MARADMIN 552/26
FISCAL YEAR 27 VOLUNTARY ENLISTED EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM
R 101303Z NOV 26 MARADMIN 552/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP// SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 27 VOLUNTARY ENLISTED EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM// REF/A/MSGID: DOC/SECNAV/YMD:20261015// REF/B/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD:20240801// REF/C/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20190215// REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20200504// REF/E/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20151230// REF/F/MSGID: DOC/CONGRESS// REF/G/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD:20240201// REF/H/MSGID: MSG/CMC/R131611ZNOV19// REF/I/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD:20090519// NARR/REF (A) IS SECNAV MEMORANDUM “FISCAL YEAR 2027 MARINE CORPS VOLUNTARY ENLISTED EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM” DATED 15 OCTOBER 2026. REF (B) IS DODI 1332.14, ENLISTED ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATIONS. REF (C) IS MCO 1900.16 CH3, MARINE CORPS SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL. REF (D) IS MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE SYSTEM PERSONNEL REPORTING INSTRUCTION USER’S MANUAL (PRIUM). REF (E) IS MCO 1700.31, TRANSITION READINESS PROGRAM. REF (F) IS TITLE 37 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 373. REF (G) IS DOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION, DOD 7000.14-R, VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 2. REF (H) IS MARADMIN 632/19, TRANSITION READINESS. REF (I) IS MCO 1050.3J, REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE. POC/L. X. ROMAN/CIV/UNIT: CMC MMSR (SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT) /-/TEL:703-784-9322// POC/N. M. REYNOLDS/CAPT/UNIT: CMC MPP-20 (ENLISTED PLANS)/-/TEL: 703-432-9466// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. The fiscal year 2027 (FY27) Voluntary Enlisted Early Release Program (VEERP) is a deliberate force shaping initiative. This message serves to establish the authority, eligibility, and procedures for the voluntary early release of First Term Alignment Plan (FTAP) enlisted Marines in the Active Component whose current end of active service (EAS) is in FY27. 2. Background. Reference (a) provides the Marine Corps with authority to execute the VEERP. The FY27 VEERP will commence upon the publication of this MARADMIN. FTAP Marines approved for this program may separate on an approved date prior to their current EAS. Marines approved for the FY27 VEERP will be considered to have completed their full active service commitment. This MARADMIN does not exempt Marines from completing reserve or individual ready reserve (IRR) obligations per their individual service enlistment contracts. 3. Eligibility 3.a. This message applies only to Active Component FTAP enlisted Marines with an EAS date between 1 January 2027 and 30 September 2027. Upon release of this MARADMIN, eligible FTAP Marines may request separation before their current EAS. Marines may separate up to 180 days before their current EAS. The total combined time of terminal leave, SkillBridge, and early release must not exceed 180 days prior to the current EAS. Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) reserves the right to adjust the requirements as necessary to maintain authorized strength requirements. 3.b. Due to inventory shortfalls, Marines with the following Primary Military Occupational Specialties (PMOS) are eligible to participate in VEERP, but are limited to 90 days from their current EAS: 0321, 0671, 1834, 2143, 2621, 2631, 2641, 2871, 5512, 5951, 5974, 5979, 6116, 6214, 6314, 7212, 7240, 7316. 3.c. Marines are required to complete mandated Transition Readiness Seminar (TRS) requirements prior to EAS per reference (e) as supplemented by reference (h). Marines must be TRS complete and medically qualified prior to early release. 3.d. Marines must be eligible for an honorable discharge characterization of service at time of early release. 3.e. Marines must submit their VEERP package to the first General Court-Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA) in their chain of command who may approve all Marines that meet eligibility requirements. 4. Ineligibility. Marines meeting any of the following conditions are ineligible to participate in the FY27 VEERP: 4.a. Marines with an EAS before 1 January 2027 or after 30 September 2027. 4.b. Marines scheduled for transfer to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (FMCR) or retired list. 4.c. Marines who are indebted to the government (to include advance and excess leave). Indebted Marines desiring early release can make accelerated repayment of their debts by increasing scheduled installment amounts and by making cash collections to repay their indebtedness. Indebtedness must be entirely resolved prior to early release. Marines can coordinate with their installation Disbursing/Finance Office to modify repayment plans and obtain confirmation that the debt has been fully settled. 4.d. Marines being released under other HQMC directed early out programs, e.g., early release for education, temporary early retirement authority, and voluntary separation pay program. 4.e. Marines currently serving on a Special Duty Assignment who have not completed obligated service required for the assignment. 4.f. Marines pending legal action or proceedings, administrative separation, disability separation, or retirement are not eligible for the VEERP. The Marine may submit for VEERP once proceedings are completed and if he/she remains eligible for release under honorable discharge. The VEERP should not be viewed as an expeditious manner to separate Marines who fall into a category which requires mandatory processing for administrative separation per references (b) and (c). 5. Program timeline 5.a. Application processing will commence immediately upon release of this MARADMIN. 5.b. Marines must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in paragraph 3 of this MARADMIN prior to early release. Upon early release, the Marine will be considered to have completed his/her full active service commitment. Marines are reminded that early release is not an entitlement. 6. Coordinating instructions 6.a. It is understood that this program may result in temporary risks to some units due to falling below staffing levels. Units will not receive early staffing replacement. Commanders’ support of this force shaping tool is critical for the Marine Corps to attain its force shaping goals. 6.b. Individual Marines must submit requests by standard naval letter via their chain of command to their first GCMCA. Package templates, VEERP checklist and EAS calculator can be found at the Active-Duty Retirements & Separations (MMSR-2) webpage under Enlisted Separations and Retirements. The VEERP checklist and EAS calculator must be completed and included in each package. 6.b.1. The first GCMCA in the Marine’s chain of command may approve all Marines that meet eligibility requirements. 6.b.2. GCMCA approvals will be based upon units’ operational requirements and Marines’ individual situations and should not be considered automatic. 6.b.3. GCMCA commands will forward approved packages to Manpower Management Separation and Retirements Branch (MMSR-2) at [email protected] for processing. HQMC, MMSR, will process packages to ensure compliance with the VEERP guidelines. MMSR will run MCTFS unit diary entry per reference (d) to facilitate separation processes. Commands are required to wait for separation transactions to post in MCTFS; i.e. EAS and Planned Separation Program Designator (SPD), before finalizing separation procedures (issuing DD Form 214, separation orders, etc.). 6.c. Unit diary entries reporting release from active duty or discharge will be submitted per reference (d). The Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code for Marines being released from active duty under VEERP is MCC1, Force Shaping. This SPD applies to Marines that have remaining Military Service Obligation (MSO). Reference (c), paragraph 6404.3 provides authority for this SPD. 6.d. In any case where a Marine previously approved for the VEERP is notified with any offense which requires mandatory processing for administrative separation, or has been preferred to court martial per reference (c), the Marine will be removed from the VEERP, and will default back to their original EAS. 6.e. If a Marine previously approved for the VEERP is found to be not medically qualified to separate at their adjusted EAS, the Marine will be removed from the VEERP and processed accordingly. Commands must notify MMSR in such instances. 6.f. Approved VEERP participants are authorized to take terminal leave in accordance with reference (i) and may elect to sell back any unused leave. SkillBridge participation is permitted. The total combined time of terminal leave, SkillBridge, and early release must not exceed 180 days prior to the current EAS. 6.f.1. Example 1 – Early Release Only: A Marine with an EAS date of 15 August 2027 requests to separate 120 days early. Upon approval, the Marine’s EAS is updated to 17 April 2027. 6.f.2. Example 2 – SkillBridge and Early Release: A Marine is approved for a 90-day SkillBridge and requests to separate 90 days early. The Marine’s EAS is adjusted 90 days earlier. The Marine begins SkillBridge 180 days prior to the original EAS and separates from service 90 days early upon completion of SkillBridge. 6.f.3. Example 3 – SkillBridge, Terminal Leave, Early Release: A Marine with an EAS of 10 July 2027 requests to complete a 30 day SkillBridge, take 30 days of terminal leave, and separate 30 days early. The Marine’s EAS is adjusted 30 days earlier. The Marine begins SkillBridge 90 days prior to the original EAS, begins terminal leave 60 days prior to the original EAS, and separates from service on 10 June 2027, 30 days prior to the original EAS. 6.f.4. Example 4 – Restricted PMOS Early Release: A Marine in a restricted PMOS, paragraph 3.b, requests to separate 120 days early. The command notifies the Marine they are eligible for a 90-day early release due to PMOS restrictions. The Marine subsequently executes a 90-day early release. 7. General information 7.a. In the event of future recall, Marines released under this MARADMIN will be considered as being in the same status as those who have completed their obligated period of active duty. 7.b. Enlisted Marines separated under authority of this MARADMIN may be awarded the Good Conduct Medal if their adjusted EAS falls within 90 days of their 3-year Good Conduct Medal anniversary date. Waiver request and approved VEERP package must be submitted to Military Awards Section (MMPB-3). 7.c. Marines will not be required to repay the unearned portions of Enlistment Bonuses in accordance with references (a) and (g). 7.d. Marines currently on deployment must meet all post deployment requirements. 8. Reserve Applicability. This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. 9. Reserve component opportunity. The Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) is actively seeking the service of separating Marines who want to remain affiliated with the Marine Corps upon transition out of the Active Component. The SMCR Direct Affiliation Program offers a valuable opportunity to continue service and retain associated benefits. This program ensures a structured pathway to sustain commitment to the Marine Corps. Marines are encouraged to consult their Career Counselor for detailed information and guidance on transitioning into the Reserves. 10. This MARADMIN cancels on 30 Sep 2027. 11. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//