What was the issue? Deferments from training for RC Marine birth-parents and primary and secondary caregivers - following a qualifying birth or adoption event - do not mirror the AC. This causes hardship to new parents and is an impediment to retention of Marine Reservists in comparison to the Army Reserve and National Guard.

What was done? MARADMIN 523/22 Directive Type Memorandum-22-004 implements the RC maternity leave (RCML) policy authorized in FY21 NDAA Section 602 , which provides for up to 12 periods of paid RC maternity leave (12 IDTs). MARADMIN announced RCML and the expansion of training deferment. This issue was voted closed.

What was the issue? Marine attending PME (and subsequently dropped from their BIC), may lose eligibility for TriCare Reserve Select Health/Dental Care because they are require to serve in an SMCR or IMA status. 

What was done? MARADMIN 771/20 was released, authorizing Marines to request transfer to an excess BIC while attending PME, allowing Marines to remain eligible for TRS. This issue was voted closed.

What was the issue? RC Marines in specific BICs are authorized travel reimbursement up to $500 for each IDT period in each fiscal year. While inflation has increased, the IDT amount has not, often resulting in Marines paying out of pocket for travel expenses above the threshold limit. 

What was done? The board worked with the Navy Reserve Policy Board and Under Secretary of Defense to ultimately settle on an increase from $500 to $750 travel reimbursement for each IDT period. Revisions to the Joint Travel Regulation and MARADMIN 157/25 authorize the increase for travel after 27 December 2024. This issue was voted closed on 8 May 2025.

What's the issue? RC Marines ordered to PCS for schools longer than 180 days are provided Basic Allowance for Housing at the rate of the assigned school/training. However, RC Marines often have a house at their home of record that will not be sold as they will be returning to that location at the conclusion of the training, unlike the AD component. Marines may endure financial hardship when receiving a lower BAH amount at the duty location compared to their HOR. A common example was provided where the RC Marine lived in New York City, and was assigned to intelligence school training in southern Virginia. The BAH at the Virginia rate was insufficient to pay for the mortgage of the Marine in NY. Additionally, due to lodging restrictions, Marines often were required to use the BAH to pay for a rental apartment in the assigned area, while paying for their mortgage at HOR (usually where dependents remained). 

What was done? National Defense Authorization Act 2023 authorized dual BAH for service members WITH dependents while serving under these circumstances. NDAA 2024 extended this benefit to service members WITHOUT dependents. The service member may receive BAH at the 'without dependent' rate at the assigned training area, while also receiving BAH at the 'with dependent' rate (if applicable) for HOR. This issue was voted closed September 2024.

What is the issue? RC Marines are required to first report to their Home Training Center (HTC) before traveling to offsite locations. This complicates logistics, as well as increases cost to the goverment, for unit leaders who need to supervise or visit alternate locations under their command. 

What was done? MARADMIN 147/23 published to compensate Marines travel to/from off site IDTs. This issue was voted closed 12 May 2023.

What was the issue? Reserve components has unique administrative requirements that are often unfamiliar to active duty 01XX Marines, despite AD conducting most administrative support to RC. This often results in slow processing of required administrative support. Submitted recommended developing a period of instruction on reserve-specific issues to add to 01XX training curriculum. 

What was done? Policy board coordinated with the Senior Reserve Administration, who concurred a Reserve-specific curriculum would be beneficial to both RC and AD. New curriculum was developed, titled Reserve and Independent Duty Admin Course. The issue was voted closed 12 May 2023.

What was the issue? Reserve Marines in the IMA were not authorized rental cars for their IDT or Annual Training, which created logistical complications for many RC Marines and the AD component for mission support. 
What was done? MARADMIN 337/23 was released with updated guidance allowing commanding officers to authorize rental cars for IMA Marines on IDT and AT when deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the command/mission. Issue was voted close on 26 April 2024.