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Reservists offered new bonus to re-enlist

For the first time, the Corps is offering cash incentives to Marines who re-enlist in the Active Reserve.

Marines who sign up another three years will get a $15,000 lump sum, according to a recent all-Marine message, 363/08. That same amount of money is being offered to Marines in the Individual Ready Reserve who transfer to the Active Reserve under a three-year commitment and fall within one of the specified military occupational specialties and billets listed in a separate message, MarAdmin 362/08.

“Reserve Affairs recognized the need to retain our critical skills in the AR program,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jason Bell, reserve promotions and incentives staff noncommissioned officer in charge at Reserve Affairs.

These incentives are effective immediately and are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Marines in the Active Reserve who have re-enlisted since Jan. 1 are eligible for the bonus through Sept. 30. The enlisted affiliation incentive for IRR Marines kicked in June 26 and is available until Sept. 30.

“If you’re already a [Selected Marine Corps Reserve] drilling reservist, you’re not eligible for this incentive,” Bell said of the enlisted affiliation incentive.

Both bonuses will be offered annually, he said, and each has certain criteria Marines must meet in order to qualify.

Active Reserve re-enlistees must have completed the required primary MOS training, be career-designated on the AR program, and have a reserve end of current contract between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30. Marines who have failed selection to the next grade on the program and those with more than 20 years of total service on their re-enlistment date are not eligible.

Sergeants can’t have more than 10 years of active duty and staff sergeants no more than 15 years and not selected for gunnery sergeant. MarAdmin 363/08 lists eligible primary MOSs for sergeants and staff sergeants.

Marines who receive the bonus must serve three years in their primary MOS.

Marines who want to transfer from the IRR to the AR must fill one of a laundry list of billets listed in MarAdmin 362/08.

Marines who fit those billets must be prior service with no less than a four-year break in active-duty service, have an honorable discharge, no prior service in the SMCR or the AR, and not entitled to retirement or retainer pay.

Those who do not fall within one of the required primary MOSs can retrain to become eligible for the incentive. Marines who do so must finish their training within 180 days from the date of affiliation to stay eligible for the bonus, which will be paid after training has been completed.

Interested Marines can contact Reserve Affairs at (703) 784-9107.