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More first-term re-enlistment spots available in FY-11 for Marine Corps

US Marine Corps News

7/2/2010
By Cpl. Austin Hazard, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- First-term Marines eligible to re-enlist in fiscal year 2011 may find it easier to stay in the Corps this coming year despite its efforts to scale back the force from 205,000 Marines.

Along with the enlisted retention guidelines for FY-2011, the Corps recently released the boatspace count for the new fiscal year, which was nearly 1,500 spaces more than the previous year’s 6,735.

“I think what happened is that a lot more careerists got out of the Marine Corps than expected and now the Corps has to fill the void from top to bottom,” said Sgt. Abraham Barcenas, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron career planner here. “The increase in spaces will give Marines a greater chance of being accepted for re-enlistment, though I can’t say how much greater it will be for any specific Marine.”

The new retention guidlines highlight jobs where the competition for limited boatspaces has prompted a call of re-enlistment requests beginning July 1.

Fifty fast-filling military occupational specialties were listed in Marine Administrative Message 331/10, released June 11, including many in the aviation field such as Yuma’s Harrier-specific aircraft, airframe and safety equipment mechanics.

All re-enlistment requests for fast-filling MOSs will be considered in August, according to the message. Any requests submitted after July 31 will likely be rejected because the jobs’ boatspaces will have already been filled.

“This year’s guidelines are pretty much the same as last year’s,” said Barcenas. “But one thing that’s different this year is that the Marine Corps isn’t allowing early re-enlistments for FY-12 Marines. We just don’t need that extra retention, so the Corps can wait to retain those numbers in FY-12.”

The message also identified 30 undermanned MOSs that first-termers can apply to laterally move into beginning July 1. These include classic high-demand jobs such explosive ordnance disposal technician.

Normally, lateral move spots don’t open until Dec. 1 to allow Marines in the MOS the first crack at boatspaces.

The Corps will also continue the practice of awarding corporals and below 60 points toward their composite score if they re-enlist for at least 48 months, stated the message.

“It’s time for those Marines nearing their (end of active service) date to decide what they want to do with their lives and decide if they want to stay in the fight,” said Barcenas.

For more information, Marines can contact their unit career planners or see MarAdmin 331/10.