March 26, 2014, NEW ORLEANS – Marine administrative message 138/14 announced that within fiscal year 2015, the Marine Corps is authorized to offer voluntary retirement at a reduced monthly retainer-pay rate to Reserve-component staff sergeants.
The Marine Corps Active Reserve Enlisted Temporary Early Retirement Authority Program gives early retirement benefits that active-duty Marines received in fiscal year 2012 to Active-Reserve Marines. Applicants must have more than 15 years and less than 20 years of active-duty service, be a staff sergeant and hold a military occupational specialty listed in the MARADMIN.
The Marine Corps established a submission window for TERA between the dates of March 21, 2014 and Sept. 1, 2014. The first eligible date to transfer to the Marine Corps Reserve, under TERA, is July 31, 2014. This allows commanders and Headquarters Marine Corps to assess impacts to their staffing over the course of the fiscal year as they conduct their mid-range training plan.
The MARADMIN explains that TERA is not an entitlement. Each request will be considered based on the needs of the Marine Corps and the Active-Reserve program. Marines who are accepted and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve under TERA, are not entitled to involuntary separation pay, special separation benefits or voluntary separation incentive but are entitled to their Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits.
Marines with pending legal action or proceedings, administrative separation or disability separation are not eligible for TERA.
For detailed application requirements and specific instructions on how to apply, see the MARADMIN on www.marines.mil.