Prior Service (PS) Enlisted Accessions

Who Is PS

Per MCRAMM Chapter 2, Prior Service (PS) Marines have previous military service in any Service component before joining the Reserve. PS accessions bring experienced Marines to drilling units.

PS Categories

PS includes several subcategories.

PS Marine Corps Active Duty

Most common PS category.

• Member completed active duty contract
• Discharged honorably
• Joining Reserve in same or related MOS
• Specific time-since-separation rules

PS Marine Corps Reserve

Member from previous Reserve service.

• Might have left SMCR for IRR or Standby
• Returning to drilling SMCR
• Specific reentry procedures

PS Other Service

Member from other military Service.

• Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force
• Specific eligibility and MOS conversion procedures
• Inter-Service Transfer requirements

PS National Guard

Member from Army or Air National Guard.

• Specific transfer procedures
• MOS verification or reclassification
• Inter-Service requirements

Eligibility for PS Accession

A PS member might join Reserve when meeting these.

• Honorable discharge from previous service (or current service member)
• Within specific time-since-separation window
• Meets physical and security requirements
• Meets minimum age requirements
• Available billet at qualifying location
• Meets specific MOS prerequisites

Specific eligibility per current MARADMIN and MCO 1001R.1LMCO 1001R.1L.

PS Contract Structures

PS contracts vary by category and member's prior service.

Standard PS Contract

• Variable length depending on prior service
• Typically 3-6 years SMCR
• Might include reenlistment bonuses

MOS Conversion Contract

For PS from other Services with non-matching MOSs.

• Member needs MOS conversion training
• IADT for new MOS might be required
• Different contract structure

Reentry from IRR

PS Marine reentering SMCR from IRR.

• Specific reentry contract
• Might include drill pay incentives
• Specific procedures per MCRAMM

Performance Steps for PS Receipt

Step 1 - Verify Documentation

When PS member arrives at I&I.

• DD Form 214DD Form 214 from prior service
• Service record copies
• Honorable discharge characterization
• Time since separation calculation

Step 2 - Verify MOS Status

Confirm member's MOS.

• Marine Corps MOS verified or assigned
• Inter-Service MOS conversion processed if applicable
• MOS school requirements identified

Step 3 - Coordinate Initial Drilling

For members not requiring additional training.

• Member begins drilling immediately
• Drill schedule established
• Initial unit briefing

Step 4 - Coordinate IADT if Required

For members requiring MOS conversion training.

• Inter-Service transfer training
• Refresher training for return-to-drill members
• Coordinate scheduling

Step 5 - Process Pay and Benefits

Establish member's drill pay structure.

• Drill Manager setup
• BAH and BAS coordination
• Drill pay rate based on rank

Step 6 - Update OMPF

Per MARADMIN 015/20MARADMIN 015/20.

• Prior DD-214 in OMPF
• New SMCR contract in OMPF
• All accession documents

Time-Since-Separation Rules

Per current MARADMIN, time since separation affects eligibility.

Within 1 Year

• Standard PS reaccession
• MOS preservation likely
• Faster processing

1-3 Years

• Standard processing with verification
• Refresher training might be required
• MOS might need verification

3-5 Years

• Specific qualification verification
• Refresher or retraining likely required
• Specific eligibility per MARADMIN

Over 5 Years

• Significant retraining likely required
• Specific eligibility considerations
• Coordinate with HQMC

PS Bonuses and Incentives

Per current SRIP MARADMIN.

• PS reenlistment bonuses for specific MOSs
• Lateral move bonuses if changing MOS
• Specific incentives for critical specialties

Bonuses vary annually.

Common PS Issues

MOS Not Available

Member's prior MOS not available in local SMCR units.

• Lateral move to available MOS
• Different drilling location
• MOS conversion training

Long Time Since Separation

Member separated for many years returning to service.

• Significant retraining required
• Possible age and physical considerations
• Specific eligibility verification

Inter-Service MOS Conversion

Member from other Service with non-matching MOS.

• Conversion training required
• New MOS school
• Specific procedures

Discharge Characterization Issues

Less than honorable discharge from prior service.

• Limits PS accession eligibility
• Specific waiver procedures might apply
• Coordinate with HQMC

Documentation Required for PS Joins

For PS join processing, admin needs.

• Prior DD Form 214DD Form 214
• New enlistment contract for Reserve
• MOS verification or conversion documentation
• Refresher training certificates if applicable
• Updated physical (PHA)
• DEERS verification
• SGLI election

All filed in OMPF via UD/MIPS document storage.

I&I Admin Initial Tasks for PS Joins

When PS member arrives.

Welcome and Integration

• Welcome PS member to unit
• Brief on unit operations and expectations
• Connect with other Marines from similar background

Prior Service Recognition

• Recognize member's prior service experience
• Leverage prior experience appropriately
• Avoid treating PS member as new Marine

Documentation Coordination

• Pull prior service documents into current OMPF
• Verify all training and qualification credit
• Address any documentation gaps

Career Planning

• Career counseling considering prior service
• Promotion eligibility based on combined service
• Education benefits planning

Quality Control on PS Joins

Common errors during PS receipt.

1. Time since separation verification missed. Member returning after long break might need significant retraining.
2. MOS verification incomplete. Verify Marine Corps MOS valid or coordinate conversion.
3. Prior service credit not posted. Combined service should reflect for promotion and retirement calculations.
4. PS reenlistment bonus not coordinated. Verify SRIP eligibility before contract finalization.

Coordination Touchpoints

PS joins touch.

• HQMC Manpower: For specific PS eligibility questions
• MOS Sponsor: For MOS verification
• Marine Corps Recruiting Command: For some PS accession processing
• MCRSC: For prior IRR member returning to SMCR

Related Roles

PS accessions bring experienced Marines to SMCR units.

• Marines with prior service contribute experience to SMCR units.
• Leaders integrate PS members appropriately based on experience.
• Commanders at SMCR units leverage PS member skills for unit readiness.