 2807 that states 
“Medically Qualified for Separation/Retirement”).
9.d.2.  DD Form 2648 Service Member Pre-Separation/Transition 
Counseling.
9.d.3.  Commanding Officer’s Interview (required for all enlisted 
Marines).
9.d.4.  DD Form 2963 Service Treatment Record.
9.d.5.  Check out sheet.
10.  Marines requiring assistance working through challenges 
associated with this separation process (e.g., financial, shifting 
to civilian life, and relocation, etc.) have Military OneSource 
available at 1(800)342-9647.
11.   Upon receipt of additional direction, the Service will 
promulgate further guidance.
12.  Release authorized by Senior Executive Service M. R. Strobl, 
Assistant Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//