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).
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.
Currently, RC Marines receive a DD-214 Statement of Service only following an active duty period. Many RC Marines require a current DD-214 to show potential employers, such as for federal employment.
The Statement of Service Working Group (SSWG) was established in January 2020. It was tasked to develop a DoD form to fully capture the scope of service for RC members. DoDI 1336.01 was issued on 12 April, 2022 and mandates use of DD 214-1 “reserve addendum” to capture info specific to RC service. Implementation is required by February 2025. H.R. 7041 bill was also introduced in 2022 to address this issue. Board will continue to monitor.
Reservists who have demobilized are limited in military legal support. Many service members require support in variety of issues due to extended absences from their civilian life, to include housing, employment, marital/divorce, etc.
MCRPB is interested in providing members legal assistance after demobilization. NRPB is interested in pre-mobilization assistance for will and Power of Attorney. Board concurs with submitter, recommends joint session to delineate the “types of duty”, per the Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Management Manual (MCRAMM), outside of active-duty status recommended for legal assistance service. Board will collaborate with NRPB on legal support for reservists outside of their duty status.
The Armed Forces Reserve Mobilization “M” device has requirements open to various interpretations. SECNAV M-1650-1 states that the “M” device is earned per par d.(2) and d.(3). However, the “M” device is actually discussed in paragraph d.(1). Paragraph d.(1) includes references to paragraphs within sections that appears to be a typo. The Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals has received the Marine Corps’ recommendations for the AFRM “M” device. Furthermore, certain mobilizations, such as Title 10 12304a and 12304b are not clearly listed under the manual, leading to confusion of whether a Marine rates the award.
Concur, and monitor this issue pending updated SECNAV instruction guidance. Recommendations will be integrated into updated SECNAV M-1650.1.
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. SECNAV support prioritization of this reform. Continuing to monitor.
The current Inactive Duty Training (IDT) travel reimbursement limit is $500 per travel event. Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) mileage reimbursement is at the “other” rate, less than half of normal POV rate. Cost of Living Allowance and inflation has not been accounted for higher travel rates. The $500 limit is often insufficient to cover travel to IDT sites.
The board concurs and is pursuing additional funding. The original proposal was increasing the limit to $1500, but OUSD Comptroller non-concurred based on the high cost estimates. The services will provide budget offsets, more rigorous estimates of personnel affected, controls to deter abuse and methods to limit personnel eligible for reimbursement. Reserve Affairs submitted updated data to Comptroller April 2024 for further evaluation.
RC Marine with approved Line-Of-Duty (LOD) conditions show ineligible in DEERS. They are unable to book appointments at Military Treatment Facilities despite proximity. Civilian providers are unable to verify LOD status in DEERS. DEERS lacks code to identify LOD eligibility.
Board recommends collaboration with NRPB for concurrence and elevating to DOD level for resolution.
AD orders over 180 days are PCS orders with Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at assigned duty station. Duty station BAH is often less than the BAH rate of the Marine’s primary residence. This creates a financial burden to Marines maintaining a household at primary residence while on orders.
MARADMIN 115/24 implements NDAA Section 625. This authorizes payment equal to BAH at PME or training locations when quarters are not provided to member at no cost, and payment of BAH at primary residence where dependents reside. Legislative proposal 459 seeks the same for members without dependents.
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.
Board supports administrative separation boards conducted via VTC, publication of updated MARCORSEPMAN, and MARADMIN to effect an earlier change in this policy.
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.
Board supports parity between Officer and Enlisted administrative separations for drug abuse; publication of updated MARCORSEPMAN, and MARADMIN to effect an earlier change in this policy.
MCRAMM and Finance Policy Manual (FPM) prohibit rental cars for Reserve Marines during AT at their Home Training Center (HTC). For unit ATs at the HTC, the need for transportation from the hotel could be problematic given it would require unit personnel to support all logistical requirements of Marines.
MARADMIN 337/23 was published on 29 June 2023. Commanding Officers may authorize rental cars when in the best interest of the command to do so. FPM was updated removing prohibition on rental cars. Board will continue to monitor.
The 0211/0204 Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence course exceeds 140 days, requiring PCS orders vice TDY. This is unreasonable for reservists with dependents to relocate their family members to this temporary duty station. Most reservists maintain dual households at personal expense.
2023 NDAA Section 625 allows BAH at the training location in certain scenarios, or attendance of PME/training course in TDY status. Board will continue to monitor for implementation.