Corps closes some jobs to re-enlistment

[unhappycamper]

Some MOSs exempt
Many closed specialties aviation-related.


Corps closes some jobs to re-enlistment
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Dec 1, 2008 6:04:30 EST

The Corps has closed 24 military occupational specialties to re-enlistment, marking the first time in nearly two years that some first-term Marines will be forced out of their specialties.

The closures are effective through October 2009, and will occur in specialties ranging from safety equipment mechanics for three types of aircraft, to motor vehicle operators and warehouse clerks, Manpower and Reserve Affairs officials said. Sixteen of the closed MOSs are related to aviation or aviation support.

Not all specialties are under a crunch, though. Marine officials said they would announce via Marine administrative message 643/08 that 27 specialties will be kept exempt from boat-space restrictions. The list was not immediately available, but the specialties were described as “high demand/low density in nature” or “short in overall inventory.”

Manpower officials also said that six infantry specialties with big re-enlistment bonuses — rifleman, light-armored vehicle crewman, machine-gunner, mortarman, infantry assaultman and anti-tank missileman — will be allowed to exceed boat-space caps, provided Marines who “miss the boat space” volunteer for follow-on assignments in the operating forces. Each specialty has a Selective Re-enlistment Bonus of between $29,000 and $46,000, as well as a $25,000 “kicker” for agreeing to remain in the operating forces for 24 months.

“The Corps is an infantry-based service, and we want to encourage Marines who are willing to stay in the operating forces to stay,” a Manpower official said.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/12/marine_mosclosings_120108w/%2e