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The shortage of squad leaders willing to stay in the Corps is fueling some concern about whether the Marines are retaining its best infantrymen. Those figures don’t show how many of those are in the 0365 MOS or have completed the ISULC course and who have decided to stay in the Corps. But was provided the number of submitted packages for extension or re-enlistment.Īccording to Manpower and Reserve Affairs, 440 Marines been approved for either re-enlistment with a lateral move or extension with lateral move since FY15 through FY18 to date. Marine Corps Times requested data regarding the retention of Marines in the 0365 MOS and those who have completed the ISULC course. The Corps argues that bonuses have had some success in the past in plugging retention gaps and that the bonuses exist to influence a decision. The Corps, like the Air Force, has been faced with a pilot shortage and steep competition from commercial airlines that are enticing Marine pilots with fat bonuses and hefty paychecks.
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Just recently, the Corps pushed out its new aviation bonuses that can net qualified pilots over $200,000. Marines must intend or already have completed ISULC. The Squad Leader Development Program includes a $30,000 bonus for 36-48-month contracts, and those qualified for the program are also eligible for the 72-month lateral move kicker of $40,000, potentially netting a Marine $70,000. Those retention efforts are aimed at “corporals and sergeants who have completed or will commit to completing Infantry Small Unit Leader Course and have between 5 to 7 years of time in service,” said Yvonne Carlock, a spokeswoman for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The Corps’ fiscal year 2019 bonuses include three initiatives with flexible re-enlistment options that are focused at the heart of the Corps’ primary function, ground combat and the junior rank and file Marines who bear the responsibility to close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver. Some bonuses may also be available for Marines who have already graduated the six-week ISULC course. To fill the gap and entice more Marines to go to the school and move into the 0365 job field, the Corps is pushing new initiatives and bonuses as high as $70,000 to entice its most competent junior enlisted noncommissioned officers stay in the Corps and move into the squad-leader MOS.