Leaders Guide - Retirement/Separation - Marine is Ambivalent About Voluntary Separation or Retirement

Many Marines may be ambivalent about leaving the service, especially if they have had many years of service, such as those facing mandatory retirement or those choosing to transition mid-career to civilian employment. They may be unsure of their future employment, or the Corps may have become their life and sole identity. In an attempt to put off separation, they may not conduct their final physical in a timely manner, or may not go to a transition seminar or some other required activity in the hopes that if they haven't done all of the required items, they will not be separated. They may become despondent and avoidant.

For many of the involuntary separations, Marines may have a non-compliant attitude towards the Marine Corps and feel as if they shouldn't be required to do anything since they are being forced out of the service.

What to Look For

Reluctance to talk about impending separation/retirement.
Failure to schedule a final physical.
Failure to schedule and attend transition assistance workshop.
Failure to manage leave prior to separation.
Failure to notify the Separation and Retirement Branch about planned separation date.
Failure of Marine to actively participate in the separation process.

What to Do

Some type of command involvement can minimize most of the problems listed. Try first to understand their ambivalence to separation and get them in touch with agencies that can help them solve the problems causing their ambivalence and move ahead.
Proper adherence to the steps laid out in MCO P1900.16F will greatly ease the separation/retirement process. Much of the process is focused on transition assistance and is directed by current legislation, helping make sure they have the employment and resources they need to support themselves in the civilian world, as well as how to stay involved with the Corps, if they so desire. In addition, the checklists will ensure that all milestones are hit in a timely manner.
Let your Marines know you are there for them, and can assist as needed.
Give your Marines adequate time to take care of the many appointments and chores involved in the transition process. Reassign projects and work if possible. Reassure them that you have their best interests in mind.
If your Marines feel that they are somehow indispensable and the Corps cannot afford for them to leave, have them envision their hand in a bucket of water. When they pull their hand out, it will be wet at first, but will dry off quickly. However, the water in the bucket will hardly be changed – it will still look full, much the way the Corps has always looked after Marines have moved on: others quickly take our place, allowing us to be free to pursue other interests. That flexibility and stability are part of what makes the Corps so strong.

What to Avoid

Not taking the problem seriously. Saying, “is that all?”
Giving simplistic advice by telling them, “all you have to do is…”
Telling them to “suck it up,” or “get over it.”
Ignoring the problem and hoping it will go away.

What to Expect after Taking Action

Most Marines will respond appropriately to leadership involvement when it is perceived to be in their best interest.
Some Marines will still have trouble adjusting to the impending separation and may need ongoing support or encouragement to complete the process.
Your Marine may need some additional time to settle some of their issues.

Troubleshooting

The most common problems seen are when the affected Marine does not plan ahead for the requirements of separating from the service. The following are common stumbling blocks for Marines who are leaving the service voluntarily:

Final physicals are to be scheduled no more than 12 and no less than 6 months prior to planned separation date. This allows the Marine time to get all of the issues worked out prior to separating. Marines who think that they will be retained on active duty past their separation date if they haven't finished their final physical will be separated on the scheduled date. Any medical concerns will subsequently have to be done as a Retired Marine or as a veteran through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Title 10, U.S. Code mandates that all separating service members be given transition assistance. This requirement can be done by attending a workshop or receiving separation counseling. This can happen up to 12 months prior to the scheduled separation date.
Marines can only sell back 60 days of leave during a career. If a Marine has poorly planned his or her transition time, there is a possibility that leave may be lost. It is incumbent upon the command to work with separating Marines to ensure that Marines get the opportunity to use any leave that they have as a balance. Permissive TAD is not a right and Marines should not plan on this as additional days unless approved by the command. Permissive TAD is not authorized for officers resigning.
Officers resigning or Marines retiring are to notify the Separation and Retirement Branch between 4 -14 months prior to their requested voluntary separation or retirement date. This timeframe allows the staffing of the Marine's request through several branches in the Manpower Management Division.