The MCIRSA of today traces its roots back to the Reserve Records Branch (Class III). In 45 years it has developed from a custodian of inactive Reserve record books to a command spread over 47 states, providing peacetime and wartime support to both the active duty Marine Corps and the families and communities of Reserve Marines. The following is a brief chronology of the past 45 years.
1965 - 1970
The Reserve Records Branch (Class III), an administrative support center for inactive Reserves, moved to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Kansas City, MO from Philadelphia, PA in July 1965 and was placed under the administrative control of the Marine Corps Reserve Data Service Center (MCRDSC). Later that same year the Class III Records Branch moved to the MCRDSC complex on Bannister Road in Kansas City, MO. In 1967 MCRDSC was redesignated the Marine Corps Automated Services Center (MCASC). The Class III Reserve Records Branch remained the same, its mission as custodian of inactive Reserve record books remained unchanged.
1971 - 1975
In 1971, the Marine Corps eliminated the use of service numbers in favor of social security numbers. Service record filing was completely revised. In 1972 the Chief of Staff, Reserve Division, HQMC, established the Reserve Manpower Automated Systems Management (RMASM) Branch within the Reserve Division of Headquarters, Marine Corps. Class III Reserve Records Branch was redesignated as the Marine Corps Reserve Forces Records (MCRFR) Branch under the cognizance of RMASM. There was no substantial change to mission or personnel. In 1973 the MCRFR Branch became its own organization and was redesignated as the Marine Corps Reserve Forces Administrative Activity (MCRFAA). The Marine Corps moved to civilianize the MCRFAA in 1974, replacing the majority of Marine billets with civilian billets. By 1975, MCRFAA had 93 civilians and 11 Marines. Administrative support for military and civilian personnel was provided by the Marine Corps Finance Center. Support included logistics services, financial accounting functions, legal assistance, manpower control, purchasing, warehousing, and motor transport. Health and Dental Records of the IRR, FMCR, and Standby Reserve were transferred from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery to the Center.
1976 - 1980
The years from 1976 - 1980 marked tremendous change. In 1976 MCRFAA became a separate Kansas City command with equal status to the Marine Corps Finance Center (MCFC) and the Marine Corps Central Design and Programming Activity (MCCDPA). Administrative support was provided by the MCFC. The center was divided into six sections: Correspondence Section answered correspondence, completed and filed buck tags, administered the Mandatory Participants, effected IRR officer and enlisted promotions, processed active duty requests, completed Visual Audit Sheets (VAS), and processed conditional releases; the Separation Section effected officers discharges and resignations, enlisted discharges, administrative discharges, and transfers to the FMCR; Volunteer Training Unit (VTUs)/Order Writing Section maintained records and replied to correspondence for VTUs and issued active duty orders; Medical Section processed medical examinations of IRR and FMCR personnel and certified officers physically fit for duty; Mail and File Section opened all incoming mail, processed address changes, and answered miscellaneous correspondence; Admin Control Unit (ACU) requested VASs for IRR Marines, audited VASs against record books and returned records to former units for corrections, forwarded records of discharged Marines to CMC, forwarded records to SMCR units, requested missing enlistment contracts, maintained REPMIS, and provided rosters to SMCR units. In 1977, internal structure changed from units or sections to divisions. The first division - Records Division - had 9 sections: Correspondence Section; RRCR Section; Separations Section; VTU Section; Medical Section; Mail and File Section; ACU, Address Section; and Quality Control Section. The first computer was installed for data entry onto magnetic tapes. A reorganization was implemented in February 1978, resulting in a name change from “Activity” to “Center.” A Mobilization Plans Staff billet was created and the Center's first mobilization SOP was drafted. Mobilization Designee Unit formed and began drilling at the Center. Personnel Actions Division was established and supported 77,000 IRRs with supervisors trained in reserve administration. Special Projects Branch was created to administer to mandatory participants and complete the Center's special mail outs. The ACU now became the Document Control Branch. Medical Administration Staff moved to this division. Systems Management Division was created and was responsible for ad hoc reports, recurring reports, and REPMIS transactions. SMD was involved with planning for the conversion of REPMIS and CAREPAY to Reserve Manpower Management and Pay Systems (REMMPS). Reserve Common Component Data Personnel System (RCCPDS) came on-line. The Center was renovated, and Administrative Services, a new office to handle civilian personnel issues, was created. The institution of EOS for women Marines resulted in an audit/update of all women Marine records. In 1980, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs visited MCRFAC to discuss relocating the Center and changing the name to Marine Corps Reserve Support Center (MCRSC).
1981 - 1985
On 26 June 1981, the House Armed Services Committee approved the relocation of the Center. In 1981 the Director’s billet became that of a General Officer. The Director was granted special court martial authority. General court martial authority resided with the CG, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. The command’s name was changed to the Marine Corps Reserve Support Center (MCRSC) effective 30 June 1981. The Training Division's responsibilities expanded to include issuance of all orders for IRR and MTU personnel, and maintenance of financial records for RPMC and O&MCRA appropriation funds, and was renamed the Plans and Programs Division. The Procurement Retention Division, forerunner of Prior Service Recruiting was created. In February 1982 the MCRSC relocated from the MCFC complex on Bannister Road in Kansas City, MO to a new facility in Overland Park, KS. The Center's Report Unit Code (RUC) 36005 was activated. Thirty-five Prior Service Recruiting Sites, 7 Entry Level Training Assistance sites, and 4 Procurement Liaison sites were established by the Procurement/Retention Division. Functional control of REMMPS was moved to Headquarters Marine Corps, Manpower Division and the Document Control Branch was transferred to MCFC. In order to provide full time support to the Reserve community, HQMC established the FTS program in 1982. MCRSC provided plans for implementation throughout the Marine Corps Reserve, with MCRSC’s share of personnel being predominantly in systems development and administration. The Full Time Support (FTS) Branch was created and assumed full cognizance of enlisted FTS personnel. Eighty-three FTS Marines were added to the MCRSC staff. A Micrographics Branch was established under cognizance of the Personnel Management Division. The equipment was installed in August, personnel trained in September, and the conversion of FMCR records and separation records to microfiche prior to shipping to Headquarters Marine Corps began in October. Procurement/Retention Division assumed the full nationwide responsibility for Marine Corps Reserve prior service recruiting from the 4th Division/Wing team. An Advertising Branch was added to publicize prior service procurement, and a monthly recruiting newsletter, "The Prospector," was published and distributed. During this period, 25 Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) and seven printers were installed. Unit Diaries were done on-line utilizing computer terminals, thus eliminating OCR forms. Fifteen NBI workstations and eight printers were installed for word processing. A telecommunications link between the word processing equipment in SMD and equipment located at HQMC (Reserve Division) was established. Automation proceeded at a rapid pace and MCRSC began on-line input into the JUMPS-MMS in 1984. 100 personal computers were purchased, and an IBM mainframe for the Center became operational, providing the first dedicated computer support to the MC Reserve establishment. Plans began for installing a direct communications system between MCRSC and MCFC Communications Center to transmit and receive message traffic. Microfiche operations continued at an accelerated pace, adding a second shift of camera operators. A computerized cross-reference file system was implemented to identify those records that were converted to fiche. The command requested that HQMC establish a Scheduled Airline Ticket Office (SATO) Branch at the Center, which was added to Supply/Services in 1984. MCRSC became the second non-FMF Marine Corps activity to implement its own Supported Activities Supply System (SASSY). A capability to submit supply documentation via AUTODIN was also established.
1986 - 1990
DC/S, RA tasked MCRSC with hosting various conferences, such as the Procurement Liaison Conference, Procurement OIC/NCOIC Conference, and Entry Level Training Assignment (ELTA) Conference in Kansas City, in an attempt to better inform and communicate with its supported personnel. An IRR Population Demographics Study reflected that at many specific locations, certain MOSs were not available in the IRR population to support needs of the local units. Plans to move the ELTA Branch to Headquarters, Marine Corps were announced. SABRS was installed in the Financial Management Branch. An IMA detachment dedicated to supporting the mission of MCRSC was formed. The Prior Service Training Assignments (PSTA) section was established as part of the Operations Branch. The Headquarters Branch was merged with the Adjutant Branch, forming the Administrative Division. MCRSC increased concentration on recruiting, developing and implementing the Automated Leads Control System. Internal planning for a Local Area Network (LAN) began, and SATO began providing official travel service for all Marine Corps commands in the area. Initial testing of the Professional Management (PROMAN) system (a new system to track skills not found in Marine Corps manpower systems) began, and the Preassignment Program was moved from PMD to O&TD. The Center was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for providing meritorious service in managing pre-trained individual manpower, annual screening of the IRR, and recruiting prior service personnel for the MC Reserve from 1 January 1986 to 30 September 1987. In 1990 and into 1991, MCRSC provided support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm: -Additional toll-free lines were installed in response to the over 2,000 phone calls received per day from December 1990 through February 1991, many volunteering to return to active duty to assist in any way they could. -MCRSC personnel formed liaison teams and were sent to Sites of Initial Activation (SIA) at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton to assist in receiving IRR record books and processing of SMCR Marines. -MCRSC was supplied a "by name" mobilization roster of 14,900 IRRs to be mobilized. 851 IRR Marines were brought on voluntary active duty to support Family Service Centers, the Joint Mortuary Assistance Office, FMFEUR Hospital Liaison Teams, Fort Dix Personal Effects Team, Marine Corps Districts, HQMC, and numerous exercise support, RCT, and special projects. -The IRR Mods section went to three shifts, working 24 hours per day to pull and mail record books and health/dental records to the SIAs. All inter-service transfers ceased. Additionally, home address research greatly intensified ensuring that mobilization orders were received. -The Special Actions Branch became responsible for the Delay and Exemption Board utilizing Recruiting Division personnel as members of the board and processing 800+ IRR Marines. A Deserter RUC was formed to account for approximately 100 no shows/deserters that MCRSC reported to local authorities for pick up and "return to military control" for punitive actions.
1991 - 1995
In 1992 the Center was redesignated Marine Corps Reserve Support Command and no longer reported directly to Headquarters, Marine Corps. Instead, MCRSC became a Major Subordinate Command (MSC) under the cognizance of Marine Reserve Forces (MRF), New Orleans, LA. The Administrative Division became Headquarters, MCRSC, and its first Commanding Officer was assigned. MCRSC received a Letter of Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy for meritorious service in connection with the mobilization of over 7,000 IRR, Retirees, and Reserve volunteers to support Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In an effort to provide more responsive support to the Command's customers and accomplish tasks more efficiently, PMD was disestablished and reorganized into Manpower Management Division. Formerly three branches, MMD now contained two - IRR Administration and Administrative Actions. The third branch of PMD, Drilling Reserve Branch, became its own division - Drilling Reserve Division with two branches - IMA Branch and MTU Branch. In 1995, the Command moved from Overland Park, KS to Richards-Gebaur Memorial Airport in southern Kansas City, MO, where it began 30 years earlier.
1996 - 2000
A variety of new programs focusing on mobilization, administration, systems development, training and recruiting dramatically enhanced readiness, energized Reserve Marines, and raised community awareness of the Marine Corps Reserve. The Readiness Support Program provided a strong presence in local communities, while enhancing mobilization readiness. MCRSC supported Marine Corps manpower initiatives by attaining over 100% of the assigned recruiting mission with less than authorized recruiting strength on board. The Command increased efficiency in other areas by automating processes such as fitness report writing/tracking and clothing management. Tasked by COMMARFORRES to plan, coordinate and implement Reserve Marine Online (RMOL)- a consolidated, automated personnel administration system - MCRSC also played a critical role in electronically linking the entire Marine Corps Reserve establishment by serving as the main Network Operating Center and training manager for the Reserve Network. In its administrative missions, MCRSC supported exercises, PME and the RSP Annual Training. MCRSC initiated significant measures to enhance career management of the Marine Corps Reserve, to include creating a comprehensive Reserve Guidebook, which became a coveted item and valuable information tool throughout the Reserves. During this period, the Command managed the screening of 65,564 IRR Marines at the mobilization stations located throughout the country. The Manpower Management Division (MMD) was renamed the Individual Ready Reserve Division (IRRD) in mid 1997. The MMI Branch reorganized from five MODs to four in early 1997. MCRSC consolidated Pay Administration personnel within the newly established Orders and Pay Division. Throughout this period the Command focused on providing better customer service to reserve and active duty Marines. A full-service web page was implemented for access through the Internet, supplementing the command's phone center as a viable communication tool. A web mail database was created to track and automatically create statistics concerning e-mail received via the web site. A full-scale review of the Command's processes was undertaken, resulting in many being streamlined, combined with other processes, or eliminated and standardized practices being implemented. This would be an ongoing project, with a database implemented for personnel to submit suggestions for process improvement. The Reserve Guidebook was made available on-line via the MCRSC website. The consolidated administration experiment was expanded to include more units and provided a vehicle for evaluation of automation concepts, prototypes and testing. In late 1998, oversight of the admin automation project was elevated to the M&RA level, with MCRSC designated as the MARFORRES executive agent. MCRSC was tasked in 1999 by COMMARFORRES to organize a Drill Accounting Process Action Team (PAT) with membership from all MSCs and DFAS-KC to automate drill accounting. The PAT developed a three-phased automated drill accounting process and recommended three policy and procedure changes. Also during 1999, CONAD was designated as a test site for the LAN version of Unit Diary/Marine Integrated Personnel System (UD/MIPS) for the Marine Corps. The Reserve Order Writing System (ROWS), an all-encompassing system that will request and generate all types of orders written for reservists to include pay, travel and liquidation, was implemented. Successful testing of automated IDT muster using PDA was conducted and identified a number of requirements that were incorporated into proposed policy changes. A comprehensive reorganization of MCRSC occurred in 2000 in order to facilitate transition to a more efficient, web-based, automated, consolidated Command organized by function rather than population. The reorganization implemented the General Staff concept. The long-term goal was to prepare the Command to assume the mission of a Personnel Administration Center for active duty, reserve, and retired Marines.
2001 - 2003
Since the terrorist attack on the United States on 11 September 2001 the main focus for MCRSC has been mobilization. The Global War on Terrorism and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom necessitated the mobilization of thousands of reservists. Standing up and manning the IMPCs, identifying the reservists to be mobilized, ensuring that their orders were cut and sent to the proper address, reporting of all required MCTFS data, converting the Marines' records to electronic files and sending them to the MPCs, and ensuring that administrative and legal assistance was made available, kept the Command's optempo at a fast pace. In mid-May 2003, the demobilization of reservists began, continuing the Command's increased workload. With renewed interest in a sound Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) throughout the Government, MCRSC representatives attended numerous local GSA and FEMA meetings, identified the personnel and equipment needed during an emergency, and arranged for alternate work spaces for essential personnel. Cooperative agreements with other local Government agencies were also implemented. Several key functional changes occurred. The Peacetime Wartime Support Team (PWST) program was transferred to MCRSC from MARFORRES, and PWST members became IMA Marines. PWST Regional Commanders were command-slated and the Force Order for the revamped program was written. Prior Service Recruiting transferred from MCRSC to MCRC effective 1 October 2002. Execution of the MFR MORDT Program was assumed by MCRSC. Customer service also remained a priority. Thirty-six process improvement suggestions were implemented, and all personnel in the Command participated in teamwork classes. To more effectively track the status of orders, travel claims, drill sheets and other administrative actions, the Customer Service Center (CSC) was expanded to become the initial section that handled every personnel administrative request (PAR) received by the command. The CSC established tracking numbers for every request, and took responsibility for routing the request to the proper section for action.
2004 - 2006
In April of 2004, acting on direction from Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, MCRSC was renamed the Marine Corps Mobilization Command (MOBCOM) to more accurately describe its mission. The command continued to manage a steadily increasing number of activation orders for Individual Augmentees (IA), and worked with MARFORRES and HQMC on improvements to the Mobilization, Activation, Integration & Deactivation Plan (MAID-P) and other associated documents that needed to be updated to reflect the more rapid activation processes implemented to accommodate the requirements of the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT). In 2005, the decision was finalized to relocate MOBCOM to New Orleans under the Base Relocation And Closure (BRAC) program. In 2005, MOBCOM also served as the COOP site for the MARFORRES Headquarters when Hurricane Katrina caused thousands of Marines and Sailors to evacuate the New Orleans area.
2006 - 2007
In 2006, MOBCOM took tremendous strides towards improving and teaching IRR Marines in order to ensure MOBCOM could meet its mission of “Providing Ready Marines.” IRR Marines were contacted and screened more frequently and were ordered to attend IRR musters in greater numbers than at any other time in its history. MOBCOM’s IRR Engagement Strategy (IES) became the driving force for the command. MOBCOM also assumed the responsibilities for the Reserve Opportunities and Obligations Briefs in the Active Duty Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP), updating the materials to target the needs of Marines leaving active duty, using Reservists to present the briefs, and developing a professionally filmed video to accompany the brief. MOBCOM also put more rigor into the IMA and MTU programs by ensuring these units and detachments had valid missions, were conducting required training, and had fully engaged Operational Sponsors overseeing them. A variety of training opportunities were arranged for IRR Marines in order to entice them to participate and ideally to reaffiliate with a Reserve unit or return to active duty.
2007 – Present
In 2007, MOBCOM expanded its focus to ensure it supported the three critical “legs” of the Reserve “stool” - Family, Employer/School and Medical. MOBCOM continued to enhance IRR engagement, and the command ensured the activation/deactivation process provided a smooth transition to and from active duty. One significant effort for MOBCOM was to properly educate all Marines on the Reserves, particularly the IRR. This was accomplished through hard-copy and electronic publications sent by the MOBCOM and through the administrative IRR musters hosted by MOBCOM. The command established partnerships with numerous veteran service organizations, and developed an especially close partnership with the Veterans’ Administration, who began to host musters at their Medical Centers. In 2008-2009, MOBCOM continued to enhance its ability to maintain contact with IRR Marines and educate them on their benefits, opportunities and obligations. MOBCOM expanded its efforts in helping returning warrior Marines and their families reintegrate following demobilization, adapting the DOD Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and Marine Corps Combat Operational Stress Control program to accommodate the unique needs of IRR Marines. Every effort was made to maximize the abilities of veteran service organizations (VSO) to provide direct services and support to IRR Marines and their families, while also refining the message to these Marines to consider reaffiliating. Today, MOBCOM continues to enhance its ability to provide Ready Marines to fill the Marine Corps’ operational requirements. PWST Marines now provide regionalized leadership of the IRR Marines, maintaining contact with local IRR Marines and coordinating and conducting IRR administrative musters at the Regional Training Centers of area SMCR units. MOBCOM has developed close partnerships with the VA and other key VSOs to become an integral part in the support network provided to IRR Marines and their families. The IRR Family Readiness program covers all aspects of Reserve service, from pre-deployment to deployment to demobilization to post-mobilization. The Command has implemented the second stage of its BRAC-directed move to New Orleans without derogation in services and support to its Marines. On 1 July 2010, the command transferred the flag to New Orleans alongside its parent command, MARFORRES. By Fall 2010, 80% of the command will be transitioned to New Orleans, and by September 2011, it is expected that the new Federal City in Algiers will accommodate all of MARFORRES, including MOBCOM. MARFORRES is scheduled to complete a major reorganization at that time, which will change the name of MOBCOM, but will not change the mission of taking care of Marines in the professional manner that has been the hallmark of this unit.