The Marine Corps is offering some officers the chance to end their active-duty service early. The Officer Voluntary Early Release Program for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (April 1, 2010, through Sept. 30, 2012) is open to officers with fewer than six years’ commissioned service who have expiration-of-active-service (EAS) dates during that time. Those selected must leave active duty no more than 90 days before their EAS, and must not be stabilized for deployment at the time they request early release. Other conditions apply as well. For example, eligible officers must complete all medical separation qualifications before their separation date, be eligible for honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharges, and submit their requests through their battalion or squadron commanding officer, who must approve of the separation. Marine Corps officers who accepted a career designation, are indebted to the government, are being released under other early-out programs sponsored by Headquarters Marine Corps, are already on terminal leave, suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), or who face adverse administrative action or court-martial, are not eligible. Company-grade officers who accept early outs still can try to continue their military careers by accepting commissions in the Marine Corps Reserve.
