PAA 08-21 - Administrative Procedure For Processing SMCR, IMA And IRR Marines Refusing COVID-19 Vaccination While Serving In A Duty Status

Scope

PAA 08-21 issues clarifying guidance for administrative processing of Selective Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), and Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Marines refusing the COVID-19 vaccination while serving in a duty status. The advisory dates to the 2021 vaccination mandate window and assigns processing responsibility between Active Component commands and the Reserve structure. Issued by Headquarters Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Manpower Information Branch (MIF) and distributed through the MISSA portal for execution by S-1, IPAC, and commanders across the force.

Audience

• S-1 desks and IPAC pay clerks executing the actions in this advisory.
• 0102, 0111, and 0170 admin specialists.
• Commanders signing affected actions.
• I&I staffs and Reserve unit administrators processing SMCR, IMA, and IRR actions, per the citing page.

Action language

• Paragraph 1. References (a) through (c) remain in effect. Request addressees disseminate this PAA to subordinate commands.
• Paragraph 2. This advisory provides clarifying guidance to administrators for administrative responsibilities and processing of Selective Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), and IRR Marines (serving in a duty status) refusing the COVID-19 vaccination in accordance with reference (a).
• Paragraph 3, background. In accordance with references (a) through (c), all Active Duty and Reserve Marines in a drilling status or serving on orders are mandated to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
• Paragraph 4.a, action. IAW reference (d), Active Component (AC) Commanders are responsible for IMA Marines assigned to a billet within their command in the same manner they are responsible for the active duty Marines within their command.

References cited inside the PAA

References (a) through (d) drive the advisory. The portal list rendering does not name them. Read the full advisory on the portal for the reference line.

Connection to Marine Corps policy

• PAA 07-21 assigned the Separation Program Designator codes for COVID-19 vaccination refusal and resolves in this registry.
• The SPD and RE Codes page records the mandate window codes and the post-rescission correction path through BCNR.
• The Administrative Actions for Reserve Misconduct page cites this PAA alongside MCO 1001R.1L MCRAMM Chapter 11, MCO 1900.16, MCO P1070.12, and DODI 1332.14 for Reserve administrative separation processing.

Status

Source MISSA portal (CAC restricted). Treat this advisory as historical. The COVID-19 vaccination mandate has since been rescinded, per the SPD and RE Codes page. Historical SPD codes from the mandate window remain on affected DD Forms 214, and corrections route through the BCNR process. Do not initiate processing under this advisory without confirming current policy on the MISSA portal.