F/A-18 Hornet Military Occupational Specialties Personnel Transition

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.