Modernizing the enlisted assignments process
Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments made great strides in modernizing the assignments process for enlisted Marines in the past year. Advancements include an MMEA dashboard with the first enlisted assignments vacancy list, a web application that reduces wait times during monitor visits, and a premier retention and assignment web experience aimed at educating Marines and families.
These tools allow career planners and monitors to better serve Marines. They also empower Marines with the information needed to make informed career moves that support their future goals. The MMEA dashboard, powered by Microsoft Power BI, consolidates vital analytics from various Headquarters Marine Corps systems, and provides Marines, unit commands, and career planners with influential data. One of the features of the MMEA dashboard is a vacancy list published for Marines selected for the fiscal year 2025 Commandant’s Retention Program. The vacancy list provides Marines with a list of available opportunities by breaking down staffing rates and openings by military occupational specialty, location, and rank. In the past, monitors would update the list weekly and publish it to unit career planners.
Then, MMEA published the list to Marines, instead of just their commands. This year, MMEA took it a step further. Using the MMEA dashboard and the same information monitors use to make assignments, the Marines of MMEA automated the vacancy list. “Monday through Friday, the vacancy list updates and reflects the latest availability in near real-time,” said Maj. John Sykas III, the section head of assignments with MMEA. “While the vacancy list could be better, MMEA prides itself on increasing transparency and providing Marines with custom engagements.”
Currently the vacancy list is limited to billets slated for lance corporals through sergeants, but MMEA is working diligently to expand it to the staff noncommissioned officer ranks. The myCareer web application was developed by the Marine Corps Software Factory to enhance interview quality and reduce wait times during the annual roadshow and retention assist visits. Marines can join a virtual queue to speak to their monitor instead of waiting hours in an unpredictable line. Marines can work, go to the gym, get food, and they’ll get a notification when they’re next in line. “In previous years, I’d watch frustrated Marines wait for over an hour," said Gunnery Sgt. Rachelle Price, an administrative specialist noncommissioned officer monitor with MMEA. "For the monitors, we’d be trying to talk to the Marine in front of us, while also being acutely aware of the growing line. Now, I can give my undivided attention to the Marine I’m speaking to and find the best assignment for them," added Price. "Because of the myCareer app, I know that Marines aren’t having to wait in long lines, wondering if they’ll even have time to speak with me.” The myCareer app consolidates a Marine’s information and notes from the monitor. It acts as a centralized spot for Marine-specific information used to inform the assignments decision.
The app allows monitors to better engage with their Marines during these visits. In addition to the dashboard and myCareer app, MMEA produced a premier retention and assignments website, filling the void of centralized information. Designed for service members, families, and unit staff, it serves as an educational resource on continued service and associated benefits.
These tools improve the career decision-making process and demonstrate a continued effort to create better systems and processes for Marines. Marines can find the vacancy list on the MMEA Dashboard at https://app.mil.powerbigov.us/Redirect?action=OpenApp&appId=3ed5e9e2-9f25-4b19-b271-dbb5395870d8&ctid=f4c44cda-18c6-46b0-80f2-e290072444fd and the myCareer app at https://mycareer.swf.army.mil/registration. For more information, check out the new MMEA web page at https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/wordpress/?active_marine=active-marines-home/manpower-management-division/enlisted-assignments-mmea.
