MCBUL 7220. FY04 Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP)

1.  PURPOSE OF THIS BULLETIN IS TO PROVIDE
INFORMATION ON THE MARINE CORPS ACP PROGRAM FOR FY04.  IN ACCORDANCE
WITH CONTINUED CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION, REF A PROVIDES LEGAL
AUTHORITY FOR DOD TO PAY ACP.  THE BONUS WILL BE OFFERED TO MARINE
FIELD GRADE AVIATION OFFICERS, INCLUDING MAJOR SELECTS, WHO MEET
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS DEFINED IN PAR 2 BELOW.  ACP IS A SPECIAL
PAY THAT WILL BE ASSESSED ANNUALLY.  CONTRACT AMOUNTS WILL VARY
DEPENDING ON THE HEALTH OF OUR AVIATION OFFICER INVENTORIES.  THE
INTENT OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE A PROACTIVE, LONG-TERM AVIATION
CAREER INCENTIVE FOR MARINE AVIATION FIELD GRADE OFFICERS.  OFFICERS
MAY CONVERT/EXTEND THEIR EXISTING ACP CONTRACT IF THEY MEET ALL OTHER
FY04 ACP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
2.  BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.  TO RECEIVE ACP, OFFICERS MUST
MEET THE FOLLOWING NON-WAIVERABLE CRITERIA DURING THE EFFECTIVE DATES
OF THE FY04 ACP PROGRAM (1OCT2003-30SEP2004).
A.  BE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF COMPLETING ANY ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE
COMMITMENT (ADSC) INCURRED FOR UNDERGRADUATE AVIATOR TRAINING AND ANY
ADDITIONAL OBLIGATION INCURRED FROM THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,
REF B, IF APPLICABLE.
B.  BE QUALIFIED TO PERFORM OPERATIONAL FLYING DUTY.
C.  BE ENTITLED TO AVIATION CAREER INCENTIVE PAY (ACIP).
D.  BE A MAJOR (MAJOR SELECT) WITH LESS THAN 15 YEARS OF COMMISSIONED
SERVICE (YCS), OR A LTCOL WITH LESS THAN 21 YCS AT THE TIME OF
APPLICATION.
E.  AGREE TO REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY AS AN AVIATOR FOR THE DEFINED
CONTRACT TERM.
F.  HAVE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AVIATION MOS'S DEFINED BY TYPE
COMMUNITIES:
(1) FIXED WING PILOTS:
7509 (AV-8)     7543 (EA-6B)
7523 (F/A-18) 7556/57 (KC-130)
(2) ROTARY WING PILOTS:
7532 (MV-22)   7564 (CH-53D)
7562 (CH-46)   7565 (AH-1)
7563 (UH-1)     7566 (CH-53E)
(3) NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICERS:
7525 (F/A-18 WSO) 7588 (EA-6B ECMO)
G.  BE RECOMMENDED FOR ACP BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND RECEIVE
FINAL APPROVAL FROM CMC (MMOA-3).
3.  INELIGIBLE CATEGORIES
A.  OFFICERS UNDERGOING A TRANSITION FROM A GROUND MOS TO AN AVIATION
MOS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACP AND MAY NOT APPLY UNTIL ALL PAR 2
REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.
B.  MAJORS WITH MORE THAN 15 YCS AND LTCOLS WITH MORE THAN 21 YCS ARE
NOT ELIGIBLE.
C.  USMCR OFFICERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACP.
4.  AVIATION TRANSITION/CONVERSION
A.  AVIATION PERSONNEL WHO ARE UNDERGOING TRANSITION/CONVERSION
TRAINING ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ACP UNDER THE FY04 PROGRAM BASED ON THEIR
"OLD" MOS, PROVIDED THEY MEET PAR 2 REQUIREMENTS AND CONTRACT IS
RECEIVED BY CMC (MMOA-3) BY 30 SEP 2004.  UPON COMPLETION OF NEW
TYPE/MODEL/SERIES FLEET REPLACEMENT SQUADRON TRAINING (I.E., MOS
CHANGE COMPLETED), THESE PERSONNEL MAY APPLY TO CHANGE ACP
CATEGORIES 
UNDER THEIR NEW MOS.
5.  PAYMENT PROVISIONS:
A.  THREE CONTRACT OPTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR MAJORS OR MAJOR SELECTS:
(1) SHORT-TERM CONTRACT (12 TO 36 MONTH AGREEMENT)
(A) ANNUAL AMOUNTS ARE LISTED BELOW BY TYPE COMMUNITY.
INDIVIDUAL MOS'S ARE LISTED IN PAR 2.F. ABOVE:
(1) FIXED WING PILOTS:      $18,000 PER ANNUM.
(2) ROTARY WING PILOTS:     $ 3,000 PER ANNUM.
(3) NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICERS:  $ 3,000 PER ANNUM.
(B) CONTRACT LENGTH WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS OR THE TIME REMAINING TO
COMPLETE 16 YCS (MUST BE AT LEAST 12 MONTHS).  APPROVED OFFICERS WILL
BE PAID FOR EACH FULL YEAR OF THE CONTRACT AND A RESIDUAL PAYMENT FOR
THE MONTHS REMAINING ON THE LAST YEAR OF THE CONTRACT.  CONTRACT
PAYMENTS/TERM WILL BE PRORATED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE MONTH.  PARTIAL
MONTHS WILL NOT BE USED IN COMPUTATION OF PAYMENTS.
(2) LONG-TERM CONTRACT.  THIS OPTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR MAJORS OR
MAJOR SELECTS WITH 37 MONTHS OR MORE TO COMPLETE 16 YCS.
(A) ANNUAL AMOUNTS ARE LISTED BELOW BY TYPE COMMUNITY.
INDIVIDUAL MOS'S ARE DESCRIBED IN PAR 2.F. ABOVE:
(1) FIXED WING PILOTS:      $25,000 PER ANNUM.
(2) ROTARY WING PILOTS:     $ 7,000 PER ANNUM.
(3) NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICERS:  $ 7,000 PER ANNUM.
(B) CONTRACT LENGTH WILL BE FOR THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AN OFFICER HAS
TO COMPLETE 16 YCS (MINIMUM OF AT LEAST 37 MONTHS).
APPROVED OFFICERS WILL BE PAID FOR EACH FULL YEAR OF THE CONTRACT AND
A RESIDUAL PAYMENT FOR THE MONTHS REMAINING ON THE LAST YEAR OF THE
CONTRACT.  CONTRACT PAYMENTS/TERM WILL BE PRORATED TO THE NEAREST
WHOLE MONTH.  PARTIAL MONTHS WILL NOT BE USED IN COMPUTATION OF
PAYMENTS.
(3) CONVERSIONS/EXTENSIONS.  FROM THE DATE CMC (MMOA-3) RECEIVES THE
CONVERSION/EXTENSION APPLICATION UNTIL 16 YCS DETERMINES IF THE
CONTRACT IS TREATED AS A SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM CONTRACT, BASED ON
PAR 5.A. (1) AND (2) ABOVE.
B.  ONLY THE SHORT-TERM CONTRACT OPTION IS APPLICABLE TO LTCOLS:
(1) SHORT-TERM CONTRACT (12 TO 36 MONTH AGREEMENT)
(A) ANNUAL AMOUNTS PRORATED ARE LISTED BELOW BY TYPE COMMUNITY.
INDIVIDUAL MOS'S ARE LISTED IN PAR 2.F. ABOVE:
(1) FIXED WING PILOTS:      $18,000 PER ANNUM.
(2) ROTARY WING PILOTS:     $ 3,000 PER ANNUM.
(3) NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICERS:  $ 3,000 PER ANNUM.
(B) CONTRACT LENGTH WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS OR THE TIME REMAINING TO
COMPLETE 22 YCS IF LESS THAN THREE YEARS (MUST BE AT LEAST 12
MONTHS).  APPROVED OFFICERS WILL BE PAID FOR EACH FULL YEAR OF THE
CONTRACT AND A RESIDUAL PAYMENT FOR THE MONTHS REMAINING ON THE LAST
YEAR OF THE CONTRACT.  CONTRACT PAYMENTS/TERM WILL BE PRORATED TO THE
NEAREST WHOLE MONTH.  PARTIAL MONTHS WILL NOT BE USED IN COMPUTATION
OF PAYMENTS.
(C) CONTRACT CONVERSIONS/EXTENSIONS FROM A PREVIOUS YEAR'S ACP
PROGRAM ARE NOT ALLOWED UNDER THIS OPTION.
(D) SELECTED LTCOLS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ACP AT THEIR EFFECTIVE DATE OF
PROMOTION (NOT FROCKING) AND MAY APPLY 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THEIR
EXPECTED PROMOTION DATE.  HOWEVER, APPLICANTS MUST BE ELIGIBLE DURING
FY04.  THEREFORE, THOSE WITH AN EXPECTED PROMOTION ON 01 OCT 2004 OR
LATER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF THIS MARADMIN.  THIS
ALLOWS LTCOLS TO HAVE THE APPLICATION AND ENDORSEMENT PHYSICALLY AT
CMC (MMOA-3) AT THE TIME OF PROMOTION.  THIS HAS NO BEARING ON THE
PAYMENT FROM DEFENSE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING SERVICE.
C.  OFFICERS EXECUTING ACP CONTRACTS WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FULL
ACIP, WHEN ENTITLED.
D.  IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ANNIVERSARY PAYMENTS, OFFICERS EXECUTING
ACP CONTRACTS MUST MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY PER PAR 2.  INABILITY TO
MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY WILL RESULT IN TERMINATION OF ACP PAYMENTS.
6.  REPAYMENT PROVISIONS
A.  OFFICERS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE UNEARNED PORTION OF
PREPAID AMOUNTS ON A PRO-RATA BASIS IN THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES:
(1) SEPARATION FROM ACTIVE DUTY OR DISCHARGE FOR REASONS OTHER THAN
THOSE SPECIFIED IN PAR 6.B. BELOW.
(2) LOSS OF DESIGNATION AS A NAVAL AVIATOR/FLIGHT OFFICER (EXCEPT AS
SPECIFIED IN PAR 6.B. BELOW).
(3) TERMINATION OF ACIP ENTITLEMENT (EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED IN PAR 6.B.
BELOW).
(4) MEDICAL INCAPACITATION OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY RESULTING FROM
MISCONDUCT, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR RESULTING FROM A PERIOD OF
UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE.
B.  OFFICERS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE UNEARNED PORTION OF
PREPAID AMOUNTS OF ACP IF ELIGIBILITY IS TERMINATED IN THE FOLLOWING
CIRCUMSTANCES:
(1) INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION FROM MILITARY SERVICE BY OPERATION OF LAW,
OR INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION BY OPERATION OF MILITARY SERVICE OR DOD
POLICY (EXCEPT SEPARATION OR DISMISSAL FOR CAUSE, RESIGNATION IN LIEU
OF COURT MARTIAL, OR PROCESSING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION).
(2) DEATH OR DISABILITY, INCLUDING MEDICAL GROUNDING OR SUSPENSION,
WHICH IS NOT THE RESULT OF MISCONDUCT, WILLFUL NEGLIGENCE, AND NOT
RESULTING FROM A PERIOD OF UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE.
7.  APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A.  APPLICATIONS FOR ACP MUST BE RECEIVED BY CMC (MMOA-3) PRIOR
TO 1 OCT 04 AND NEED ONLY INCLUDE THE APPLICATION AND FIRST
ENDORSEMENT.  APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON 1 OCT 2004 OR THEREAFTER WILL
BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT WITHOUT ACTION.
B.  THE ONLY DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR PROCESSING IS A FAX OR
ELECTRONIC COPY WITH APPROPRIATE SIGNATURES.  SEE POC FOR FAX NUMBER
AND E-MAIL ADDRESS.  ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS NEED NOT BE FORWARDED TO CMC
(MMOA-3).
C.  APPLICATIONS ARE CONSIDERED BINDING CONTRACTS AS OF THE DATE OF
RECEIPT BY CMC (MMOA-3).  ADDITIONALLY, AN APPROVED ACP CONTRACT IS
CONSIDERED AN OFFICER SERVICE OBLIGATION FOR THE DURATION OF THE
CONTRACT AGREEMENT.
D.  APPLICATIONS FROM OFFICERS WILL BE REVIEWED FOR ELIGIBILITY AND
APPROVAL BY CMC (MMOA-3).  IF APPROVED, THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ACP
CONTRACTS WILL BE THE DATE OF RECEIPT AT HQMC OR THE DATE OF
ELIGIBILITY (PER PAR 2), WHICHEVER IS LATER.
E.  AN OFFICER WHOSE ELIGIBILITY FOR ACP PAYMENTS HAS BEEN
TERMINATED WILL BE REQUIRED TO FULFILL THE ACTIVE DUTY COMMITMENT
SET FORTH IN THEIR APPLICATION AS APPROVED BY CMC (MMOA-3), EXCEPT
WHEN THE OFFICER'S RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY IS INVOLUNTARY UNDER LAW
OR REGULATION.  AN OFFICER MAY BE RELEASED FROM SUCH SERVICE
OBLIGATION UPON APPROVAL BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
8.  APPLICANTS WILL SUBMIT AN AA FORM (NAVMC 10274) OR STANDARD NAVAL
LETTER IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT:
A.  OFFICERS APPLYING FOR A SHORT-TERM CONTRACT USE THE FOLLOWING
FORMAT.
FROM: (APPLYING OFFICER'S GRADE, NAME, SSN/MOS)
TO:   CMC (MMOA-3)
VIA:  (COMMANDING OFFICER OR APPROPRIATE DESIGNEE)
SUBJ: REQUEST FOR AVIATION CONTINUATION PAY
REF:  (A) (CITE SUBJECT MARADMIN)
1.  PER THE REFERENCE, I HEREBY APPLY FOR AVIATION CONTINUATION PAY.
CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL OF MY APPLICATION FOR THIS SPECIAL PAY, I
AGREE TO ACCEPT A SHORT-TERM OFFICER SERVICE OBLIGATION (NOTE: USE
THE APPLICABLE PHRASE;
(1) "FOR THREE YEARS" - IF OFFICER HAS MORE THAN THREE YEARS TO
COMPLETE EITHER 16/22 YCS.
(2) "TO COMPLETE 16 YCS" - IF THE MAJOR HAS LESS THAN THREE YEARS TO
COMPLETE 16 YCS.
(3) "TO COMPLETE 22 YCS" - IF THE LTCOL HAS LESS THAN THREE YEARS TO
COMPLETE 22 YCS.)
IN EXCHANGE FOR RECEIVING ACP OF (NOTE: USE THE APPLICABLE ANNUAL
CONTRACT AMOUNT:
(1) "$18,000 ANNUALLY" - FOR FIXED WING PILOT PRIMARY MOS.
(2) "$3,000 ANNUALLY" - FOR ROTARY WING OR NFO PRIMARY MOS.
FOR EACH FULL YEAR OF SERVICE, PRO-RATED FOR EACH COMPLETE MONTH FOR
THE LAST PARTIAL YEAR, IF APPLICABLE.  I AGREE NOT TO TENDER A
RESIGNATION THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE DURING THIS ACP SERVICE
OBLIGATION OR VOLUNTARILY TERMINATE MY FLIGHT STATUS.  I UNDERSTAND
THAT, UPON RECEIPT BY CMC (MMOA-3), THIS APPLICATION BECOMES A
BINDING CONTRACT AND AN OFFICER SERVICE OBLIGATION FOR THE DURATION
OF THE APPROVED CONTRACT PERIOD.
2.  I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS
OF THE REFERENCE INCLUDING ALL PROVISIONS RELATING TO TERMINATION OF
PAYMENTS TO BE MADE PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, TERMINATION OF THE
SERVICE OBLIGATION, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH RECOUPMENT BY
THE GOVERNMENT OF SUMS PAID MAY BE REQUIRED.
3.  I UNDERSTAND CMC MUST VALIDATE MY ELIGIBILITY FOR ACP.  IN THE
EVENT IT IS DETERMINED I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACP, THIS APPLICATION
WILL BE RETURNED WITH NO ACTION TAKEN AND I MAY REAPPLY AT A LATER
DATE IF MY ELIGIBILITY CHANGES.
4.  THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AND CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE
AND ACCURATE:
PAY ENTRY BASE DATE:
ARMED FORCES ACTIVE DUTY BASE DATE:
DATE ACCEPTED FIRST COMMISSION:
AVIATION SERVICE ENTRY DATE:
DATE DESIGNATED NA/NFO:
DATE OF EXPIRATION OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE COMMITMENT:
EXPIRATION OF ACTIVE SERVICE:
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM USED: (Y/N)
DSN NO.:
(IF DEPLOYED) MESSAGE PLAD:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
(SIGNATURE OF OFFICER)
B.  OFFICERS APPLYING FOR A LONG-TERM CONTRACT USE THE FOLLOWING
FORMAT.
FROM: (APPLYING OFFICER'S GRADE, NAME, SSN/MOS)
TO:   CMC (MMOA-3)
VIA:  (COMMANDING OFFICER OR APPROPRIATE DESIGNEE)
SUBJ: REQUEST FOR AVIATION CONTINUATION PAY
REF:  (A) (CITE SUBJECT MARADMIN)
1.  PER THE REFERENCE, I HEREBY APPLY FOR AVIATION CONTINUATION PAY.
CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL OF MY APPLICATION FOR THIS SPECIAL PAY, I
AGREE TO ACCEPT A LONG-TERM OFFICER SERVICE OBLIGATION (NOTE: USE
THE APPLICABLE ANNUAL CONTRACT AMOUNT APPLICABLE:
(1) "$25,000 ANNUALLY" - FOR FIXED WING PILOT PRIMARY MOS.
(2) "$7,000 ANNUALLY" - FOR ROTARY WING OR NFO PRIMARY MOS.
FOR EACH FULL YEAR OF SERVICE, PRO-RATED FOR EACH COMPLETE MONTH FOR
THE LAST PARTIAL YEAR, IF APPLICABLE.  I AGREE NOT TO TENDER A
RESIGNATION THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE DURING THIS ACP SERVICE
OBLIGATION OR VOLUNTARILY TERMINATE MY FLIGHT STATUS.  I UNDERSTAND
THAT, UPON RECEIPT BY CMC (MMOA-3), THIS APPLICATION BECOMES A
BINDING CONTRACT AND AN OFFICER SERVICE OBLIGATION FOR THE DURATION
OF THE CONTRACT PERIOD.
2.  I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS
OF THE REFERENCE INCLUDING ALL PROVISIONS RELATING TO TERMINATION OF
PAYMENTS TO BE MADE PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, TERMINATION OF THE
SERVICE OBLIGATION, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH RECOUPMENT BY
THE GOVERNMENT OF SUMS PAID MAY BE REQUIRED.
3.  I UNDERSTAND CMC MUST VALIDATE MY ELIGIBILITY FOR ACP.  IN THE
EVENT IT IS DETERMINED I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ACP, THIS APPLICATION
WILL BE RETURNED WITH NO ACTION TAKEN AND I MAY REAPPLY AT A LATER
DATE IF MY ELIGIBILITY CHANGES.
4.  THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AND CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE
AND ACCURATE:
PAY ENTRY BASE DATE:
ARMED FORCES ACTIVE DUTY BASE DATE:
DATE ACCEPTED FIRST COMMISSION:
AVIATION SERVICE ENTRY DATE:
DATE DESIGNATED NA/NFO:
DATE OF EXPIRATION OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE COMMITMENT:
EXPIRATION OF ACTIVE SERVICE:
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM USED: (Y/N)
DSN NO.:
(IF DEPLOYED) MESSAGE PLAD:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
(SIGNATURE OF OFFICER)
C.  AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM CMC (MMOA-3) DETAILING THE APPLICANT'S
SERVICE OBLIGATION AND MONETARY AMOUNTS WILL BE SENT ONCE ACP
ELIGIBILITY IS CONFIRMED.
9.  ENSURE THAT APPLICABLE DATES AND INFORMATION PROVIDED AS "TRUE
AND ACCURATE" ARE ENTERED PROPERLY INTO THE MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE
SYSTEM (MCTFS).
10.  COMMANDING OFFICERS NEED ONLY TO ENDORSE WITH THE FOLLOWING,
"FORWARD RECOMMENDING APPROVAL" OR "FORWARD NOT RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL".
11.  FOR ACP INFORMATION AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS VISIT LINK
ON THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE AT: HTTPS:/LNWEB1.MANPOWER.USMC.MIL/
MANPOWER/MI/MRA_OFCT.NSF/MP/MANPOWER+PLANS+-+OFFICER+PLANS.
12.  POC FOR ACP APPLICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES IS GYSGT
VANNORTWICK, CMC (MMOA-3), DSN: 278-9284, FAX (DSN): 278-9844.
13.  POC FOR ACP POLICY ISSUES IS MAJ HALL, CMC (MPP-33), DSN:
278-9364.
14.  THIS BULLETIN IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.
15.  THIS BULLETIN IS CANCELLED 30 SEP 2004.