r/USMC • u/PhastasFlames Veteran • 2d ago

Question Difference between FTAP and STAP?

Can someone qualified and competent please tell me what the actual difference between FTAP and STAP is? I’m having a really hard time finding a recent definition. I found maradmins from FY06 determining it as a “sergeant and above that reenlisted at least once”, but I’m sure it’s more nuanced than that. What even constitutes a reenlistment? I’ve been told STAP is determined by your EOS date changing, but that doesn’t really make any sense to me, since normally that date wouldn’t change if you reenlist while you’re still in.

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u/FoxyOrcaWhale 2d ago

FTAP is a Marine on their first contract, STAP is a Marine that's reenlisted at least once.

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

Ok, but what counts as a reenlistment? Does an extension count? Is there a recent maradmin that defines this clearly?

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u/FoxyOrcaWhale 2d ago

A reenlistment counts and a reenlistment. An extension is not a reenlistment.

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

Can you please define reenlistment for me then, because I know there are different lengths for them, and the difference between an extension and a reenlistment can’t simply be the amount of time and a piece of paper that says “reenlistment”.

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u/FoxyOrcaWhale 2d ago

An extension will extend the active period of your current contract, capturing part of your IRR time. A reenlistment discharges the previous contract and you sign an entirely new contract.

There are meaningful differences in duration, boat space competition, reenlistment incentive eligibility, etc.

You wanna know more? Ask a Career Planner to show you around TFRS.

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

But when that previous contract is signed, im assuming the time I reenlist for doesn’t really change the EOS of the original contract. Let’s assume I signed a 4 year contract, which is 8 total years including IRR time, then I reenlist for 3 years. Would the EOS would change in that scenario. I did ask a career planner, they were the one that told me it goes off of EOS. To be completely fair, this conversation didn’t happen in person as I’m not AD or reserves at the moment.

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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 2d ago

No, reenlistment doesn't come with any MSO so any time less than your original MSO just gets eaten by the new contract and any time greater than that changes your EOS. You also have to take into account any time on DEP, that counts toward your MSO.

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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 2d ago

Are you on your first enlistment, i.e. the same contract you signed before going to boot? That can be answered yes if you had a 4 year contract and "extended" it 2 additional years. An extension is an extension and a reenlistment is a reenlistment. Both can be different lengths of time, I've seen contracts for 2 years up to 6 years and extensions from a few months to several years. So it really is total time and a piece of paper that says reenlistment.

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

Honestly, I’m not sure why I expected more from the Marine Corps. Currently I’m out, trying to latmove and I’m running into issues because I’m an FTAP marine

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u/conaan Gaysprays 2d ago

This is a spot that actually makes sense overall, there's no gray area in evaluating whether you fall into FTAP. You are probably running into issues because the first reenlistment is the most competitive, after that it's nearly a given

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

So what you’re saying is, RELM to another MOS then RELM into my desired MOS😂

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u/conaan Gaysprays 2d ago

You can, just know that it's not guaranteed to do that, I've never heard of it ever happening but that doesn't mean it can't.

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

Thanks for the advice. I’ll take this into consideration

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u/neganagatime 2d ago

If you RELM into a new MOS you should ensure you are 100% spending the rest of your career in that MOS, as there is a very good chance you won't get another look at it.

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

What’s the criteria used for this determination? I’d imagine if the MOS I desire is more “important”, it’s more likely to be approved. My “plan B” MOS is related to it, very similar in some ways, but the MOS I desire would most certainly be considered a more specialized MOS

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u/Deep-Awareness-9503 2d ago

Are you “out” out or out on IRR time?

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 2d ago

I’m on IRR time right now, trying to RELM but they don’t take FTAP marines for AD (likely not reserves either) in the MOS I’m going for

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u/Emergency_Split_595 your weapon is still dirty 8h ago

What MOS are you hoping to join? Are you doing it through a normal recruiter or a PSR?

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u/PhastasFlames Veteran 3h ago
  1. Career planner at the moment. I started doing non ob reserves so it’d be an easier transition

2

u/Outk4st16 1d ago

First term. Subsequent term. There’s no recent definition. You’re either first time reenlister or your STAP.