THE MARINE EARLY REENLISTMENT PROGRAM IS HELPING TURN THE BRANCH AROUND
Compared to recent years, there’s a lot to be excited about from a recruitment and retention standpoint within the U.S. military. It’s been a rough few years regardless of the branch, but tides seem to be turning and the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is taking full advantage. While other efforts are already underway, a new Marine early reenlistment program is providing an easier path for keeping more troops within the force. Innovative technology is making it simpler for Devil Dogs to reenlist for as much as 15 years. Here’s how the USMC is improving its retention process.
Marine Early Reenlistment Program Providing Better Options for Devil Dogs
In 2024, the Marine early reenlistment program was at the forefront of leadership’s minds.
This project has been in the works for the last year and aims to help retain talent in the USMC by providing top personnel with options for where they’re stationed, their careers, and more.
Furthermore, the 25-page document isn’t just looking at the immediate needs of the branch but is starting to shape up some of the framework for future retention efforts in the upcoming years.
Investment and Innovation
Just like anything else, if you don’t invest and upgrade, you aren’t staying the same, you’re moving behind the competition.
Leveraging technology is a practice many businesses and organizations across the world use to help their operations improve. The military is no different.
The new program helping retain Marines is allowing them to start the process through mobile devices for an easier approach.
However, the investment in this program doesn’t just mean new tech features, Marines are also receiving:
- Coaching opportunities at the executive level for officers and senior enlisted troops.
- There is a wider range of duty station options available.
- Additionally, Marines will enjoy more options for moving based on their careers.
- Finally, the USMC is committing to a more personal approach to building careers throughout the branch.
“We must invest in and retain talent across the Marine Corps to support Force Design, increase our lethality, and enhance the Corps’ warfighting capabilities. We will continue to listen to feedback from those we serve, adapt to an ever-evolving environment, and analyze the progress we’ve made so far,” said Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte.
With the new changes, Marines can reenlist one or two years earlier and those ranked E-8 or E-9 with 15 years+ of serving, can reenlist up to their service limit.
This can reach 27 years for E-8s and 30 years for E-9s, cutting back on having to conduct the tedious process every four years.
Talent Management 2030 Initiative Boosting Retention Efforts
Keeping more Marines has been an ongoing effort but the Talent Management 2030 initiative seems to be showing promise.
Rather than one effort, the initiative is a series of different pilot programs that are showing success so far, including a historical 114% of its annual retention goal during Fiscal Year 2024.
This equates to around 8,000 Marines in their first term being retained—1,000 more than the USMC was aiming for.
FY24 proved to be the most successful retention initiative since Fiscal Year 2010 and so far, FY25 is proving to follow the success of recent efforts already meeting 35% of its goal (over 4,100 troops).
Historical Marine retention was around 25% for first-time enlistees, compared to the 33% it’s currently enjoying.
To make things even better, the Marines aren’t just retaining more men but they’re keeping top talent in the process—up to 31% in FY24 compared to only 20% in FY21.
Tweaks to policies are helping retention efforts along with new programs and more innovative approaches that should see the USMC continue to improve in the future.
Marines Can Reenlist Early, Adding to Recent Successful Changes
Leadership is noting the changes and staying committed to new projects that help with retaining Marines for years to come.
However, the branch is also providing ways out of service after their commitment is fulfilled simply by resigning.
Again, it’s more about putting a personal touch on keeping Marines while empowering them for better careers and lifestyles in the service.
In the future, the Marine reenlistment program aims to help those E-8 and E-9 ranks, but there is already talk of expanding the initiative to E-7 Marines as well.
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