Marine Forces Reserve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Marine Forces Reserve | |
|---|---|
 Marine Forces Reserve Insignia |
|
| Active | |
| Part of | United States Marine Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Motto | Ready, Willing, Able |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
The Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES or MFR) (also known as the United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR)), a part of the United States Marine Corps, is the largest command in the Marine Corps.
The mission of Marine Forces Reserve is to augment and reinforce active Marine forces in time of war, national emergency or contingency operations, provide personnel and operational tempo relief for the active forces in peacetime, and provide service to the community (for example, through Toys for Tots).
MARFORRES is comprised of two groups of Marines and Sailors. The first, known as the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), are Marines that belong to reserve units and drill one weekend a month and two weeks a year. The second group is known as the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). The IRR is composed of Marines that have finished their active duty or SMCR obligations, however their names remain on the books to be called up in case of a war or other emergency. Participation in the IRR involves the Marine calling their local reserve station once a year to check in. Reserve Marines are equipped and trained to the same standards as active Marine forces.
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[edit] Subordinate commands
- 4th Marine Division
- 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
- 4th Marine Logistics Group
- Marine Corps Mobilization Command
- 3rd Civil Affairs Group
- 4th Civil Affairs Group
[edit] Enlistment
Enlistment in the Marine Forces Reserve occurs through a process similar to that for enlistment in the regular active Marine Corps. Recruits must take the ASVAB, pass a comprehensive physical exam, and be sworn in. They may enter through a billet in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). Reserve Recruits attend Marine Corps Basic Training along with active duty recruits, claiming the title United States Marine upon successful completion of the training. They may then have a leave of 10 days before further training at the School of Infantry (SOI) and their designated Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Only after completing the training program(s) does a Reserve Marine's enlistment begin to differ from that of an active duty Marine.
There is a program called the Select Reserve Incentive Program (SRIP), which provides enlistment bonuses for Reservists enlisting for needed MOSs. Half is payable upon completion of training and the other half is spread out over the term of enlistment.
[edit] Service
Reserve Marines enlist for eight-year terms. There are three options on how these terms may be served, one of which is designated upon enlistment.
- 6x2 - Under this option the Reservist spends 6 years in active drill and fulfills the remaining two in Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). This is the only option which makes Reservists eligible for the benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill.
- 5x3 - Under this option the Reservist spends 5 years in active drill and fulfills the remaining three in Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
- 4x4 - Under this option the Reservist spends 4 years in active drill and fulfills the remaining four in Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
After serving several years in the Reserves and attaining leadership rank it is possible for an enlisted Reservist to receive a commission through the Reserve Enlisted Commissioning Program (RECP).
