The Marine Corps just changed how commands handle your billet slot when you leave for PME or ADOS orders. Previously, many commands transferred Marines to the IRR to free up the billet. That practice is now prohibited. Effective immediately, commands must instead request assignment to an Excess Billet Identification Code Indicator (EBI), which keeps you in Selected Reserve status and protects benefits like TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) obligations.
★ Affects all reservists: Commands are no longer allowed to transfer you to the IRR just to vacate a billet. If you're heading to PME or ADOS orders, your command must request an EBI to keep your Selected Reserve status intact.
Who it affects
All RC Marines, specifically SMCR unit Marines and IMA Marines who are attending PME or accepting ADOS orders. This is also relevant to unit S-1s, administrative officers, and anyone managing billets at the command level.
What you need to do
As an individual Marine, there is no form to submit on your own today. But you should know your rights under this policy if your command tries to transfer you to the IRR while you're heading to school or going on orders.
- If your command says they need to move you to the IRR to "free up your billet," point them to MARADMIN 514/26.
- Your command must submit a request for EBI assignment instead. You should not be transferred to the IRR while that request is pending.
- If you're an SMCR Marine going to non-resident PME, the applicable EBI is EX011 (up to two years, approved by HQMC RAM).
- If you're an SMCR Marine accepting ADOS orders, the applicable EBI is EX098 (approved by HQMC RAP-2).
- If you're an IMA Marine, EBI EX098 assignments are made by HQMC RAP-3 only. You cannot perform IMA duties (IDT, AT, off-site IDT, additional training periods) while in EX098 status unless you're reassigned to a valid billet first.
One important limit for IMA Marines in EX098: this status does not authorize any duty performance with your IMA unit. You need a valid, duty-authorizing billet before you can drill, travel, or train.
Key dates
- Effective immediately upon publication of MARADMIN 514/26 (released 20 Oct 2026). No phase-in period.
- Formal updates to MCO 1001R.1L (MCRAMM) are forthcoming. The Reserve Affairs BIC Assignment and Management Policy memo (dated 17 Oct 2026) is already in effect.
The official version
See MARADMIN 514/26 for the full text.
Referenced orders: MCO 1001R.1L (Marine Corps Reserve Administrative Management Manual, short title: MCRAMM) and the Reserve Affairs BIC Assignment and Management Policy memo (17 Oct 2026).
POC: MRA RA at SMB_RAP@USMC.MIL or 703-784-9615.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.