National Call to Service Enlisted Commissioning Option (NCS ECO)

1. THIS MESSAGE ANNOUNCES THE NCS ECO 3-YEAR PILOT
PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ADDRESS COMPANY GRADE
SHORTFALLS IN THE RESERVES BY REQUIRING A POST-ACTIVE DUTY
OBLIGATION OF 24-MONTHS OF SERVICE IN THE SELECTED MARINE CORPS
RESERVE. KEY PROVISIONS OF THE NCS ECO PROGRAM ARE:
A. ENLISTMENTS UNDER THIS PROGRAM WILL BE EFFECTIVE THE DATE OF
THIS MESSAGE. CMC (M&RA) IN CONJUCTION WITH MCRC WILL ESTABLISH
YEARLY QUOTAS FOR NCS ECO PROGRAM ENLISTEES. THE QUOTA WILL BE 9
PER FISCAL YEAR FOR FY06, 07, AND 08. FY QUOTAS MAY BE INCREASED AT
A LATER DATE BASED ON THE PILOT PROGRAM'S LEVEL OF SUCCESS.
B. ENLISTMENTS UNDER THIS PROGRAM WILL BE ASSIGNED A MILITARY
OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) AT THE TIME OF ACCESSION. THE
PARTICIPANT WILL BE ACCESSED AS PAY GRADE E-5 AND REPORT TO OFFICER
CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS).
C. ENLISTEES UNDER THE NCS PROGRAM WILL INCUR AN EIGHT-YEAR
MILITARY SERVICE OBLIGATION (MSO) CONSISTING OF 15 MONTHS OF ACTIVE
DUTY AFTER COMPLETION OF INITIAL ENTRY LEVEL TRAINING (TO INCLUDE
OCS, THE BASIC SCHOOL (TBS) AND MOS TRAINING) FOLLOWED BY 24 MONTHS
OF SELECTED RESERVE (SELRES) SERVICE IN ANY OF THE SELRES CATEGORIES
(SMCR UNIT, IMA, AR); THE REMAINDER OF MSO MAY BE SERVED IN THE
SELRES, IRR, OR OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMS (NSP) AS DESIGNATED
BY SECDEF (AMERICORPS VISTA, AMERICORPS NCCC, OR PEACE CORPS), OR
ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE.
D. AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF OCS, THE PARTICIPANT WILL BE
COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE RESERVES. THE PARTICIPANT
MUST THEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE TBS AND THE TRAINING FOR THE
ASSIGNED MOS. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE NCS ECO PROGRAM, COMPLETION OF
MOS SCHOOL IS DEFINED AS COMPLETION OF ALL MOS SCHOOLS REQUIRED FOR
THE AWARDING OF THE MOS THE MARINE IS RECRUITED TO FILL. NCS ECO
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE A NEW END OF ACTIVE SERVICE DATE ENTERED IN
MCTFS FOR A 15-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING THE DAY AFTER COMPLETION OF
MOS SCHOOL.
E. NCS ECO PARTICIPATION WILL BE LIMITED TO APPLICANTS WHO ARE
COLLEGE GRADUATES.
F. FOR FY06, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GUARANTEED ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
MOS'S: 0302, 0802, 1302, 1803, 1802, 0402, 0602 AND 3002. MOS
UPDATES WILL BE PROMULGATED BY MCRC UPON COORDINATION BY CMC (RA)
AND MARFORRES AS REQUIRED.
G. NCS ECO MARINES WILL BE WORLDWIDE DEPLOYABLE WITHIN CURRENT
MARINE CORPS POLICIES.
H. NCS ECO MARINES WILL BE MANAGED THE SAME AS ALL OTHER MARINES
WITH RESPECT TO PROMOTIONS, UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE, ETC.
I. DURING THIS PILOT PROGRAM, NCS ECO MARINES WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE
TO ENROLL IN THE MONTGOMERY GI BILL (MGIB) PROGRAM.
J. NCS ECO MARINES WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELECT ONE OF
THE FOLLOWING INCENTIVE BASED ENLISTMENT OPTIONS:
(1) BONUS OF $5,000 PAYABLE UPON COMPLETION OF ACTIVE DUTY
OBLIGATION.
(2) REPAYMENT OF QUALIFYING STUDENT LOANS AS DEFINED IN SEC
510(L)(2) OF TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE (PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST)
OF $18,000 - PAYABLE UPON COMPLETION OF ACTIVE DUTY OBLIGATION.
USMC MAY REQUEST TO SECNAV AND THE UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO
APPROVE A LOWER LOAN LIMIT FOR A GIVEN FISCAL YEAR. FOR THE PURPOSE
OF THE PILOT PROGRAM, COLLEGE LOAN REPAYMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO
$10,000 FOR FY06. SUBSEQUENT AMOUNTS WILL BE DETERMINED YEARLY.
(3) EDUCATIONAL ALLOWANCE FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS PAYABLE AT THE
MONTHLY RATE FOR BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCES UNDER SEC
3015(A)(1) OF TITLE 38 USC. SERVICE MEMBERS MAY BEGIN TO USE THE
BENEFIT AT ANY TIME AFTER COMPLETION OF ACTIVE DUTY OBLIGATION.
THE BENEFIT WILL CEASE IF A NCS ECO MARINE FAILS TO MAINTAIN A
SATISFACTORY SELRES DRILLING STATUS OR FAILS TO COMPLETE THEIR MSO.
(4) EDUCATIONAL ALLOWANCE FOR UP TO 36 MONTHS PAYABLE AT ONE-HALF
OF THE MONTHLY RATE FOR BASIC EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCES
UNDER SEC 3015(B)(1) OF TITLE 38 USC. SERVICE MEMBERS MAY BEGIN TO
USE THE BENEFIT AT ANY TIME AFTER COMPLETION OF ACTIVE DUTY
OBLIGATION. BENEFIT WILL CEASE IF AN NCS ECO MARINE FAILS TO
MAINTAIN A SATISFACTORY SELRES DRILLING STATUS OR FAILS TO COMPLETE
THEIR MSO.
2. THE DD FORM 2863 (WITH APPROPRIATE STATEMENTS OF UNDERSTANDING
WILL BE USED TO DOCUMENT THE INCENTIVE SELECTION AND WILL
BECOME AN ADDENDUM TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S DD FORM 4,
"ENLISTMENT/REENLISTMENT DOCUMENT, ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED
STATES." ALTERNATIVELY, INCENTIVE ELECTION MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED
THROUGH OVERPRINTING OF ALL INFORMATION INCLUDED ON THE DD FORM 2863
ON CURRENT SERVICE ENLISTMENT CONTRACTS.
A. SELECTION OF INCENTIVES IS IRREVOCABLE.
B. INITIAL ENTITLEMENT OF ANY OF THE INCENTIVES DESCRIBED IN PAR 1J
IS PREDICATED ON THE COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED ACTIVE DUTY
COMMITMENT.
C. NCS ECO MARINES WHO FAIL TO COMPLETE THE CONTRACTED MSO SHALL
REFUND A PORTION OF THE INCENTIVE SELECTED BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF
COMPLETED SERVICE. SECNAV MAY WAIVE SUCH PAYMENT, IN WHOLE OR PART,
BASED ON THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MARINE CORPS.
D. NCS ECO MARINES WHO ELECT EITHER EDUCATIONAL OPTION AND FAIL TO
COMPLETE THE CONTRACTED MSO SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY FURTHER
INCENTIVE BENEFIT BEYOND THOSE ALREADY RECEIVED. PAYMENTS ALREADY
RECEIVED ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME REPAYMENT PROVISIONS IN PAR 2C.
E. AN NCS ECO MARINE WHO COMPLETES INITIAL ENTRY LEVEL TRAINING AND
IS DISCHARGED OR RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF
THE ACTIVE DUTY COMMITMENT FOR;
(1) SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY;
(2) PREEXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION THAT THE SERVICE SECRETARY
CONCERNED DETERMINES IS NOT SERVICE CONNECTED;
(3) HARDSHIP;
(4) PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITION THAT DID NOT RESULT FROM THE
INDIVIDUAL'S OWN WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, BUT DID INTERFERE WITH DUTY
PERFORMANCE;
(5) CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT;
(6) INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT AS
A RESULT OF REDUCTION IN FORCE. IS ENTITLED TO A PRO RATA PORTION OF
THE INCENTIVE CALCULATED AS THE PROPORTION OF THE 8-YEAR MSO (96
MONTHS) DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF MONTHS SERVED.
F. BONUS AND LOAN REPAYMENT OPTIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS TAXABLE
INCOME IN THE YEAR THAT THEY ARE PAID.
G. NCS ECO MARINES WHO CONTRACT FOR SIX YEARS IN THE SELRES WILL BE
ELIGIBLE FOR THE MGIB-SELRES PROGRAM.//
RMKS/3. NCS ECO MARINES WHO COMPLETE TWO-YEAR SELRES COMMITMENT WILL
HAVE THE OPTION OF CONTINUING IN A SELRES STATUS, OR:
A. TRANSFER TO THE IRR FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR MSO.
B. SERVING ALL OR A PORTION OF THIS TIME IN A NSP (PEACE CORPS OR
AMERICORPS).
C. NCS ECO MARINES WHO CHOOSE TO SERVE ALL OR A PORTION OF THEIR
FOLLOW-ON SERVICE IN ONE OF THE NSP WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE
STANDBY RESERVE FOR THE DURATION OF SERVICE. TRANSFER TO THE
STANDBY RESERVE IS CONTINGENT UPON RECEIPT OF AN ACCEPTANCE DOCUMENT
FROM A NSP.
4. THE TWO EDUCATIONAL ALLOWANCES WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (DVA). THE DVA WILL USE THE EXISTING
MGIB DATA SYSTEM OPERATED BY THE DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER, WHICH
WILL PROVIDE ALL DOD DATA AND INFORMATION INTERFACE WITH DVA.
UTILIZATION OF THE ALLOWANCE WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE EXISTING RULES
OF THE MGIB-SELRES (CHAP 1606, 10 USC AND DVA REGULATIONS) WITH THE
FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:
A. BENEFIT RATES ARE PRESCRIBED IN SEC 3015, 38 USC.
B. BENEFIT MAY BE USED UP TO 14 YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE
SELRES DUTY PHASE OF THE NCS ECO PROGRAM.
C. BENEFIT MAY CONTINUE TO BE USED AFTER THE CONTRACTED SELRES
PHASE OF THE PROGRAM REGARDLESS OF CONTINUED SELRES PARTICIPATION OR
THE INDIVIDUAL MAY CHOOSE A DIFFERENT OPTION FOR COMPLETION OF THE
MSO.
D. THE BENEFIT WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH THE DOD EDUCATION FUND
(DOD 7000.14R, VOL 12, CHAP 150).
5. THE FOLLOWING REPORTS ARE REQUIRED:
A. EACH MONTH, SERVICES REPORT NCS ENLISTMENTS AND ACCESSIONS
TO INCLUDE INCENTIVE SELECTION. PARTICIPANTS UNDER THIS OPTION WILL
BE INCLUDED IN THESE REPORTS. THIS DATA WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO
THE REPORT OF MONTHLY STATISTICS PROVIDED TO OUSD (P&R)/ACCESSION
POLICY DIRECTORATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH DODI 7730.56. MONTHLY REPORTS
WILL BE COMPILED AT THE DEFENSE MANAGEMENT DATA CENTER AND
COORDINATED WITH THE SERVICES.
B. ANNUALLY SECNAV WILL PROVIDE OUSD (P&R) A LIST OF SKILLS OPEN TO
NCS ECO MARINES FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, NUMBER OF EXPECTED NCS
ECO ACCESSIONS, AND LIMITATIONS, IF ANY, TO THE $18,000 CAP ON
STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT INCENTIVE OPTION. THESE REPORTS ARE DUE NLT
31 JUL.
6. THE FOLLOWING COORDINATING TASKS ARE ASSIGNED:
A. M&RA (MP) IS DESIGNATED THE OVERALL COORDINATING AUTHORITY
WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS FOR THE NCS ECO PROGRAM.
(1) IN CONJUNCTION WITH MCRC, MCCDC, PP&O, RA, AND MARFORRES
DEVELOP AND PUBLISH THE ANNUAL RECRUITING PLAN (MEMO 01) AND NCS ECO
PROGRAM MOS LIST.
(2) DEVELOP PROGRAM FOR TRACKING ENLISTMENT CODES FOR MCTFS THAT
WILL ALLOW TRACKING OF NCS ECO MARINES THROUGHOUT THEIR 8-YEAR MSO.
(3) COORDINATE AND SUBMIT MONTHLY AND ANNUAL REPORTS AS PRESCRIBED
IN PAR 6.
(4) COORDINATE WITH TECOM FOR PRIMARY MOS SKILL TRAINING
SCHOOL SEATS.
(5) COORDINATE WITH P&R FOR FUNDING SUPPORT FOR NCS ECO PROGRAM.
B. MCRC WILL HAVE PRIMARY STAFF COGNIZANCE FOR DEVELOPING AND
IMPLEMENTING RECRUITING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO ACCESS NCS ECO
MARINES IN SUPPORT OF THE NCS ECO PROGRAM.
(1) COORDINATE WITH M&RA, MCCDC, AND MARFORRES TO ENSURE NCS ECO
MARINE ACCESSIONS MEET ANNUAL PLAN DELINEATED IN MEMO 01.
(2) COORDINATE WITH M&RA (MP) APPROPRIATE STATEMENTS OF
UNDERSTANDING TO PROPERLY DOCUMENT NCS ECO MARINE'S SELECTED
PROGRAM INCENTIVES.
C. MCCDC (TECOM) WILL ENSURE THAT NCS ECO MARINES ARE TRAINED IN AN
EXPEDITIOUS MANNER TO MINIMIZE THEIR TIME IN TBS AND PRIMARY MOS
SCHOOL(S).
D. MARFORRES WILL ASSIGN NCS ECO MARINES IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF B
UPON AFFILIATION WITH A SELRES UNIT OR IMA DETACHMENT. NCS ECO
MARINES FULFILLING SELRES SERVICE VIA THE AR PROGRAM WILL BE
ASSIGNED BY CMC (RAM).
E. P&R WILL COORDINATE WITH M&RA TO ENSURE PROPER FUNDING IS
AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE NCS ECO PROGRAM.