Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Active Reserve Special Duty Assignment (SDA) and Marine Combat Instructor (MCI) Screening

1.  This message initiates the FY22 Active Reserve (AR) Special Duty Assignments (SDA) screening process and provides coordinating instructions for the screening of Marines to serve as Prior Service Recruiters (PSR), Drill Instructors (DI), and Marine Combat Instructors (MCI).  Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), Reserve Affairs Management (RAM) aims to select and assign the most qualified And capable AR Marines to duties as PSR, DI, and MCI.<br>
2.  Background.  A successful SDA tour makes a Marine exceptionally competitive for promotion.  In addition to opportunities for SNCO meritorious promotions and financial incentives, a SDA tour is intellectually rewarding and physically and mentally challenging.<br>
3.  Eligible Marines.  A list of Marines that are required to be screened for SDA and MCI assignment is available at https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/RAM2/pages_sdaspecialdutyassignments and TFRS.  The identified Marines are required to be screened by their Commanding Officers, utilizing the instructions, checklists and PSR screening addendum available at the web address provided above and within TFRS.  The generated roster, is based on a number of qualifying factors.  Marines who are passed for promotion by the FY21 AR Staff Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO) promotion board and Marines who are boarded for the AR Twice Passed Continuation Board are not required to be screened.<br>
    a.  No later than 16 March 2021, commands must notify RAM of Marines not available for screening with justification via Automated Message Handling System (AMHS).  AMHS messages endorsed at the Battalion or Group level or higher should be submitted to the Reserve Affairs Management 2 OMB at joinar@usmc.mil.  Non-availability for screening will not preclude assignment to SDA or MCI duty.<br>
4.  Submission Guidelines.  Commands will submit completed SDA and MCI packages on all identified Marines to HQMC (RAM-2) via TFRS, NLT 2359 EST, 20 April 2021.  Packages failing to meet the minimum requirements, per reference (e), will be returned without action pending additional information.  Career planners will utilize SDA with reenlistment or SDA with extension RELM types when submitting packages in accordance with separate guidance published via TFRS.<br>
    a.  Sergeants and above will schedule a screening with the nearest PSR career recruiter (MOS 8422).  Every effort will be made by the Marine and the Command to conduct an in person screening with a PSR Career Recruiter.  An appropriate "by name" request may be identified and processed during the in person screening as long as the opportunity exists within the respective PSR District.  The uniform for this interview is the uniform of the day.  Marines need only have in their possession the PSR screening addendum.  Telephonic screenings may be conducted with career recruiters if a Marine is deemed unavailable by Command leadership.  The command leadership will coordinate the telephonic screening.  The final page of the PSR screening addendum must be signed by the career recruiter and returned to the Marine for submission as part of the SDA RELM.<br>
        (1)  The following are contact numbers for each PSR District Headquarters:<br>
             1st PSRS - (516)824-3095<br>
             4th PSRS - (717)836-1098, 1105<br>
             6th PSRS - (843)228-4428<br>
             8th PSRS - (817)738-6350, 6260<br>
             9th PSRS - (847)688-7129, 7144<br>
             12th PSRS - (760)725-4158<br>
    b.  Medical Screening.  Marines must be medically and dentally fit to serve on SDA and MCI duty.  Due to the unique nature of each assignment, Medical Officers are encouraged to utilize the instructions provided with each checklist for guidance.  A physical exam must be conducted within 12 months of the class reporting date but is not required for initial screening.  During final certification Medical Officers will confirm there has been no change in status from initial screening.  Commanding Officers will conduct final certification by personally interviewing the Marines.<br>
    c.  Proof of security clearance or open investigation.  All Applicants must have their security manager complete a security clearance verification letter and include this letter in their package.  Marines not directed to be screened may still volunteer for SDA and should follow the submission guidance published in reference (f).<br>
    d.  All Marines registered with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) must report this during the screening interview.  Enrollment in the EFMP does not disqualify the Marine; however, the location of assignment will be based on the recommendation of the HQMC EFMP Coordinator.<br>
5.  SDA Package guidance.  Each package will include, at a minimum, the following items:<br>
    a.  NAVMC 11537A (Rev. 1-2015) RELM with chain of command comments and recommendations.<br>
    b.  Applicable Screening Checklists, per guidance provided in paragraph 3.d, and Financial Worksheet provided via sources identified in paragraph 4.c.<br>
    c.  Only individual photos of tattoos visible in PT gear must be attached.  Screening documents must include:  detailed description, size, location, meaning and date received for each tattoo.  360 degree photos are no longer required.<br>
    d.  Records of disciplinary actions contained in the Marines service record.<br>
    e.  Security Clearance Eligibility Letter.<br>
    f.  Final page of the PSR screening addendum.<br>
    g.  DTS Cross Organization Worksheet.<br>
6.  For Marines found not qualified for SDA or MCI, Commanders will provide source documentation of disqualifying criteria and estimated date of return to a qualified status, to allow accurate determination for class assignment and retention.  Examples include Medical Officer prognosis letter for projected date of assignability, legal documents that show conflict with training class dates, page 11 entries for assignment to Body Composition Program or PFT and CFT failure.  Unit Diary entries must be reflected in Marine Corps Total Force System for the disqualifying status in order to make determination for disqualification.  Commands should consider that this screening is for FY22 and Marines will attend SDA schools between October 2021 and September of 2022 when endorsing packages.<br>
7.  Between 16 April 2021 and 15 May 2021, electronic SDA and MCI packages will be screened by HQMC Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) and RAM.  Qualified Marines will be assigned to the available training classes.  During screening, SDA and MCI class assignments will be made in accordance with each Marines preferences and qualifications, command recommendations, needs of the program, and remaining SDA vacancies.  Marines who are found qualified and selected to serve on SDA or MCI duty and class assignments will be announced via separate correspondence upon completion of screening.  Once the approved RELM with designated class assignment is returned to the unit, Marines will have no more than 15 days to accept the obligated service.  Those Marines that decline to gain the obligated service necessary for their assignment to an SDA will have their End of Active Service (EAS) date changed to reflect the graduation date of the school they refused to attend, transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve in order to complete the remaining Reserve time on their contract, and issued an RE-3O reenlistment code in accordance with references (g) and (h).<br>
8.  AR Monitor Roadshow.  Beginning in August 2021, the RAM SDA Monitor will be available during RAM roadshow in order to provide an opportunity for Marines to interact with the SDA monitor on a one on one basis.  This visit will be coordinated as a part of the main AR Monitor Roadshow.  Refinements or adjustments to the SDA or MCI class slate will be done on a case by case basis.  Commands must submit official requests via AMHS, or TFRS as appropriate, in order to make class adjustments.  Additional information and coordinating instructions for the AR Monitor Roadshow will be released via separate correspondence.<br>
9.  Once final assignments to SDA and MCI classes are made, Commanders are reminded that they must recertify Marines between 45 and 60 days prior to the convening date of the individual's training class.  Failure to properly rescreen Marines for SDA will result in a determination of noncompliance in accordance with reference (a).<br>
10.  Released authorized by Major General H. G. Pratt, Director, Reserve Affairs Division.