Reserve Military Service Obligation (MSO)
This MARADMIN revises policy regarding completion of required service obligations for Marine Corps Reserve members who enlist under the Reserve Optional Enlistment Program. The policy change ensures that reservists must complete their full contractual IDT (Inactive Duty Training) obligation in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), typically six years, rather than being allowed to transfer after only two years of active duty. This change aligns policy with the military service obligations set forth in initial enlistment contracts.
Issued: August 4, 2003
1. PURPOSE. THIS MARADMIN REVISES POLICY IN REFERENCE A REGARDING SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF REQUIRED SERVICE SET FORTH IN INITIAL ENLISTMENT AGREEMENTS IN THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE. 2. BACKGROUND. RESERVE MEMBERS COMMIT TO A PERIOD OF SERVICE IN THE SMCR WHEN THEY ENLIST UNDER THE RESERVE OPTIONAL ENLISTMENT PROGRAM, NORMALLY A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS. THE CURRENT POLICY SET FORTH IN REFERENCE A ALLOWS MANDATORY PARTICIPANTS TO TRANSFER FROM THE SMCR UPON COMPLETION OF TWO YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY. THIS POLICY IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE MILITARY SERVICE OBLIGATION SET FORTH IN THE INITIAL ENLISTMENT CONTRACTS. 3. THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT REVISION OF REFERENCE (A): A. PARAGRAPH 3100.2 IS MODIFIED TO READ: "MEMBERS OF THE SMCR WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE CONTRACTUAL IDT OBLIGATION SERVE WITH THE SMCR BY VIRTUE OF THEIR INITIAL ENLISTMENT AGREEMENT. ALL OTHER PARTICIPANTS AFFILIATE BY VIRTUE OF A RESERVE REENLISTMENT OR OTHER CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT." B. PARAGRAPH 4101 IS MODIFIED BY REMOVING PARAGRAPH 4101.2 AND BY RENUMBERING PARAGRAPH 4101.3 AS PARAGRAPH 4101.2. C. THESE CHANGES WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE NEXT UPDATE OF REFERENCE A. 4. THIS CHANGE IS EFFECTIVE UPON RECEIPT. QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THIS MARADMIN CAN BE ADDRESSED TO MAJ P. F. ABRAHAM (RAP-22) AT (703) 784-9138/39 OR DSN 278-9138/39.