Retirement Awards and DD-214

Start Here If You Are New to Retirement Awards

You are a year out from retirement. Your reporting senior mentions an LOM for retirement. Your S-1 starts asking about your career history for the Summary of Action. You wonder how the timeline works, what shows on the DD-214, who has approval authority for the LOM, and what to do if the timeline slips.

Retirement awards run on a different timeline than end-of-tour awards. The DD-214 generation date drives everything backwards. This page walks you through retirement awards from your seat as a General Marine. By the end you will know.

• The retirement award level expected at each rank (NAM, NC, MSM, LOM, higher)
• The meritorious-period-end rule that drives the timeline
• The LOM-for-retirement delegation to O-9 commanders per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25
• The 90-day SECNAV-level lead time and the buffer to clear administrative steps
• What shows on the DD-214 and what happens if an award lands after generation
• How to handle DD-214 corrections through DD Form 215DD Form 215
• The Board for Correction of Naval Records pathway for older retirement-award gaps

Every fact on this page comes from MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 7, MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25, SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 1 and Appendix 1A, MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1, DoD Manual 1336.05DoD Manual 1336.05 (DD Form 214DD Form 214 issuance), and current MMPB-3 Military Awards Section guidance.

Why Retirement Awards Matter to You

The retirement award is the closing recognition of your career. It captures cumulative service, not the last tour alone. Three things make it weighty.

• Permanent record of career service. The retirement award appears on your DD-214 alongside every prior award.
• Final ribbon on the rack. The retirement award is the last decoration most Marines receive in service. It becomes part of your retirement shadow box and your permanent service identity.
• Veteran benefits and recognition. Federal hiring panels, VA claims adjudicators, and civilian employers see the retirement award level (LOM, MSM, NC, etc.) as the Marine Corps's final assessment of career performance.

The Retirement Award by Rank

Per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 and current Marine Corps practice, the typical retirement award by rank.

• E-4 to E-5 (Cpl, Sgt) retiring after qualifying service. Typically a NAM if no prior PMD recognition, or a Certificate of Commendation. Many junior Marines do not retire from active service unless reaching higher ranks.
• E-6 to E-7 (SSgt, GySgt) retiring after 20+ years. Typically a NC.
• E-8 to E-9 (MSgt/1stSgt, MGySgt/SgtMaj) retiring after 25+ years. Typically a MSM. SgtsMaj at senior billets often receive the LOM for retirement.
• O-3 (Capt) retiring after qualifying service. Typically a NC or MSM.
• O-4 to O-5 (Maj, LtCol) retiring after 20+ years. Typically a MSM.
• O-6 (Col) retiring after 25+ years. Typically a LOM (per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 paragraph 3.a.1.a, LOM for retirement-only is delegated to Marine commanders in grades no lower than O-9).
• O-7 to O-10 (general officers) retiring. LOM, DSM, or higher per the rank and the impact of the career.

The award level is discretionary. The chain of command determines the level based on cumulative career performance, not solely on rank.

The DD-214 Drives the Timeline

Per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 7.a, the DD-214 generates from MCTFS at the start of terminal leave. Awards approved after this date typically miss the DD-214 unless an administrative correction follows through DD Form 215DD Form 215 (the corrected DD-214 supplement). Per PAA 02-22PAA 02-22, digital signatures are authorized on the DD Form 214. Warrant Officer Basic Course attendees follow the specific completion and obligated service rules in PAA 07-25PAA 07-25 for FY26 separations.

The terminal leave start date is typically 60 to 120 days before the actual retirement date, depending on the Marine's accumulated leave balance.

Working backwards from the terminal leave start date.

• T-0 (terminal leave start). DD-214 generates.
• T-14 days. The meritorious-period-end date for the retirement award. Per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 7.a, the meritorious period for any retirement award should end roughly two weeks before terminal leave starts so MCTFS reflects the award before DD-214 generation.
• T-30 days. The award presentation ceremony at the unit. The retirement ceremony often combines the retirement-award presentation with the formal retirement honors.
• T-60 days. Approval at the delegated authority. For an MSM, an O-7. For an LOM, an O-9. For SECNAV-level awards, the package has to be at SECNAV by this point.
• T-90 days. Package leaves the originating unit and routes to the approval authority.
• T-180 days (6 months). For SECNAV-level retirement awards, the package starts here. For LOM and below, T-120 days is typically sufficient.

The Meritorious Period End Date Rule

Per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 7.a, the meritorious period for a retirement award normally ends roughly two weeks before terminal leave starts. The two-week buffer gives the Unit Diary entry time to flow through to MCTFS before DD-214 generation.

For a Marine starting terminal leave on 1 June, the retirement award meritorious period ends approximately 17 of the prior month. The award presentation ceremony typically occurs in the week before terminal leave, but the recognized service period closes earlier so the records flow lands in MCTFS in time.

This rule catches Marines off guard. The recognized service period does not extend to the actual retirement date. If you assume your service is recognized "to retirement" you will be surprised to see the citation reference an earlier closing date.

The LOM-for-Retirement Delegation

Per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 paragraph 3.a.1.a, the Legion of Merit for retirement-only is delegated to Marine commanders in grades no lower than O-9.

Translation. An LOM for retirement does not require SECNAV approval. The MARFORCOM commander, MARFORPAC commander, MARFORRES commander, or other O-9 commander in the chain has approval authority for retirement LOMs.

This delegation matters because LOMs in non-retirement contexts route to SECNAV. The retirement-only delegation streamlines the timeline for retiring Marines, allowing the LOM to clear within 60 to 90 days from origination instead of 6+ months.

The LOM with R device (L2) per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 paragraph 3.a.1.b also delegates to O-9 commanders. The LOM with C device (L1) requires SECNAV-level processing because the C device implies combat conditions, and combat awards above the BV level escalate.

The 90-Day Lead Time for SECNAV-Level Retirement Awards

Per MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J w/ CH 1 paragraph 3.b.(2), award recommendations should reach the approving authority 60 days prior to desired presentation. For SECNAV-level retirement awards (DSM, BSM in some cases for combat-credit retirements, NM for retirement contexts), the lead time extends to 90 days because the chain runs through CMC to SECNAV.

Working backwards. A retiring Marine projected for a DSM at retirement, with terminal leave starting 1 January.

• T-0 (1 January). Terminal leave starts. DD-214 generates.
• T-14 days (18 December). Meritorious period end.
• T-30 days (1 December). Presentation ceremony at the unit.
• T-60 days (1 November). SECNAV decision.
• T-90 days (1 October). Package at SECNAV after CMC endorsement.
• T-150 days (1 August). Package at CMC for endorsement.
• T-210 days (1 June). Package at the originating chain.
• T-270 days (1 March, 10 months prior). Package origination starts.

The longer chain forces the timeline to start nearly a year ahead.

The Standard Timeline by Award Level

Per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 and MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 delegation, the working timeline by retirement award level.

• NAM. Originate 90 days out. Approval authority O-5 per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 paragraph 3.a.4.a.
• NC. Originate 90 to 120 days out. Approval authority O-6 per paragraph 3.a.3.a.
• MSM. Originate 120 days out. Approval authority O-7 per paragraph 3.a.2.a.
• LOM (retirement). Originate 120 to 150 days out. Approval authority O-9 per paragraph 3.a.1.a.
• DSM. Originate 270 days out (about 9 months). Approval authority SECNAV.
• Higher than DSM. Customary handling at the SECNAV or Presidential level. The path is longer and rarer.

What Shows on the DD-214

Per DoD Manual 1336.05DoD Manual 1336.05, the DD-214 reflects the awards record from MCTFS at the time of generation. The awards section lists every PMD, unit award, CE&S award, marksmanship award, and other recognition reflected in MCTFS.

Awards That Make the DD-214

• All PMDs approved before the DD-214 generation date
• All unit awards with the Marine's participation credit posted before generation
• All CE&S awards posted before generation
• The retirement award if approved and posted before T-0
• All devices and stars reflected in the MCTFS entry

Awards That Miss the DD-214

• Any award approved after the DD-214 generation date
• Any award where the citation or certificate is missing from OMPF (since the citation drives the entry)
• Foreign awards not yet processed through CMC (MMPB-3) for service concurrence
• Joint awards stuck in transit between the joint command and the Marine Corps records

Handling a Missed Retirement Award

If your retirement award lands in MCTFS after the DD-214 has generated, the DD-214 misses the award. The recovery path depends on the time elapsed.

Option 1. DD Form 215 (Standard Correction)

DD Form 215DD Form 215 is the corrected DD-214 supplement. It does not replace the DD-214. It supplements it.

• Submit the DD-215 request through MMPB-31 per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 10.k.
• The DD-215 request includes documentation of the post-DD-214 award (citation, certificate, MCTFS entry).
• DD-215 issuance is routine within the 3-year window from separation.

Option 2. Beyond-Time-Limit Correction (Chapter 8)

For Marines separated more than 3 years and the retirement award still not on the record.

• SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8 procedures apply.
• Documentation requirements are heavier (proof of original approval, reconstruction of the chain endorsement).
• The MMPB-31 routing is the standard path.

Option 3. Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR)

For Marines separated long enough that the standard records correction window has closed and the available routing options have been exhausted.

• BCNR is the Department of the Navy's records correction authority of last resort.
• BCNR considers cases involving correction of military records to remove injustices.
• BCNR submissions are formal and require detailed documentation of the requested correction and the basis.
• BCNR information is at https://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/bcnr/.

Multiple Retirement Awards (Career Cumulative)

A retiring Marine sometimes has multiple awards landing in the final months. The career retirement award (LOM, MSM, etc.) is one. End-of-tour awards from prior assignments that finally clear the chain are another. Reservist mobilization awards from prior deployments are a third.

The Marine's S-1 coordinates with prior commands to ensure all in-flight awards land in MCTFS before DD-214 generation. The retiring Marine should request a status check on every in-flight package 90 days out from terminal leave.

Posthumous Retirement Awards

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 1 and MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4, a Marine who dies in service before retirement is processed as a posthumous separation. Posthumous retirement awards route through the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4 for presentation to the next of kin.

The DD-214 generation in posthumous cases follows specific casualty-assistance procedures. The CACO coordinates the documentation flow and the family's access to the DD-214 and any posthumous awards.

Common Questions Marines Ask

I am 6 months out from retirement. My SgtMaj said I am getting an LOM. When does the package start?

For an LOM at retirement (delegated to O-9 commanders per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 paragraph 3.a.1.a), the package typically starts 120 to 150 days before terminal leave. At 6 months out, the originating unit should be drafting the Summary of Action and the citation language. The chain endorses through to the O-9 commander, who approves about 60 days before terminal leave starts.

My retirement award is approved but my certificate has not arrived. Will it make my DD-214?

If the approval has posted to MCTFS, the DD-214 will reflect the award even if the physical certificate has not arrived. The certificate is for your personal records. The DD-214 entry comes from the MCTFS code.

I retired 18 months ago and my LOM never showed on the DD-214. What is my recourse?

Submit a DD Form 215DD Form 215 request through MMPB-31. Provide documentation of the LOM (citation, certificate, MCTFS code if you have access through your prior unit's S-1). The DD-215 supplement adds the LOM to your separation record.

What is the difference between a retirement LOM and an end-of-tour LOM?

Per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 paragraph 3.a.1.a, the LOM for retirement-only is delegated to O-9 commanders. End-of-tour LOMs (or LOMs for non-retirement contexts) typically route to SECNAV. The retirement delegation streamlines the timeline. Beyond the delegation, both are LOMs and look the same on the rack.

Is a retirement award higher than the LOM possible as a colonel?

Yes. A colonel with exceptional career service is sometimes recommended for a DSM at retirement. The DSM requires SECNAV approval and a longer timeline (270 days lead time). Career trajectory, key billets held, and impact on the Marine Corps drive the level.

I am separating (not retiring) at the end of my contract. Do separation awards work the same way?

Separation awards (for Marines completing one or more contracts but not retiring) follow the same general timing rules as PCS-end-of-tour awards plus a focus on cumulative career service. The DD-214 generation rule applies the same way. The PCS and Awards Timing page on this site covers the end-of-tour flow.

I retired 5 years ago and never received my retirement award. Now I see it should have been processed. Is there a path?

Per SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8, beyond-time-limit corrections route through MMPB-3 with detailed documentation. If the award was approved but never reached MCTFS, MMPB-3 reconstructs the records. If the award was never approved, the BCNR pathway is the option.

What happens to my retirement award package if I die before retirement?

The package routes through the chain as a posthumous award. The CACO coordinates with the family per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4. The award presents posthumously to the next of kin, typically at the family's preferred location and format. The DD-214 reflects the posthumous award.

Where to Go for Help

A Note on HQMC Awards Office Designations

The Marine Corps reorganized its awards office over time. Three designations show up in policies tied to retirement awards. Get the distinction right so you route requests correctly.

• HQMC Manpower Performance Branch, Military Awards Section (MMPB-3). The current umbrella office handling Marine Corps awards adjudication, policy interpretation, and CMC-level approval routing for retirement awards. Listed on the Manpower Marines website at https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Performance-Branch/Military-Awards/.
• HQMC MMPB-31. A sub-element under MMPB-3 specifically handling administrative actions on awards. MMPB-31 owns DD Form 215DD Form 215 corrections, replacement certificates, and the administrative correction templates referenced in MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 10.k. MMPB-31 is NOT the same as MMMA. The two have different functions.
• CMC (MMMA), Military Awards Branch. The historical designation appearing in older policy documents (SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 paragraph 1.3, MCO 1650.19JMCO 1650.19J, and earlier MARADMINs). When you see MMMA in those documents, the function continues today under MMPB-3.

For Marine Corps retirement awards questions, contact MMPB-3.

• Email. smb_hqmc_pers_awards@usmc.mil
• Phone. 703-784-9342
• Website. https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/Performance-Branch/Military-Awards/

For DD Form 215DD Form 215 corrections, replacement certificates, and post-retirement corrections, route through MMPB-31 channels.

Routing by Issue

• Active duty Marines projected for retirement within 12 months. Your S-1 coordinates the retirement award package origination based on the projected terminal leave date.
• LOM for retirement (O-6 retirees and senior). O-9 approval authority per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 paragraph 3.a.1.a. Originate 120 to 150 days before terminal leave.
• MSM, NC, NAM at retirement. The respective delegated commander per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25 (O-7 for MSM, O-6 for NC, O-5 for NAM).
• DSM and higher at retirement. SECNAV through MMPB-3 with 270-day lead time.
• DD Form 215DD Form 215 (corrected DD-214 supplement). MMPB-31 with documentation of the post-DD-214 award.
• Beyond-time-limit retirement award corrections. SECNAV M-1650.1SECNAV M-1650.1 Chapter 8 procedures, routed through MMPB-3.
• BCNR for long-elapsed corrections. Direct submission to https://www.secnav.navy.mil/mra/bcnr/.
• Posthumous retirement awards. CACO per MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• Awards Overview lays out the three categories of awards and the routing flow.
• PCS and Awards Timing covers the parallel timing rules for end-of-tour awards.
• Verifying Your Awards in OMPF walks through the verification steps in detail, including the MMPB-31 verification submission requirements.
• Personal Military Decorations covers the LOM, MSM, and other PMDs typically awarded at retirement.
• Receiving an Award covers the ceremony procedures.

Related Roles

• Leaders identify retiring Marines 12+ months out and start retirement-award package origination on the timeline appropriate for the projected award level.
• Admin support. The reporting unit (I&I S-1 with direct UD/MIPS access, or a battalion S-1 routing through their PAC) runs the Unit Diary transaction posting the retirement award. The S-1 processes DD-214 generation through MCTFS and routes DD-215 corrections through MMPB-31 for any post-separation gaps.
• Commanders endorse retirement awards within delegated authority per MARADMIN 077/25MARADMIN 077/25, exercise judgment on award levels for retirees, and ensure the meritorious-period-end rule per MARADMIN 093/25MARADMIN 093/25 paragraph 7.a is observed.

The retirement award is the closing punctuation of your career. Start the package early, observe the meritorious-period-end rule, and verify the award lands in MCTFS before terminal leave starts so it appears on the DD-214 the first time.