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Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program announced for FY10 Marines

US Marine Corps News

4/12/2010
By Cpl. Aubry L. Buzek, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Many Marines reaching the end of their tours let out a sigh of relief on March 26 as the Marine Corps released Marine Administrative Message 177/10.

The MARADMIN lays out the guidelines for the Fiscal Year 2010 Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program, which is designed to decrease manpower by letting Marines move their end of active service date forward up to 90 days.

Although the Marine Corps currently has other early out programs, such as the Early Release for Education, the VEERP is unique in that a Marine doesn’t need to show proof of admissions to get released from active service.

“Marines that are going into a police academy or trade school can take advantage of the program,” said Gunnery. Sgt. Jesse Hernandez, the career retention specialist for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Miramar.

In 2007, the Marine Corps announced it would increase the force to 202,000 Marines by 2011, but recruiting reached that goal two years early. Now, as a way to maximize cost-savings in the Marine Corps, they need a minimum of 1,000 Marines to take advantage of the VEERP program to allow for new accessions.

Currently, there are 14,700 Marines eligible for the VEERP program. The eligibility requirements are based on several factors, including an EAS between April 1 and Sept. 30, Transitional Assistance Management Program and Transition Assistance Program completion, not stabilized for deployment, not on terminal leave, medically qualified and eligible for an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.

There are also certain factors that make Marines ineligible for the program, including those that are scheduled for transfer to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve or retired list, indebted to the government through pay or leave, participating in the National Call to Service Program, on terminal leave or suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

One unique factor in the VEERP program is that approval only goes as high as a battalion or squadron commander. Once it passes their level, a naval Message is sent to Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments Branch and the process is nearly complete.

“From start to finish, it should take less a month," said Hernandez.

Another unique factor in the VEERP program is that Marines can take terminal leave on top of their early release, at the commander’s discretion.

The MARADMIN also specifies that Marines utilizing the program are still considered as having completed their obligated period of active duty, still eligible for separation benefits if applicable, and any enlistment bonuses they received will not be recouped.

For more information about the VEERP program, see MARADMIN 177/10 on the Web site Marines.mil, or contact a career retention specialist.