While enlisted Marines nearing the end of their contract will have the opportunity to leave the Corps months before their term ends in 2016, those in dozens of fields will have a harder time doing so.

Officials with Manpower and Reserve Affairs announced the continuation of the Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program through fiscal 2016 on Jan. 13. It gives Marines with an EAS date between Oct.ober 1, 2015, and Sept.ember 30, 2016, a chance to opt out up to a year early.

That is, unless the Marine is in has one of 60 in-demand professions where tighter restrictions apply. For Marines with occupational specialties like counterintelligence specialists, water support technicians and aircraft avionics technicians for the F-35B, departing the Corps cannot occur any earlier than the 180 day mark from their EAS date. The full list is available in administrative message 020/15.

The added restriction is because the program, though primarily a cost-cutting tool since it allows Marines to depart in an earlier fiscal year than originally planned, is one of several manpower officials are using to reshape the service during the drawdown. With the major conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan over, officials are reducing the Corps' size from its wartime high of 202,100 to 174,000 by 2017. But officials don't want to take Marines out of fields that are under-manned.

As planners see the makeup of the service nearing their goals — MOSoccupational specialty-wise — they make the appropriate adjustments, said Yvonne Carlock, deputy public affairs officer for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

"As we do with other force shaping measures, once our correct MOS mix is achieved, we remove the MOS from consideration," she said in an email.

The VEERP guidelines for fiscal 2015 listed just eight occupational specialties as ineligible for release more than 180 days out from EAS. Several of them remain on this year's expanded list, including air traffic controllers and cyber security technicians.

Those not on that list and seeking separation more than 180 days out must secure an endorsement from the first general officer in his or her chain of command. Those looking to leave closer to their EAS date must submit their request to their commander and monitor.

Before leaving, the individual must undergo pre-separation counseling, and be eligible for an honorable discharge, medically qualified and transition readiness seminar complete. Manpower officials retain final say over the eventual new EAS date.

Though they are then considered as having completed their active service component, it does not exempt Marines from serving in the Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve.

There are a few restrictions. Interested Marines must not be stabilized for deployment at the time of their departure; scheduled for transfer to the reserve or retired list; indebted to the government; participating in another early release program or the National Call to Service program; or on terminal leave pending separation.

Additionally, Marines suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury will not receive permission to leave the Corps early. Pending legal trouble likewise makes a Marine ineligible for the program.

Deadlines for applying for the program vary depending on the Marine's individual circumstances and are detailed in the MARADMIN.

Though commanders have influence over whether a Marine can take advantage of an earlier EAS date, Manpower officials are encouraging them to sign off on eligible requests. The MARADMIN advises them that any vacancies will be filled as quickly as possible while warning that they must provide "specific justification for individual Marines not recommended for approval."

"This force shaping tool is critical for the Marine Corps to attain its drawdown goal," it states.

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