R 291800Z JUL 25 MARADMIN 356/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP// SUBJ/FY25 VOLUNTARY ENLISTED EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM// REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CONGRESS// REF/B/MSGID: DOC/SECNAV/YMD: 20250701// REF/C/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD: 20200612// REF/D/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD: 20170303// REF/E/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 20190215// REF/F/MSGID: WEB/CMC/YMD: 20200504// REF/G/MSGID: DOC/OSD/YMD: 20180712// REF/H/MSGID: MSG/CMC/YMD: 20240124// REF/I/MSGID: DOC/CMC/YMD: 20151230// REF/J/MSGID: DOC/CONGRESS// REF/K/MSGID: DOC/DFAS/YMD: 20200501// REF/L/MSGID: DOD/OSD/YMD: 20170127// REF/M/MSGID: DOD/SECDEF/YMD: 20091112// REF/N/MSGID: DOD/CMC/YMD: 20191113// NARR/REF (A) IS TITLE 10 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1171, REGULAR ENLISTED MEMBERS: EARLY DISCHARGE.  REF (B) IS SECNAV APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2025 VOLUNTARY ENLISTED EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM (VEERP) DATED 1 JULY 2025.  REF (C) IS DODI 1332.14, ENLISTED ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATIONS.  REF (D) IS DODI 1332.29, INVOLUNTARY SEPARATIONS PAY (NON-DISABILITY).  REF (E) IS MCO 1900.16 CH2, MARINE CORPS SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL.  REF (F) IS MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE SYSTEM PERSONNEL REPORTING INSTRUCTION USER’S MANUAL (PRIUM). REF (G) IS DODI 1341.13, POST-9/11 GI BILL, CH1.  REF(H) IS MARADMIN 027/24, TRANSFER OF POST-9/11 GI BILL EDUCATION BENEFITS (TEB) TO DEPENDENTS PROCESS.  REF (I) IS MCO 1700.31, TRANSITION READINESS PROGRAM.  REF (J) IS TITLE 37 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 373.  REF (K) IS DOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, DOD 7000.14-R, VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 2, PARAGRAPH 020303.E.  REF (L) IS DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMO FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLENDED RETIREMENT SYSTEM.  REF (M) IS SECDEF MEMORANDUM FURTHER DELEGATING AUTHORITY UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 11498 TO SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS.  REF (N) IS MARADMIN 632/19, TRANSITION READINESS. POC/C. E. PENNINGTON/MAJ/UNIT: CMC MMSR (SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT) /-/TEL:703-784-9314// POC/J. E. MILLER/MAJ/UNIT: CMC MMEA-3 (ENLISTED ASSIGNMENTS) /-/TEL:703-784-9657// POC/W. C. GRIFFIN/MAJ/UNIT: CMC MMPB-11 (ENLISTED PROMOTIONS) /-/TEL:703-784-3340// POC/R. M. MCCOY/CAPT/UNIT: CMC MPP-20 (ENLISTED PLANS) /-/TEL: 703-784-9361// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  The fiscal year (FY) 2025 VEERP is a deliberate force shaping initiative.  This message serves to establish the authority, eligibility, and procedures for the voluntary early release of Active Component enlisted Marines whose current end of active service (EAS) is in FY 25. 2.  Background.  References (a), (b), and (m) provide the authority from the Secretary of the Navy to establish the VEERP.  The FY25 VEERP will commence upon the publication of this MARADMIN.  Marines approved for this program will separate on a date prior to their current EAS.  Marines approved for the FY25 VEERP will be considered to have completed their full active service commitment.  This MARADMIN does not exempt Marines from completing reserve or individual ready reserve (IRR) obligations per their individual service enlistment contracts. 3.  Eligibility 3.a.  This message applies only to Active Component enlisted Marines with an EAS date on or before 30 September 2025.  Headquarters Marine Corps reserves the right to adjust the requirements as necessary to maintain authorized strength requirements. 3.b.  Marines are required to complete mandated Transition Readiness Seminar (TRS) requirements prior to EAS per reference (i) as supplemented by reference (n).  Marines must be TRS complete and medically qualified prior to early release. 3.c.  Marines must be eligible for an honorable discharge characterization at time of early release. 3.d.  Marines must submit their VEERP package to their first General Court-Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA) in their chain of command who may approve all Marines that meet eligibility requirements. 4.  Ineligibility.  Marines meeting any of the following conditions are ineligible to participate in the FY25 VEERP: 4.a.  Marines with an EAS after 30 September 2025 are not eligible. 4.b.  Marines scheduled for transfer to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (FMCR) or retired list. 4.c.  Marines who are indebted to the government (to include advance and excess leave).  Indebted Marines desiring early release can make accelerated repayment of their debts by increasing scheduled installment amounts and by making cash collections to repay their indebtedness.  Indebtedness must be entirely resolved prior to early release. 4.d.  Marines being released under other HQMC directed early out programs, e.g., early release for education, temporary early retirement authority, and voluntary separation pay program. 4.e.  Marines currently on terminal leave, including SkillBridge. 4.f.  Marines currently serving on a Special Duty Assignment who have not completed obligated service required for the assignment. 4.g.  Marines pending legal action or proceedings, administrative separation, or disability separation or retirement are not eligible for the VEERP.  The Marine may submit for VEERP once proceedings are completed and if he/she remains eligible for release under honorable discharge.  The VEERP should not be viewed as an expeditious manner to separate Marines who fall into a category which requires mandatory processing for administrative separation per references (c) and (e). 4.h.  Marines participating in the National Call to Service Program. 5.  Program timeline 5.a.  Application processing will commence immediately upon release of this MARADMIN. 5.b.  Marines must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in paragraph 3 of this MARADMIN prior to early release.  Upon early release, the Marine will be considered to have completed his/her full active service commitment.  Marines are reminded that early release is not an entitlement. 6.  Coordinating instructions 6.a.  It is understood that this program may result in temporary risks to some units due to falling below staffing levels.  Units will not receive early staffing replacement.  Commanders’ support of this force shaping tool is critical for the Marine Corps to attain its force shaping goal. 6.b.  Individual Marines must submit requests by standard naval letter via their chain of command to their first GCMCA. 6.b.1.  The first GCMCA in the Marine’s chain of command may approve all Marines that meet eligibility requirements. 6.b.2. GCMCA approvals will be based upon units’ operational requirements and Marines’ individual situations and should not be considered automatic. 6.b.3.  The Marines’ Major Subordinate Command G-1 will report the new EAS/ECC to their local Installation Personnel Administration Center via MCTFS unit diary entry per reference (f) and report weekly participation rosters to HQMC, Manpower Management Separation and Retirement (MMSR) via email:  [email protected]. G-1s will include name, rank, EDIPI, new EAS, old EAS, and TEB obligation status (N/A, Obligation Complete, Obligation Outstanding) in their emailed reports.  MMSR will consolidate participation data and provide weekly reporting to DC, M&RA. 6.c.  Unit diary entries reporting release from active duty or discharge will be submitted per reference (f). 6.c.1.  The Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code for active duty enlisted Marines being released from active duty is MCC1, Force Shaping.  This SPD applies to Marines that have remaining obligated service or wish to transfer to the reserves.  Reference (e), paragraph 6404.3 provides the authority for this SPD. 6.c.2.  The SPD for active duty enlisted Marines being discharged from active duty is KCC1, Force Shaping.  This SPD applies to Marines who have completed eight years’ active duty obligated service and do not wish to transfer to the reserves.  Reference (e), paragraph 6404.3 provides the authority for this SPD. 6.c.3.  Marines already denied further service will retain the appropriate SPD code and must submit for separations pay determination per references (d), (e), and (f).  Release of regular active enlisted Marines with military service obligations from active duty will be effected in accordance with reference (e). 6.d.  It is imperative that commands notify their Disbursing Officers/Finance Officers (DO/FO) regarding early separations in accordance with reference (f). 6.e.  In any case where a Marine previously approved for the VEERP is charged with any offense which requires mandatory processing for administrative separation per reference (e), the Marine will be removed from the VEERP and processed accordingly. 6.f.  If a Marine previously approved for the VEERP is found to be not medically qualified to separate at their adjusted EAS, the Marine will be removed from the VEERP and processed accordingly. 6.g.  Terminal leave is not authorized upon approval of the VEERP. SkillBridge is not authorized upon approval of the VEERP.  Marines will be required to sell back any unused leave. 7.  General information 7.a.  In the event of future recall, Marines released under this MARADMIN will be considered as being in the same status as those who have completed their obligated period of active duty. 7.b.  Enlisted Marines separated under authority of this MARADMIN may be awarded the Good Conduct Medal if their adjusted EAS falls within 90 days of their 3-year Good Conduct Medal anniversary date. Waiver request and approved VEERP package must be submitted to Military Awards Section (MMPB-3). 7.c.  Marines who are entitled to separation pay upon normal EAS, who elect and are approved for early release from active duty under this MARADMIN, will retain their entitlement to separation pay provided they have completed six years of active service prior to the day of early release (new EAS) from active duty.  Marines are reminded that early release from active duty under this MARADMIN could affect the amount of their separation pay.  Reference (d) prescribes the method of computing separation pay.  Furthermore, if early release would disqualify Marines for separation pay due to length of service criteria under the law, Marines will not be released from active duty until their service length criteria has been met. 7.d.  Marines entitled to separation benefits are authorized those benefits if released under this MARADMIN.  Separating Marines and their family members are encouraged to review their continued eligibility for TRICARE depending on their beneficiary category. 7.e.  Marines are reminded to review the references for eligibility and other requirements related to educational benefit programs prior to participating in VEERP.  Pursuant to reference (a), Marines approved for VEERP who had been approved for TEB to their dependents prior to requesting VEERP, are considered to have completed their previously approved TEB-related service agreement.  Accordingly, these Marines are not required to take any further action regarding their TEB.  However, VEERP applicants who had not been previously approved to TEB, with the exception of Purple Heart recipients, may not request to TEB. 7.e.1.  Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments (MMEA) will modify the TEB Obligation End Date for Marines approved for VEERP who had been previously approved to TEB to their dependents; MMEA will ensure the applicant’s TEB Obligation End Date is on or before the Marine’s VEERP separation date. 7.e.2.  In the case that a Marine wishes to withdraw from VEERP after approval, MMEA will reset the Marine’s TEB Service Obligation Date to the pre-VEERP TEB Service Obligation Date. 7.e.3.  If the current VEERP applicant is a Purple Heart recipient, and is eligible for the PGIB, they may request to TEB, in accordance with references (g) and (h), prior to their separation date. 7.f.  Marines will not be required to repay Blended Retirement System continuation pay, enlistment bonuses, and/or selective retention bonuses under the authority of this MARADMIN per references (a) and (i) through (k). 7.g.  Marines currently on deployment must meet all post deployment requirements. 8. Reserve Applicability.  This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve. 9. Reserve component opportunity.  The Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) is actively seeking the service of separating Marines who want to remain affiliated with the Marine Corps upon transition out of the Active Component.  The SMCR Direct Affiliation Program offers a valuable opportunity to continue service and retain associated benefits.  This program ensures a structured pathway to sustain commitment to the Marine Corps.  Marines are encouraged to consult their Career Planner for detailed information and guidance on transitioning into the Reserves. 10. This MARADMIN cancels on 30 Sep 2025. 11. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//