SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR) RETENTION AND AFFILIATION BONUS PROGRAM

R 191953Z AUG 26
MARADMIN 377/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA//
SUBJ/SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR) RETENTION AND AFFILIATION
BONUS PROGRAM//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/TITLE 37 U.S.C.//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD: 20201105//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/RA MEMO/YMD: 20240328//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 20250307//
REF/E/MSGID: MSG/CMC/YMD: 20250826//
REF/F/MSGID: MSG/CMC/YMD: 20250324//
REF/G/MSGID: MSG/CMC/YMD: 20200813//
REF/H/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD: 20240201//
REF/I/MSGID: MSG/ASN/YMD: 20220801//
NARR/REF (A) IS TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE CHAPTER 5, SPECIAL AND
INCENTIVE PAYS. REF (B) IS DODI 1304.31, ENLISTED BONUS PROGRAM.
REF (C) IS THE HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS DRILLING RESERVE BILLET
IDENTIFICATION CODE (BIC) ASSIGNMENT AND MANAGEMENT POLICY. REF (D)
IS THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL.
REF(E) IS THE SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE LATERAL MOVE PROGRAM.
REF (F)IS THE INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING (IDT) TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT
UPDATE. REF (G) IS THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 MARINE CORPS READY RESERVE
ENLISTED CAREER FORCE CONTROLS(ECFC)PROGRAM. REF (H) IS DOD
7000.14-R, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION,
VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 2. REF (I) IS THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY FOR
ENLISTED BONUS PROGRAMS//
POC/S. A. STEELE/LTCOL/RA (RAP)/TEL: (703)784-9588/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/L. J. KUROWSKI/MAJ/RA (RAP)/TEL: (703)432-9174/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/J. E. DENEVE/MGYSGT/RA (RAC)/TEL: (703)784-9671/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/D. B. SAMPERISI/MGYSGT/MCRC (PSR)/TEL: (667) 893-0898/EMAIL:
[email protected] OR [email protected]//
POC/J. S. AUSTIN/MSGT/RA (RAP)/TEL: (703)784-9879/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/L. REILLY/GYSGT/RA (RAM)/TEL: (703)432-9077/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/D. MARRUFO/SSGT/RA (RAC)/TEL: (703)432-9151/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/MILITARY COMPENSATION CHIEF/M&RA MPO/TEL: 703-784-9371/9372//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. In accordance with section 331,
reference (a), and reference (b), this MARADMIN announces the
Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) Retention and Affiliation Bonus
program, consisting of the Reserve Affiliation Bonus (RAB), the
Selective Retention Bonus - Reserve (SRB-R) and the Reserve Transfer
Bonus (RTB). This program is effective upon publication and will
remain in effect until superseded by new guidance.
2. Background. The SMCR Retention and Affiliation Bonus program is
designed to incentivize qualified Marines in the SMCR, Individual
Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), Active Component (AC), and Individual
Ready Reserve (IRR) to commit to SMCR service in order to meet
validated billet requirements and enhance unit readiness. This
program supports the Commandant of the Marine Corps' retention
priorities by encouraging continued service from experienced Marines
and facilitating seamless transitions from the Active Component and
IRR to the SMCR. The SMCR bonus program is one of several tools used
to maintain a trained and ready Reserve force in support of Total
Force objectives.
3. Lump Sum Base Amounts and Obligation.
3.a. Reserve Affiliation Bonus (RAB).
3.a.1. A $30,000 incentive is authorized for AC, IMA or IRR
corporals through master sergeants in the Military Occupational
Specialties (MOSs) listed in paragraph 5.g. with less than 20 years
of total military service and who agree to affiliate with the SMCR
for a 36-month obligation.
3.a.2. A $25,000 incentive is authorized for AC, IMA or IRR
corporals through master sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraph
5.h. with less than 20 years of total military service and who agree
to affiliate with the SMCR for a 36-month obligation.
3.b. Selective Retention Bonus - Reserve (SRB-R)
3.b.1. A $30,000 incentive is authorized for SMCR corporals through
master sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraph 5.g. who agree to
extend in an active status in the SMCR with a 36-month service
obligation.
3.b.2. A $25,000 incentive is authorized for SMCR corporals through
master sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraph 5.h. who agree to
extend in an active status in the SMCR with a 36-month service
obligation.
3.b.3. A $10,000 incentive is authorized for SMCR corporals through
master sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraphs 5.g. and 5.h. who
agree to extend in an active status in the SMCR with a 24-month
service obligation.
3.b.4. A $5,000 incentive is authorized for SMCR corporals and
sergeants in the MOSs listed in paragraphs 5.g. and 5.h. who agree to
extend in an active status in the SMCR with a 12-month service
obligation.
3.c. Reserve Transfer Bonus (RTB). A $10,000 incentive is
authorized for AC corporals through staff sergeants in the MOSs
listed in paragraphs 5.g. and 5.h. with fewer than 15 years of active
service time and who agree to affiliate with the SMCR for a 24-month
obligation. The RTB is not eligible to be combined with the RAB or
unit kicker incentives.
3.d. The maximum monetary incentive combination, to include unit
kicker, is $40,000.
3.e. The service obligation begins on the date of bonus acceptance,
date of affiliation with the SMCR unit, completion of current
Mandatory Drill Participation Stop Date (MDPSD), or completion of MOS
retraining, whichever occurs latest.
4. Unit Kicker. Marines with an eligible MOS who agree to obligate
for 36 months in the SMCR at designated units and locations, as
identified in paragraph 5.m, are eligible for a $5,000 Unit Kicker.
Designated units and locations identified in paragraph 5.n, are
eligible for a $10,000 Unit Kicker. Unit Kickers are in addition to
the $30,000 and $25,000 incentives outlined in paragraphs 3.a.1.,
3.a.2., 3.b.1. and 3.b.2.
4.a. To qualify, Marines must meet one of the following: (1)
currently be assigned to and agree to remain in an eligible unit; (2)
transfer to an eligible unit; or (3) join an eligible unit from the
AC or IRR. Marines who receive a unit kicker incur a 36-month
obligation to the unit with which they obligated, beginning on the
date of their bonus obligation or the date they join the unit,
whichever is later.
4.b. Losing Command Criteria for Unit Kickers. Caution should be
exercised for incentivizing Marines who are a BIC match to leave a
unit with an on-hand strength below 90% or a unit MOS health below
80%. Losing unit commanders may choose to negatively endorse
requests that fall into these criteria.
5. Eligibility.
5.a. RAB. AC Marines with an End of Active Service (EAS) date
within one year and Marines currently in the IMA or IRR are eligible.
Marines must have less than 20 years of total military service at the
time of bonus approval. AC Marines must complete any existing
service obligations from previous bonus or Blended Retirement System
Continuation Pay (BRS CP) agreements prior to affiliation. Marines
must obtain the required three-years of Reserve End of Current
Contract (RECC) time, beginning on the date they join the SMCR unit
via reenlistment or extension, if required. Enlistment extensions
will be considered to meet the service obligation requirement.
Waivers of existing AC service obligations will not be authorized
5.b. SRB-R. Reserve Component Marines currently serving in the SMCR
who have an expired or expiring MDPSD based on the current reserve
retention campaign are eligible. Master sergeants with less than 24
years of service are eligible. Marines must obtain the required RECC
through reenlistment or extension. Marines with existing service
obligations from previous monetary incentive bonus agreements may not
submit for a new bonus until within 90 days of the end of their
current bonus obligation.
5.c. RTB. AC Marines with an End of Active Service (EAS) date
within one year and with fewer than 15 years of active service time
are eligible. AC Marines must complete any existing service
obligations from previous bonus or Blended Retirement System
Continuation Pay (BRS CP) agreements prior to affiliation. They must
obtain the required two-years of RECC time, beginning on the date
they join the SMCR unit via reenlistment or extension, if required.
Enlistment extensions will be considered to meet the service
obligation requirement. Waivers of existing AC service obligations
will not be authorized. A member may not receive a RTB in
conjunction with another bonus or a unit kicker.
5.d. Marines must be a corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, gunnery
sergeant, or master sergeant.
5.e. Marines must be assigned, or be eligible for assignment upon
joining the unit, to a Billet Identification Code (BIC) commensurate
with their grade and MOS on the unit's Table of Organization, in
accordance with the current version of reference (c).
5.f. Marines subject to an Inter-Unit Transfer (IUT) due to SMCR
unit restructuring must have an approved IUT to a BIC that is not
scheduled for removal from the Authorized Strength Report prior to
submitting a reserve incentive request. This includes restructuring
actions resulting from unit deactivation, relocation, divestment, or
other force structure changes.
5.g. The following MOSs are eligible for the $30,000 bonus:
0211 1169 3537 6176
0321 1721 5974 6177
0363 1751 5979 6227
0369 1799 5993 6242
0372 1834 6012 6391
0399 2143 6016 6516
0491 2336 6017 7252
0629 2691 6018 7253
0679 2862 6019 7254
0699 2887 6033 7291
0848 2891 6132
0869 3529 6171
5.h. The following MOSs are eligible for the $25,000 bonus:
0111 1171 3152 6216
0231 1316 3381 6217
0241 1321 3451 6257
0245 1341 4421 6286
0261 1345 4571 6287
0311 1349 4591 6316
0313 1371 5769 6317
0331 1391 5811 6323
0341 1732 5821 6324
0352 2111 5939 6337
0393 2131 5948 6423
0411 2147 5951 6432
0441 2149 5953 6492
0471 2171 6048 6499
0511 2181 6062 6531
0621 2311 6073 6591
0631 2621 6074 6672
0639 2629 6113 6694
0648 2631 6114 6842
0671 2641 6123 7011
0811 2651 6124 7051
0842 2659 6153 7212
0847 2831 6154 7240
0871 2847 6173 7257
1141 2874 6174 7314
1164 3047 6214 7316
5.i. Enlisted Career Force Control (ECFC), contained in reference
(g), waivers are not required for corporals or sergeants. The
Director, Reserve Affairs, has deemed all MOSs listed in this
MARADMIN as critical. Marines may not exceed the following
satisfactory years of military service as of the effective date of
their bonus agreement.
5.i.1. Master sergeants must have less than 24 satisfactory years of
service.
5.i.2.  Gunnery sergeants and staff sergeants must have less than
18 satisfactory years of service.
5.j. Marines who failed selection for promotion to the next higher
grade or who were reduced in rank to their current grade, are
ineligible.
5.k. Marines who have previously received an affiliation bonus to
join the SMCR from the AC, IMA or IRR are ineligible for a
subsequent affiliation bonus.
5.l. Marines who have been subject to non-judicial punishment
within 12-months prior to submission are ineligible.
5.m. Unit Kicker eligibility. The following units and locations
listed in order by state are eligible for the $5,000 unit kicker:
ST - CITY - MCC/RUC - UNIT NAME
CA - ALAMEDA - SGX, S5K/14709 - RECON CO A 4TH RECON BN
CA - CAMP PENDLETON - S9D/04076 - DET 2 SUP CO SUP CO 4TH CRR
CA - CONCORD - S0X/82006 - DEF CYBER OPS IDM CO A 6TH COMM BN
CA - LATHROP - S5Q/04033 - LD CO B 4TH DSB CLR 4
CA - SAN DIEGO - S14, S16, S18/14803 - CI/ HUMINT CO A ISB
CA - SAN DIEGO - S9A/04080 - HQ CO 4TH DSB CLR 4
DE - WILMINGTON - SUE/71701 - BULK FUEL CO B 6TH ESB
GA - ALBANY - SIW/04064 - SUP CO 4TH CRR
GA - ATLANTA - SGP/14703 - RECON CO B 4TH RECON BN
GA - MARIETTA - SW3/29121 - H&S CO 4TH DEN BN
GA - SAVANNAH - S8X/04014 - LD CO A 6TH DSB CLR 4
IL - PEORIA - S9H/04079 - ENGR CO D 6TH ESB
IL - ROCK ISLAND - S6Q/04042 - MT MAINT CO 4TH MAINT BN 4TH CRR
IN - INDIANAPOLIS - S8R/04045 - DET ELEC MAINT CO 4TH MAINT BN
IN - PERU - S8T/04047 - DET 1 COMM CO 4TH CRR
IN - SOUTH BEND - SUJ/22325 - ENGR CO B 6TH ESB
KS - TOPEKA - SIU/04063 - DET AMMO CO 4TH CRR
KS - WICHITA - S3E/04053 - ELEC MAINT CO 4TH MAINT BN 4TH CRR
LA - NEW ORLEANS - S11/14800 - HQTRS CO ISB
MA - AYER - S8W/4050 - DET ORD MAINT CO 4TH MAINT BN 4TH CRR
MA - FORT DEVENS - SL4, SL3/14201 - HQTRS CO 25TH MAR REGT
MA - FT DEVENS - SL9/14217 - WPNS CO 1/25
MD - FT DETRICK - SP4/14033 - LAR CO B 4TH LAR BN
MI - BATTLE CREEK - SK6/14163 - RFL CO A 1/24
MI - BATTLE CREEK - SU9/22324 - ENGR SPT CO 6TH ESB
MI - LANSING - SK8/14165 - RFL CO C 1/24
MI - MT CLEMENS - S4K/00527 - DET B MWSS-471 MAG-41
MO - KANSAS CITY - S8S/04046 - HQTRS CO CLR 4
MO - KANSAS CITY - SSJ/75724 - CBRN PLT CLR 4
MS - GULFPORT - S7U/04044 - DET 3 MT MAINT CO 4TH MAINT 4TH CRR
NC - CHARLOTTE - S9C/04075 - HQTRS CO 6TH DSB CLR 4
NE - OMAHA - S7H/04043 - ENGR MAINT CO 4TH MAINT BN 4TH CRR
NH - LONDONDERRY - SL7/14218 - RFL CO B 1/25
NJ - FT DIX - SMT/14333 - ARTY BTRY G 3/14
NJ - MCGUIRE AFB - S7A/00051 - HQTRS MAG-49
NJ - MCGUIRE AFB - S7D/01204 - DET A MALS-49 MAG-49
NJ - RED BANK - SIR/04029 - CLC A CLB 25 CLR 4
NJ - RED BANK - SIT/04029 - HQ CO CLB 25 CLR 4
NJ - RED BANK - SRB/04029 - CLC B CLB 25 CLR 4
NM - KIRTLAND AFB - SQA/20252 - HQTRS CO 4TH LAW ENF BN
NY - BUFFALO - SL8/14214 - RFL CO C 1/25
OH - DAYTON - STL/20257 - MP CO C 4TH LAW ENF BN
OH - PERRYSBURG - SK9/14167 - WPNS CO 1/24
OK - BROKEN ARROW - SJK, SJU, SJV, SJW, SJX, SKS, SKU, SKW, SL1/14653
- TOW SECT 4TH MARDIV
OR - SPRINGFIELD - SUX/77775 - ENGR CO A 6TH ESB
PA - ALLENTOWN - SMV/14335 - ARTY BTRY I 3/14
PA - BRISTOL - SMS/14331 - HQTRS BTRY 3/14
PA - JOHNSTOWN - S4P/1199 - DET A MWSS-471 MAG-41
PA - WYOMING - S4J/00526 - DET A MWSS-472 MAG-49
RI - PROVIDENCE - S8Q/04030 - GS CO CLB 25 CLR 4
SC - BEAUFORT - S8A/04803 - VMFT-402 MAG-41
SC - NORTH CHARLESTON - S9W/04013 - LD CO B 6TH DSB CLR 4
TN - CHATTANOOGA - SN6/14345 - ARTY BTRY M 3/14
TN - MILLINGTON - SUM/75301 - ENGR CO C 6TH ESB
TX - FORT WORTH - S2K/01236 - DET A ATC MACS-24 MACG-48
TX - LUBBOCK - S6J/04034 - GD CO 4TH DSB CLR 4
TX - WACO - S7C/04055 - ORD MAINT CO 4TH MAINT BN 4TH CRR
VA - OCEANA - S2N/01308 - DET TAOC MACS-24 MACG-48
VA - OCEANA - SYF/01284 - DET EW/C MACS-24 MACG-48
VA - QUANTICO - S5Z/14665 - DET PERS RET & PROC CO 4TH CRR
VA - ROANOKE - SD9, SDK, SDL/14404 - COMBAT ENGR CO B 4TH CEB
WA - FT LEWIS - SN3/04031 - HQ CO CLB 23 CLR 4
WA - FT LEWIS - SW6/04031 - CLC A CLB 23 CLR 4
WA - FT LEWIS - SW7/04031 - CLC B CLB 23 CLR 4
WA - FT LEWIS - SW8/04031 - GS CO CLB 23 CLR 4
WI - GREEN BAY - SUH/71783 - BULK FUEL CO D 6TH ESB
5.n. Unit Kicker eligibility. The following units and locations
listed in order by state are eligible for the $10,000 unit kicker:
ST - CITY - MCC/RUC - UNIT NAME
DC - WASHINGTON - S15, S19, S20, S21/14804 - CI/ HUMINT CO B ISB
HI - KANEOHE - SGV, SAT/14704 - DET RECON COMPANY A 4TH RECON BN
KY - LEXINGTON - SQJ/20253 - MP CO A 4TH LAW ENF BN
MA - AYER - S1W/82007 - DEF CYBER OPS IDM CO B 6TH COMM BN
ME - BRUNSWICK - SL6/14212 - RFL CO A 1/25
NC - MCAS NEW RIVER - S7G/04169 - MALS-49 MAG-49
NM - KIRTLAND AFB - SUA/20256 - SPT CO 4TH LAW ENF BN
OH - NORTH CANTON - SLP/14234 - WPNS CO 3/25
PA - ALLENTOWN - SQP/20254 - MP CO B 4TH LAW ENF BN
PA - FOLSOM - SCH/71706 - 1ST/2D PLT TRUCK CO 25TH MAR REGT
TX - SAN ANTONIO - SGS/14706 - RECON CO C 4TH RECON BN
VA - LYNCHBURG - SDP, SDC, SDQ/14405 - COMBAT ENGR CO C 4TH CEB
WV - CHARLESTON - SD6/14403 - COMBAT ENGR CO A 4TH CEB
5.o. Marines must satisfy all reenlistment eligibility
prerequisites in accordance with applicable policy, regardless of
whether they are required to reenlist, extend, or already possess
sufficient contract time to qualify. Marines who are unable to
reenlist or extend when additional contract time is required are
ineligible for a bonus.
6. Administrative Guidance.
6.a. All requests must be submitted to RA through the Total Force
Retention System (TFRS). Marines wishing to execute an IUT to
designated units and locations in order to receive the unit kicker
must have their TFRS request approved and accepted prior to
initiating the IUT.
6.b. Additional guidance regarding the processing of incentives
will be released via TFRS.
6.c. Per reference (d), Marines applying for an incentive are
required to waive the reasonable commuting distance requirement, if
applicable, on their Statement of Understanding (SOU). Inactive
Duty Training (IDT) travel reimbursement will be offered based on
rank and MOS, in accordance with reference (f).
6.d. Marines who fail to accept the requested incentive by the
no-later-than date on the TFRS authority will forfeit eligibility
for the incentive.
6.e. Except for Marines approved for an incentive in their current
unit, payment of the incentive will not occur until the Marine is
joined to the approved SMCR unit.
6.f. A signed SOU must be submitted with the TFRS request prior to
issuance of the bonus.
6.g. RA will adjudicate and return requests to the originator via
TFRS.
7. Waivers.
7.a. Waiver requests must be submitted to Reserve Affairs Personnel
Policy, Plans, Programming, and Budgeting Branch (RAP) as an
attachment to the TFRS request.
7.b. Waiver requests submitted by a Prior Service Recruiter (PSR)
must include an endorsement from the PSR Officer-in-Charge.
7.c. Waiver requests submitted by Career Counselors must include an
endorsement from the member's chain of command. The final
endorsement must be from a battalion- or squadron-level (O-5)
commander or higher.
7.d. RAP will document the approval or disapproval of waiver
requests within TFRS.
8. Lateral Moves (LatMov).
8.a. These incentives may be accepted in conjunction with the SMCR
LatMov program and may be requested concurrently.
8.b. Only Marines applying for the 24- or 36-month incentive options
may concurrently request a LatMov.
8.c. Marines approved for a LatMov in conjunction with one of these
incentives must begin MOS training within one calendar year of
incentive approval, in accordance with current LatMov policy, to
remain eligible for the incentive. Training that begins beyond one
calendar year will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Marines
who fail to meet the LatMov program requirements may be placed in an
excess BIC or be involuntarily transferred to the IRR.
8.d. If a LatMov is required, payment of the incentive will not
occur until MOS training is complete. RA will screen the LatMov
request and the current unit shall report the intended MOS in the
Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) prior to the Marine
attending training.
8.e. MOS training requirements will not be waived.
8.f. The SMCR LatMov Program information is provided in
reference(e).
9. Repayment Requirements. In accordance with Section 373 of
reference (a), repayment of unearned bonus amounts shall not be
required for Marines who die, are retired or separated with a
combat-related disability. In accordance with reference (h),
particularly Table 2-1, and the Separation Program Designator (SPD)
Code Matrix, repayment action will not be sought under certain
circumstances. Additionally, subject to reference (h), the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASN(M&RA))
may grant an exception to repayment. This authority has been
delegated to the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources
(DC, P&R), who may grant exceptions to repayment for unearned
amounts up to $10,000 in cases where an exception is allowable in
accordance with reference (h) and the SPD Code Matrix.
9.a. Marines who receive a bonus under this MARADMIN and
subsequently conduct an IUT in accordance with reference (c), to a
BIC on a Reserve unit's Table of Organization that is an MOS and
Rank match to those on their bonus SOU, are continuing to fulfill
the terms of their SOU and are not subject to repayment solely based
upon such transfer. Marines who conduct an IUT after receiving the
Unit Kicker will be able to retain the incentive if the IUT is to another
eligible location listed for the same incentive amount. However,
Marines who subsequently conduct an IUT to a Reserve unit outside of
the identified eligibility are required to repay the unearned portion
of their Unit Kicker.
9.b. Questions regarding exceptions to repayment may be directed to
the military compensation chief, Military Policy Branch, Manpower
Plans and Policy Division, using the contact info above.
10. Incentives will be approved in the order they are received until
bonus amount allocations and funding limitations are reached.
11. As required, incentive updates will be released via TFRS
messages or MARADMINS, to include updates to MOS and unit
location eligibility criteria and suspension of bonuses, if
necessary.
12. This incentive is available for service in SMCR units only.
13. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//