Reserve Pay and Entitlements

Start Here If You Are New to Reserve Pay

Reserve Component Marines are paid based on duty status. IDT (drill weekends) pays 1/30 of monthly basic pay per period, with 4 periods per weekend. Annual Training (AT) pays at the full Active Duty rate for the duration. Mobilization triggers full AD pay and allowances including BAH, BAS, special pays, and bonuses. The Reserve Income Replacement Program (RIRP) covers income loss during extended mobilizations. IRR Marines receive a Muster Duty Allowance for the annual one-day muster.

This page walks you through Reserve pay from your seat as a General Marine in the SELRES (Selected Reserve, which covers SMCR units, IMAs, and Active Reserve Marines), IRR, or AGR. By the end you will know.

• The IDT pay framework (1/30 per drill period, 4 periods per weekend)
• Annual Training pay at full AD rate
• Mobilization and AD orders pay structure
• Muster Duty Allowance for IRR
• RIRP for income replacement during long mobilizations
• Concurrent military pay and disability compensation rules

Every fact on this page comes from DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapters 55, 57, and 58, and Marine Corps Order 1001R.1L.

Reserve Component Categories

The Marine Corps Reserve includes three categories.

• Selected Reserve (SELRES). Drilling Reserve Marines in operational units. They drill monthly and perform Annual Training.
• Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Marines not in a drilling status but still subject to mobilization. Annual Muster Duty applies.
• Active Guard and Reserve (AGR). Reserve Marines on full-time Active Duty in support of the Reserve Component.

Inactive Duty Training Pay (Drill Pay)

Per Chapter 58 paragraph 2.1.1.

Drill Pay Formula

A SELRES Marine receives 1/30 of monthly basic pay per authorized IDT period. The formula is.

Daily IDT rate equals monthly basic pay divided by 30

Drill Weekend Structure

A standard drill weekend includes 4 IDT periods.

• 2 periods Saturday (morning and afternoon).
• 2 periods Sunday (morning and afternoon).

A Marine attending the full drill weekend receives 4/30 of monthly basic pay (4 IDT periods).

Maximum 2 IDT Periods per Calendar Day

Per Chapter 58 paragraph 2.1.1 NOTE, a Marine cannot qualify for pay for more than 2 IDT periods during a single calendar day. The standard drill weekend (Saturday and Sunday with 2 periods each) is the maximum daily rate.

Minimum 4 Hours per IDT Period for Marines

The DoD FMR sets a 2-hour statutory floor and leaves the duration to the Service Secretary. The Marine Corps prescribes 4 hours. Per MCO 1001R.1L, pay is not authorized for IDT periods under 4 hours, and the IDT summary table lists 4 hours as the minimum time for IDT, ATP, AFTP, and RMP periods. The 2-hour minimum applies only to Funeral Honors Duty. An excused-tardy Marine engaged in training for at least 2 hours of the scheduled 4-hour period earns retirement points but no pay.

Marine Corps Specific Authorities

Per paragraph 2.1.1.2.4, Marine Corps Reserve IDT requirements are governed by Marine Corps Order 1001R.1L (Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Management Manual).

Other Authorized IDT Periods

Per paragraph 2.1.1, IDT pay applies to.

• Regular IDT (drill weekend periods).
• Equivalent training, instruction, or duty.
• Readiness Management Periods (RMPs).
• Additional Training Periods (ATPs).
• Distributed learning courses for unit readiness or mobilization, as directed by the Service.

Travel and Lodging During Drill

IDT does NOT include reimbursement for travel to and from the home of record to the drill site. Travel is the Marine's responsibility unless the IDT involves additional duty more than 50 miles from the home of record (specific exceptions apply per Marine Corps regulation).

Disqualifiers

Per Chapter 58 paragraph 2.2, a Marine cannot accrue IDT pay on a day on which the Marine is also entitled to.

• Basic pay for Active Duty.
• Muster Duty Allowance.

Annual Training (AT)

Per Chapter 57 paragraph 2.1.1, an RC Marine on Active Duty with pay is entitled to the same pay and allowances as AC Marines for that period.

AT Duration

A standard SELRES Annual Training is 14 days. The Marine performs the AT period at a designated location (often the supporting Active Duty installation, an MEU workup, or a major exercise).

Pay During AT

During AT, the Marine receives.

• Full Active Duty basic pay (the daily rate equal to 1/30 of monthly basic pay times the number of days).
• BAH at the appropriate AT-eligible rate.
• BAS.
• Other special pays earned during AT (HDIP for jumps, FLPB if certified, etc.).

AT Travel

Travel to and from AT is funded through the unit. The Marine submits a DTS travel voucher upon return.

Mobilization and Active Duty Orders

Per Chapter 57 paragraph 2.1.1, a Marine ordered to AD receives the same pay and allowances as an AC Marine.

Mobilization Triggers

Common mobilization triggers include.

• Voluntary AD orders (volunteer to support a unit need).
• Involuntary mobilization under Title 10 U.S.C.Title 10 U.S.C. sections 12301, 12302, 12304, 12306, or 12307.
• AGR orders (full-time Active Duty in support of the Reserve Component).

Pay During Mobilization

During mobilization, the Marine receives.

• Full Active Duty basic pay.
• BAH at the with-dependent or without-dependent rate per the Marine's status.
• BAS.
• All applicable special pays (HDIP, FLPB, SDAP, AvIP, etc.).
• All applicable bonuses (SRB if eligible, etc.).
• HFP/IDP and FSA if deployed to a CZ.
• HDA after the 191-consecutive-day or 401/730-day thresholds.

Pay Stops at Demobilization

Pay reverts to drill pay (or no pay if released from SELRES) at the end of the mobilization period. The transition processes through the I&I S-1 and DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Combined AD and IDT

Per Chapter 57 paragraph 2.1.3, an RC Marine may be paid the equivalent total of more than 360 days of pay in a year, when so directed, if the total is based on a combination of AD pay and IDT pay.

A Marine who performs 270 days of AD and 12 IDT drill weekends would have credit for the AD days plus the IDT periods totaling more than 360 days of pay equivalent.

Muster Duty Allowance (MDA) for IRR

Per Chapter 58 paragraph 2.5.

Eligibility

The Secretary of Defense orders an IRR Marine, without consent, to muster duty one time per year. The minimum is 2 hours of muster duty on the muster day.

MDA Amount

The MDA is 125 percent of the Average Domestic Per Diem Rate in effect on September 30 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year of muster. The current rate is published at https://www.dfas.mil/.

MDA Payment

MDA is paid before, on, or after the muster duty performance, but not more than 30 days after the muster date. MDA replaces all other pay for the muster day. The Marine does NOT receive IDT pay for the muster.

MDA Covers Travel and Subsistence

MDA covers travel to the muster location, transportation, subsistence, and the costs of enforced absence from home and civilian pursuits. There is no separate per diem or travel reimbursement for muster duty.

Reserve Income Replacement Program (RIRP)

Per Chapter 55 (separate from Chapter 58), RIRP is a program for RC Marines mobilized for extended periods who experience income loss compared to their civilian employment.

Eligibility

RIRP applies to Marines mobilized for at least 18 months in a 24-month period. The income loss is calculated as the difference between the Marine's civilian wages and military compensation. The maximum monthly RIRP payment is $3,000.

Application

The Marine applies for RIRP through the I&I S-1 with documentation of civilian wages (most recent W-2 or pay statements) and active duty orders. The application processes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Concurrent Military Pay and VA Disability Compensation

Per Chapter 57 paragraph 2.4.1, an RC Marine entitled to VA disability compensation or military retired pay must waive a portion equal to the military pay received during AD or IDT.

Election Required

The Marine elects either.

• Receive military pay for AD or IDT and waive an equal amount of VA disability compensation or retired pay.
• Receive VA disability compensation or retired pay and forgo the military pay for AD or IDT.

Practical Application

For most RC Marines, the military pay is higher than the VA disability or retired pay being waived for the same days. Receiving military pay is typically the better election. The Marine selects this through the unit S-1 during in-processing for AD orders.

Reserve Bonuses

The Reserve framework supports specific bonuses.

• RC Affiliation Bonus. For Marines transitioning from Active Duty to the SELRES.
• Reserve Component Selective Reenlistment Bonus (RC-SRB). For Marines reenlisting in the SELRES in critical-skill MOSes.
• Prior Service Enlistment Bonus. For prior service members joining the SELRES.

These are covered in detail on the Officer Bonuses and Enlisted Bonuses pages.

Verifying Reserve Pay on the LES

A monthly LES check confirms drill pay and AD pay entries.

Step 1. Pull Your LES

Through MyPay each payday after a drill weekend or during AD.

Step 2. Verify the IDT Pay Line

The LES shows IDT pay as a line item under Entitlements. Common abbreviations.

• IDT or DRILL PAY. Inactive Duty Training compensation.
• BASIC PAY. Active Duty basic pay (during AT or mobilization).
• BAH and BAS. Allowances during AT or mobilization.

Step 3. Verify the Drill Period Count

Drill pay should equal the number of IDT periods times the daily rate (1/30 of monthly basic pay). For a standard drill weekend, expect 4/30 of monthly basic pay.

Step 4. Resolve Discrepancies

Coordinate with your I&I S-1. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, OR a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am a Sergeant in the SELRES. What is my drill weekend pay?

Per Chapter 58 paragraph 2.1.1, your daily IDT rate is 1/30 of your monthly basic pay. For a standard drill weekend with 4 IDT periods, you receive 4/30 of monthly basic pay. For an E-5 over 6 with $3,800 monthly basic pay (example), 4/30 × $3,800 = $506.67. The actual amount uses your specific basic pay rate.

I am mobilized for a 12-month deployment. Do I get BAH?

Per Chapter 57 paragraph 2.1.1, yes. During mobilization, you receive full Active Duty pay and allowances including BAH at the appropriate rate (with-dependent or without-dependent based on your status). BAH continues for the duration of the mobilization.

I am in the IRR. I missed my muster. What happens?

Per Chapter 58 paragraph 2.5, the muster is involuntary. Failing to muster is a discrepancy that the I&I S-1 routes through Marine Corps Reserve administration. The MDA is not paid for missed musters. Repeat failures lead to IRR-specific administrative action.

I am dual-status (Reservist with VA disability). Can I keep my disability while drilling?

Per Chapter 57 paragraph 2.4.1, you elect either to receive military pay for the drill days and waive an equal amount of VA disability, OR to forgo military pay and keep the full VA disability. The election is made through the I&I S-1. Most RC Marines elect to receive military pay because it typically exceeds the VA disability rate.

I want to volunteer for AGR orders. Will my pay change?

Yes. AGR orders are full-time Active Duty. You receive full AD pay and allowances (basic pay, BAH, BAS, special pays as applicable). Your drill pay status ends because you are now on AD.

I was mobilized for 22 months. Am I eligible for RIRP?

Per Chapter 55, yes if your civilian wages exceeded your military compensation by enough to warrant the program. The maximum RIRP payment is $3,000 per month. Apply through your I&I S-1 with documentation of civilian wages.

Where to Go for Help

Routing by Issue

• Drill pay verification or correction. Your I&I S-1 routes through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• AT or mobilization orders pay setup. Your I&I S-1 processes the orders through DFAS Marine Corps Pay.
• IRR muster duty allowance. The Marine Forces Reserve administrative authority.
• RIRP application. Your I&I S-1 with documentation of civilian wages.
• VA disability vs. military pay election. Your I&I S-1 during in-processing for AD orders.
• DFAS Marine Corps Pay direct contact. Phone 1-888-332-7411 (DSN 312-571-9450 from overseas).

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Pay and Entitlements landing page lists all the pay topics.
• Basic Pay covers the pay tables that drive the IDT 1/30 calculation.
• Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay covers HFP/IDP during mobilization. Family Separation Allowance covers FSA during mobilization.
• Officer Bonuses and Enlisted Bonuses cover the parallel RC bonus framework.

Related Roles

• Leaders track Marines' drill attendance and AT participation.
• Admin at I&I S-1 processes drill pay, AT pay, mobilization orders, and RIRP applications.
• Commanders endorse mobilization orders and RIRP eligibility.

Reserve pay scales with duty status. IDT drill pay at 1/30 per period is the routine drilling income. AT and mobilization step up to full AD pay. RIRP backstops income during long mobilizations. Manage the VA disability vs. military pay election through the I&I S-1 to optimize your monthly take-home.