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Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Administrative Retention Review (MAR2)

MOS Adminstrative Retention Review

Wounded, ill and injured Soldiers who meet retention standards, but cannot fulfill the requirements of their current job or Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) will go through the MOS Administrative Retention Review (MAR2) process. During the MAR2 process the retention and reclassification branch (RRB) will either retain the Soldier in his or her current MOS, reclassify the Soldier to a different MOS or refer the Soldier to the Medical Retention Board (MEB). If the Soldier is reclassified, he will typically move directly from a Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) into a training program for the next MOS at his or her new duty station to ensure he/she has the necessary skills for the new work. Each Soldier will be counselled prior to reclassification and will have input into the new MOS selection.

During a standard MAR2 process, the following steps will occur:

  • The Soldier receives a permanent profile (DA Form 3349 ) with a rating of three or four listed in the Military Physical Profile Serial System or PULHES (physical capacity, upper extremity, lower extremity, hearing and ears, eyes, and psychiatric). Soldiers with a PULHES rating of three or four suffer from defects or impairments that require significant restriction of use, are unable to perform at full capacity except for brief or moderate periods, and/or their hearing and vision are significantly impaired. For more information on PULHES ratings, see page 83 of AR 40-501: Standards of Medical Fitness .
  • The installation retention office collects these profiles from either the patient administration division (PAD) at the local military treatment facility (MTF) or through a system known as eProfile.
  • The installation retention office screens the profile to ensure it clearly indicates physical limitations. If the profile is not clear, the profile will be referred back to the MTF. If the profile is clear, it will be sent to the unit for a MAR2 packet to be generated. The suspense for packet completion is 14 duty days.
  • The brigade or battalion career counselor will receive assistance in the completion of the MAR2 packet. Once the packet is complete, the career counselor forwards the packet back to the installation retention office, where they will verify the packet is complete and then forward it to the Human Resources Command (HRC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
  • HRC performs an administrative review of the packet based on the limitations of the profile as stated by the doctor, the Soldier's statement, commander's statement, and any additional documentation. HRC will then determine if the Soldier will be retained in their current Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS)/ Area of Concentration (AOC), reclassified to another MOS/AOC, or referred to the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) .
  • Once the decision is made by HRC, the results will be immediately sent back to the installation for distribution to the command. HRC also updates all the personnel codes on the Soldier's/Officer's record with the MAR2 results.

For additional information on MAR2, refer to your Triad of Care and Career Counselor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be automatically discharged from the Army if I enter the MAR2 process?
Is the MAR2 process considered a military occupational specialty (MOS) reclassification board?
Can I appeal the MAR2 decision?
Can I take leave while I am being evaluated?

Will I be automatically discharged from the Army if I enter the MAR2 process?

No. Entering into the MAR2 process does not mean you will be automatically discharged from military service.

Is the MAR2 process considered a military occupational specialty (MOS) reclassification board?

Yes. Reclassification is considered for Soldiers with a permanent level three profile (P3) who meet retention standards. For more information on what it means to have a permanent level three profile, see AR 40-501 .

Can I appeal the MAR2 decision?

No, there is no appeal process. Once the decision is made by HRC, the results will be immediately sent back to the installation for distribution to the command. HRC will also update all the personnel codes on the Soldier's/Officer's record with the MAR2 results.

Can I take leave while I am being evaluated?

Yes. It is a 14-day process once the packet is completed.

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