Boat spaces keep a MOS from getting to top heavy and also keep promotions rolling.  Now once an MOS uses up all of its boat spaces Marines can no longer re-enlist in that MOS.  All is not lost if the boat spaces in your MOS fill up as a Marine can then “Lat Move” or re-enlist into a new MOS.

The Marine Corps suspended the boat space program over the past two years due to the fact the the Marine Corps needed to grow to 202,00.  That changed in fiscal year 2009 (the fiscal year starts in Oct) as the Corps was fast approaching its final end strength goal a few years early.

MARADMIN 052/09 was released on Monday and it addresses the re-enlistment bonuses given to 1st term Marines.  In there there is a list of 40+ MOS in the Marine Corps that have filled all of their boat spaces and thus will not be eligible for a re-enlisment bonus 30 days from the release of the message.  Those affected are in the following MOS’s:

0121, 0151, 0628, 1341, 1345, 1391, 2111, 2147, 2676, 2887, 3051, 3052, 3531, 4641, 5831, 5942/48, 5952, 6046, 6062, 6072, 6073, 6124, 6172, 6173, 6212, 6216, 6217, 6222, 6252, 6282, 6283, 6286, 6314, 6316, 6324, 6336, 6423, 6432, 6467, 6541, 6694, 7041, 7242 AND 7382.

As I stated earlier Marines in the above MOS’s do not have to get out of the Marine Corps as there are still 111 MOS’s out there that have openings available.  Of those 111 some are even eligible for a Lat Move re-enlistment bonus.

the same message also states that Broken Service Selective Re-enlistment Bonus, BSSRB, have been cancelled with the exception of a few critical MOS’s. a BSSRB is a  bonus that is paid to a Marine that got out for at least 90 days and then decides to come back in at a prorated rate of the full re-enlistment bonus.  The MOSs that are still eligible for a BSSRB are:

0211, 0231, 0241, 0261, 0321, 0431, 0451, 0511, 0656, 0689, 0842, 0861, 2336, 2671, 2673, 2821, 2834, 2871, 6114, 6116, 6156, 6174, 6176, 6214, 6326, 6842, AND 7257

The ending of re-enlistment bonuses is a sign that the Marine Corps has done what it needs to retain the Marines to keep the Corps strong.  Also the fact that the Corps has grown to its 202,000 during a time of war is a great testament to our recruiters.  Also in my humble opinion I believe the record level bonuses we have seen in the past two years are thing of the past.  With the Corps reaching its goal as well as the weakening economy I believe bonuses will be less next year and the following years.

Related posts:

1. The Money is Running Out

Now here is the kicker if you do transfer those benefits but are unable to complete the 4 year service obligation that you incur because if it you could be forced to repay the amount used.  With benefits expected to average $80,000 over 36 months (four years of college) that could mean a repayment of 20 grans for every year of benefits used.  While the four year repayment won’t affect anyone with less than 16 years come Aug 1, 2009 (when it goes into effect) those military members approaching high year/tenure may have a problem.

High year/tenure is in place to force retirement of personel that are not getting promoted (IE a SSgt in the Marine Corps must retire when he gets 20 years of service MSgt’s can stay in for 26 years).  So those SSgt’s that are at 17+ years and decide to pass their benefits on to a child or spouse but doesnot get promoted to Gunny would be on the hook for 60 grand potentially.

The new GI Bill is a great recruiting and retention tool.  This Bill is also to honor those that have served in the military since 9/11.  It would be a disgrace to freeze out those personnel that have spent almost 8 years serving their country since the devastation on that day that has led us into the war on terrorism.  It is out duty to make sure that this doesn’t happen.  Any Marine, soldier, sailor or airman that has served since 9/11 needs to be grandfathered in and no monies should have to be repaid if the service member cannot complete 4 years due to involuntary retirement.  Call your Congressman and make sure that these military members are not excluded from this great bill.

No related posts.

Also effective on January 1st new BAH rates go into effect.  BAH or Basic Allowance for Housing is a tax free allowance for military members not living in government furnished quarters.  BAH can make up a large percentage (sometimes even more than base pay) of a Marine’s take home pay.

BAH varies from area to area and is based on one’s rank as well as if they have dependants or not.  the number of dependants does not have a bearing on the amount that one would recieve (IE an E-6 with 1 dependant receives the same amount as an E-6 with 5).

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1. October Cutting Scores

MarAdmin 661/08 announces that Rosetta Stone Language Learning Software will be made available via MARINENET.  Access to this software is to facilitate Marines in learning a second language.  FOr those of you unfamiliar with Rosetta Stone Software it is a self-paced computer based education tool.  This software provides 150 hours of language familiarization in 31 different languages.

The following language are available:

SPANISH (LATIN AMERICAN), SPANISH (SPAIN), ENGLISH (US), ENGLISH (UK),
ARABIC (MODERN STANDARD), FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE,
RUSSIAN, CHINESE, JAPANESE, HEBREW, IRISH, DUTCH, FARSI, GREEK,
HINDI, KOREAN, POLISH, SWEDISH, DANISH, INDONESIAN, LATIN, PASHTO,
SWAHILI, TAGALOG, THAI, TURKISH, VIETNAMESE AND WELSH

Of those 31 the following 15 are operationally relevant:

SPANISH (LATIN AMERICA), ARABIC, FRENCH, PORTUGUESE, RUSSIAN,
CHINESE, FARSI, HINDI, KOREAN, INDONESIAN, PASHTO, SWAHILI,
TAGALOG, THAI, AND TURKISH.

By making this software available to Marine the Marine Corps is doing itself a great service.  The opportunity for Marines to learn a second language is something that all should take care of.  Not only to help themselves but also to help the their unit and the Corps in the long run.  Also depending on the language and the level of proficiency that a Marine achieves it could help their pocket book as well.

No related posts.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
A.  MUST BE AN ACTIVE COMPONENT CAPTAIN OR CAPTAIN (SELECT) WITH
A DESIGNATED MOS OF: 0180, 0202, 0203, 0204, 0206, 0207, 0302, 0402,
0602, 0802, 1302, 1802, 1803, 3002, 3404, 4302, 4401, 4402, 5803,
6002, 6602, 7202, 7204, 7208, 7210, 7220, 7507, 7509, 7521, 7523,
7524, 7525, 7532, 7541, 7543, 7556, 7557, 7558, 7560, 7561, 7562,
7563, 7564, 7565, 7566, 7567, 7568, 7582, AND 7588. RESTRICTED
OFFICERS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN A FOLLOW ON MARADMIN ONCE
AUTHORIZATION IS RECEIVED FROM PDUSD.
B.  MUST BE AN ACTIVE COMPONENT CAPTAIN NOT SELECTED OR PASSED
FOR MAJOR OR MUST BE AN ACTIVE COMPONENT CAPTAIN (SELECT) AS OF THE
DATE OF THIS MARADMIN.  ANY CAPTAIN CURRENTLY “IN ZONE” FOR MAJOR
MUST CONTRACT PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF THE MAJOR SELECTION
BOARD RESULTS.
C.  MUST CONTRACT PRIOR TO 15 SEPTEMBER 2009.  HOWEVER, THE
INTENT IS TO CONTRACT A MAJORITY OF THE ELIGIBLE OFFICERS BEFORE 30
NOVEMBER 2008.
D.  MUST EXECUTE A WRITTEN AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE SERVING ON
ACTIVE DUTY AND AGREE TO EXTEND THEIR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY FOR 12
MONTHS BEYOND THEIR CURRENT OBLIGATED SERVICE.  THOSE CAPTAINS WHO
ACCEPT THE CSRB, AND HAVE MORE THAN 18 MONTHS OF OBLIGATED SERVICE,
MAY RECEIVE ASSIGNMENT ORDERS FROM MMOA DURING CY 2009.

It is good to see that the Marine Corps is trying to keep its young officers.  While nowhere near the amount that enlisted Marines will receive for a FY 09 reenlistment bonus if this bonus helps keep some of these young experienced officers in uniform it will make our Corps stronger.  It is only fair to spread some of the money to the officers if we are giving the enlisted so much money.  I wish I could get some extra money right now for extending or reenlisting so that I could through it into my TSP account.

Related posts:

1. The Money is Running Out

What do I have to do to get it?

You really don’t have to do too much to receive this money to go to school.  You need to go down to the Joint Education Center take a college 101 class which explains Tuition Assistance (TA) and all that good stuff.  you then find a school that you want to attend find the classes you want to attend take your TA form to your CO or education officer that has been filled out so they can sign it.  Take the TA form back to JEC and go to the classes that you have signed up for.

As you can see getting your Tuition Assistance is not a complicated endeavour and the paybacks are outstanding.  You can easily achieve an AA degree in a 4 year enlistment or if you are determined you can even get that bachelor’s degree as my brother during his 1 enlistment in the AF.

Investing in yourself with an education is one of the best things that you can do to improve your chances for promotion.  Corporals and below receive 10 points per class on their composite score.  Sgt’s and above are going to get favorable recognition on FitRep’s and on the promotion boards.  Even if you do not expect to stay in the Corps you can use a degree to help you negotiate a higher salary when you do get out.

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1. VA Loans

• Education
• Technology
• Health Care
• Trade and Industry
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Business Administration
• Hospitality Management 
• Homeland Security

The eligibility can be extended for 1 year for a total of $6000.

Who is Eligible?

Originally only spouses of Junior Marines (Sgts and below on the enlisted side and Capt and below on the officer side) it has recently been expanded to all ranks.  Marines must have at least one year remaining on station.  Also the  applying spouse must have a HS diploma or GED.

What do I need to do?

To get the 3 grand the spouse of a Marine stationed aboard Camp Pendleton must attend a brief at the Marine and Family Services Building13150 located on mainside.  The spouse needs to bring either a copy of the PCS orders to Camp Pendleton or the Marine’s unit or a phone number to the Marine’s OIC in addition:

•  Military ID Card
• Application forms if you have them, otherwise they will be provided.
• Right to work in the United States; Passport or Driver’s License and Social Security Card.
• School Information: If you have chosen a school that you will be attending, be sure to bring their information with you. Required information includes the school address, their phone number, the number of semester hours, quarter hours, or clock hours of the program you will be choosing, and the length of the program.

Where is the program available?

• California: Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps); Naval Base San Diego Metro (Navy)
• Colorado: Fort Carson (Army); Peterson AFB (Air Force)
• Florida: Eglin AFB (Air Force); Hurlburt Field (Air Force); NAS Jacksonville (Navy)
• Georgia: Fort Benning (Army)
• Hawaii: Hickam AFB (Air Force); Kaneohe Bay (Marine Corps); Pearl Harbor (Navy); Schofield Barracks (Army)
• Maine: NAS Brunswick (Navy)
• North Carolina: Fort Bragg (Army); Pope AFB (Air Force)
• Washington: McChord AFB (Air Force); Fort Lewis (Army); Naval Base Kitsap (Navy) 

Jarhead’s Thoughts

This is one of the best things that has been offered to a Service Member’s family since the Commissary and the PX.  With a spouse that has training that is easily transferable can make a change of station orders much less stressful.  A happy family at home makes for a happy Marine at work.

More information cabout this program can be found at the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (CAA) website.

No related posts.

Who is covered?

• Active duty enlisted and officer who have served at least 90 days since Sept 11 2001.
• To qualify for the full benefit you must have served at least 3 years since 9/11.  If you served less than 3 years since 9/11 you can see your benefits here.
• Veterans who served at least 30 days of active duty service and were discharged due to a service connected disability qualify for the full 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

How much will the bill pay?

• It will vary from state to state due to the fact that you will be paid the full tuition up to the most expensive in-State public university.
• Monthly housing stipend equal to the with depepndants rate for an E-5 in the zipcode that the school is located in as long as you go to school 3/4 time or more.  The housing stipend is only paid if the student is physically attending the school (not online).
• Yearly book stipend up to $1,000 a year.
• Up to $1,200 for tutorial assistance.
• Up to $2,000 for licensing or certification.

Who can I transfer benefits to?

• A spouse of a service member that has served at least 6 years and re-enlists for for more years (for a total of 10 years) would be eligible.
• Children of a service member that has served 10 years would be eligible.
• It may be possible to split benefits between spouse and children or between mutiple children, DoD and the military services will issue policy on use of transferability in the coming months.

How are benefits paid?

• Tuition will be paid directly to the institution of learning.
• The housing stipend will be paid monthly to the service member.

What is not covered?

• Unlike the Mongomery GI Bill apprenticeships, on-the-job training, correspondence courses and flight training are not covered under the new bill.
• Students not attending a brick and mortar school (taking classes on line) will not recieve the housing stipend.

When do the new benefits begin?

• Benefits go into effect Aug 1, 2009 and will not be retroactive.

Jarhead’s Thoughts

• These new benefits are great.  It is awesome that the majority of service members will nw be able to go to school once they get out. 
•  Also the transfer bit will make it so that alot of kids of service members may be able to get a free education as well. 

Now I just wonder what this will do to retention?

•  Will more Marines get out after 4 years since they have increased education benefits? 
• How may  people will get out once they have the oppurtunity to trasfer those benefits (10 years)? 
• If this bill does in fact reduce the number of Marines that re-enlist after their first term I am sure that SRB’s will go up to even higher amounts as long as the Corps is growing.

For more inforamtion visit www.va.gov

Related posts:

1. Devil’s Matchmaker

Every year hundreds if not thousands of Marines and service members loose accrues leave due to the fact that you can only carry over a leave balance of 60 days from one fiscal year to the next.  So any days of leave over 60 that you had on Sept 30 are lost on Oct 1st.  Prior to the War on Terrorism this policy did not effect many personnel because op tempos were slower.

Higher Op Tempos

Over the past 5 years most service members have realized a much higher op tempo not just deployments but also training for these deployments.  This increased op tempo has led to many service members having lost accrued days of leaves.

Congress comes to our rescue

With the 2008 Defense Authorization Act all troops will be able to carry over 75 days leave from one fiscal year to the next.  These changes will be in effect until Dec 31, 2010.  So if you have more than 60 days come Oct 1, 2011 you will loose those days (As a betting man I will say that gets extended).

Combat Zone

If you are deployed to a combat zone for 120 consecutive days or more you will now have 4 years vice 3 to get your balance back under the 75.

Jarheads Thoughts:

Awesome about damn time.  With Marines, Sailors, & Soldiers* deploying for up to 15 months at a time (not including work-ups) and accruing 42.5 days during one deployment it is nice to see that we will have a better chance to use this leave instead of losing it.  When you are always in the field prepping to go it is hard to take that leave especially if you are a Senior Enlisted when it is hard to take a week off much less a month. 

*Note- I purposely left the AF out because I dont think they deploy for more than 4 months at a time.  I mean they are the AF.

Related posts:

1. The Money is Running Out

Sea World- Military Members can receive up to 4 free tickets for themselves and their dependants (discounted tickets after your four free for those of you with many rugrats) each year.

Knott’s Berry Farm- Show your military ID and receive adult tickets for 29.99 a savings of $20 and kids (age 3-11) for 19.99 (that is regular price).  Also in November (first 2 weeks or so) Knott’s will let one military member and guest in for free and extra tickets are discounted.

San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park- The zoo and wild animal park are free to active duty military all the time.

Neither Disneyland nor Magic Mountain offer any ticket discounts at the park but you can buy discounted tickets at ITT and save a few bucks that way.

USS Midway Tour- Tour the USS Midway (a great piece of WWII history) for free with your Military ID.

Deep Sea Fishing- Deep sea fishing is available in San Diego and Oceanside and offer great rates for military members sometimes up to half off.

ITT- ITT offices on Camp Pendleton, Miramar, and MCRD offer great rates on tickets to many of the other attractions throughout the area.  You can also get vouchers for hotels I Las Vegas and Primm through the ITT ticket offices.

Many restaurants, stores and shops offer military discounts in the San Diego area (large military population) you just need to ask for it many times.

There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of in Southern California as long as you look around and do some research.  Also don’t be afraid to ask if there is a military discount the worst they can do is say no.

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1. Veteran’s Day Discounts