The Marine Corps Career Intermission Program (CIP) offers a unique opportunity for officers and enlisted Marines to take a temporary break from active service while remaining connected to the Corps. This program allows participants to pursue personal or professional development opportunities before returning to their Marine Corps careers. This message outlines important updates to the USMC’s Career Intermission Program, ensuring Marines are fully informed about recent changes.
Updated Obligated Service Requirements for CIP Participants
A significant change to the CIP involves the obligated service requirement for participants. For all Career Intermission Program requests approved on or after December 27, 2021, the obligation is now one month of active service for each month of intermission. This is a change from the previous requirement.
It’s important to note that Marines whose CIP requests were approved before December 27, 2021, remain under the previous obligation of two months of active service for each month of intermission. Therefore, the date of CIP approval is crucial in determining the applicable obligated service.
To illustrate this, consider the following example: Gunnery Sergeant Smith is approved for a one-year intermission under the updated guidelines. Because his approval date is after December 27, 2021, he will incur a one-year obligated service requirement upon returning to active duty.
Reenlistment Requirements Post-Intermission
For enlisted Marines participating in the CIP, there are specific reenlistment requirements to be aware of. U.S. Code Title 10, Section 505, sets the minimum reenlistment length for service members with less than 10 years of service at two years. Consequently, any enlisted Marine who utilizes the Career Intermission Program will be required to reenlist in the active component for a minimum of two years following their intermission period.
Let’s revisit the example of Gunnery Sergeant Smith. Suppose at the time of his transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) for his intermission, he has six months remaining on his current enlistment. Upon reenlisting after his intermission, Gunnery Sergeant Smith will have a total obligated service of 18 months (one year from the CIP, plus six months remaining from his prior enlistment). However, to comply with Section 505, he will be required to reenlist for a minimum period of two years. This ensures a smooth transition back to active duty and fulfills the service obligation.
Separation Program Designators (SPDs) for CIP
For administrative tracking and record-keeping, Marines participating in the Career Intermission Program will receive specific Separation Program Designators (SPDs) upon transfer to the IRR. Officers who participate in the CIP will be assigned the SPD code “FGS1”. Enlisted Marines, on the other hand, will receive the SPD code “MGS1”. These SPDs are important for accurately categorizing and processing personnel actions related to the CIP.
Eligibility and Application Procedures
It’s important to note that while the obligated service requirements have changed, the fundamental eligibility requirements and application procedures for the Career Intermission Program remain unchanged. Marines interested in applying for the CIP should consult previous MARADMINs (Marine Administrative Messages) for detailed information on eligibility criteria and the application process. These resources provide comprehensive guidance on who can apply and how to submit a request for participation in the program.
Reserve Component Applicability
Finally, this update to the Career Intermission Program specifically applies to the active component of the Marine Corps. It is explicitly stated that this MARADMIN and the changes outlined within are not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. Marines serving in the Reserve component should refer to separate guidance and regulations concerning intermission or break-in-service programs relevant to the Marine Corps Reserve.
In summary, the key changes to the USMC Career Intermission Program focus on the obligated service requirements and the assignment of SPDs. Marines considering this valuable program should carefully review these updates and consult the relevant MARADMINs for complete details on eligibility, application, and program specifics.
