The Marine Corps Career Intermission Program (CIP) offers a unique opportunity for both officers and enlisted Marines to take a temporary break from active service. This program allows Marines to address personal or professional goals outside of their military duties while ensuring a structured return to service. This document outlines the latest updates to the USMC CIP, providing essential information for those considering this career path.
Background of the Career Intermission Program
The Career Intermission Program is authorized under Section 710 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, in conjunction with Department of Defense Instruction 1327.07. This program enables the Secretaries of military departments to temporarily release active service members, both officers and enlisted, into the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). This intermission is designed to be mutually beneficial, allowing Marines to pursue personal endeavors while retaining valuable talent within the Marine Corps.
Key Change: Obligated Service Requirements
A significant update to the CIP, in accordance with Section 521 of the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act, concerns the obligated service requirement for participants. For all CIP requests approved on or after December 27, 2021, the obligated service is now calculated at a rate of one month of active service for each month of intermission. It is crucial to note that for those whose CIP requests were approved before December 27, 2021, the previous obligation of two months of active service for each month of intermission still applies.
Reenlistment Requirements Post-CIP
Furthermore, enlisted Marines participating in the CIP need to be aware of reenlistment requirements upon their return. Section 505 of Title 10 mandates a minimum reenlistment period of two years for service members with less than 10 years of service. Therefore, any enlisted Marine reentering active duty after a CIP period will be required to reenlist for at least two years.
Example Scenario:
Consider Gunnery Sergeant Smith, who is approved for a one-year CIP. At the point of transfer to the IRR, he has six months remaining on his current enlistment. Upon reenlisting to return to active duty, Gunnery Sergeant Smith will have a total obligated service of 18 months (one year for the CIP and six months from his previous enlistment). However, to comply with the minimum reenlistment requirement, he will need to reenlist for a minimum of two years. This ensures a smooth transition back into active service and fulfills the service obligation.
Separation Program Designators (SPDs) for CIP Participants
For administrative purposes, the Marine Corps has designated specific Separation Program Designators (SPDs) for Marines transitioning to the IRR for the CIP. Officers participating in the CIP will receive an SPD code of “FGS1” upon their transfer to the IRR. Enlisted Marines will receive an SPD code of “MGS1” under the same circumstances. These SPDs are used for record-keeping and to properly categorize the nature of separation and return for CIP participants.
Continued Eligibility and Application Procedures
It’s important to highlight that while these changes to obligated service and SPDs are significant, the fundamental eligibility requirements and application procedures for the Usmc Career Intermission Program remain unchanged. Marines interested in applying for the CIP should refer to previous MARADMINs (specifically MARADMIN 418/13, MARADMIN 212/14, MARADMIN 543/15, MARADMIN 649/16, and MARADMIN 216/19) for detailed information on eligibility criteria and how to apply. These documents provide comprehensive guidance on navigating the application process effectively.
Note on Reserve Applicability
Finally, this MARADMIN and the outlined changes are specifically for the active component of the Marine Corps. The Career Intermission Program, as described here, is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. Different programs and regulations may apply to reserve component Marines.
This updated information ensures that Marines considering the USMC Career Intermission Program are fully informed about the current guidelines, particularly regarding obligated service and administrative procedures. The CIP remains a valuable program for Marines seeking personal and professional growth while maintaining their commitment to service.
