Fiscal Year 2019 Special Duty Assignment Compliance Requirements

1.  This message defines Special Duty Assignments (SDA) non-compliance and promulgates procedures for minimizing and assessing non-compliance.

2.  Background. SDA attrition creates instability throughout the force as Marines must be replaced by Marines from other units and often on short notice. The effects of attrition are significantly compounded by SDA non-compliance.

3.  SDA non-compliance is defined as a failure to comply with HQMC established requirements or timelines as they relate to the screening, preparation, or execution of orders for Marines selected for assignment to SDA.

4.  Commanding Officers bear significant responsibilities to ensure that the SDA selection and assignment process works effectively. These responsibilities are outlined in the references. Key among these responsibilities are the following:

4.a.  Commanding Officers are required to conduct an initial screening of his/her Marines in accordance with references (a) through (h). These screenings must be conducted correctly and submitted in a timely manner.

4.b.  Commanding Officers are responsible to ensure that Marines obligate sufficient service to execute their orders to SDA in accordance with established timelines.

4.c.  Commanding Officers shall conduct re-certification 60 days prior to the SDA class report date. If a Marine is found to be unqualified for their SDA assignment during recertification, Commanders are directed to contact HQMC (MMEA-25) via AMHS NLT 45 calendar days prior the class report date. Except in rare circumstances, reporting a Marine unqualified or unable to execute orders less than 45 days prior to class date constitutes non-compliance.

5.  Directors of Recruiters School, Drill Instructor School, and Marine Security Guard School have responsibilities in the SDA process. These responsibilities are outlined in the references. Key among these responsibilities are the following:

5.a.  Directors of Recruiters School, Drill Instructor School, and Marine Security Guard School will submit a drop report to HQMC (MMEA-25) when a student is not accepted for training or is disenrolled in accordance with reference (h). The drop report will specifically state whether or not the Marines status changed since being screened by the parent command.

5.b.  Reasons for initial drop or disenrollment from a formal Marine Corps School will be listed in sufficient detail to discern whether non-compliance was a factor.

6.  Non-compliance Procedures. HQMC will establish a FY19 SDA Non-compliance Board that will review the school drop reports and command requests for modification or cancellation. The board will consider the circumstances and any mitigating factors associated with each case, assess non-compliance as appropriate, and report these cases to Director, Manpower Management on a quarterly basis. Director, Manpower Management will notify Major Subordinate Commands via separate correspondence as appropriate.

7.  Non-compliance will be assessed in the following areas:

7.a.  Failure to submit initial screening checklists.

7.b.  Failure to meet initial screening submission timeline.

7.c.  Failure to gain obligated service or initiate required security clearance within prescribed timelines.

7.d.  Failure to submit naval messages within the recertification window if a Marine is found unqualified.

7.e.  Failure to meet HT/WT and body composition standards.

7.f.  Failure to meet the minimum standards of the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT).

7.g.  Failure to disclose pre-existing medical/dental conditions and injuries.

7.h.  Failure to disclose pre-existing financial or family instability.

7.i.  Failure to disclose pre-existing legal matters.

7.j.  Failure to disclose excessive or derogatory tattoos.

8.  End state. The intent of this process is to reduce SDA attrition by enforcing adherence to established requirements and timelines.

9.  Release authorized by MajGen Craig C. Crenshaw, Director, Manpower Management Division.