Service limitations to change for sergeants

Photo By Cpl. Erin Tansey | The service limitations for sergeants have changed after the release of Marine Administrative Message 433/11. Sergeants can now only serve up to 10 years or until they have been passed up for promotion twice.  

PARRIS ISLAND, SC, UNITED STATES

08.19.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Erin Tansey 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- According to the newly released Marine Administrative Message 433/11, new service limitations have been placed on sergeants, cutting their maximum service time to 10 years.

The change will reshape the force on the enlisted side and make the career Marines more competitive, said Master Sgt. Carlos Zuniga, depot career planner.

The Enlisted Career Force Control Program, started in 1985 to manage the amount of Marines looking at a career in the service, actively shapes the enlisted side of the Marine Corps by grade and occupational specialty.

Previously, sergeants had a service limit of 13 years before they were forced to separate from the Corps.

These limitations were put into place to enforce more restrictive limits on sergeants passed for promotion in order to retain more competitive Marines, according to the message.

Now, if a sergeant has not been selected for staff sergeant after the second promotion board or 10 years, Marines will be processed for separation.

The annual staff sergeant promotion board will list eligible sergeants as “selected” or “not selected.”

Sergeants who were passed up the first time and have less than 10 years of service will be allowed to extend for seven months until the next staff sergeant board to allow an additional chance for promotion.

However, if a Marine is passed up for staff sergeant twice and his EAS date allows less than 10 years of service, the sergeant will still be processed for administrative separation.

The ultimate goal is to have sergeants promoted to staff sergeant by eight and a half years, Zuniga explained. Staying up to date on proper military education, basic training and holding a special duty assignment can help in looking more competitive for the selection board.

Now, if a sergeant has more than 10 years of service and an EAS date allowing for 13 years, he will be grandfathered and allowed to continue his service until their assigned date.

“The most important thing is to make sure your [official military personnel files] are up to date and correct,” Zuniga said. “If you have any questions left, talk to your career planner.”

To contact your command career planner: for Headquarters and Service Battalion planner call 228-3269, Weapons and Field Training Battalion call 228-3316, Recruit Training Regiment call 228-2264 or 6th Marine Corps District call 228-2092.

• Date Taken: 08.19.2011
• Date Posted: 08.29.2011 11:41
• Story ID: 76123
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US