Marines


Active Duty Separations

The official seal for Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
Separation and Retirements (MMSR)
Quantico, Virginia

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Who we are

The mission of the Enlisted Separations and Retirements Section is to execute policies, directives and laws governing the separations and retirements of all active duty Marines. We accurately and promptly process retirements and transfers to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, provide professional support to individual Marines and Commands, provide support and liaison to internal and external agencies, and manage special programs relative to downsizing.

Functions

  • Process voluntary and mandatory transfers and retirements to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve and retired list.
  • Take action on mandatory discharges, interservice transfer (IST) requests, and career intermission program (CIP) requests.
  • Reply to correspondence from the Fleet Marine Corps and external entities and provide information and guidance in response to Congressional and other inquiries.
  • Provide technical advice and guidance to Marine Corps commands.
  • Process changes directed by the Board for Correction of Naval Records.
  • Review, evaluate, and prepare comments on proposed regulations and directives involving the areas under the purview of the section.
  • Prepare statements of service.
  • Inform Marines of mandatory service limits.
     

Function

Contact

MMSR-2 Enlisted Matters

(703) 784-9322/9323

SMB.MANPOWER.MMSR2E@usmc.mil

MMSR2E

MMSR-2 ​Officer Matters

(703) 784-9324/9325/9326

SMB.Manpower.MMSR2O@usmc.mil

MMSR2O

MMSR-4 Disability & Limited Duty Matters

(703) 784-9308/9309/9321

SMB.Manpower.MMSR4@usmc.mil

MMSR4 (Non-TDRL Matters)

SMB.Manpower.TDRL@usmc.mil

MMSR-5 Reservist Matters

(703) 784-9306/9307

smb_manpower_mmsr5@usmc.mil

MMSR5

MMSR-6 Retired Services and Pay

(703) 784-9310/9311/9312/9318

smb_manpower_mmsr6@usmc.mil

MMSR6

An enlisted Marine may request voluntary separation or may be involuntarily separated from the Marine Corps subject to the guidelines outlined in Chapter 6 of the Separation Manual, MCO 1900.16. See sections 1-3 of the Separation Manual.

Reasons for a voluntary separation request may include:
Dependency or Hardship
Early Release for Education
Interservice transfers
Other separations for the convenience of the government
Surviving Family Member

Involuntary Enlisted Separations
A commander may recommend involuntary separation of a Marine prior to a Marine’s expiration of service.

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If you were transferred to the Ready Reserve and recently completed your required eight years of service you should contact the Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES), 2000 Opelousos Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70146 to obtain your discharge certificate.

Otherwise, If you were discharged after December 31, 1999, submit your request to:
Personnel Management Support Branch (MMSB-12)
2008 Elliot Road
Quantico, VA 22134
Phone: 1-800-268-3710
or; if you were discharged prior to December 31, 1999, submit your request to:

National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5295


For requests to NPRC you may also apply online at this address:
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/

The updated version of the Order can be found online at:
Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual

If you are at your parent command, submit your request through your chain of command for approval by the General Court Martial Convening Authority.
If you are sent home on emergency leave or Permissive TAD, CMC (MMEA-8) will be the discharge authority.
If you arrive home on leave and find yourself in a hardship position and attach yourself to a local I-I, CMC (MMSR-2) is the discharge authority. Check with your chain of command or admin chief if you have any questions, that’s what they’re there for.

This request can only be for acceptance into a warrant officer training program or for a commission as an officer. Refer to paragraph 6404 of the Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual (MCO 1900.16).

If you have been discharged for more than 15 years requests to upgrade or otherwise alter a discharge should be addressed to the Secretary of the Navy and sent to:

Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR)
701 South Courthouse Road, Bldg 12
Suite 1001Arlington, VA 22204-2490
If you have been discharged for 15 years or less contact:
Secretary of the Navy
Council of Review Boards
Attn: Naval Discharge Review Board
720 Kennon St SE STE 309
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5023
Forms can be obtained from your local Veteran’s Administration office or downloaded from the website:
http://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/bcnr/Pa ges/home.aspx

Only the Secretary of the Navy can approve upgrades. Submit your requests and questions to CMC (MMEA-6).

Under paragraph 6412 of MCO 1900.16 (Marine Corps Separation and Retirement Manual) twice passed sergeants may request separation at any time based on the needs of the Marine Corps. However, MARADMIN 313/01 now allows sergeants to reenlist up to service limitations as long as they meet reenlistment criteria and are approved by HQMC. As a result, this will affect your eligibility for separation pay.
Note: Twice passed staff sergeants are not eligible for separation under this paragraph.

Yes. Within 30 days after the results of the board are released, we will send a letter to you via your chain of command.

Headquarters Marine Corps,
Manpower Management
Separation and Retirement Branch
3280 Russell Rd
Quantico, VA 22134-5103