051010Z OCT 15
MARADMIN 490/15
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY16 FIRST TERM ALIGNMENT PLAN (FTAP) QUARTERLY ASSESSMENT//
REF/A/MSGID:GENADMIN/CMC DC/YMD:20150611//
REF/B/MSGID: GENADMIN/CMC DC/YMD:20150729//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 283/15, FY16 ENLISTED RETENTION CAMPAIGN. REF B IS MARADMIN 376/15, FY16 FIRST TERM ALIGNMENT PLAN (FTAP) GOALS//
POC/M. M. MOTLEY/LTCOL/CMC MMEA-1/-/TEL: (703) 432-9120/
TEL:DSN 378-9120/EMAIL:MICHAEL.MOTLEY(AT)USMC.MIL POC/D. G. BIRD/MGYSGT/CMC MMEA-1/-/TEL: (703) 432-9125/
TEL:DSN 378-9125/EMAIL: DONALD.G.BIRD (AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This MARADMIN provides FY16 FTAP initial assessment for the first period of submissions covering July thru 15 September of 2015.
2.  Situation.  The multi-year drawdown in end strength is essentially complete and the Marine Corps’ enlisted retention effort is focused on sustaining the force with the right number of qualified, experienced Marines.  The comprehensiveness of the recent drawdown, as well as continuing changes in the structure of the Marine Corps, demand added attention to ensure that the force retains Marines of the correct grades and MOS'.  Enlisted Retention
is a function of command:  each commander maintains a responsibility for identifying talented Marines and encouraging them to submit for retention and continue their service.  The below information is intended to assist Commanders in this effort by providing a summary of the general state of FTAP retention in the Marine Corps and to highlight key MOS' that require additional command focus.  These updates will be released quarterly during each retention year.
3.  General Summary.  To date, just over 33 percent of targeted FTAP boatspaces have been executed for FY16 (2,004 out of 5,957 boatspaces).  2,229 requests are pending.  The rate of submission, approval and execution is lower than during the same period last year when 53 percent of targeted FTAP boatspaces had been executed; however, the rates of both approvals and the acceptance of contracts (e.g. take rate) are both higher than a year ago.  The Marine Corps goal of 5,957 FTAP reenlistments will require that 26 percent of the First Term Marines with an EAS between 01 Oct 15 and 30 Sep 16 are retained.  There are 23,948 Marines in the FY16 FTAP cohort.
4.  Fast Filling MOS' (FFM).  As of 15 September, 51 MOS' had more reenlistment submissions than available boat spaces.  The following PMOS' have been deemed FFM: 0111, 0231, 0261, 0451, 0511, 1361, 1812, 2161, 2676, 2871, 3043, 3051, 3112, 3432, 4421, 4612, 5811, 5831, 5951, 5954, 6116, 6123, 6124, 6132, 6153, 6154, 6156, 6173, 6174, 6176, 6212, 6222, 6227, 6252, 6256, 6257, 6286, 6287, 6317, 6323, 6324, 6326, 6336, 6423, 6432, 6469, 6483, 6492, 6694, 7011 and 7041.  Commanders should continue to encourage talented Marines in these MOS' that did not receive a boatspace to seek retention by requesting a lateral move into an eligible MOS.  In the case of highly qualified Marines, commanders may seek retention for Marines in their PMOS via the Quality Marine Identification (QMI) program once their PMOS has attained 100 percent executed boatspaces.
5.  Slower Filling MOS'.  Based on the July to September submission rates, the following MOS’s are currently projected to be under executed: 0211, 0241, 0651, 0689, 2336, 3521 and 3531.  Pending the release of a formal mission (Paragraph 8 below), commanders should begin to place increased emphasis on retaining qualified Marines in these MOS'.
6.  Ground Combat Arms MOS'.  The need to retain experienced small unit leaders and support structure adjustments associated with the reconstitution of two infantry battalions requires that commanders remain active in their efforts to retain infantry Marines as well as the other combat arms that directly support the infantry.  Ref B provided MSC-level interview goals and submission rate targets to the three active Marine Divisions across seven key MOSs.  To date, each of the Divisions has taken a very active approach to retention and achieved commendable interview completion rates.  Reenlistment execution rates in most MOS' are progressing satisfactorily; however, continued maximum effort and more submissions are essential to ensure the Marine Corps meets its mission.  An overview of submission rates achieved to date will be available for commanders via the Total Force Retention System (TFRS), accessible by unit Career Planners.
7.  Pulse of the Force.  This year, Career Planners are asking a short series of informal but standard questions of Marines within the active cohort that are contemplating their retention decision.  The intent is to provide commanders with some of the current variables that are affecting retention in order to inform their effort to mentor, dialogue and retain talent.  A summary of the information provided thus far will be provided to commanders via unit Career Planners NLT 9 October 2015.
8.  Targeted Mission.  HQMC (MM) will monitor the retention effort through the coming month in order to refine its assessment of progress in each MOS.  NLT 15 Nov, DC M(and)RA will assign a specific retention mission to force-level commands for any remaining or newly identified slower filling MOS'.
9.  This MarAdmin is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.
10.  Release authorized by Mr. C. F. Swain, Director, Manpower Management Division (Acting).//