U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Division wait to advance during company attacks as part of training at Twentynine Palms, Calif., June 25, 2025. The Corps is looking for enlisted Marines to volunteer to leave service early as part of a new program that applies to eligible active-duty personnel. (Gracelyn Hanson/U.S. Marine Corps)

The Marine Corps is offering early discharges to eligible enlisted Marines in connection with efforts to fine-tune the size of the force, the service said this week.

The Corps said in a force-wide administrative message Thursday that it is seeking volunteers already slated to leave the service by Sept. 30.

The offer allows active-duty Marines to separate before the expiration of their contracts.

“It is understood that this program may result in temporary risks to some units due to falling below staffing levels,” the message stated. “Units will not receive early staffing replacement.”

The message said commanders’ support was critical for the Corps to attain its force-shaping goals, which were not specified. The message also did not say how many volunteers were needed.

Marines entitled to separation pay upon their normal end of service terms will keep that benefit under early release, as long as they have completed six years of active-duty service, the message said.

However, the amount of separation pay they receive could be affected by early release, the Marines said.