R 072048Z JUN 16
MARADMIN 289/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2017 (FY17) ACTIVE RESERVE (AR) ALIGNMENT PLAN (ARAP)//
REF/A/MSGID:MCO/1040R.35/20110502//
REF/B/MSGID:MCO/1001.52J/20110606//
NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS MCO 1040R.35, RESERVE CAREER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MANUAL. REFERENCE (B) IS MCO 1001.52J, ACTIVE RESERVE SUPPORT TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE.//
POC/R. T. HARRIS/MGYSGT/RA (RCT)/TEL: (703)784-0577/EMAIL: RODERICK.T.HARRIS(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/M. S. BECKER/CAPT/RA (RAM)/TEL: (703)784-9149/EMAIL: MICHAEL.BECKER(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. J. GOLD /GYSGT/RAM-2 (0111 MONITOR)/TEL: (703)784-0529/EMAIL: JJ.GOLD(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. D. LOCKRIDGE /MSGT/RAM-2 (0200-2100 MONITOR)/TEL: (703)784-0526/EMAIL: JAMES.LOCKRIDGE(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/J. S. RODRIGUEZ /MSGT/RAM-2 (3000-5700/8014 MONITOR)/TEL: (703)784-0528/EMAIL: JOSE.S.RODRIGUEZ2(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/M. E. GREENWOOD/MSGT/RAM-2 (6000-7000 MONITOR)/TEL: (703)784-0527 /EMAIL: MARK.E.GREENWOOD(AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message announces the commencement of the FY17 ARAP.  The purpose of the ARAP is to balance the AR enlisted career force inventory while retaining quality Marines.  AR Marines should contact their unit career planner for more information and compliance with this message.
2.  Background.  In his January 2016 fragmentary order, the Commandant stated that “Recruiting and retaining quality men and women of character in today’s Corps is our friendly center of gravity and our highest priority.” Retaining our best Non-Commissioned Officers and Staff Non-Commissioned Officers is critical to mission accomplishment.  Commanders must be actively involved in retention efforts to ensure we retain our best Marines and attain our enlisted inventory goals by military occupational specialty (MOS).
3.  Action
    a.  Per reference (a), all commands are required to conduct interviews with 100 percent of their FY17 ARAP population.  Reserve Affairs (RAM) will track the status of interviews to assess the status of the cohort in an optimal manner.
    b.  Commands must complete all required AR initial interviews no later than 1 October 2016.
    c.  AR Marines in the ranks of lance corporal to sergeant with an Expiration of Active Service (EAS) date during FY17 must submit for reenlistment via the Total Force Retention System no later than 31 December 2016.  Marines must meet service limitation requirements contained in reference (b).
    d.  Commanders are authorized to extend eligible AR Marines with an EAS between 1 October 2016 and 28 February 2017 to 31 March 2017 in order to await a response to a pending reenlistment request.
    e.  All requests submitted in accordance with this message will be processed no later than 28 February 2017. Requests submitted after the 31 December 2016 deadline may not receive favorable consideration for further service.
4.  Commanders Recommendation. Commanders input is a critical part of the retention decision.  All unit commanders/inspector instructors, and sergeants major/first sergeants are encouraged to make detailed comments advocating for or against retention.
5.  Comparative Assessment.  All Marines who submit for reenlistment will be ranked against each other.  The variables used in the assessment are:  average proficiency and conduct marks in service, Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test scores, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program level and meritorious promotion to current grade.
6.  Waivers.  Waiver requests that require a Commanding General (CG) endorsement will be endorsed by the first CG in the chain of command.
7.  Targeted reenlistment allocations will be published for each MOS and will be announced via separate correspondence.
8.  Release authorized by Colonel J. M. Morrisroe, Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Acting.//