The Marine Corps hit retention goals early for the first time in 10 years, the service announced last week.
Over the past nine years, the Marine Corps reached approximately 97.2 percent of its retention goal. However, for Fiscal Year 2022, the service already hit 101.1 percent of its goal, said Yvonne Carlock on behalf of Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
The goal for FY22 for Marines on their initial contracts was 5,820, Carlock said in an email. For Marines with four to 20 years of service, the retention goal was 5,417.
Carlock was not able to provide retention goals for FY 2021 in time of publication. It is unclear if the retention goals for this year are higher or lower than in the past.
It was also unclear the effect of COVID-19 on retention, Carlock said in the email. The Marine Corps has separated 3,069 Marines due to refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the most recent report.