MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Headquarters Marine Corps recently announced a change in the current Marine Corps Bases Japan and Third Marine Expeditionary Force assignment policy.
The modification, outlined in Marine Administrative Message (MARADMIN) 267/04, increases the tour length of unmarried Marines on their first enlistment from one year to two.
"This process has already started," Sgt. Maj. David Allison wrote in an all-hands e-mail message to Marines here, June 23, notifying Marines of the change. "The last two JRC (Joint Reception Center) classes have had over half (of the Marines) reporting in on two year tours. All have been sergeant and below."
One of the newest members of the Iwakuni team, Carlsbad, Calif., native, Lance Cpl. Michael Prowant, who recently finished his military occupational specialty of special intelligence communicator, arrived here, June 25, with orders for a 24-month tour of duty.
Prowant, surrounded by Marines of the same rank who will be leaving the station in just one year vice his two, said he doesn't mind the extra time at all.
"I like it," Prowant said smiling, "I just wanted to come to Japan. This was the first choice on my dream sheet; I didn't care if I came for one year or two years. I just wanted to come here."
The change in the tour length may arouse some suspicion on the current policy for overseas extensions. Previously, Marines who opted to extend beyond their 12-month obligation were granted an incentive to do so. The incentives ranged from a $2,000 bonus, 30 days of special leave, or 15 days special leave and a flight back to the United States. Now, incentives may only be necessary for those extending beyond the two-year mark.
"All extensions will still be one year in length, so Marines who have served their two year tours can stay for a total of three years and receive an incentive," according to Sgt. Talisha Robbins, overseas extensions noncommissioned officer in charge, Installation Personnel Administrative Center (IPAC).
Robbins said that last year about one third of the more than 100 Marines who extended here opted for the $2,000 bonus money, but the rest took the 30 days of incentive leave.
"Personally, I think (Marines) will probably be less likely to do an overseas extension because they will already have been here for two years," Robbins said, "Marines shouldn't have to have an incentive to stay here, but it's nice when they do.
"I understand the reason for the change because it will bring stability to the units and benefit the mission here."
Currently, married Marines will not be affected by the new policy. The message states that Marines who are separated from their spouse will only be required to complete the current one-year tour. Other provisions have also been outlined regarding remaining time in service of Marines moving to Japan. The MARADMIN message reads, "every effort will be made to send Marines with at least 24 months remaining (on their contract)." Marines with less than two years remaining on their contract may still serve here, but the message explains this will be the "exception and not the norm."
The length of tour change is the 1st phase in bringing the Marine Corps into compliance with a fiscal year 2004 mandate governing tour lengths of Department of Defense personnel. The policy began June 22 and will be phased in over a period of five years.