Reenlistment Conversation

FTAP and STAP

Active MARADMINs adjust the program detail. Pull the current FTAP or STAP MARADMIN before any reenlistment package.

The 18-Month Conversation

At 18 months from EAS, open the conversation.

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What has the Corps given you that you want to continue?
• What do you want next that requires reenlistment to achieve?
• What does your family think?
• What concerns are sitting on the decision?

The 18-month conversation surfaces intent. The Marine starts thinking. The leader starts coordinating.

The 12-Month Conversation

At 12 months from EAS, coordinate with the career planner.

• Career planner brief the Marine on eligibility, MOS health, bonuses, schools.
• You support the Marine through the formal conversation.
• The Marine starts seeing the actual options.
• Decision starts to form.

A Marine first hearing about reenlistment options at 6 months has compressed decision time.

The 6-Month Conversation

At 6 months from EAS, the package builds.

• Reenlistment package routes through the chain.
• Approval lands typically 60 to 90 days before EAS.
• Marine commits or declines.

Your role at this stage supports the decision the Marine has made.

What Drives Reenlistment Decisions

Marines reenlist for.

• Continued service to Corps and country.
• Career path inside the Corps.
• Bonus or specific incentive (SRB, school, duty station).
• Family stability through continued benefits.
• No clear civilian alternative.

Marines decline for.

• Civilian opportunity outside the Corps.
• Family decision (spouse career, education, geography).
• Burnout from operational tempo.
• Policy or culture concerns.
• Fit issues that did not resolve.

The leader hears both sides. The leader does not push the Corps' interest over the Marine's interest.

When the Marine Wants to Reenlist But Cannot

Sometimes eligibility blocks reenlistment.

• MOS over-strength.
• Performance issues blocking the package.
• Medical condition not fitting for continued service.
• Disciplinary history affecting eligibility.

Coordinate with career planner on alternatives.

• Lateral move to an open MOS.
• Performance improvement plan with a re-look.
• Medical evaluation and waiver process.
• Alternative service paths (reserve component).

A Marine who wants to reenlist deserves the alternatives surfaced.

When the Marine Wants to Leave

Support the decision.

• Coordinate transition planning early.
• Connect the Marine with TRP at 365 days from EAS.
• Coordinate education and credential planning.
• Support the GI Bill or transition use.

A Marine planning a thoughtful transition serves the Corps after EAS as a positive ambassador. A Marine pushed out poorly carries that experience for life.

Documenting Intent

In the leader notebook.

• Stated intent at 18 months.
• Coordinated at 12 months.
• Decision at 6 months.
• Final outcome.

Update at every milestone.

Common Reenlistment Conversation Failures

• 18-month conversation never happened. Marine surprised at 12 months.
• Career planner brief skipped or delegated entirely without leader support.
• Marine pressured toward reenlistment without honest exploration.
• Marine deciding to leave treated as a section failure.
• No coordination with TRP for departing Marines.

Where to Go Next

• Lateral move advising for the MOS change path.
• Transition timeline for the departing Marine.
• Career overview for the broader career conversation framework.