Marines


Marine Corps Reserve Policy Board

The official seal for Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
Reserve Affairs Policy (RAP-1)
Quantico, Va.
 
MISSION: To consider, recommend, and report to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) on Reserve policy matters.

PURPOSE: To make recommendations to the SECNAV on matters which affect the readiness, mobilization, and deployment capability of the Marine Corps Reserve within the framework of the Marine Corps Total Force.

SUBMISSION PROCESS: Solicitations for policy issue submissions are released annually via MARADMINS. To view the latest MARADMIN, please refer to MARADMIN 311/24

BECOMING 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 (last MARADMIN 044/25). 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.
  • Click here to see a list of the current 2025 Board Members.
Meeting Schedule: The board meets twice annually in person – once in the spring at Quantico, Virginia and once in the fall in Arlington, Virginia. 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.

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


WEBSITE HELP: Report any issues with the content, documents, or hyperlinks on this page to RAP@usmc.mil, with detailed information on the issue.


 
:: SEE BELOW FOR CURRENT ISSUES THE POLICY BOARD IS WORKING ::
 
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Expand List item 11568Collapse List item 11568  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?

Identifying restrictions and limitations, such as cost, to implement policy change.
Expand List item 11569Collapse List item 11569  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.

 
Expand List item 6834Collapse List item 6834  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?

Board concurs and is working on matching language to SECNAVINST. If approved, updated language will be released via MARADMIN.

Expand List item 6835Collapse List item 6835  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 drafted to add service obligation tied with a split bonus (i.e. 25% bonus on successful screening and LATMOV, and 75% upon school completion). Release is pending with updated MCRAMM (est. FY25Q4 - FY26Q1).

Expand List item 6836Collapse List item 6836  Medical Care for LOD Cases (2023-07)

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 (est. completion FY25).

Expand List item 6837Collapse List item 6837  BAH Options for ADOS PCS Eligible Order (2023-11)

What’s the issue?

MARADMIN 115/24 implements NDAA Section 625, authorizing payment equal to BHA at PME or training locations when quarters are not available at no cost; the payment of BAH at primary residence where dependents reside. No such benefit exists for Marines executing PCS ADOS orders, which may impact reservist that may not be able to PCS with family due to school or work obligations.

What are we doing about it?

Coordinating with NRPB to develop for change to JTR language.

Expand List item 6838Collapse List item 6838  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.

Expand List item 6839Collapse List item 6839  Rental Car Authorization for IMA (2022-01)

What’s the issue?

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.​

What are we doing about it?

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 during release of MCRAMM to ensure language does not contradict MARADMIN.

Expand List item 6840Collapse List item 6840  Update IDT Reimbursement (2022-02)

What’s the issue?

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.

What are we doing about it?

MARADMIN 157/25 released 24 March 2025. Reimbursement limit was increased to $750 per IDT.

Expand List item 6841Collapse List item 6841  SMCR Medal Eligibility With IRR Interruptions (2022-12)

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.

Expand List item 6842Collapse List item 6842  Clarification on the Need for MROWS Orders for Appropriate Duty Orders (2022-13)

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.

Expand List item 6843Collapse List item 6843  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 to be implemented no later than February 2025. The Secretariat created a Statement of Service Working Group in January 2020 in response to Navy and Marine Corps RPB recommendations. Issue is being monitored for final implemenation.

Expand List item 6844Collapse List item 6844  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.

Expand List item 6845Collapse List item 6845  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.

Expand List item 6846Collapse List item 6846  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).