MARADMIN 527/25 - Change 1: Fiscal Year 2026 Enlisted Retention Campaign

Scope

MARADMIN 527/25 provides Change 1 to the FY26 Enlisted Retention Campaign. The change modifies guidance on Subsequent Term Alignment Plan (STAP) submission windows, Local Command Authority (LCA) extensions, Commanding General's Retention Program (CGRP) endorsements, intent to voluntarily separate, and Lateral Move (LATMOV) processing. The change streamlines retention processes and clarifies existing policy. The MARADMIN supersedes conflicting guidance in MCO 1040.31, MARADMIN 191/25, and MARADMIN 585/24. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force.

Audience

• Career planners. Run the STAP submissions under the reopened window. Submit retention requests through TFRS.
• Commanding officers and Commanding generals (CGs). Sign CGRP endorsements. Provide a positive CG endorsement to drive HQMC MMEA processing.
• Local Command Authority. Approve LCA extensions only up to 2026-05. Route extensions covering 2026-06 through the end of FY26 to HQMC.
• HQMC MMEA. Adjudicates STAP requests and CGRP packages. Processes Involuntary Separation Pay (ISP) when service HQ disapproves.
• HQMC MM. Processes ISP cases per paragraph 5.c.
• Marines approaching End of Active Service (EAS). Submit retention requests by 2025-11-30 to remain eligible.
• Marines with targeted LATMOV interest in MOS 0211, 0321, 0372, 1751, 1834, 2143, 2336, 4133, or 5821. Submit packages for case-by-case processing.

Subsequent Term Alignment Plan (STAP) submission window

• Reopened. Closes 2025-11-30.
• HQMC MMEA adjudicates every request.
• Primary MOS receiving more submissions than available boatspaces undergo scrutiny. Selection prioritizes the highest quality Marines.
• Selection contingent on boatspace availability.

Local Command Authority extensions

• Authorized up to 2026-05 at the local command.
• 2026-06 through the end of FY26 requires HQMC approval. Supersedes the previous authority allowing local extensions through 2026-08.

Commanding General's Retention Program (CGRP)

• Positive CG endorsement required for HQMC MMEA processing.
• Requests with a negative CG endorsement face rejection. The case still processes through TFRS to document the historical record.
• ISP continues to process by HQMC MM if disapproved by the service HQ.
• CGRP allocations and guidance release via TFRS message to the fleet.

Intent to voluntarily separate

• Retention requests not received by HQMC MMEA by 2025-11-30 read as intent to voluntarily separate.
• New retention requests received after 2025-11-30 process on a case-by-case basis under MCO 1040.31.

Targeted Lateral Move (LATMOV) MOSs

The following MOSs process LATMOV requests case-by-case, subject to school seat availability.

• 211. Counterintelligence/HUMINT specialist.
• 321. Reconnaissance Marine.
• 372. Critical Skills Operator.
• 1751. Total Information Environment Cyber Operator.
• 1834. Special Reaction Team member.
• 2143. Combat Engineer related.
• 2336. EOD Marine related.
• 4133. Aviation Operations Specialist.
• 5821. Counterintelligence/HUMINT Specialist Marine.

All updates to LATMOV availability publish through TFRS.

Action items

1. Pull every Marine in the unit projected for FY26 EAS. Confirm they have submitted a STAP or retention package before 2025-11-30.
2. Recompute the LCA extension authority. Local approvals end at 2026-05.
3. Route every CGRP package with a positive CG endorsement. Document negative-endorsement cases in TFRS.
4. Identify targeted LATMOV candidates in the listed MOSs. Submit packages.
5. Confirm career planners have current MOL Career Planner permissions.
6. Subscribe to TFRS message updates.

Connection to higher policy

• MCO 1040.31. Enlisted Retention and Career Development Program. Parent policy.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• MARADMIN 191/25. FY26 Selective Retention Bonus Program and FY26 Broken Service Selective Retention Bonus Program. Companion campaign.
• MARADMIN 585/24. FY26 Enlisted Retention Campaign. The base campaign Change 1 amends.
• MARADMIN 199/25. Command Retention Mission. Companion guidance.
• Total Force Retention System (TFRS). System of record for retention requests and CGRP packages.

Status

Released 2025-11-03, DTG R 032010Z NOV 25. Originator CMC Washington DC MRA MM. Release authorized by Brigadier General Fridrik Fridriksson, Director, Manpower Management Division. Applicability is the Marine Corps Total Force. POCs Col M. A. Markham at MMEA, LtCol E. B. Koselak at MMEA-1, and MGySgt C. W. Foster at MMEA-1. Effective on release. Subsequent updates release through TFRS.