On Wednesday, July 24, the Marines announced a new mission codenamed “Fill the Ranks.” The goal is to bolster recruiting and training efforts for the next generation of Marines. This mission focuses on the Active Reserves (AR), targeting those Marines who balance civilian life with part-time military service. Uncle Sam is calling for additional hard chargers to strengthen these ranks.
Sweeteners? Up to ten grand to swap your civvies for a drill instructor hat. Not bad at all.
Word on the street is that these SDA (special duty assignment) slots – recruiter, drill instructor, combat instructor – are crucial, but filling them ain’t exactly a cakewalk.
So, the Corps is rolling out the welcome mat for the Reserves, hoping they’ll volunteer before February next year. It makes sense. These Marines already know the ropes, have the experience, and wouldn’t need a whole lot of onboarding.
But here’s the catch: if the volunteer pool dries up, the Corps ain’t above some friendly persuasion. Mandatory assignments, they’re calling it. Basically, if not enough Marines raise their hands, Uncle Sam will start pointing fingers.
Now, that’s not exactly how you build morale, but gotta do what you gotta do to keep the Corps running smoothly.
“Marines approved for an [fiscal year 2026] AR SDA will have a class report date between October 1 2025 and September 30 2026,” the administrative message read. “The FY26 AR SDA Campaign will be executed via voluntary and (if required) involuntary assignment periods from July 1 2024 to June 30 2025.”
Filling the Ranks, One Incentive at a Time
Let’s face it: recruiting duty ain’t exactly a walk on the beach. It’s a tough gig, convincing young bucks to trade their XBOX controllers for a rifle. No wonder it’s harder to fill than a drill instructor slot – who wouldn’t want to mold the next generation of Marines instead of wrestling with paperwork?
“Historically, recruiting duty has been the most challenging special duty assignment (SDA) billet to fill—with drill instructor duty being the least difficult,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Tobin, a spokesperson for the Corps’ Manpower and Reserve Affairs, in a statement to Military.com.
But here’s the thing: despite the nationwide recruiting struggles plaguing all branches, the Marines have been kicking butt lately, hitting their recruitment goals year after year. Gotta hand it to them. Their strategies are sharp.
Last summer, AP News reported that the Marines were crushing their recruitment numbers, aiming to recruit a whopping 33,000 fresh faces.
But listen up—these SDAs are the backbone of the whole operation as they shape the future of the Corps, not just plugging holes in the current roster. Plus, these gigs come with some sweet career advancement opportunities.
The Corps knows it ain’t easy duty, so they’re throwing some dough at the problem. Up to $10,000 in “voluntary supplemental incentives” – that’s a nice chunk of change, whether you take it in monthly installments or a lump sum. Think of it as a sign-on bonus for becoming a Marine maker.
Marine recruits practice drill at MC Recruit Depot San Diego on March 9, 2021. (DVIDS)
Devil Dogs, Do You Crave Choice?
So you soldiered through your SDA tour, recruiter badge polished, or drill instructor bark perfected. Now what? Here’s the sweet part: you get to pick your next duty station! That’s right. Completing your SDA gives you some say in where you land next. Beach bum dreams in Cali or hone your skills in some dusty overseas outpost – the choice is yours (well, almost).
“It is a leadership imperative to care about Marines’ futures, including proper career counseling and mentorship on SDA opportunities and associated timelines,” Tobin emphasized.
There are currently around 2,379 Marines in the Active Reserves program. They can tackle all the SDA gigs except being a Marine Security Guard – that one requires a different kind of muscle.
This whole campaign comes at a hairy time for the Armed Forces. Once again, recruitment is a nationwide struggle, worse than a chow line on payday.
But the Marines are thinking smart, tapping the Active Reserves, where a pool of gung-ho Marines are already trained and ready to roll. Makes sense, right? No need for basic training bootcamp blues, these men (and women) can jump right in.
Eligibility Criteria for SDA Marines
On a serious note, here are the eligibility criteria for AR Marines who wish to volunteer based on what the Corps set in its administrative message.
General Eligibility Requirements
The basic requirements for eligibility and screening include:
Rank and Career Duration: Eligibility extends from corporals to gunnery sergeants. However, these personnel must not exceed Enlisted Career Force Controls (ECFC) limits before September 30, 2029. It’s important to note that only corporals are eligible to volunteer specifically for combat instructor duty.
Time on Station: Marines must have served more than 12 months at their current station as of March 1, 2025. Those meeting this criterion are encouraged to discuss their options with their career planner and monitor.
Service in Current MOS: Marines who have recently executed a lateral move into their current Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) are ineligible to volunteer unless they have completed at least 36 months in that MOS before the class start date.
Previous SDA Experience: Marines who have already completed an SDA are eligible for a second tour, depending on the supportability of the Personnel MOS (PMOS) population. They must have been in their PMOS for a minimum of 24 months before their class start date.
Submission Process
Marines interested in volunteering must submit an “SDA RELM” through the Total Force Retention System (TFRS) to Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), Reserve Affairs (RA), with the assistance of their unit career planner.
The career planner should include any preferences the Marine may have regarding SDA type, duty locations, and class dates in the RELM comment section.
To be considered a volunteer, the SDA RELM must be submitted in TFRS before March 1, 2025, specifying one of the desired duties: recruiter, drill instructor, or combat instructor.
An Instructor Trainer briefs Marines during a Combat Instructor Stakes, 2015. (DVIDS)
Special Considerations for Recruiter Duty
Meanwhile, Marines volunteering for personnel selection recruiting duty must undergo an interview with a career recruiter.
This can be conducted over the phone, although in-person interviews are recommended whenever possible.
The screening process includes completing a screening addendum, the last page of which must be signed by the career recruiter. The entire addendum must then be attached to and submitted with the SDA RELM.
Marines can schedule their interviews using contact information for various PSR District Headquarters, ensuring accessibility across different geographical locations.
PSRS-1, Garden City, NY: (516) 824-3091/3095
PSRS-4, Columbus, OH: (717) 836-1098/1117
PSRS-6, Parris Island, SC: (843) 228-4427/4431
PSRS-8, Fort Worth, TX: (817) 738-6260 ext. 23/24
PSRS-9, Great Lakes, IL: (847) 688-7129/7130 ext. 782/772
PSRS-12, Camp Pendleton, CA: (619) 738-5348/(760) 763-6219
Note: The Corps has established stringent protocols for managing cancellation and modification requests for SDAs. Before the Initial Volunteer Assignment Plan (IVAP), requests are considered based on individual and operational needs, requiring thorough justifications. After the IVAP, requests undergo rigorous scrutiny to assess eligibility and risks, ensuring all decisions support both the Marine and the mission effectively.
The Corps ain’t messing around with these SDA gigs. They need the best, the most dialed-in Marines to step up.
So, the selection process isn’t a walk in the park. It’s a filter that weeds out the posers and keeps the quality high.
This “comprehensive eligibility framework,” as the brass calls it, is their way of ensuring that only the most suitable Marines get these crucial roles. It’s all about keeping the Corps sharp, a well-oiled machine ready to dominate any battlefield.
The Marine Corps held a special duty assignment professional military education workshop on January 18, 2019. (DVIDS)
Final Thoughts
The deadline is ticking down as February approaches. But the Corps is staying optimistic, hoping to snag enough volunteers to keep the Corps running strong.
So, are you a motivated Marine ready to make a difference (and maybe snag a dream duty station)? This might be your calling, and hey, a little extra cash ain’t bad either.
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