Policy Clarification to the Service Obligation for Reserve Marines Attending Training
This MARADMIN clarifies the service obligation policy for Reserve Marines attending Marine Corps-funded training courses. It establishes specific obligation periods based on training length: one year for courses 3 weeks to less than 5 weeks, two years for 5 weeks to less than 12 weeks, and three years for courses 12 weeks or longer. The policy is effective immediately and updates the Statement of Understanding (SOU) training contract requirements.
Issued: October 29, 2018
1. Purpose. This MARADMIN updates and supersedes the reference to provide policy clarification regarding the service obligation incurred by Reserve Component Marines upon reporting to active duty for attendance at an approved training course. This clarification will be incorporated as part of ongoing revisions to the reference and are forthcoming.
2. General
a. These changes are relevant to Chapter 4, Section 2 of the reference, and update the service obligation requirements delineated in the statement of understanding (SOU) training contract.
b. The SOU, as defined in the reference is a contractual agreement between the Marine Corps and a non-mandatory participant that obligates a Marine who participates in an approved, funded training course.
(1) Approved training courses include, but are not limited to, courses or training resulting in a primary or additional military occupational specialty, career progression training, and skill proficiency training. This includes courses that are not in the Marine Corps Training Information Management System (MCTIMS).
(2) The triggering action for mandatory participation is if the Marine Corps is funding any portion of the Marine's course costs. If an outside agency is funding all aspects of the training to include per diem, pay, and allowances, then the SOU requirement does not apply. However, if the Marine Corps is funding any aspect of course attendance then a signed SOU is required, even if another agency is paying for a portion of the training.
(3) The specified obligation is for service in a component of the Selected Reserve and is incurred upon reporting to active duty for attendance at any approved training course per the below guidelines.
c. The length of the SOU will be:
(1) One year, upon reporting to active duty for attendance at a training course of 3 weeks to less than 5 weeks in length; or
(2) Two years, upon reporting to active duty for attendance at a training course of 5 weeks to 1ess than 12 weeks in length; or
(3) Three years, upon reporting to active duty for attendance at a training course of 12 weeks or more.
d. Reserve Marines undergoing on the job training (OJT) do not require an SOU.
e. Reserve Marines assigned to training courses of less than 3 weeks do not require an SOU.
f. One week is defined as 7 calendar days in which a Marine is on active duty orders.
g. If a Reserve Marine attends another training course while serving out an existing SOU, then the required SOU time for the new course will be served concurrently with the preexisting SOU time.
3. This clarification to policy is effective immediately.
4. Release authorized by Colonel J. M. Morrisroe, Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Acting.