Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Program Assignment Policy

1.  Situation.  Manpower limitations within the Reserve Component (RC) require prioritization of available inventory against staffing requirements.  The allocation of available inventory against force wide requirements that have the greatest impact on personnel and training readiness is essential for building an RC capable of providing the strategic capacity required to augment and reinforce the Active Component (AC).  This policy's primary objective is to maximize force operational readiness while simultaneously ensuring the professional skills and core competencies are met through a series of progressive career billet assignments.<br>
2.  Assignment Policy<br>
    a.  Restricted Officers.  In accordance with (IAW) reference (a), restricted officers are limited to serve no more than 36 consecutive months in any combination of the IMA Program or Provisional IMA Program (PIP).  Upon completion of an IMA or PIP tour, restricted officers must serve in a Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) unit for 36 months before returning to the IMA Program or PIP.  This provision does not apply if there are no SMCR requirements for the restricted officer's military occupational specialty.<br>
    b.  Company Grade Officers.  IAW reference (a), company grade officers in the military occupational specialty (MOS) 0302 and 0802 are limited to serve no more than 24 consecutive months in any combination of the IMA Program or PIP.  Upon completion of an IMA or PIP tour, company grade officers must serve in an SMCR unit for 36 months before returning to the IMA Program or PIP.<br>
    c.  Aviators.  IAW reference (a), aviators in the rank of captain and major are limited to serve no more than 36 cumulative months in any combination of the IMA program or PIP prior to reaching 16 years of commissioned service.  This provision does not apply to aviators in the IMA serving in 75XX billets.<br>
    d.  Operations and Tactics Instructor Necessary MOS (NMOS).  Marines in the rank of gunnery sergeant through master gunnery sergeant eligible to fill 0577 billets are limited to serve no more than 36 consecutive months in any combination of the IMA Program or PIP.  Primary MOSs (PMOS) eligible to fill 0577 NMOS billets include:  0321, 0393, 0399, 0848, 1371, 1812, and 1833.  Upon completion of an IMA or PIP tour, Marines eligible to fill an 0577 billet must serve in an SMCR unit for 36 months before returning to the IMA Program or PIP.  This provision does not apply to Marines serving in an IMA billet as a PMOS match.<br>
3.  Waivers.  Requests for waivers will be closely scrutinized and considered on a case by case basis by Director, Reserve Affairs Division.<br>
4.  Opportunities and Assignment Incentives<br>
    a.  All impacted Marines are encouraged to visit the Marine Forces Reserve website for a list of SMCR billet vacancies.  https://www.marforres.marines.mil/About/Reserve-Billets/<br>
    b.  Marines assigned to an SMCR unit located 150 miles or more from their primary residence may be eligible for Inactive Duty Training Travel Reimbursement IAW reference (b).<br>
    c.  Company Grade and Restricted Officers may be eligible to receive a retention bonus to affiliate with an SMCR unit IAW reference (c).<br>
    d.  Aviators may be eligible to receive an aviation bonus to affiliate with an SMCR tactical squadron IAW reference (d).<br>
5.  Reserve Affairs Division will review officer staffing and policy impacts annually and, if required, will provide additional guidance based on Reserve requirements.<br>
6.  Release authorized by Colonel J. M. Morrisroe, Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Acting.