R 011507Z JUL 26
MARADMIN 303/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/FY26 VOLUNTARY ENLISTED EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/SECNAV/YMD:20260521//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD:20240801//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20190215//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20200504//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20151230//
REF/F/MSGID: DOC/CONGRESS//
REF/G/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD:20240201//
REF/H/MSGID: MSG/CMC/R131611ZNOV19//
REF/I/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20090519//
NARR/REF (A) IS SECNAV MEMORANDUM "FISCAL YEAR 2026 MARINE CORPS
VOLUNTARY ENLISTED EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM" DATED 21 MAY 2026. REF (B)
IS DODI 1332.14, ENLISTED ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATIONS. REF (C) IS MCO
1900.16 CH3, MARINE CORPS SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL. REF (D)
IS MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE SYSTEM PERSONNEL REPORTING INSTRUCTION
USER'S MANUAL (PRIUM). REF (E) IS MCO 1700.31, TRANSITION READINESS
PROGRAM. REF (F) IS TITLE 37 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 373. REF (G)
IS DOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION, DOD 7000.14-R, VOLUME 7A,
CHAPTER 2. REF (H) IS MARADMIN 632/19, TRANSITION READINESS. REF
(I) IS MCO 1050.3J, REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND
ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE.
POC/C. E. PENNINGTON/MAJ/UNIT: CMC MMSR (SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT)
/-/TEL:703-784-9314//
POC/N. M. REYNOLDS/CAPT/UNIT: CMC MPP-20 (ENLISTED PLANS)/-/TEL:
703-432-9466//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Voluntary
Enlisted Early Release Program (VEERP) is a deliberate force shaping
initiative. This message serves to establish the authority,
eligibility, and procedures for the voluntary early release of First
Term Alignment Plan (FTAP) enlisted Marines in the Active Component
whose current end of active service (EAS) is in FY26.
2. Background. Reference (a) provides the Marine Corps with
authority to execute the VEERP. The FY26 VEERP will commence upon
the publication of this MARADMIN. Upon release of this MARADMIN,
FTAP Marines approved for this program may separate on an approved
date prior to their current EAS. Marines approved for the FY26
VEERP will be considered to have completed their full active service
commitment. This MARADMIN does not exempt Marines from completing
reserve or individual ready reserve (IRR) obligations per their
individual service enlistment contracts.
3. Eligibility
3.a. This message applies only to Active Component FTAP
enlisted Marines with an EAS date on or before 30 September
2026. Upon release of this MARADMIN, eligible FTAP Marines may
request separation before their current EAS. Upon approval, the
Marine's EAS will be adjusted to an earlier approved separation
date. Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) reserves the right to
adjust the requirements as necessary to maintain authorized
strength requirements.
3.b. Due to inventory shortfalls, Marines with the following
Primary Military Occupational Specialties (PMOS) are eligible to
participate in VEERP, but are limited to 90 days from their
current EAS: 0331, 0341, 0352, 0671, 0842, 1833, 1834, 2141,
2143, 2831, 2841, 4571, 5512, 5524, 5948, 5954, 5955, 5974,
5979, 7236, 7240, 7242, and 7257.
3.c. Marines are required to complete mandated Transition
Readiness Seminar (TRS) requirements prior to EAS per reference
(e) as supplemented by reference (h). Marines must be TRS
complete and medically qualified prior to early release.
3.d. Marines must be eligible for an honorable discharge
characterization of service at time of early release.
3.e. Marines must submit their VEERP package to their first
General Court-Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA) in their chain
of command who may approve all Marines that meet eligibility
requirements.
4. Ineligibility. Marines meeting any of the following
conditions are ineligible to participate in the FY26 VEERP:
4.a. Marines with an EAS after 30 September 2026.
4.b. Marines scheduled for transfer to the Fleet Marine Corps
Reserve (FMCR) or retired list.
4.c. Marines who are indebted to the government (to include
advance and excess leave). Indebted Marines desiring early
release can make accelerated repayment of their debts by
increasing scheduled installment amounts and by making cash
collections to repay their indebtedness. Indebtedness must be
entirely resolved prior to early release. Marines can
coordinate with their installation Disbursing/Finance Office to
modify repayment plans and obtain confirmation that the debt has
been fully settled.
4.d. Marines being released under other HQMC directed early out
programs, e.g., early release for education, temporary early
retirement authority, and voluntary separation pay program.
4.e. Marines currently serving on a Special Duty Assignment who
have not completed obligated service required for the
assignment.
4.f. Marines pending legal action or proceedings,
administrative separation, disability separation, or retirement
are not eligible for the VEERP. The Marine may submit for VEERP
once proceedings are completed and if he/she remains eligible
for release under honorable discharge. The VEERP should not be
viewed as an expeditious manner to separate Marines who fall
into a category which requires mandatory processing for
administrative separation per references (b) and (c).
5. Program timeline
5.a. Application processing will commence immediately upon
release of this MARADMIN.
5.b. Marines must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in
paragraph 3 of this MARADMIN prior to early release. Upon early
release, the Marine will be considered to have completed his/her
full active service commitment. Marines are reminded that early
release is not an entitlement.
6. Coordinating instructions
6.a. It is understood that this program may result in temporary
risks to some units due to falling below staffing levels. Units
will not receive early staffing replacement. Commanders'
support of this force shaping tool is critical for the Marine
Corps to attain its force shaping goals.
6.b. Individual Marines must submit requests by standard naval
letter via their chain of command to their first GCMCA.
Package templates, VEERP checklist and EAS calculator can be found at
the Active-Duty Retirements & Separations (MMSR-2) webpage under
Enlisted Separations and Retirements. The VEERP checklist and EAS
calculator must be completed and included in each package.
6.b.1. The first GCMCA in the Marine's chain of command may
approve all Marines that meet eligibility requirements.
6.b.2. GCMCA approvals will be based upon units' operational
requirements and Marines' individual situations and should not
be considered automatic.
6.b.3. GCMCA commands will forward approved packages to HQMC,
Manpower Management Separation and Retirements Branch (MMSR-2)
at [email protected] for processing. HQMC, MMSR, will
process packages to ensure compliance with the VEERP guidelines.
MMSR will run MCTFS unit diary entry per reference (d) to facilitate
separation processes. Commands are required to wait for separation
transactions to post in MCTFS; i.e. EAS and planned Separation
Program Designator (SPD), before finalizing separation procedures
(issuing DD-Form 214, separation orders, etc.). MMSR will report
weekly participation rosters to HQMC, Manpower Plans, Programs, and
Budget (MPP) Enlisted Plans (MPP-20). Rosters will include name,
rank, EDIPI, new EAS, original EAS in their emailed reports.
MPP-20 will consolidate participation data and provide weekly
reporting to Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
6.c. Unit diary entries reporting release from active duty or
discharge will be submitted per reference (d). The SPD Code for
Marines being released from active duty under VEERP is MCC1, Force
Shaping. This SPD applies to Marines that have remaining Military
Service Obligation (MSO). Reference (c), paragraph 6404.3 provides
authority for this SPD.
6.d. In any case where a Marine previously approved for the
VEERP is charged with any offense which requires mandatory
processing for administrative separation, or has been referred
to court martial per reference (c), the Marine will be removed
from the VEERP and processed accordingly.
6.e. If a Marine previously approved for the VEERP is found to
be not medically qualified to separate at their adjusted EAS,
the Marine will be removed from the VEERP and processed
accordingly. Commands must notify MMSR in such instances.
6.f. Approved VEERP participants are authorized to take
terminal leave in accordance with reference (i) and may elect to
sell back any unused leave. Skillbridge participation is
permitted. The total combined time of terminal leave,
SkillBridge, and early release must not exceed 180 days prior to
the current EAS.
6.f.1. Example 1 - Early Release Only: A Marine with an EAS
date of 15 August 2026 requests to separate 60 days early.
Upon approval, the Marine's EAS is updated to 16 June 2026.
6.f.2. Example 2 - SkillBridge and Early Release: A Marine is
approved for a 90-day SkillBridge and requests to separate 90
days early. The Marine's EAS is adjusted 90 days earlier. The
Marine begins SkillBridge 180 days before the original EAS and
separates from service 90 days early upon completion of
SkillBridge.
6.f.3. Example 3 - SkillBridge, Terminal Leave, Early Release:
A Marine with an EAS of 10 July 2026 requests to complete a
30-day SkillBridge, take 30 days of terminal leave, and separate 30
days early. The Marine's EAS is adjusted 30 days earlier. The
Marine begins SkillBridge 90 days before the original EAS,
starts terminal leave 60 days before the original EAS, and
separates from service on 10 June 2026 - 30 days prior to the
original EAS.
6.f.4. Example 4 - Restricted PMOS Early Release: A Marine in
a restricted PMOS requests to separate 120 days early. The
command notifies the Marine that they are eligible for a 90-day
early release due to PMOS restrictions. The Marine then
executes a 90-day early release.
7. General information
7.a. In the event of future recall, Marines released under this
MARADMIN will be considered as being in the same status as those
who have completed their obligated period of active duty.
7.b. Enlisted Marines separated under authority of this
MARADMIN may be awarded the Good Conduct Medal if their adjusted
EAS falls within 90 days of their 3-year Good Conduct Medal
anniversary date. Waiver request and approved VEERP package
must be submitted to Military Awards Section (MMPB-3).
7.c. Marines released from active duty per paragraph 6.c. above are
granted an exception to repayment of the unearned portions of any
enlistment bonus already received, in accordance with references (a)
and (g).
7.d. Marines currently on deployment must meet all post
deployment requirements.
8. Reserve Applicability. This MARADMIN is not applicable to
the Marine Corps Reserve.
9. Reserve component opportunity. The Selected Marine Corps
Reserve (SMCR) is actively seeking the service of separating
Marines who want to remain affiliated with the Marine Corps upon
transition out of the Active Component. The SMCR Direct
Affiliation Program offers a valuable opportunity to continue
service and retain associated benefits. This program ensures a
structured pathway to sustain commitment to the Marine Corps.
Marines are encouraged to consult their Career Counselor for
detailed information and guidance on transitioning into the
Reserves.
10. This MARADMIN cancels on 30 Sep 2026.
11. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//