The Marine Corps is committed to developing and retaining its most valuable asset: its Marines. To this end, numerous programs are in place to incentivize career progression, reward high-performing individuals, and provide Marines with greater control over their career paths. These initiatives, ranging from expedited promotions to advanced education opportunities, serve as powerful tools to shape a fulfilling and impactful Marine Corps career. This article highlights key programs that offer tangible career designation incentives, demonstrating the Marine Corps’ investment in its personnel and its dedication to fostering a highly skilled and motivated force.
Small Unit Leader Initiative (SULI)
The Small Unit Leader Initiative (SULI) directly addresses the need for strong leadership at the small unit level by offering a significant career incentive: accelerated promotion to Sergeant. This program is designed for high-performing corporals with at least 36 months of service who have reenlisted and are recommended by their commanding officers. SULI empowers commanders to recognize and reward exceptional talent, ensuring that mature and capable noncommissioned officers are in place to lead Marines effectively. By promoting deserving corporals to sergeant, the Marine Corps strengthens its leadership ranks and ensures formations are fully resourced with the necessary leadership. Further details about this program can be found in MARADMIN 225/23.
Early Reenlistment Authority (ERA)
The Early Reenlistment Authority (ERA) program provides first-term Marines with an invaluable career designation incentive: early career ownership and predictability. ERA allows eligible Marines to make crucial career decisions earlier in their first term, offering them greater choice and stability for themselves and their families. This proactive approach benefits both the individual Marine and the Marine Corps, fostering unit stability and maximizing the return on investment in training and development. The overwhelming popularity of the ERA program, evidenced by over 2,000 submissions in FY 2023 after an initial pilot program, highlights its value to Marines. The FY 2024 ERA program opened on December 1, 2023, as detailed in MARADMIN 590/22.
Marine Corps Graduate Education Program – Enlisted (MCGEP-E) Pilot
The Marine Corps Graduate Education Program – Enlisted (MCGEP-E) Pilot program represents a groundbreaking career designation incentive: access to advanced education at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). This pilot program offers selected enlisted Marines the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in specific disciplines, an unprecedented opportunity for enlisted personnel. The strong initial interest, with 48 applications received within 18 days of the program announcement, demonstrates the high caliber and ambition of enlisted Marines. This investment in enlisted education is designed to develop a cadre of professionals prepared for critical assignments in the increasingly complex operational environment. The Marine Corps is assessing the viability of making MCGEP-E a permanent program, as outlined in MARADMIN 007/23.
Commandant’s Retention Program (CRP)
The Commandant’s Retention Program (CRP) offers top-performing Marines significant career designation incentives centered around retention and career advancement. CRP provides pre-approved reenlistments to highly qualified Marines, coupled with priority access to desired duty stations and assignments. This program directly rewards excellence and commitment, making it a highly attractive option for Marines seeking to shape their career trajectory. The success of CRP is evident in its contribution to reenlistment numbers, accounting for over 20 percent of the First Term Alignment Plan (FTAP) mission for FY 2025. MARADMIN 596/24 details the approved selections for the FY 2026 CRP.
Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Promotion Board Realignment
While not a direct incentive program, the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Promotion Board Realignment offers a crucial career designation benefit: improved career progression and stability. By realigning promotion boards in FY 2024, the Marine Corps aims to better synchronize promotions with assignments and reenlistments. This realignment minimizes disruptions to unit cohesion and reduces uncertainty for Marines and their families, contributing to a more predictable and manageable career path for SNCOs. Further information on this realignment can be found in MARADMIN 453/22.
Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Volunteer Incentives
Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Volunteer Incentives provide a compelling career designation incentive for Marines: choice of preferred duty station. This program rewards Active and Reserve Component Marines who volunteer for Special Duty Assignments by allowing them to select their preferred duty locations. This incentive has proven highly effective, resulting in a significant increase in SDA volunteers and minimizing disruptions to both Marines and Fleet Marine Force units. By incentivizing SDA volunteering, the Marine Corps ensures these critical assignments are filled with motivated individuals while also respecting Marines’ preferences. MARADMIN 311/22 provides more details on these incentives.
Career Intermission Program (CIP)
The Career Intermission Program (CIP) offers a unique career designation incentive: career flexibility and the option to temporarily pause active duty service. CIP allows Marines to take a break from their active duty careers to pursue personal or professional goals, with the assurance of being able to resume their service afterward. The reduction in CIP payback obligation further enhances this incentive, making it more accessible for Marines seeking career flexibility. CIP is designed to retain experienced and talented Marines by accommodating their life circumstances and providing a pathway for continued service. MARADMIN 241/22 outlines the details of the CIP and its benefits.
Digital Boardroom 2.0 (DBR 2.0)
The Digital Boardroom 2.0 (DBR 2.0) initiative, while not a direct incentive for Marines, provides an indirect career designation benefit through improved talent management processes. DBR 2.0 enhances the functionality and accuracy of information used in career management boards, leading to more informed and efficient decision-making. This improved system ultimately benefits Marines by ensuring a more transparent and effective process for career progression and retention.
Officer Promotion Opt-Out
The Officer Promotion Opt-Out initiative, though currently for officers, signals a potential future career designation incentive for enlisted Marines: greater career path flexibility. This program allows officers to temporarily opt-out of promotion consideration to pursue diverse experiences or further education without penalty. The Marine Corps is exploring the possibility of extending similar flexibility to enlisted Marines, indicating a commitment to providing adaptable career paths for all ranks. MARADMIN 011/22 details the Officer Promotion Opt-Out program.
Recruiting Station Commanding Officer (RSCO) Selection Board
The Recruiting Station Commanding Officer (RSCO) Selection Board modifications offer officers increased career flexibility within the recruiting command domain. By allowing officers to volunteer for command or request removal from consideration without penalty, the Marine Corps provides greater control over career progression within this specialized field. While focused on officers, this initiative exemplifies the Marine Corps’ broader commitment to offering tailored career paths and recognizing individual circumstances. MARADMIN 311/22 provides further details on these changes.
Conclusion
These diverse programs underscore the Marine Corps’ proactive approach to talent management and its dedication to providing meaningful career designation incentives. From accelerated promotions and advanced education to career flexibility and duty station preferences, these initiatives demonstrate a clear commitment to developing, rewarding, and retaining high-quality Marines. By understanding and leveraging these programs, Marines can actively shape their careers and maximize their contributions to the Marine Corps.
