MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Reserve Marines re-enlisting for fiscal year 2008 have two-new incentives to stay in the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps now offers re-enlistment bonuses and additional Montgomery GI Bill benefits to qualifying reservists.
According to MarAdmin 573/07, the benefits include a $7,500 lump sum for first time re-enlistees. Marines re-enlisting a second time for three years can receive a $6,000 lump sum. Marines can also receive an additional $350 a month for 36 months to pay for full-time college expenses which totals $12,600, not including current GI Bill benefits.
"Retention is important; there is a tremendous pool of highly trained Marines the Corps wants to keep,"said Lt. Col. Lee Ackiss, the commanding officer for the Reserve Support Unit with Marine Corps Installations West located here.
To qualify, Marines need to re-enlist in fiscal year 2008, within one year of the end of active service datet. Factors that nullify the bonus include: moving to another job field, failing to fulfill their obligation, or serving as an individual augmentee or as an individual mobilization augmentee with a unit other than their battalion or squadron. Marines who void the re-enlistment bonus will need to reimburse the Marine Corps the bonus, and the extra GI Bill money received.
The new set of bonuses are not just for reserve Marines, active duty Marines can also receive the bonuses."Marines who are thinking about getting out can re-enlist as a reserve Marine and reap the benefits," said Master Sgt. Willy M. Orosemane, the staff non-commissioned-officer-in-charge for RSU. "Even inactive duty Marines about to get out of the Corps can re-enlist and get the incentives."
"The re-enlistment incentives have been around for several years,"said Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Homan, the administrative chief for the RSU. "Reserve Marines look forward every year to seeing what they can get for benefits."
To apply for the package and for more information, station Marines can stop by Marine Aircraft Group 46 headquarters and speak with the career retention specialist for RSU, to put together a package.