{"id":52906,"date":"2019-10-03T22:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-10-03T22:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/03\/marine-commandant-considers-major-changes-to-improve-force-retention\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:45:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:45:41","slug":"marine-commandant-considers-major-changes-to-improve-force-retention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2019\/10\/03\/marine-commandant-considers-major-changes-to-improve-force-retention\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine commandant considers major changes to improve force retention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Marine Corps is considering making major changes for a more nimble reenlistment process and a retention policy that focuses on talent not promotion as the force prepares for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen. David Berger<\/a>, commandant of the Marine Corps, said Thursday that he is considering allowing Marines to reenlist in their second or third year of service, and that the Corps will give the authority to make re-enlistment decisions to local commanders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current re-enlistment process requires Marines nearing the end of their enlistment to send a package to the Pentagon where Headquarters Marine Corps will make the final decision in the Marine\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy are we still doing it that way?\u201d Berger asked at a speaking event held by The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington. \u201cIn retention, we have to be more agile, we don\u2019t have to wait until her last year, last six months and it doesn\u2019t have to go all the way to Washington, D.C.”<\/p>\n\n\n\t