MARADMIN 454/26
THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 (FY27) DIRECT AFFILIATION PROGRAM (DAP)
R 251700Z SEP 26 MARADMIN 454/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA// SUBJ/THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 (FY27) DIRECT AFFILIATION PROGRAM (DAP)// REF/A/ MSG/CMC/R101200ZAUG23// REF/B/ DOC/USC/YMD: 20221223// REF/C/MSG/CMC/R241900ZJAN24// REF/D/ MSG/CMC/R052014ZMAY26// REF/E/: MSG/CMC/R241853ZMAR25// REF/F/: MSG/CMC/R261911ZAUG25// REF/G/: MSG/CMC/R292115ZJAN25// REF/H/: DOC/M&RA/YMD: 20210811// REF/I/DOC/RA/YMD: 20250929// NARR/REF (A) IS MARADMIN 395/23, THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 DIRECT AFFILIATION PROGRAM. REF (B) IS TITLE 10 U.S.C. SECTION 1145, HEALTH BENEFITS. REF (C) IS MARADMIN 027/24 TRANSFER OF POST-9/11 GI BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS TO DEPENDENTS PROCESS, REF (D) IS MARADMIN 211/26, UPDATE TO ACTIVATION DEFERMENT FOR MARINES TRANSITIONING FROM THE ACTIVE COMPONENT (AC) TO THE RESERVE COMPONENT (RC). REF (E) IS MARADMIN 157/25, INACTIVE DUTY TRAINING TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE. REF (F) IS MARADMIN 400/25, MARINE CORPS RESERVE LATERAL MOVE (LATMOV) PROGRAM. REF (G) IS MARADMIN 045/25, RESERVE COMMISSIONING PROCESS FOR OFFICERS TRANSITIONING FROM THE ACTIVE COMPONENT TO THE RESERVE COMPONENT. REF (H) IS MCO 1001.62C, INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEE PROGRAM. REF (I) IS HQMC DRILLING RESERVE BILLET IDENTIFICATION CODE (BIC) ASSIGNMENT AND MANAGEMENT POLICY.// POC/RESERVE AFFAIRS CAREERS RETENTION SECTION (RAC-3)/EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/J. D. CIUFERRI/MAJ/RAC-3/TEL: 703-784-9669/ EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/J. E. DENEVE/MGYSGT/RAC-3/TEL: 703-784-9671/EMAIL: [email protected]// POC/M. R. HERNANDEZ/GYSGT/RAC-3/TEL: 703-432-9171/EMAIL: [email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/ 1. Purpose. This MARADMIN updates the Direct Affiliation Program (DAP) policy, cancels reference (a), and supersedes all previous DAP MARADMINs. 2. Background. 2.a. DAP provides qualified Active Component (AC) Marines a seamless transition, without a break in service, to the Reserve Component (RC) through direct affiliation with a Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) unit or Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) detachment upon expiration of active service (EAS). DAP retains Marine Corps experience and talent while providing benefits and incentives not otherwise available through traditional affiliation from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). 2.b. DAP supports the Marine Corps’ “invest and retain” model by providing Marines who leave the AC an immediate pathway to continued service in the RC. Retaining trained and experienced Marines preserves the Service’s investment in its people and strengthens Total Force readiness. 2.c. DAP complements AC retention by providing qualified Marines who leave active service an opportunity to continue serving in the RC. To better align DAP with RC manpower requirements and Total Force retention efforts, program management transitioned from Manpower Management Division, Enlisted Assignments (MMEA) to Reserve Affairs (RA) and is now managed by Reserve Affairs Careers (RAC-3). 3. Benefits. 3.a. Transitioning AC Marines who affiliate with the Selected Reserve without a break in service are eligible for 180 days of premium-free transitional health care under the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) in accordance with reference (b). Upon completion of TAMP, eligible Selected Reserve Marines may enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select. 3.b. Transitioning AC Marines may maintain eligibility to transfer educational benefits upon affiliation with an SMCR unit or IMA detachment, per reference (c). 3.c. AC Marines transitioning to an SMCR unit may defer certain involuntary activations for up to one year from EAS, per reference (d). 3.d. Eligible officers and enlisted Marines may receive inactive duty training travel reimbursement of up to $750 per round trip, in accordance with reference (e). 3.e. Additional benefits and opportunities associated with reserve service include professional military education opportunities, lateral move opportunities, identification card privileges (including access to base fitness centers, commissaries, and Marine Corps Community Services/MWR activities), continued professional development, local networking, and the opportunity to qualify for a non-regular (reserve) retirement. 4. Incentives. 4.a. Duty Station Incentive: Transitioning Marines may select an available SMCR or IMA billet at their unit of choice, subject to availability, in accordance with reference (i). Upon DAP approval, assignment to the selected billet is guaranteed. 4.b. Lateral Move Incentive: Transitioning Marines may request a lateral move into a billet at their unit of choice, subject to eligibility and approval requirements contained within reference (f). 4.c. Affiliation Bonuses: Marines affiliating with an SMCR unit through DAP may qualify for monetary incentives in exchange for a specified service obligation. Marines and Career Counselors should review current Reserve incentive MARADMINs and the Total Force Retention System (TFRS) for available incentives, eligibility criteria, and service obligation requirements. 5. Eligibility. 5.a. All DAP applicants must be released from the AC with a characterization of service of either honorable or general (under honorable conditions), and the basis for separation must not be adverse. 5.b. Officers may submit a DAP request no earlier than (NET) 180 days prior to EAS and no later than (NLT) 60 calendar days prior to EAS. This DAP request window is separate from the Reserve commissioning process. Officers must initiate Reserve commissioning actions sufficiently in advance of EAS to allow for processing and approval in accordance with reference (g); normally requiring a minimum of four months from receipt at Headquarters Marine Corps. Officers who have not initiated the Reserve commissioning process upon entering the DAP submission window should immediately contact the appropriate Reserve commissioning authority. Officers who do not receive approval for a Reserve commission prior to EAS are not eligible for DAP. 5.c. Enlisted Marines requesting direct affiliation may submit a DAP request NET 180 days prior to EAS and NLT 30 calendar days prior to EAS. Requests involving an incentive or lateral move are additionally subject to applicable submission and processing requirements. 5.d. Marines serving overseas are highly encouraged to submit their DAP request at least 90 calendar days prior to EAS or prior to beginning terminal leave to allow for timely processing. 5.e. Retiring Marines (including medical retirement) and Marines currently serving in the RC are ineligible for DAP. 6. Coordinating Instructions. 6.a. Marines interested in DAP should contact their unit Career Counselor for information regarding SMCR and IMA opportunities, benefits, incentives, lateral move opportunities, and for assistance with the submission of a DAP request. Additional information and resources are located at: https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.marines .mil/Divisions/Reserve-Affairs-Division/Reserve-Affairs-Careers-RAC /RAC-3/. 6.b. It is the individual Marine’s responsibility to check into the gaining SMCR unit or IMA detachment within 30 calendar days after EAS. Failure to do so may result in a transfer to the IRR and forfeiture of eligibility for DAP benefits and incentives outlined in paragraphs 3 and 4. 6.c. Gaining SMCR units must accept DAP-approved Marines. Units shall not impose additional screening requirements or local boards to fill the selected BIC, as assignments are executed in accordance with reference (i). This includes interviewing Marines during the DAP process, except for designated IMA detachments authorized, per reference (h). 6.d. Gaining units will report DAP joins on the unit diary effective the day after the member’s EAS. Units may transfer personnel who fail to report ("no-shows") directly to the IRR. The transfer diary entry must include a history statement detailing the member's failure to report. 6.e. RAC-3 will report the appropriate Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) diary entries for the future monitored command code (FMCC) and draw case code (DCC). 6.f. Marines whose DAP applications are closed or disapproved are encouraged to pursue affiliation opportunities in the RC through their local Prior Service Recruiter. Call 1-800-MARINES for local contact information. 7. Applicability. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force. 8. Release authorized by Brigadier General Guillermo Rosales Jr., Director, Reserve Affairs Division.//