SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR) RETENTION AND AFFILIATION BONUS (RAB) PROGRAM

MARADMINS : 549/25

R 171443Z NOV 25 MARADMIN 549/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA// SUBJ/SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR) RETENTION AND AFFILIATION BONUS (RAB) PROGRAM// REF/A/MSGID: DOC/TITLE 37 U.S.C.// REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD: 20130312// REF/C/MSGID: DOC/RA MEMO/YMD: 20240328// REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 20151223// REF/E/MSGID: MSG/CMC/261911ZAUG25// REF/F/MSGID: MSG/CMC/241853ZMAR25// REF/G/MSGID: MSG/CMC/131810ZAUG20// REF/H/MSGID: DOC/DOD 7000.14-R// NARR/REF (A) IS U.S.C. TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE, CHAPTER 5, SPECIAL AND INCENTIVE PAYS. REF (B) IS DODI 1304.31 ENLISTED BONUS PROGRAM. REF (C) HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS DRILLING RESERVE BILLET IDENTIFICATION CODE (BIC) ASSIGNMENT AND MANAGEMENT POLICY. REF (D) IS THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL. REF (E) SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE LATERAL MOVE PROGRAM. REF (F) INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING (IDT) TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE. REF (G) IS FY21 MARINE CORPS READY RESERVE ENLISTED CAREER FORCE CONTROLS (ECFC) PROGRAM. REF (H) IS DOD 7000.14-R, DOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION, VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 2// POC/S. A. STEELE/MAJ/ RA (RAP)/TEL: (703)784-9588/EMAIL: SMB_RAP@USMC.MIL// POC/J. C. WILLIAMS JR/MGYSGT/RA (RET)/TEL: (703)784-9669/EMAIL: RA-RETENTION@USMC.MIL// POC/A. J. LYNCH/MGYSGT/MCRC PSR/TEL: (703)784-9900/EMAIL: MCRPSR@MARINES.USMC.MIL// POC/J. S. AUSTIN/MSGT/RA (RAP)/TEL: (703)784-0580/EMAIL: SMB_RAP@USMC.MIL// POC/L. REILLY/GYSGT/RA (RAM)/TEL: (703)432-9077/EMAIL: RAM-1@USMC.MIL// POC/D. MARRUFO/SSGT/MMEA (1)/TEL: (703)432-9152/EMAIL: DIANA.MARRUFO@USMC.MIL// POC/MILITARY COMPENSATION CHIEF/M&RA MPO/TEL: 703-784-9371/9372// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. Per section 331 of reference (a) and (b), this MARADMIN announces the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) Retention and Affiliation Bonus (RAB), effective upon publication and remaining in effect until superseded by new guidance. This announcement consolidates three previously separate bonus MARADMINS: the Selective Retention Bonus - Reserve (SRB-R), the Direct Affiliation Bonus (DAB), and the Enlisted Affiliation Bonus (EAB). 2. Background. The SMCR RAB is designed to incentivize qualified Marines in the SMCR, Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Active Component (AC) and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) to commit to SMCR service in order to meet validated billet requirements and enhance unit readiness. This program supports the Commandant's retention priorities by encouraging continued service from experienced Marines and facilitating seamless transitions from the Active Component and IRR to the SMCR. The SMCR RAB is one of several tools used to maintain a trained and ready Reserve force in support of Total Force objectives. 3. Lump Sum Base Amounts and Obligation. 3.a. A $20,000 incentive is authorized for corporals through staff sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraph 5.g who agree to join or continue service in the SMCR with a 36-month service obligation. 3.b. A $10,000 incentive is authorized for corporals through staff sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraph 5.g who agree to join or continue service in the SMCR with a 24-month service obligation. 3.c. A $5,000 incentive is authorized for corporals and sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraph 5.g who agree to join or continue service in the SMCR with a 12-month service obligation. 3.d. The service obligation begins on the date of SMCR RAB acceptance, the date of affiliation with the SMCR unit, completion of current Mandatory Drill Participation Stop Date (MDPSD), or the completion of MOS retraining, whichever occurs latest. 4. Unit Kicker. Marines with an eligible MOS who agree to obligate for 36 months in the SMCR at designated units and locations, as identified in paragraph 5.l, are eligible for a $5,000 Unit Kicker in addition to the $20,000 incentive outlined in paragraph 4.a. To qualify, Marines must meet one of the following: (1) currently be assigned to and agree to remain in an eligible unit; (2) transfer to an eligible unit; or (3) join an eligible unit from the AC or IRR. Marines who receive a unit kicker incur a 36-month obligation to the unit with which they obligated, beginning on the date of their bonus obligation or the date they join the unit, whichever is later. 4.a. Losing Command Criteria for Unit Kickers. Caution should be exercised for incentivizing Marines to leave a unit with an on-hand strength below 90% or a unit MOS health below 80%. Losing unit commanders may choose to negatively endorse requests that fall into these criteria. 5. Eligibility. 5.a. SRB-R. Reserve Component Marines currently serving in the SMCR who have an expired or expiring MDPSD based on the current reserve retention campaign are eligible. Marines must obtain the required Reserve End of Current Contract (RECC) through reenlistment or extension. Marines with existing service obligations from previous bonus agreements may not submit for a new bonus until within 90 days of the end of their current bonus obligation. This requirement only applies to monetary incentives. 5.b. DAB. AC Marines with an End of Active Service (EAS) date within one year are eligible. AC Marines must complete any existing service obligations from previous bonus or Blended Retirement System Continuation Pay (BRS CP) agreements prior to affiliation. They must obtain the required RECC via reenlistment or extension. Waivers of existing AC service obligations will not be authorized. 5.c. EAB. Reserve Component Marines currently in the IRR are eligible. They must obtain a three-year RECC beginning on the date they join the SMCR unit. Enlistment extensions are authorized to meet the service obligation requirement and will be approved on a case-by-case basis. 5.d. Marines must be a corporal, sergeant, or staff sergeant. Staff sergeants who have been selected to gunnery sergeant at the time of package submission are not eligible. 5.e. Marines must be assigned to a Billet Identification Code (BIC) commensurate with their grade and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) on the unit s Table of Organization, in accordance with the current version of reference (c). A waiver may be submitted for assignment to an Excess BIC Indicator 001 if a grade and MOS match exists within the current unit s structure. 5.f. Marines subject to an Inter-Unit Transfer (IUT) due to SMCR unit restructuring in FY26 must have an approved IUT to a BIC that is not scheduled for removal from the Authorized Strength Report in FY26 prior to submitting a reserve incentive request. This includes restructuring actions resulting from unit deactivation, relocation, divestment, or other force structure changes. 5.g. The following MOSs are eligible for the SMCR RAB: 0211 0639 2143 4421 6018 0231 0671 2147 4541 6042 0241 0679 2161 4571 6046 0261 0811 2171 4591 6048 0311 0842 2311 5711 6049 0313 0844 2336 5769 6062 0321 0847 2621 5811 6073 0331 0848 2629 5821 6074 0341 0861 2631 5831 6242 0352 0871 2641 5939 6531 0363 1141 2651 5948 6541 0369 1164 2831 5951 6672 0441 1171 2841 5952 6694 0451 1361 2847 5953 6842 0471 1371 2862 5954 7011 0511 1391 2871 5974 7051 0621 1721 2874 5979 7240 0627 1833 2887 6012 7252 0629 1834 3531 6016 7253 0631 2131 3537 6017 7254 5.h. Enlisted Career Force Control (ECFC), contained in reference (g), waivers are not required for corporals or sergeants. The Director, Reserve Affairs, has deemed all MOSs listed in this MARADMIN as critical. Marines may not exceed the following satisfactory years of military service as of the effective date of their bonus agreement. 5.h.1. Staff sergeants must have fewer than 16 satisfactory years of service. 5.h.2. Sergeants may serve up to, but not exceed, 15 satisfactory years of service to remain eligible for this incentive. 5.h.3. Corporals may serve up to, but not exceed, 10 satisfactory years of service to remain eligible for this incentive. 5.i. Marines who were passed for promotion to the next higher grade, or who were reduced in rank to their current grade, are ineligible. 5.j. Marines who have previously received an affiliation bonus are ineligible for a subsequent affiliation bonus. 5.k. Marines who have been subject to non-judicial punishment within 12 months prior to submission are ineligible. 5.l. Unit Kicker eligibility. The following units and locations listed in order by state are eligible for the $5,000 unit kicker: City, State Unit MCC/RUC ALAMEDA,CA RECON CO A 4TH RECON BN SGX/14709 CONCORD,CA DEF CYBER OPS IDM CO A 6TH COMM S0X/82006 MIRAMAR,CA VMM-764 S6E/01764 OCEANSIDE,CA HMLA-775 S6F/04780 SAN DIEGO,CA CI/ HUMINT CO A ISB S14/14803 PLAINVILLE,CT RFL CO F 2/25 SLF/14224 WASHINGTON,DC CI/ HUMINT CO B ISB S15/14804 ATLANTA,GA RECON CO B 4TH RECON BN SGP/14703 KANEOHE,HI DET RECON CO A 4TH RECON BN SAT/14704 JOLIET,IL WPNS CO 2/24 SKH/14176 TERRE HAUTE,IN RFL CO B 1/24 SK7/14168 LEXINGTON,KY MP CO A 4TH LAW ENF BN SQJ/20253 BELLE CHASSE,LA DET B MALS-49 MAG-49 S7E/01205 BELLE CHASSE,LA DET HMLA-773 S6C/01767 AYER,MA DEF CYBER OPS IDM CO B 6TH COMM S1W/82007 FT DEVENS,MA WPNS CO 1/25 SL9/14217 FT DEVENS,MA H&S CO 1/25 SL5/14211 FT DETRICK,MD LAR CO B 4TH LAR BN SP4/14033 BRUNSWICK,ME RFL CO A 1/25 SL6/14212 BATTLE CREEK,MI RFL CO A 1/24 SK6/14163 LANSING,MI RFL CO C 1/24 SK8/14165 JACKSONVILLE,NC MALS-49 MAG-49 S7G/04169 JACKSONVILLE,NC VMM-774 S6D/01774 LONDONDERRY,NH RFL CO B 1/25 SL7/14218 DOVER,NJ RFL CO G 2/25 SLG/14225 MCGUIRE AFB,NJ DET A MALS-49 MAG-49 S7D/01204 MCGUIRE AFB,NJ HMH-772 S7L/01772 MCGUIRE AFB,NJ HMLA-773 S7F/01773 ALBUQUERQUE,NM HQTRS CO 4TH LAW ENF BN SQA/20252 ALBUQUERQUE,NM SPT CO 4TH LAW ENF BN SUA/20256 BROOKLYN,NY WPNS CO 2/25 SLH/14227 BUFFALO,NY RFL CO C 1/25 SL8/14214 SYRACUSE,NY LAR CO E 4TH LAR BN S5D/14036 DAYTON,OH MP CO C 4TH LAW ENF BN STL/20257 NORTH CANTON,OH WPNS CO 3/25 SLP/14234 PERRYSBURG,OH WPNS CO 1/24 SK9/14167 BROKEN ARROW,OK TOW TRAINING CO SJK/SJU/ SJV/SJW/ SJX/SKS/ SKU/SKW/ SL1/14653 ALLENTOWN,PA MP CO B 4TH LAW ENF BN SQP/20254 BRISTOL,PA HQTRS BTRY 3/14 SMS/14331 FOLSOM,PA 1ST/2D PLT TRUCK CO 25TH MAR SCH/71706 HARRISBURG,PA RFL CO E 2/25 SLE/14226 JOHNSTOWN,PA DET A MWSS-471 MAG-41 S4P/01199 WYOMING,PA DET A MWSS-472 MAG-49 S4J/00526 FORT WORTH,TX DET A ATC MACS-24 MACG-48 S2K/01236 FORT WORTH,TX VMFA-112 S3C/01130 FORT WORTH,TX VMGR-234 S3F/01234 SAN ANTONIO,TX RECON CO C 4TH RECON BN SGS/14706 LYNCHBURG,VA COMBAT ENGR CO C 4TH CEB SDC/14405 OCEANA,VA DET TAOC MACS-24 MACG-48 S2N/01308 ROANOKE,VA COMBAT ENGR CO B 4TH CEB SD9/14404 VIRGINIA BEACH,VA AAV CO A 4TH AAV BN SDS/21834 CHARLESTON,WV COMBAT ENGR CO A 4TH CEB SD6/14403 5.m. Marines must meet all reenlistment prerequisites in accordance with applicable policy. Reenlistment requirements will not be waived for the purpose of Reserve bonus eligibility. Marines unable to reenlist or extend to meet the required SMCR obligation are ineligible for a bonus. 6. Administrative Guidance. 6.a. All requests must be submitted to RA through the Total Force Retention System (TFRS). Marines wishing to execute an IUT to designated units and locations in order to receive the unit kicker must have their TFRS request approved and accepted prior to initiating the IUT. 6.b. Additional guidance regarding the processing of incentives will be released via TFRS. 6.c. Per reference (d), Marines applying for the SMCR RAB are required to waive the reasonable commuting distance requirement, if applicable, on their Statement of Understanding (SOU). Inactive Duty Training (IDT) travel reimbursement will be offered based on rank and MOS, in accordance with reference (f). 6.d. Marines who fail to accept the requested SMCR RAB by the no-later-than date on the TFRS authority will forfeit eligibility for the incentive. 6.e. Except for Marines approved for an incentive in their current unit, payment of the incentive will not occur until the Marine is joined to the approved SMCR unit. 6.f. A signed SOU must be submitted with the TFRS request prior to issuance of the bonus. 6.g. RA will adjudicate and return requests to the originator via TFRS. 7. Waivers. 7.a. Waiver requests must be submitted to Reserve Affairs Personnel Policy, Plans, Programming, and Budgeting Branch (RAP) as an attachment to the TFRS request. 7.b. Waiver requests submitted by a Prior Service Recruiter (PSR) must include an endorsement from the PSR Officer-in-Charge. 7.c. Waiver requests submitted by Career Counselors must include an endorsement from the member's chain of command. The final endorsement must be from a battalion- or squadron-level (O-5) command or higher. 7.d. RAP will document the approval or disapproval of waiver requests within TFRS. 8. Lateral Moves (LatMov). 8.a. The SMCR RAB may be accepted in conjunction with the SMCR LatMov program and may be requested concurrently. 8.b. Only Marines applying for the 24 or 36-month SMCR RAB options may concurrently request a LatMov. 8.c. Marines approved for a LatMov in conjunction with the SMCR RAB must begin MOS training within one calendar year of SMCR RAB approval, in accordance with current LatMov policy, to remain eligible for the incentive. Training that begins beyond one calendar year will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Marines who fail to meet the LatMov program requirements may be placed in an excess BIC or involuntarily transferred to the IRR. 8.d. If a LatMov is required, payment of the SMCR RAB will not occur until MOS training is complete. RA will screen the LatMov request and the current unit shall report the intended MOS in the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) prior to the Marine attending training. 8.e. MOS training requirements will not be waived. 8.f. The SMCR LatMov Program information is provided in reference (e). 9. Repayment Requirements. In accordance with Section 373 of reference (a), repayment of unearned bonus amounts shall not be required for Marines who die or are retired or separated with a combat-related disability. In accordance with reference (h), particularly Table 2-1, and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code Matrix, repayment action will not be sought under certain circumstances. Additionally, subject to reference (h), the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASN(M&RA)) may grant an exception to repayment. This authority has been delegated to the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (DC, P&R), who may grant exceptions to repayment for unearned amounts up to $10,000 in cases where an exception is allowable in accordance with reference (h) and the SPD Code Matrix. 9.a. Marines who receive a bonus under this MARADMIN and subsequently conduct an IUT, in accordance with reference (c), to a BIC on a Reserve unit s Table of Organization that is an MOS and Rank match to those on their bonus SOU are continuing to fulfill the terms of their SOU and are not subject to repayment solely based upon such transfer. However, Marines who receive a Unit Kicker and subsequently conduct an Inter-Unit Transfer to a Reserve unit other than that identified on their SOU are required to repay the unearned portion of their Unit Kicker. 9.b. Questions regarding exceptions to repayment may be directed to the military compensation chief in the Military Policy Branch of Manpower Plans and Policy Division using the contact info above. 10. Incentives will be approved in the order they are received until bonus amount allocations and funding limitations are reached. 11. As required, incentive updates will be released via TFRS messages or MARADMINS, to include updates to MOS and unit location eligibility criteria and suspension of bonuses, if necessary. 12. This incentive is available for service in SMCR units only. 13. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//