R 041431Z MAY 26 MARADMIN 207/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM// SUBJ/F/A-18 HORNET MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES PERSONNEL  TRANSITION// REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CMC DCA/10FEB2026//  REF/B/MSGID:DOC/CMC/8SEP2010// NARR/ REF (A) IS THE 2026 MARINE AVIATION PLAN.  REF (B) IS  MCO 1040.31 ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.  POC/MELTON/MAJ/MMEA-24/TEL:COM 703-432-9330/ EMAIL: [email protected] POC/CRISSMAN/MGYSGT/MMEA-24/TEL:COM 703-784-9949/ EMAIL: [email protected] POC/SCHULTZ/MGYSGT/TFSD/TEL:COM 703-432-8315/ EMAIL: [email protected] POC/SIBBLIS/MGYSGT/DC-A/TEL:COM 703-693-9718/ EMAIL: [email protected]   POC/MATTHEWS/GYSGT/MMEA-24/TEL:COM 703-784-9692/ EMAIL: [email protected]  GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose. As outlined in Ref (a) F/A-18 C/D  Hornet (VMFA) Plan, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) is  transitioning the F/A-18 maintenance population in accordance with Marine Aviation’s TACAIR transition plan and force modernization  objectives. 2.  Background.  Marine Aviation is transitioning to an all-5th  Generation Tactical Aircraft Fleet and modernizing all other aspects of the ACE to be postured to fight tonight against our nation’s  adversaries.  The phased deactivation of F/A-18 C/D Hornet  operations is a critical element of this effort. 3.  This MARADMIN is applicable exclusively to enlisted Marines in  the following Military Occupational Specialties (MOS): 6217 Fixed  Wing Aircraft Mechanic F/A-18, 6227 Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic F404 F/A-18, 6257 Fixed Wing Airframe Mechanic F/A-18,  6287 Fixed Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic F/A-18, 6317  Aircraft Comm/Nav/Radar Systems Technician F/A-18, and 6337 Aircraft Electrical Systems Technician F/A-18.  3.a.  Retention and promotion opportunities in the MOSs listed above will be tied to the continued operation of F/A-18 units in each region.  By Fiscal Year (FY) 30, with final Hornet unit  deactivation, no further promotion or retention opportunities will  exist for the remaining F/A-18 maintenance population.  Those  Marines serving outside the F/A-18 MOS, for example on Special Duty Assignment, will be given an Intended MOS (IMOS) for F-35 and will remain eligible for promotion. At present, other MOSs do not require the use of force shaping measures as part of the 2026 Marine  Aviation Plan.  Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments (MMEA) will publish guidance if subsequent phases of the 2026 Marine Aviation  Plan require force shaping for Marines in additional MOSs. 3.b.  First Term Alignment Plan (FTAP) Marines who are within their reenlistment cohort and are considering a lateral move remain  eligible under normal retention processing procedures. 3.c.  FTAP Marines who are not within their reenlistment cohort and are considering a lateral move, will first be considered for  transition to F-35 maintenance community MOSs with comparable skill sets in keeping with Ref (a) via MOS reclassification. 3.d.  Subsequent Term Alignment Plan (STAP) Marines, regardless of reenlistment cohort, who submit for lateral move will be processed,  with priority consideration given to transition into F-35  maintenance community MOSs with comparable skill sets in keeping  with Ref (a). 4.  MOS Reclassifications.  In accordance with Ref (a), Marines in  MOS 6217, 6227, 6257, 6287, 6317, and 6337 who are not stabilized  for deployment, pending orders, approved for lateral move, or  separation due to voluntary actions will be reclassified into a new MOS.  Additionally, these MOS reclassifications will be based solely on the needs of the Marine Corps, regardless of remaining contract  time, by the following regional deadlines: 4.a.  Eastern Region (MAG-31/MCAS Beaufort).  Not later than 1 August 2028, or upon cessation of F/A-18 operations at MCAS  Beaufort.  After this date, no F/A-18 maintenance billets will remain at this location.  4.b.  Western Region (MAG-11/MCAS Miramar).  Not later than 1 August 2029.  This is aligned to the completion of active  component Hornet operations aboard MCAS Miramar.  4.c.  Reserve Region (MAG-41/NAS JRB Fort Worth).  Not later than  1 August 2030.  This is aligned to the completion of reserve  component Hornet operations aboard NAS JRB Fort Worth.  4.d.  Marines at the rank of Sergeant and below, or who are subject to reclassification, will be processed in accordance with  established procedures per Ref (b). 4.e.  Senior enlisted Marines (Staff Sergeants and above) will be processed in accordance with the applicable guidelines for their ranks per Ref (b). 4.f.  Marines serving outside the regions listed in paragraphs 4.a through 4.c are encouraged to contact the F-35 Monitor prior to receipt of follow-on assignment orders, or no later than six months before the end of their unit deactivation, whichever occurs first. 4.g.  Marines within the MOSs listed in paragraph 3 who desire to remain and deactivation their current units are authorized to extend their current End of Active Service (EAS) to align with formally  established unit deactivation dates, once published via Marine Corps Bulletin (MCBUL) promulgated by the Total Force Structure Division  (TFSD).  Marines requesting for extension must be eligible in  accordance with retention guidelines. 5.  Coordinating Instructions.  Marines are highly encouraged to  lateral move from F/A-18 MOSs to F-35 MOSs.  The MOS  Reclassification process will commence during the regional  transition year unless otherwise coordinated per paragraph 5.d in this message.  Affected Marines will be notified of their new PMOS  or IMOS on or about 30 September of that year. 5.a.  Manpower Management (MM), will conduct the MOS  Reclassification process in phases corresponding to the deadlines  in paragraph 4. 5.b.  New PMOS assignments and subsequent orders will be based  solely on the needs of the Marine Corps.  Each Marine’s situation will be reviewed on a case‐by‐case basis, to include opportunities for transition to F-35 maintenance or other critically short MOSs. 5.c.  Marines receiving a new PMOS as a result of MOS  reclassification will not incur any additional obligated service after completion of their new PMOS schooling. 5.d.  Due to operational requirements, the milestones in paragraph 4 may be adjusted earlier or later than the initial estimates.  Any changes will be coordinated between MM, TFSD, Marine Aviation, and fleet leadership in accordance with Ref (a). 6.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Active Component for  the MOSs listed in paragraph 3.  7.  Release authorized by MajGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,  Manpower Management Division.//