Update to the Reserve Aviator Assignment Policy

1.  Situation.
1.A.  This cancels MARADMIN 309/19, MARADMIN 381/20, and removes the previous 36-month assignment policy restrictions placed upon Marine Corps Reserve Instructor Pilots (MCRIP) aviators serving within MATSG-42.
1.B.  This policy's primary objective is to maximize Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) operational readiness while ensuring that individual aviator professional skills and core competencies are met through a series of progressive career billet assignments.  Simultaneously, this policy is to provide MCRIP augmentation to Active Component (AC) Instructor Pilots (IPs) within Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) and Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) in order to increase naval aviator production capacity for the Service.
2.  Assignment Policy.
2.A.  MCRIP are no longer restricted by a 36 month assignment policy and can remain with MATSG-42 to augment AC Instructor Pilots within CNATRA and FRS in order to increase naval aviator production capacity for the Service.
2.B.  SMCR Tactical Aviators are limited to serve no more than 36 consecutive months between the ranks of Major and Lieutenant Colonel at an SMCR tactical squadron, unless selected for command.  Tactical squadrons include HMLA-773, HMLA-775, HMH-772, VMM-774, VMM-764, VMGR-234, VMGR-452, VMFA-112, and VMFT-401.  Lieutenant Colonels who do not apply for command during their three year assignment will be required to seek other opportunities outside the squadron unless waived by Reserve Affairs (RA).
2.C.  Aviators in the rank of captain through lieutenant colonel are limited to serve no more than 36 consecutive months in VMR squadrons (SMCR or IMA).  Aviators assigned to VMR squadrons (AC or RC) may be eligible for two, one year extensions.
2.D.  Lieutenant Colonels are limited to serve in a billet grade of one up or one down from their current grade in accordance with reference (a).  Exception requests will be approved for current assignments to fulfill the above mentioned consecutive 36 month tour.
2.E.  All other Reserve Aviators between the ranks of Captain and Major are limited to serve no more than 36 cumulative months in any combination of the IMA Program, Provisional IMA Program (PIP), Aviation Command and Control Team (AC2T), or any SMCR unit above the battalion or squadron level prior to reaching 16 years of commissioned service.
3.  Reference (b) defines normal officer tour lengths as 36 months in length.  Reserve Affairs uses Prior Service Alignment Plan (PSAP) cycles to enforce the parameters set on page 4-13 of reference (b), as well as those defined by this policy.
4.  Waivers.  Officers identified as exceeding the above tour limits will be notified during scheduled PSAP cycles.  Requests for waiver to policy will be initiated by the officer and routed via the chain of command to RA.
5.  Opportunities and Assignment Incentives.
5.A.  All impacted Marines are encouraged to visit the Marine Forces Reserve website for a list of SMCR billet vacancies at https://www.marforres.marines.mil/About/Reserve-Billets/
5.B.  Marines assigned to an SMCR unit located 150 miles or more from their primary residence may be eligible for Inactive Duty Training Travel Reimbursement IAW reference (c).
5.C.  Aviators may be eligible to receive an aviation bonus to affiliate with an SMCR tactical squadron IAW reference (d).
6.  Reserve Affairs Division will review aviator staffing and policy impacts annually and, if required, will provide additional guidance based on Reserve requirements.
7.  Release authorized by Major General H. G. Pratt, Director, Reserve Affairs Division.