Promotion requirements

[wrbones]

• Enlisted PME Requirements for Sgt's - GySgt's



ALMAR 339/96

ENLISTED PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (PME) REQUIREMENTS FOR/SERGEANTS THROUGH GUNNERY SERGEANTS ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION

Date signed: 09/20/96 ALMAR Number: 339/96 R 200541Z SEP 96 ZYB FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//

MM//

TO ALMAR BT UNCLAS //

N01400//

ALMAR 339/96 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC MMPR//

SUBJ/ENLISTED PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (PME) REQUIREMENTS FOR /SERGEANTS THROUGH GUNNERY SERGEANTS ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION//

REF/A/RMG/CMC ALMAR 256-93/071619ZSEP93//

REF/B/RMG/CMC ALMAR 280-95/050541ZSEP95//

REF/C/RMG/CMC ALMAR 26-96/251630ZJAN96//

REF/D/DOC/CMC MMPR-2/26JUN96/1400// NARR/REF A IS THE ALMAR ON POLICY CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP BTWN PME AND PROM/REENL. REF B IS ALMAR ON POLICY FOR SELECTION TO 1STSGT (MOS 9999). REF C IS ALMAR ON POLICY CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP BTWN PME AND PROM AND REENL. REF D IS MCO 1400.32B (ENLPROMMAN).//

RMKS/1. PURPOSE. TO CLEARLY STATE THE ENLISTED PME REQUIREMENTS WHICH MARINES (SGT-GYSGT) WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION, MUST COMPLETE PRIOR TO THE CONVENING DATE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROMOTION BOARDS. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ALMAR CLARIFIES AND RESTATES THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN REFS A THROUGH D.

2. BACKGROUND.

A. THE COMMANDANT'S PLANNING GUIDANCE MANDATES THAT PME BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVERY MARINES MILITARY DEVELOPMENT AND DIRECTS REINFORCEMENT OF THE LINK BETWEEN PME AND ADVANCEMENT. TO THIS END, THE REFERENCES ESTABLISHED PME REQUIREMENTS FOR ENLISTED ADVANCEMENT, TO INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT THAT "EFFECTIVE 1 JAN 96, SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL NONRESIDENT PME COURSE IS REQUIRED FOR PROMOTION."

B. ALTHOUGH ENLISTED PME REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN CLEARLY STATED, THERE STILL MAY EXIST CONFUSION AS TO WHAT IS EXACTLY THE "APPROPRIATE LEVEL NONRESIDENT PME COURSE" FOR PROMOTION. ACCORDINGLY, TO ENSURE THAT ALL MARINES UNDERSTAND AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTAIN THESE REQUIREMENTS, THEY ARE RESTATED BELOW.

3. ENLISTED PME REQUIREMENTS BY GRADE:

A. SELECTION TO SSGT: 1. MCI COURSE 03.3, THE MARINE NCO. OR 2. NCO BASIC NONRESIDENT PROGRAM (MCI PROGRAM 7000). OR 3. SGTS NONRESIDENT PROGRAM (MCI PROGRAM 8000).

B. SELECTION TO GYSGT: 1. THE SNCO CAREER NONRESIDENT PROGRAM (MCI PROGRAM 7100).

C. SELECTION TO MSGT: 1. SNCO ADVANCED NONRESIDENT PROGRAM (MCI PROGRAM 7200). AND 2. EFF 1 JAN 98: WARFIGHTING SKILLS (MCI PROGRAM 7400). ***NOTE...THIS IS A CHANGE TO THE NEWLY PUBLISHED MCO P1400.32B (ENLPROMMAN). RESEARCH HAS REFLECTED THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE WARFIGHTING SKILLS REQUIREMENT WILL NOT BE MET BY THE MAJORITY OF THOSE GYSGT(S) WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION TO MSGT IN 1997. CONSEQUENTLY, THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR COMPLETION OF WARFIGHTING SKILLS FOR ELIGIBLE GYSGT(S) TO MSGT IS DELAYED ONE YEAR AND WILL BE A REQUIREMENT FOR THE 1998 SGTMAJ THROUGH MSGT BOARD. (IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THOSE MARINES THAT COMPLETE THE WARFIGHTING SKILLS COURSE PRIOR TO THE 1997 BOARD WILL ENHANCE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETITIVENESS FOR PROMOTION.)

D. SELECTION TO 1STSGT: 1. SNCO CAREER RESIDENT COURSE OR 2. SNCO CAREER NONRESIDENT PROGRAM. AND 3. SNCO ADVANCED NONRESIDENT PROGRAM. AND 4. SNCO ADVANCED RESIDENT COURSE. AND 5. WARFIGHTING SKILLS PROGRAM. ***NOTE...ENLISTED PME REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION TO FIRST SERGEANT EXCEED THOSE FOR PROMOTION TO MASTER SERGEANT AS INDICATED ABOVE (I.E. SNCO CAREER NONRESIDENT PROGRAM OR RESIDENT COURSE, BOTH RESIDENT AND NONRESIDENT SNCO ADVANCED COURSES, AND WARFIGHTING SKILLS PROGRAM MUST BE COMPLETED). THE REASON FOR THIS DIFFERENCE IS THAT PROMOTION TO 1STSGT REPRESENTS A LATERAL MOVE TO MOS 9999.

4. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ATTENDANCE AT ONLY THE RESIDENT COURSE DOES NOT FULFILL THE PME REQUIREMENT. REMEMBER, NONRESIDENT COURSE COMPLETION IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR PROMOTION. RATIONALE FOR ESTABLISHING THE NONRESIDENT COURSE AS THE PME STANDARD IS TWOFOLD: FIRST, THE RESIDENT AND NONRESIDENT PROGRAMS ARE NOT IDENTICAL, WITH THE NONRESIDENT PROGRAMS PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN AREAS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE RESIDENT COURSE. THE NONRESIDENT PROGRAMS ARE THE BASELINES, "THE INITIAL BUILDING BLOCKS" FROM WHICH THE RESIDENT COURSES BUILD ON AND EXPAND. SECOND, REGRETABLY NOT ALL MARINES ARE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND RESIDENT PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION. THEREFORE, TO BE EQUITABLE, THE NONRESIDENT PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO ALL MARINES, ARE THE PME STANDARD.

5. MARINES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THEIR NONRESIDENT COURSE COMPLETION AND THAT IT IS CONTAINED IN THEIR OFFICIAL MILITARY RECORD, MASTER BRIEF SHEET, AND MCTFS. IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT REGARDING THE NONRESIDENT PME COMPLETION CREDIT BY A MARINE ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION, THE MARINE IS ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A COPY OF THE NONRESIDENT COMPLETION CERTIFICATE TO THE: PRESIDENT (SPECIFIC BOARD) HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS (MMPR-2) 2 NAVY ANNEX WASHINGTON, DC 20380-1775

6. A MARINES RECORD THAT DOES NOT REFLECT NONRESIDENT PME COMPLETION WHEN CONSIDERED FOR PROMOTION AND THOSE THAT DO NOT COMPLETE THE APPROPRIATE PME REQUIREMENTS (ESTABLISED IN PAR 3 ABOVE) PRIOR TO THE CONVENING DATE OF THE BOARD WILL BE CONSIDERED "LESS THAN FULLY QUALIFIED" FOR PROMOTION.

7. COMMANDERS, OIC(S), AND SNCO(S) ARE DIRECTED TO DISSEMINATE THIS ALMAR THROUGHOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMANDS.

8. THIS ALMAR APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.// BT


MCI Online - Marine Corps Institute (800) MCI-USMC

[wrbones]

This is the html version of the file http://sja.hqmc.usmc.mil/ja-3/files/MCU%20EPME%20Newsletter.doc.
G o o g l e automatically generates html versions of documents as we crawl the web.
To link to or bookmark this page, use the following url: http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:K8FYwOO2uCIC:sja.hqmc.usmc.mil/ja-3/files/MCU%2520EPME%2520Newsletter.doc+USMC+promotion+req uirements&hl=en&ie=UTF-8


Google is not affiliated with the authors of this page nor responsible for its content.
These search terms have been highlighted: usmc promotion requirements



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


























Focus On:

Enlisted


Professional

Military

Education

Our Mission:


Our mission is to enhance the professional development and education of sergeants, staff sergeants, and gunnery sergeants in the areas of warfighting and leadership through instruction and evaluation.


Vision Statement:


We are firmly committed to continuing education and professional development of the future enlisted leadership of our Corps. We offer a “cradle to grave”, interconnected educational system, with clear emphasis on leadership, warfighting, military studies, and emerging operational concepts. The end product is an outcomes-based curriculum that provides real world, relevant core competencies for each course.



Forging Ahead:


It has been almost two years since the implementation of our revised resident curriculum. The feedback has been great, but we are not done yet. The horizon looks bright for EPME as continued changes and new initiatives bring greater opportunities for enlisted Marines across the Corps.


Okinawa SNCOA Advanced Course





PME Requirements by Grade


A lot of confusion still surrounds what professional military education is required for enlisted Marines throughout their career. The order for Professional Military Education, MCO P1553.4A, defines the objective, policies, programs, and responsibilities for coordinating the professional military education of Marines. Below are the PME requirements for enlisted personnel. They should not be confused with the PME requirements for promotion that can be found in MCO P1400.32C. In addition to the below requirements, all Marines should participate in a Professional Reading and self-study program.


Private through Lance Corporal. There are no formal PME requirements for these grades; however, participation in the Professional Reading Program and other avenues of self-study are strongly encouraged (for example, lance corporals could take the MCI course entitled Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership). No Formal PME Requirements For Promotion To Corporal.


Corporal. Complete the MCI course Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership. Unit Commanders are directed to encourage corporals to attend the CSCC where available. Senior corporals should enroll in the Sergeants Course Distance Education Program (SGTDEP). No Formal PME Requirements For Promotion To Sergeant.


Sergeant. Complete the SGTDEP and attend the SNCO Academy Sergeants Course. To attend, individuals must have completed the SGTDEP, be in full duty status, and meet Marine Corps fitness and weight standards. Sergeants may enroll in the SNCO Career Distance Education Program (SNCOCDEP) when all in-grade PME is complete, and the SNCO Academy Career Course (SNCOACC) as a staff sergeant select if the prerequisite SNCOCDEP has been completed. Nonresident PME (only) Required For Promotion To Staff Sergeant.


Staff Sergeant. Complete the SNCOCDEP and attend the SNCOACC. To attend, individuals must have completed the SNCOCDEP, be in full duty status, and meet Marine Corps fitness and weight standards. Staff Sergeants may enroll in the SNCO Advanced Distance Education Program (SNCOADEP) when all in grade PME is complete and the SNCO Academy Advanced Course (SNCOAAC) as a gunnery sergeant select if the prerequisite SNCOADEP has been completed. Nonresident PME (only) Required For Promotion To Gunnery Sergeant.

[wrbones]

-Gunnery Sergeant. Complete SNCOADEP and attend the SNCOAAC. To attend, individuals must have completed the SNCOADEP, be in full duty status, and meet Marine Corps fitness and weight standards. Currently, Gunnery sergeants desiring promotion to first sergeant or master sergeant should complete the prerequisite SNCO Advanced Program in its entirety (SNCOADEP, SNCOAAC, and WAFSKIP available through MCI).
Nonresident PME (Only) + WAFSKIP Required For Promotion to Master Sergeant

Nonresident PME + WAFSKIP and Resident Advance Course Required For Promotion To First Sergeant


First Sergeant/Master Sergeant. First sergeants must attend the First Sergeant's Course and a First Sergeant/Master Sergeant Regional Seminar. No PME Requirement For Promotion To Sergeant Major and / or Master Gunnery Sergeant.




Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant. Attend a Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant symposium.








News from our SNCO Academies


Quantico The Academy will host the second Sgt. Walter K. Singleton Distinguished Lecture on 25 September at the Research Center. The Academy is proud to announce that Col. Wesley Fox (USMC Ret.) will be speaking to guests and students of the Sergeants, Career, and Advanced Courses.


Camp Lejeune In continuing to support the Joint Contact Team Program sponsored by the U.S. European Command Peacetime Engagement Program, the academy is preparing to host a Georgian Military Liaison Team in September. The team of three Georgian officers will be briefed on our PME system and the roles and responsibilities of the Marine NCO.


Camp Pendleton Sergeant Major Tyrone Keniry will assume the Directorship on Sept 13th in a ceremony at the base theatre. The new Academy being built at San Onofre is slowly taking shape and will have state of the art classrooms and a 300 bed BEQ. The projected completion period is January 2002. Camp Pendleton has also played host to several VIP visits to include Sergeant Major Kwang Sub Kwak from the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and the Commanding General of Training and Education Command, Major General Jones on 20 July 2001.


Okinawa A project is in the works for Okinawa SNCOA to also receive a new facility that will accommodate all three courses. The site will also support telephone and videoconferencing. The SNCOA Okinawa continues to support Marines throughout the Pacific Rim in completing their PME and is comprised of a multitalented, highly professional staff.


Twentynine Palms The 29 Palms Sergeants Course started a small collection of historical memorabilia for their students. The museum has since been dedicated to Colonel Mitchell Paige (USMC Ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient for actions as a platoon sergeant in the Solomon Islands during World War II. Col. Paige and others have donated over 451 items to the collection. This mini-museum, now hosted by PAO is housed in the Sergeants Course to provide the students a unique perspective of that time.


Hawaii On September 11&12, the Hawaii SNCOA will be hosting Cornell University trainers led by Dr. Brian Leidy who will be providing a two day "Train the Trainers" Mentors for Violence Prevention-USMC program. On November 26-30, they will host their first 1stSgt/MSgt Regional Seminar for 40 Marines saving a significant amount of travel money, and providing the requisite PME for Marines of their grade. Guest lecturers will include MMEA, Career Counselors, Fitness Report Branch, and Personnel Branch.


Camp Crowder, Missouri Another successful running of the Reserve SNCO Academy at Camp Crowder Missouri has just completed. Over 300 Reserve NCOs and SNCOs completed the newly revised courses that are a condensed version of the active programs.


Director Enlisted PME Annual First Sergeants Course was held from 18-29 June. More than 180 Marines attended the course in preparation for their demanding role as the senior enlisted advisor to the commander. The success of this program has led to a proposed Sergeants Major Course which will prepare newly selected Sergeants Major for their assignments at the battalion, squadron, aviation group, regiment and MEF levels. Design of this course will soon begin. If you have any suggestions contact MCU Sergeant Major, SgtMaj Carl Bratton






New Initiatives


Earn an Associates Degree. MCU and SOCMAR’s Partnership for Higher Education Program promotes existing programs for enlisted Marines to earn a college degree.



Billet Vacancies in EPME


EPME is experiencing a shortage of motivated, professional Marines to work in Enlisted Professional Military Education. Vacant billets at all our SNCOAs and at MCU are announced on the EPME Website that includes instructions for how to submit for one of these billets. Working within EPME is an outstanding opportunity to excel and a definite career booster. Commanders are encouraged to pass this information on to qualified Marines.


EPME LINKS

Get the word out! A great deal of information about EPME programs can be found at Marine Corps University’s Enlisted PME website or to visit a SNCOA site, click a link below.

Quantico Camp Lejeune Camp Crowder, Missouri Camp Pendleton


Twentynine Palms Hawaii Okinawa




Learn the Myths and Facts about Enlisted Education from the Sergeant Major, Marine Corps University.


brattoncw@tecom.usmc.mil








Provide Newsletter Feedback To:

mcu_opportunity@tecom.usmc.mil

[wrbones]

http://mcrsc.mfr.usmc.mil/GuideBook/Section7.asp

[wrbones]

For all Fitness Report matters, contact the PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT BRANCH (MMSB)

A. General Discussion

Marines, regardless of grade or status of participation, are expected to exercise ever increasing maturity, leadership, and professionalism as they progress in grade. Ultimately, Marines are promoted with one goal in mind. That goal is the achievement and maintenance of the high standards of leadership and proficiency required for combat readiness. It has been said that Marines are promoted not because of what they have done but because of what the selection authority or board believes they are capable of doing.

As a Marine, your opportunity for promotion can be significantly enhanced by the quality and types of duty you perform. Reserve participation, competitiveness with your peers and Professional Military Education are keys to selection for promotion. You, the Marine, are the best advocate for advancing your career in the Marine Corps Reserve and for achieving your promotion. Finally, you are responsible for ensuring your personnel files, i.e., your Master Brief Sheet and Official Military Personnel File, are up to date and accurate for board consideration.

Retention in an active Reserve status is essential if an officer desires to retain a commission, be eligible for consideration for promotion, or be eligible for assignment to any of the various training opportunities.

Lastly, Professional Military Education is now directly linked to promotion. Officers and enlisted Marines alike are required to complete the appropriate PME in order to be considered "fully qualified" for promotion. Those PME requirements are thoroughly discussed elsewhere in this guide.

B. Officer Promotion

Reserve officer in an active status are eligible for consideration for promotion when their Active component running mate is in or above a promotion zone established for that active component officer's grade. Members of the Standby Reserve or on the Inactive Status List are not eligible for promotion to the next higher grade.

Prior to the convening of a Reserve Officer Selection Board an officer eligible for consideration is required to submit to the CMC (MMPR-1) a completed Reserve Qualification Summary (NAVMC 10476) and an official photograph. A copy of all Reserve Retirement Credit Reports (NAVMC 798) and copies of all Chronological Records (NAVMC 118(3)) will be sent by the unit holding the Officer Qualification Record. Letters of Appreciation, PME completed, personal awards, or school certificates or transcripts awarded within a year of the eligible officer coming into the promotion zone or which have been omitted from the officer's OMPF should be provided by the officer as updated material for consideration by the board.

Written requests for a member's OMPF and MBS should be sent to CMC (MMSB-34), HQMC, 2008 Elliot Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5030, or FAX: (703) 784-5792. Requests for the OMPF and MBS should be sent no later than 6 months prior to the convening of the selection board.

Assistance and information on the submission of promotion materials is available from SMCR administration personnel, MCRSC, or HQMC (MMPR) at (703) 884-9703 or FAX: (703) 784-9086.

C. Enlisted Promotion

The enlisted promotion system enables Marines within each grade and MOS or OccFld compete among themselves for promotion. The aim of the system is to advance the best qualified Marines to higher grades in order that MOS/OccFld vacancies will be continuously filled by Marines who are fully qualified to perform the duties and to assume the responsibilities of the next higher grade.

The CMC has designated certain Marine Corps commanders with the authority to promote enlisted Marines to the grades of PFC through Sgt as directed by CMC. Generally, in the reserve community, those commanders are the commanders of units of the Marine Corps Reserve having custody of the service records of personnel under their commands.

Selections for promotion to the SNCO grades will be made by Headquarters Marine Corps SNCO selection boards.

Minimum time in grade (TIG) and time in service (TIS) criteria exist for enlisted promotions. Those TIG/TIS requirements are summarized below:


Promotion to Regular Promotion Meritorious Promotion
TIG TIS TIG TIS
PFC 6 months 6 months N/A None
LCpl 8 months 9 months N/A None
Cpl 8 months 12 months N/A 6 months
Sgt 12 months 24 months N/A 18 months
SSgt 27 months 4 years N/A 4 yeras
GySgt 3 years 6 years N/A 6 years
1stSgt/MSgt As published by CMC --- ---
SgtMaj/MGySgt 3 years 10 years --- ---


The constraints of this guide do not permit the inclusion of all possible criteria or requirements for promotion as listed in Marine Corps directives. All Marines selected for promotion are expected to demonstrate the leadership, integrity, past performance, potential and maturity appropriate to the higher rank and greater responsibility. Of course, all are required to meet Marine Corps standards of professionalism and personal appearance.

[wrbones]

The following general information is provided as a rank-by-rank guide to enlisted promotion considerations:

Private First Class. Privates in the Drilling Reserve/Active Reserve will be promoted to PFC 6 months after the 1st day of the month of entry on initial active duty for training, if performance is deemed satisfactory by the commander.

Lance Corporal. A PFC in the Drilling Reserve/Active Reserve who has 8 months TIG and 9 months TIS and who is qualified for promotion, as determined by the commanding officer, may be promoted to the grade of LCpl.

IRR Private First Class and Lance Corporal. The CG, MCRSC is authorized to promote members of the IRR to the grades of PFC and LCpl who have the required TIS and minimum TIG; who have served a minimum of 6 months in the IRR and who have earned at least 27 retirement points in their last full anniversary year.

Corporal and Sergeant. Promotion for members of the Drilling Reserve/Active Reserve will be authorized on the basis of vacancies existing throughout the Marine Corps Reserve and effected quarterly by OccFld by the authorized commander. Promotions will be based on the "composite score" (CS) computed quarterly for each eligible LCpl and TIG/TIS criteria. Promotion periods will be in January, April, July and October.

IRR Corporal and Sergeant. The CG, MCRSC is authorized to promote members of the IRR to the grades of Cpl and Sgt who have the required TIS and minimum TIG; who have served a minimum of 6 months in the IRR and who have earned at least 27 retirement points in their last full anniversary year.

Staff Noncommissioned Officers. As noted earlier, promotion to the SNCO grades is the result of selection for promotion by a SMCR/IRR/AR Selection Board. Please note the following carefully. To be eligible for consideration, a Marine must be serving in the SMCR, IRR or the AR on the date the annual Reserve board convenes; through the session of the board (except for a minimum allowable period of 24 hours in the case of reenlistments); and on the date the board report is approved by the CMC. Marines executing inter-component transfers or who transfer between competitive categories during the board are not eligible for consideration. A single promotion board will be conducted in three phases to examine three separate competitive categories, the SMCR, IRR and AR. Reserve Marines in each category will compete with Marines from their category only (i.e., drilling Marines with drilling Marines, IRR with IRR, and AR with AR).

SMCR First Sergeant Selections. Reserve Gunnery Sergeants desiring consideration for promotion to First Sergeant (in addition to having met the minimum TIG/TIS and completed PME requirements) must submit a letter to the president of the Reserve SNCO Selection board indicating which billet(s), they would be willing and able to serve. The list of vacant billets will be published via MARADMIN. This additional selection requirement is designed to fill the small number of the most geographically isolated and difficult to staff First Sergeant SMCR billets.

IRR Staff Noncommissioned Officers. IRR Sgts through 1stSgt/MSgt are eligible to compete for promotion provided they; meet the date of rank/pay entry base date requirements announced for SMCR Marines for their respective grade and OccFld; have earned at least 27 retirement points in the anniversary year immediately preceding the convening date of the board or have been preassigned to a mobilization billet; have demonstrated the leadership, integrity and maturity appropriate to the grade for which being recommended; and meet the eligibility criteria for promotion to the next higher grade as determined by a screening board conducted by the CG, MCRSC.

D. What Selection Boards Consider

1. Participation and Activity -- Basic Retirement Point Requirements.

Career Retirement Credit Report (CRCR). The CRCR is an important tool utilized by selection boards to measure a Marines activity in the Marine Corps Reserve. The CRCR summarizes the annual totals of retirement points recorded in the Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS). It reflects a Marines entire career.

All retirement points earned by a Marine should be reflected on the CRCR. Points are earned while on active duty, Active Duty for Special Work, Active Duty Training, Annual Training, Inactive Duty Training, Extended Active Duty or while on the Active Reserve program. Additional information may be found in section IV of this guidebook.

Each year within 45 days after a member's anniversary, MCRSC mails a CRCR to IRR/Standby Reserve member's for certification, correction and return by mail. Instructions for review and correction of the report accompany the mailing. MCRSC will then update current, previous and historical retirement data in MCTFS.

SMCR and AR Marines receive their CRCR for review and certification from their reporting unit.

AR or SMCR Marines should request a CRCR from their reporting unit if they have not received one within 60 days after their anniversary. IRR or IMA Marines who have not received a CRCR within 60 days of their anniversary date should request one from CG, MCRSC, (Attn: MMI for IRR members or DRI for IMA members), 15303 Andrews Road, Kansas City, MO 64147-1207.

[wrbones]

It must be clearly understood that the CRCR is critical to the Reserve Marine. CRCRs should be routinely audited to ensure accuracy. Missing or incorrect information may effect promotion opportunities, deny reenlistment, deny selection for a PME school and impact AR program status. Each Reserve Marine is responsible for ensuring their CRCR is correct.

2. Fitness Reports.

Among the most important documents in official records at Headquarters Marine Corps are fitness reports. Absence of these reports may hinder appointment for promotions. Active participation in the Reserve Program ensures a sufficiency of fitness reports upon which a selection board may base its recommendations.

The sample reserve promotion package found in Appendix E of this guidebook contains more detailed information on fitness reports and members' responsibilities to ensure accuracy and completeness for promotion consideration. The importance of the accuracy, currency and completeness of the Master Brief Sheet and Official Military Personnel File, which contain copies of members' fitness reports, cannot be over emphasized.

3. Photograph

Appendix E, the Sample Reserve Promotion Package, contains important information on promotion photographs. Promotion photographs are also a critical element of the promotion package considered by selection boards.

4. Reserve Qualification Summary

Marines must complete a copy of a questionnaire entitled "Reserve Qualification Summary" (NAVMC 10476) as required by promotion, PME and other various boards. The purpose of this form is to provide an up-to-date summary of skills, qualifications and information that might not have been previously included in a case file. It ensures that all personnel actions taken (including promotion) are based on complete and accurate facts.

Members who do not have access to a NAVMC 10476 should contact their SMCR unit administration section or MCRSC and request a form. A sample NAVMC is found in encl. (5) of Appendix E.

5. PME

PME is solidly linked to promotion in the Marine Corps. Officers and enlisted personnel must complete the appropriate PME for their grade in order to be "fully qualified" for promotion. PME requirements, by grade, are found in Section VII of this guidebook and Encl (6) of Appendix E.

6. Active Duty Assignments

There are a variety of active duty opportunities available to Ready Reserve officers. They include formal schools, OJT, training assistant assignments, umpire duty, safety officer duty, memberships on various boards, ADT for members of Selected Marine Corps Reserve units, and special project work.

7. Letter to the Selection Board

Marines to be considered by a Reserve Selection Board are required to submit a promotion package to the board. The package must contain, at a minimum, a completed Reserve Qualification Summary (NAVMC 10476) and an official photograph.

In addition to the required items listed above, Marines are strongly encouraged to submit personal correspondence to the board. Only the Marine who is eligible for consideration by a selection board may provide written communication to the board. All such communication must be addressed to the president of the appropriate selection board (i.e., President of the FY-00 Reserve Major Board, etc.), Commandant of the Marine Corps (MMPR-1) for officers or (MMPR-2) for enlisted personnel, Headquarters Marine Corps, 17 Lejeune Road Quantico, VA 22134-5104. Correspondence for the board must be received by the board no later than the convening date of the board.

Correspondence may include, as enclosures or attachments, correspondence from any individual. Correspondence to a selection board should address any matter of significant importance for the purpose of attaining an accurate and complete record. Letters of appreciation, correspondence courses completed, personal awards, school certificates or transcripts awarded within a year of an eligible Marine coming into the promotion zone or which have been omitted from the OMPF should be provided by the Marine as updated material for consideration by the board.

Correspondence should not criticize or reflect upon the character, conduct, or motive of any other marine. Appendix E contains more information on promotion board correspondence.

E. Alternatives When Not Selected

As a Marine, you have much to offer the Corps. The promotion process is keenly competitive and non-selection should not be viewed as a negative assessment of your contribution to the Marine Corps. There are many opportunities for you to participate in the Marine Corps and to be considered again for promotion in the future.

There are steps you can take to improve your opportunity for favorable promotion consideration.
First, commit yourself to serve as a Marine at your highest and best level of performance. Make certain that a timely fitness report is submitted up the chain so that it is in your record for next year's Board.

Second, if you have not done so already, begin now to make sure that your records, especially fitness reports, are complete. MBS's and OMPF's can be obtained from CMC (MMSB-34) at the address as outlined in the following paragraph F.

Third, within 90 days of the convening of the Board, you should send your own "promotion package" to the Board for its consideration. This would normally include your cover letter explaining (if applicable) any gaps or other known deficiencies in your record, an official photograph, and a current Reserve Qualification Summary. Your cover letter should be brief and factual (not argumentative), and you should attach any recent (within 6 months) documentation that may strengthen your case (such as an award).

[wrbones]

Counseling Available. The Board's deliberations are confidential, and non-selection can occur for any of a large number of reasons. You may call the career Management Team at Headquarters Marine Corps (1-877-514-9275) to inquire about the competitiveness of your.

Assistance at MCRSC. If you have questions concerning the promotion process, preparing your promotion package, or other questions, call your SMCR administration section or if you are a member of the IRR/MTU or IMA call MCRSC at 1-800-255-5082. The Promotions SNCO at extension 3292 can answer your questions. MCRSC phone center operators at extensions 3395/6/7/8 are also available to assist you in reaching other personnel at MCRSC.

F. Marines' Right and Responsibility to Review the Record

1. How to Obtain a Copy of Your Record

All officers and SNCOs have personnel files maintained at Headquarters Marine Corps. Master Brief Sheets (MBS) and Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) contain the entire record of a member's service in the Marine Corps. The OMPF and MBS are two of the most critical documents considered by promotion boards. Every Marine is responsible for ensuring their OMPF and MBS is current, accurate and complete.

MBSs may be obtained by writing to:

Commandant of the Marine Corps (MMSB-34)
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
2008 Elliot Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5030

Facsimile request may be sent to (703) 784-5688.

A Marine's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) may be requested from the same address, office code (MMSB-10). Both the OMPF and the MBS may be ordered concurrently by sending the request to office code (MMSB-12). Customer service is available at (703) 784-3970 or 3985.

OMPF and MBS are available for local pick up by calling (703) 784-5640.

2. What to Look For and How to Correct Your Record

Appendix E contains extensive information on how to audit and correct your official personnel files. In general, Marines should ensure data contained in the OMPF and MBS is accurate, current, and complete. Information in the OMPF and MBS should be identical. Discrepancies or omissions in the OMPF or MBS should be addressed in correspondence to Headquarters Marine Corps or to the President of the Selection Board if applicable.

3. Key Elements For Promotion Consideration

Key elements for promotion consideration are the promotion package photograph, the Reserve Qualification Summary, the Reserve Retirement Credit Report and the member's Fitness Reports. Appendix E provides detailed information on these elements. Perhaps the most crucial of these elements is the Marine's Fitness Reports. No single element before the selection board is more important. Fitness report gaps or inaccuracies may raise questions concerning a member's service or give the board an inaccurate or incomplete picture of the member's service. The individual Marine is responsible to ensure his or her OMPF and MBS are correct.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 21, 2002 For Questions or Comments, please contact the MCRSC PAO.