HOW DO I JOIN 4TH LAR

If you are joining from active duty the quickest way is through the Direct Affiliation Program (DAP). DAP affords qualified active component Marines the opportunity to affiliate with 4th LAR following their EAS with no gap in service. If you are joining from the Individual Ready Reserve, you will need to contact your local Prior Service Recruiter (PSR). If you are already affiliated with a reserve unit you can join 4th LAR via an Inter-Unit Transfer. Inter-Unit Transfers are processed within Drill Management Module. Every reserve Marine has access to Drill Management Module to request an Inter-Unit Transfer to 4th LAR.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR DAP

Any Marine released from active duty with characterization of honorable or general (under honorable conditions) if the basis for separation is not adverse.  All applicants must meet height and weight standards, tattoo standards, MOS proficiency and training, have no fitness report date gaps, and have an overall performance record that is competitive for promotion to the next grade.

To learn more about DAP ( click here )

WHAT IS MY COMMITMENT AS A RESERVIST

SMCR Marines are required to complete 48 drill periods and 14 days of annual training per year. Drill periods are performed one weekend a month. Annual training is usually scheduled during the summer months but may be utilized at different times throughout the year based on the unit’s operational requirements.

HOW DO I GET PAID IN THE RESERVES

Reservists are paid based on drills completed. One drill period is four hours and the payout is equivalent to one day of work. One day of work can be calculated by dividing your monthly base pay by 30. Typical drill weekends total 4 drill periods, or 4 days of pay.

Review FY23 military pay chart ( click here )

IS MY TRAVEL REIMBURSED ON DRILL WEEKENDS

Inactive duty training travel reimbursement is available for officers and enlisted Marines who meet eligibility requirements. Marines assigned to 4th LAR, that reside 150 miles or more from their assigned reserve training center are eligible to receive up to $500 in reimbursement for travel. Reimbursement is only paid for travel from Marines’ primary residence address to their assigned reserve training center.

Read more about IDT travel reimbursement ( click here )

TRICARE

Members of the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (and their families) are eligible for Healthcare Coverage through TRICARE Reserve Select. TRICARE Reserve Select is a monthly premium-based plan available worldwide with a large network of providers. Coverage includes pharmacy benefits and the option to purchase dental coverage at a reduced cost. If joining through the Direct Affiliation Program (DAP), Marines receive a no-cost, six-month extension of their existing TRICARE Prime benefits from the date of their EAS, through the Transitional Assistance Management Program.

To learn more about TRICARE Reserve Select ( click here )

EDUCATION

If a member has qualified for the GI Bill on active duty, they are eligible to attend school full time while serving with 4th MAW. Members will receive tuition and stipends, in addition to a reserve paycheck. Members joining 4th MAW through DAP will maintain the eligibility to transfer educational benefits.

RETIREMENT

Reserve Marines must complete 20 satisfactory years to be eligible for retirement. A satisfactory year equates to earning a minimum of 50 Reserve Retirement Points each anniversary year. A member is generally not eligible for reserve retired pay until they reach age 60. However, the retirement age is reduced below 60 years of age by three months, for each aggregate of 90 days the member serves on active duty after 28 January 2008.

To learn more about reserve retirement ( click here )

USERRA

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal law, passed in 1994, that protects military service members and veterans from employment discrimination on the basis of their service, and allows them to regain their civilian jobs following a period of uniformed service. USERRA ensures that service members: (1) Are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their military service; (2) are promptly re-employed in their civilian jobs upon return from duty; (3) are not discriminated against by employers because of past, present, or future military service. USERRA applies to both public and private employers. All SMCR Marines affiliated with 4th MAW are covered under USERRA.

VA HOME LOANS

A VA home loan is one of the most useful military benefits. If you have completed at least 90 days of active duty service or have at least 6 years of service in the reserves, you can buy or build a home, or refinance an existing home mortgage, with as little as $0 down, great rates and financing with no mandated cap. Another benefit over traditional mortgages is that there is no PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance, the monthly insurance fee charged to protect the bank until you reach at least 20% equity).