Marine Corps Reserve Policy Board

The official seal for Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.

Reserve Affairs Policy (RAP-1)

Quantico, Va.

What is the Marine Corps Reserve Policy Board (MCRPB)?

The MCRPB advises the Secretary of the Navy on policies that impact the readiness, mobilization, and long-term effectiveness of the Marine Corps Reserve. In plain terms, we identify problems through YOU, recommend fixes, and push policy changes that improve life and readiness across the Reserve force.

How do I submit a policy issue for consideration?

Easy. Use the link below! In order to streamline the process for submitting issues, we have removed the requirement to submit slides and use only the form below, which can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, even mobile devices. However, if you DO have files to upload that will help, the email addresses to send those to can be found on the form.

Link: SUBMIT 2026 RESERVE POLICY ISSUE FOR CONSIDERATION

Like chow and hydration, issues are continious, so although the deadline to submis issues is 28 Feb 2026, you can still submit issues at any time for potential consideration by the board. Pass the word to the Lance Corporal Underground, the E-4 Mafia, the well-meaning lieutenants, and everyone else in your formations. Bottom line, if it affects Marines, we want to hear it.

Solicitations for policy issue submissions are released annually via MARADMINS, which let's be honest, that's probably how you landed here in the first place. But to view the latest MARADMIN, please refer to MARADMIN 026/26.

How do I become a Board Member?

For those Marines desiring to make a positive impact on the Marine Corps Reserve Forces, consider applying. The MCRPB accepts new applicants each year, with information released via MARADMIN.

While requirements may change slightly year to year, applicants must:

- Have strong knowledge and varied experience in Reserve policies and issues.

- Be a member of the SMCR, IMA, AR, or Active Duty Component.

- Be between the grades of E7-E9, CWO2-CWO5, or O3-O6.- Be willing to serve a three-year period on the board as a primary member, or a one-year period as an alternate member.

Meeting Schedule: The board meets twice annually in person. The fall meeting is held jointly with the Navy Reserve Policy Board to gain consensus on Navy Department issues. The board also meets in the winter and summer via teleconference to continue work on the issues.

Click here to see a list of the current 2025 Board Members.

Annual Board Outputs: FY2024 FY2023 FY2022 FY2020 FY2019 FY2018
Completed Issues: Click Here

:: SEE BELOW FOR CURRENT ISSUES THE POLICY BOARD IS WORKING ::

Click HERE to see recently completed policy issues.

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IRR Service Member CAC Issuance (2024-06)

What's the issue?

IRR service members are unable to obtain CAC until the first day of active duty, preventing access to CAC-restricted websites like DTS. This slows ability to gain access to MCEN and other DoD systems when activated. Recommended authorizing CAC issuance at least 180 days prior to execution of mobilization and contingency orders similar to TRICARE coverage.

What are we doing about it?
This issue continues to be worked for a solution. Research has determined it is unlikely early CAC issue will be approved due to additional cost for the issuance of CACs to this population ahead of their orders.

Reduced Age Retirement Benefits (2018-b)

What’s the issue?

10 USC § 12731 allows non-regular retirement pay if member performs 20+ years of qualifying service and attains eligible age. Generally, eligibility is age 60, however it can be reduced (down to age 50) for service on qualifying “active duty” orders. Reduced age eligibility excludes medical and dental care entitlements. H.R. bill 1997 was introduced on 18 Mar 2021, TRICARE Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act aligns eligibility for TRICARE coverage with reduced age retirement eligibility, however, it failed to gain traction in Congress.

What are we doing about it?
The board concurs with the proposed legislation. This issue remains open pending reintroduction of legislation.

Awarding Reserve Retirement Points for Travel Time (2025-02)

What's the issue?

Marine attending IDT receive no pay or retirement points on the day prior, which may often be a full day of travel. It is proposed that Marines should rate (a) retirement point(s) for commuting to the drill site the day prior to IDT.

What are we doing about it?
The board accepted the issue and investigated. As of September 2025, it was determined "Per Title 10 U.S.C. Sect 101:
(7) The term "inactive-duty training" means-
(A) duty prescribed for Reserves, or a member of the Space Force, by the Secretary concerned under section 206 of title 37 or any other provision of law; and
(B) special additional duties authorized for Reserves, or a member of the Space Force, by an authority designated by the Secretary concerned and performed by them on a voluntary basis in connection with the prescribed training or maintenance activities of the units to which they are assigned.
As well, per DoDI 1215.06:
"IDT provides individual or unit readiness training to RC Service Members."

The board assessed IDT points solely for travel is not in line with the intent for which points should be awarded. At this time there is no appetite within RAP to seek a legislative proposal to allow an IDT or ATP to be assigned to compensate a Marine for travel if no work is being completed. This issue was voted closed on 3 September 2025.

Global Combat Support Services Marine Corps (GCSS-MC) Login Frequency Requirements for SMCR Marines

What is the issue?
GCCS-MC users are required to login in every 30 days or less to maintain an active account. However, reservists often are unable to do so because they may not be on orders as often.

What are we doing about it?
The board is conducting inquiries with relevant parties to determine options, such as expanding a grace period. Marine Forces Reserve Logistics Systems Coordination Office (LSCO) will discuss this issue at their next semi-annual meeting to determine what options are available.

Modification of Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device Criteria (2024-03)

What’s the issue?

Current language under DODM 1348.33l does not authorize award of the AFRM with Mobilization device (M) to Reservists mobilized for Unit Deployment Program (UDP). Current criteria requires involuntarily mobilization or volunteer for federal active service during such mobilization under Title 10 or Title 14 in support of an approved contingency operation. Recommended to update language to include additional mobilizations identified within DODM 1348.33; ensure this language matches SECNAVINST criteria for "M' award.

What are we doing about it?

The board investigated this issue in cooperation with DoN. It was determined the language in DoDM 1348.33, Volume 2 added language erroneously that was not authorized under EO 10163 amended by EO 13013. The language adding 12304a and 12304b to the DoDM will be removed in the next update to comply with the executive order. The Secretary of the Navy does not have the authority to modify this award criteria. Any requests to modify must be submitted via legislature request. The MCRPB voted this issue closed on 3 September 2025.

TS/SCI Investigation Service Obligation Requirements (2023-06)

What’s the issue?

PMOS 1721 Cyber Warfare Operator requires TS/SCI clearance to attend primary school, and interim clearance is not authorized. Marines often wait extended periods (approx. 18 months) for clearance before attending the course, following screening and LATMOV. There is no current method to obligate Marines to schoolhouse after receiving the TS/SCI clearance, resulting in a retention issue for a high-demand MOS.

What are we doing about it?

MARADMIN 400/25 MARINE CORPS RESERVE LATERAL MOVE (LATMOV) PROGRAM was released on 28 August 2025. This MARADMIN updates policy for the Marines conducting a lateral move into MOS' 1721, 0211, and 0231. This policy obligates Marines to three years of service upon reporting to active duty at the assigned school. Furthermore, "Marines who do not possess a TS/SCI clearance and request LatMov into an MOS whose schools requires a TS/SCI clearance, will incur 36-month obligation upon a favorable clearance adjudication. Obligated time incurred due to clearance and LatMov SOU will run concurrently".
The MCRPB voted this issue closed on 3 September 2025.

Medical Care for LOD Cases (2023-10)

What’s the issue?

The Line-Of-Duty Benefits medical evaluation and care process has numerous issues with computer systems unable to communicate with each other between military treatment facilities and civilian primary care providers (PCP). Often, RC Marines seek care with civilian providers outside of drill, but those PCPs cannot readily see DEERS LOD Status to bill the government, rather than the individual Marine.

What are we doing about it?

This is a high-level issue and is being discussed and monitored at ASD-Health Affairs RC Medical DOFO Steering Committee, DHA, and RMED. SECNAVINST 1770.SA is pending an update and release. OSD-RI WG will re-write DoDI 1241.01 to include DEERS marker changes. OSD(HA) recently issued call for working group to address updating DoDI with representatives from DHA, Healthcare Administration (i.e., Healthcare Optimization Division and Patient Administration Division); DHA, TRICARE Health Plan (i.e., Military Medical Support Office, Clinical Oversight & Integration Branch, and Managed Care Support Program Branch); DHA, Healthcare Operations; and DHRA, Defense Manpower Data Center.

Reserve Marines Entitlement Pay at Military Occupational Specialty School (2025-05)

What’s the issue?

MARADMIN 115/24 implements NDAA Section 625, authorizing payment of BHA w/o dependents rate at PME or training locations when quarters are NOT available as well as BAH of primary residence with dependents (case by case basis). This MARADMIN did not outline the same opportunity for Marines without dependents under the same circumstances.

What are we doing about it?

An updated MARADMIN is in draft with language to include the same benefits for Marines without dependents.

Transfer of Education Benefits Break in Service Revision (2023-16 / 2020-15)

What’s the issue?

38 U.S.C. Section 3319 allows members with 6 years Time in Service (TIS) to transfer Post 9/11 GI bill benefits to immediate dependents. The service member incurs an obligation to serve 4 continuous years on AD or in the Select Reserve. DoDI 1341.13 adds an additional requirement for no break in service greater than 24 hours. Often, Marines drop to the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) for longer than 24 hours when transitioning between Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) and SMCR components due to no fault of their own.

What are doing about it?

Board supports expansion of 24 hour grace period to 30 days to allow room for administrative errors or issues in status changes. NRPB supports revision. SECNAV support prioritization of this reform. Business Case Analysis in works to present to SECNAV.

SMCR Medal Eligibility With IRR Interruptions (2022-13)

What’s the issue?

Marines whose three-year eligibility period is interrupted by time in the IRR, and resets award eligibility for the SMRC medal. While appropriate for normal drops into IRR, this also includes Marines who are transferred temporarily to IRR while moving to AD orders or other situations. Recommend language change to reflect qualifying service based on points and participation.

What are we doing about it?

Board recommended new verbiage for the SECNAV Award Manual and were accepted by SECDEF. Monitoring implementation.

Clarification on the Need for MROWS Orders for Appropriate Duty Orders (2022-14)

What’s the issue?

Current guidance from MCRAMM requires that orders must be generated in MROWS in order to perform APT. Drill Management Module (DMM) eliminates that requirement. MROWS requirement complicates the process with no additional benefit.

What are we doing about it?

Reviewed the verbiage in MCRAMM and DMM User Manual. Changes to MCRAMM have been drafted and are pending release FY25.

Reserve Component Statement of Service (2019-03)

What’s the issue?

Reservists are often asked to provide a DD-214 for employment, VA benefits, or similar reasons. However, first term reservists generally do not have DD-214 available as they are only issued after separating from active orders. A statement of service should be offered to show historic and recent accomplishments and status of reservists.

What are we doing about it?

DoDI 1336.01 Certificate of Uniformed Service was published 17 February 2022. Policy mandates creation of a DD 214-1 "reserve addendum". This form was implemented in 2025. Reference MARADMIN 085/25. This authorizes a DD214-2 for certain circumstances such as Marines separated or released from a Reserve Component; Reserve Component Marines transferred to the Individual Ready
Reserve; Reserve Component Marines transferred to the Standby Reserve or Retired Reserve; Recalled retirees reverting to a retired status.

Conducting Administration Separation Boards via Video Teleconference (2019-5)

What’s the issue?

MCO 1900.16 CH 2 (MARCORSEPMAN) states that the respondent has “The right to be appear “in-person” before the board.” DoDI 1332.14 (Enlisted Administrative Separations) states that the respondent has the “right to request a hearing before an administrative board” and “Failure to appear without good cause at a hearing constitutes waiver of the right to be present at the hearing.” Under DoD regulations, a respondent can be “before” a board, “appear” at board, and be “present” at a board via VTC, but the MARCORSEPMAN appears more restrictive due to the “in-person” language.

What are we doing about it?

MARCORSEPMAN currently under revision and removal of "in person" language adjudicated at AO review.

Disparity Between Enlisted and Officer for Separations Due to Drug Abuse (2019-6)

What’s the issue?

When considering characterization of service for enlisted Marines during administrative separations proceedings, drug use is often not considered due to language missing from the MARCORSEPMAN.

What are we doing about it?

MARCORSEPMAN currently under revision. Additional language for parity adjudicated at AO Review.

TSP Contribution Limits (2018-a)

What’s the issue?

A joint service recommendation since 2018. Currently, members who max out their civilian 401K cannot access the Uniformed Thrift Saving Plan (TSP). This proposal would grant Reserve Component (RC) members access to matching contributions in the new Blended Retirement System (BRS).

What are we doing about it?

The Navy Reserve Policy Board (NRPB) is developing a legislative proposal and accompanying analysis. Department of Navy initiate a legislative proposal ASAP. The MCRPB will raise this matter with Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB).

WEBSITE HELP: Report any issues with the content, documents, or hyperlinks on this page to SMB_RAP@usmc.mil, with detailed information on the issue and CC 1stSgt Charles Lauersdorf at Charles.Lauersdorf@usmc.mil.