For some first-term infantry Marines, fiscal 2016 promises offers a significantly-better-than average chance for reenlistment, a Marine Corps Times data analysis shows. For others, it will be highly competitive., according to recently released statistics.
Based on service needs, Manpower officials are intent to retain Marines in seven important infantry jobs at rates between 14 and 50 percent, depending on military occupational specialty. The average retention goal across all MOSs is 26 percent which would be nearly 6,000 ultimately constitute 5,957 Marines.
It is only a partial picture of infantry retention under the latest First Term Alignment Plan, but it offers insight into some of the most significant among them.
For example, Planners at Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Virginia, for example, are working to retain 36 percent of first-term rifleman, according to Lt. Col. Michael Motley, the head of enlisted retention. That translates to a goal of reenlisting 392 of the 1,073 first-term riflemen.
It is a better than average chance, according to Marine Corps Times analysis. ((we already have established that)).
The prognosis is even better for fire support men with a manpower goal of reenlisting to reenlist 50 percent of them, although that is likely in part due to the comparatively small size of their community. Of the In all, the goal is to retain 48 out of 96 first-term Marines holding the specialty, the Corps wants to hang onto 48.
Five other infantry jobs, however, will face lower-than-average retention: as follows.
Machine gunner: 15 percent, or 96 out of 648.
Mortarman: 14 percent, or 97 out of 704.
Infantry assaultman: 11 percent, or 35 out of 310.
Antitank missileman: 16 percent, or 51 out of 312.
Field artillery cannoneer: 24 percent, or 95 out of 396.
With the reenlistment season already underway as of July 1, Marines interested in another tour reenlisting — infantry or not — are encouraged to submit an application as early as possible. That is doubly the case if their job is eligible for a bonus since those are given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, Tier 1 Marines who submit early can be approved within just days of submitting a package. Those are Marines in the top 10 percent of their cohort based on performance indicators such as like rifle qualifications and Physical Fitness Test scores. Depending on how many Marines submit in a given MOS, Tier 2, 3, and 4 Marines may receive decisions on a rolling basis between July 5 and Sept. 30.
For so-called fast filling MOSs, however, they will have to wait until after re-enlistment season. Boards will convene for those specialties after Sept. 30 to select the best qualified Marines for retention.
Retention statistics for prominent infantry specialties were released following a Marine administrative message that set submission targets for the seven MOSs, asking commanders to ensure they encouraged as many Marines as possible to put in a re-up package.
The more who submit, the more planners have to select from to ensure they retain only the best qualified Marines. For individuals, it is also advantageous to submit, even if they aren’t certain they will make the cut. Manpower officials emphasize that even during the drawdown the service has not adopted a zero-defect mentality. Many Tier 2 and 3 Marines are offered reenlistment — and some Tier 4. Even those with blemishes on their record could be retained if they have corrected the deficiency and especially if they have a commander’s recommendation.
Specifically, the message asked commanders to ensure that at least 35 percent of their riflemen machine gunners, mortarmen and field artillery cannoneers submitted for reenlistment. Additionally, it asked for at least 30 percent of infantry assaultmen, 40 percent of antitank missilmen and 60 percent of fire supportmen. That is compared to at least 45 percent of FTAP across the board, according to Marine administrative message 376/15, signed July 29.
