The Marine Corps Career Intermission Program (CIP) offers a unique opportunity for service members to temporarily step away from active duty while ensuring a smooth transition back into their military careers. This program, rooted in U.S. Code Title 10 and Department of Defense Instruction 1327.07, allows officers and enlisted personnel to pursue personal or professional development goals outside of their regular service commitments.
This announcement, MARADMIN 241/22, outlines key updates to the CIP, building upon previous MARADMINs (418/13, 212/14, 543/15, 649/16, and 216/19) and incorporating changes mandated by the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act. It’s crucial for Marines considering a career intermission to understand these changes, particularly those concerning obligated service requirements.
Changes to Obligated Service
A significant update to the CIP involves the obligated service commitment for participants. According to Section 521 of the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act, any Marine whose CIP request was approved on or after December 27, 2021, incurs an obligation to serve one month of active duty for each month spent in intermission.
This is a change from the previous requirement, where participants approved before this date were obligated to serve two months of active duty for each intermission month. It’s vital to note this distinction as it directly impacts the service commitment upon returning from the CIP.
For enlisted Marines, another important factor is the minimum reenlistment length. Section 505 of reference (a) stipulates a minimum reenlistment period of two years for service members with less than 10 years of service. This means that even if the obligated service post-intermission is less than two years, an enlisted Marine participating in CIP will be required to reenlist for a minimum of two years upon returning to active duty.
Example Scenario:
Consider Gunnery Sergeant Smith, who applies for and is approved to participate in the CIP for one year. At the time of transferring to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), he has six months remaining on his current enlistment. Upon reenlisting in the active component after his intermission, Gunnery Sergeant Smith will have an 18-month obligated service period (one year for CIP plus six months remaining from the previous enlistment). However, due to the minimum reenlistment requirement, he must reenlist for at least two years.
Separation Program Designators (SPDs)
The MARADMIN also clarifies the Separation Program Designators (SPDs) assigned to CIP participants upon their transfer to the IRR. Officers participating in the CIP will receive an SPD code of “FGS1,” while enlisted Marines will receive “MGS1.” These SPDs are important for administrative and record-keeping purposes related to the intermission program.
Eligibility and Application
It’s important to note that while the obligated service requirements and SPDs have changed, the fundamental eligibility requirements and application procedures for the Career Intermission Program remain unchanged. Marines interested in applying should refer to the previously published MARADMINs (references (d-h)) for detailed information on these aspects.
Reserve Component Applicability
Finally, this MARADMIN explicitly states that the changes announced are not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. The CIP and these updates specifically pertain to active duty Marines.
In conclusion, MARADMIN 241/22 provides essential updates regarding the Career Intermission Program, particularly concerning obligated service and separation program designators. Marines considering this valuable program should carefully review these changes alongside previous guidance to make informed decisions about their career paths and personal development opportunities.
