Greetings everyone,
I have a question regarding retirement credit points for Naval Reservists.
I don’t know if anyone on this thread has participated in Navy-Marine Corps MARS under orders in order to receive retirement credit points, but if anyone here has, I would be very grateful for any advice you might have to offer.
I am a drilling Naval Reservist, and am interested in obtaining official orders mentioned in the NTP8(D) and BUPERSINST 1001.39E (excerpts below). Before I go down to the Reserve Center and get a blank look when I mention the MARS program, I wanted to have some idea of what I need to mention in order to get the process started. Is there anything I can do prior to talking to the Administration Department to help them get orders written? I am guessing that someone requesting official orders to participate in MARS is not an everyday occurrence, and I wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t know where to go to get information. I’m just trying to find out how I can help them get the information they need to generate the kind of orders mentioned in the NTP and BUPERSINST.
When I was on active duty at sea, we used MARS to allow sailors to talk to their families during the holidays. They really appreciated it, and I want to be able to return the favor.
I don’t want to come across as participating in MARS for pecuniary interests, but if the Navy has set aside retirement points for MARS members who apply for orders to receive them for their participation, then I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t feel entitled to them.
Any help or advice is very much appreciated.
Very Respectfully,
Gerrit Rickwalt
LT USNR
KE5HVM
NNN0XPDT
(Excerpts from NTP8(D) and BUPERSINST 1001.39E)
327. RETIREMENT CREDIT
MARS participation will qualify naval reservists to receive
retirement credit provided the reservist has made application and received from his/her Regional Naval Reserve Readiness Command (NAVRESREDCOM) the necessary training and support duty without pay orders. The MARS area director will provide the necessary participation certification as specified in the orders. Copies of orders and associated correspondence shall be forwarded to the MARS area director concerned. Retirement points will be granted to qualified participants per BUPERS Instruction 1001.39 series (Administrative Procedures for Naval
Reservists on Inactive Duty).
BUPERSINST 1001.39E
CREDITING OF RETIREMENT POINTS (Cont’d)
14. Performs duties in connection with the Navy Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio
System (MARS) program.
Assigned under orders to participate in the MARS program.
One point for a minimum of 3 hours performance of duty with a maximum of two points in any 1 calendar day, based on a minimum of 8 hours performance of duty.