R 161334Z May 17
MARADMIN 235/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG MCCDC QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/FORCE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR COURSE 4-17//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD: 20160119//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD: 20160901//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD: 20160630//
NARR/REF A IS FRAGO 01/2016, ADVANCE TO CONTACT, CMC GUIDANCE TO THE FUTURE OF THE MARINE CORPS. REF B IS CMC WHITE LETTER 2-16 WITH CMC FORCE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE TO ALL UNIT COMMANDERS. REF C IS ALMAR 022/16 WHICH ANNOUNCED CHANGES TO THE PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST AND COMBAT FITNESS TEST.//
POC/REGARDING STUDENT REGISTRATION, QUOTAS, FUNDING AND TRAVEL IS LTCOL PAUL MELCHIOR, MARINE CORPS FORCE FITNESS DIVISION OFFICE/TEL: 703-784-0678/EMAIL: PAUL.MELCHIOR@USMC.MIL.//
PRIMARY POC/REGARDING STUDENT READ AHEADS, COMMAND SCREENING CHECKLISTS, AND ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO STUDENT CHECK-IN IS GYSGT DIMYAS.C.PERDUE/FORCE FITNESS READINESS CENTER/TEL: 703-432-6465/ EMAIL: DIMYAS.PERDUE@USMC.MIL/ALTERNATE POC/GYSGT SARA PACHECO/ FORCE FITNESS READINESS CENTER/TEL: 703-432-8202 EMAIL: SARA.PACHECO@USMC.MIL.//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  In order to ensure common understanding of the policies supporting the Force Fitness Instructor (FFI) Course, this MARADMIN reiterates and promulgates guidance and intent, and solicits nominations for FFI Course 4-17.  References (a), (b), and (c) are background information supporting the FFI course.
2.  Training and Education Command (TECOM) is designing a service wide physical fitness program that incorporates a positive and holistic approach to physical training.  Utilizing the latest in scientifically-based techniques, modern technology, and the sports medicine field, the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Program (MCPFP) will first and foremost seek to establish a Corps-wide culture of total fitness.  Toward this end, the program will strive to optimize our Marines(apostrophe) health and physical fitness, contributing to increased unit readiness throughout the operating forces.
3.  The centerpiece of the MCPFP and key to its success is the creation of a cadre of FFIs who will be apportioned throughout the operating forces down to the company/squadron level.  An FFI will serve as the commander(apostrophe)s subject matter expert on physical fitness and sports-related injury prevention.  This selected Marine will advise the commander on the design and implementation of a structured, progressive mission essential task list-based Physical Fitness Training Program (PFTP) that is uniquely tailored to the unit(apostrophe)s training and exercise employment plan.  An FFI will also be capable of integrating available resources to support the commander(apostrophe)s PFTP.
4.  FFI course intent.  The FFI course is designed to train and certify Marines to serve as unit FFIs capable of designing individual and unit level programs. The course will produce FFIs that will leverage total fitness enablers and integrate with existing resources for nutrition, injury prevention, and sports medicine in addition to managing the daily physical fitness regimen of the unit.  The FFI course targets leaders who exhibit motivation, leadership, maturity, and natural talent at the small unit level.
5.  FFI course overview
A.  All enlisted active component sergeants and above with any primary military occupational specialty (MOS) are eligible to apply for FFI Course 4-17.
B.  The FFI course is currently a six week program of instruction.
C.  A minimum of six FFI courses will be conducted per year at the Quantico Force Fitness Readiness Center (FFRC) and ultimately will be conducted by FFI trainers on mobile training team visits to bases and stations across the Marine Corps.
D.  Each FFI resident course will consist of 50 students with seat allocations provided across the operating forces and supporting establishment.
6.  FFI Course
A.  FFI Course 4-17 will be conducted beginning on 28 June 2017 at the FFRC aboard Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA.  Graduation is tentatively scheduled for 10 August 2017, but may be subject to change.
B.  This course will be made up of Sergeants and above.
C.  The course seat allocation is as follows:
    (1) Operating forces (equal distribution to Ground Combat Element, Logistics Combat Element, and Aviation Combat Element)
        (a) Marine Forces Pacific:  26 quotas
        (b) Marine Forces Command:  14 quotas
        (c) Marine Forces Reserve:  2 quotas
    (2) Supporting establishment
        (a) Training and Education Command:  8 quotas
        (b) Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island:  1 quota
        (c) Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego:  1 quota
        (d) Education Command:  2 quotas
        (c) Training Command:  4 quotas
D.  Marine Forces and supporting establishment must register students in Marine Corps Training Information Management System under course identification number M02MN1T no later than 30 days prior to the course convene date.
7.  Commander responsibilities
A.  In order to sustain physical fitness readiness and enhance small unit leadership in the operational forces, commanders should select FFI candidates who exhibit superior attributes to serve as the units FFI.  Specific qualifications and attributes are contained in paragraph eight and nine below.
B.  Upon completion of the FFI course, a collateral MOS 0919 will be awarded to FFI graduates.  Commanders will ensure proper secondary MOS reporting into Marine Corps Total Force System and verify the appropriate administrative actions.
8.  Applicant attributes
A.  Recognized Leadership.  FFI applicant motivates subordinates to perform at the highest levels through initiative, enthusiasm, MOS proficiency, and personal example.
B.  Performance.  FFI applicant produces results that surpass expectations and creates immediate impacts wherever assigned, demonstrates ability to think critically and creatively, and operate autonomously.
C.  Intellect.  FFI applicant has demonstrated ability to solve complex problems despite friction and anticipate mission requirements to formulate viable solutions.
9.  Student course prerequisites
A.  Must be an active duty sergeant or above at the time of application with at least one year of enlistment service remaining at the completion of FFI course.
B.  Must have a current first class physical fitness test (PFT) and combat fitness test (CFT) score.  An inventory PFT will be conducted on training day two and an inventory CFT will be conducted on training day four (after the weekend break).  The PFT and CFT will be graded on the new standards as of 1 January 2017 in accordance with reference C.  Failure to execute a first class inventory PFT or CFT will result in disenrollment from the course.  Failure to be within HT/WT/BF percentage will also result in disenrollment from the course.  Course weigh in will occur on training day one.
C.  Must be injury free and on full duty status for last six months verified by a military physician.  During the first two pilot courses, some students were identified with prior injuries that hindered their ability to train properly in the course.
D.  Previous formal instruction experience, i.e. Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, Martial Arts Instructor, Combat Marksmanship Trainer, Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival, or formal learning center instructor is recommended, but is not a prerequisite.
E.  FFI course command screening checklist and gear list can be downloaded from the FFRC public sharepoint:  https:(slash)(slash)vcepub.tecom.usmc.mil/sites/trngcmd/tbs/tbsmace and on the Marine Corps Physical Fitness webpage https:(slash)(slash)fitness.marines.mil.
10.  Coordinating instructions
A.  Funding.  Commanding General (CG), TECOM, Formal Schools Training Support (FSTS), will fund travel and per diem to include lodging, meals, and incidental expenses for active duty Marine participants.  All travel orders for Marines selected to participate must be processed via the Defense Travel System (DTS).  All travel authorizations must be routed using the units World Wide Travel routing list and must be approved by an FSTS approving official (AO).  All Marines must enter course identification number M02MN1T “attending the Marine Corps Force Fitness Instructor Program" in the trip description.  The DTS line of accounting will be applied by an FSTS AO upon approval.  Government quarters and messing are directed.  Attendees must check into Quantico bachelor officers(apostrophe) quarters (Liversedge Hall) at DSN 278-3148/9 or commercial 703-784-3148/9 for non-availability of government billeting prior to making any commercial lodging reservations.
B.  Reporting instructions.  FFI Course 4-17 will convene 28 June 2017. Students are required to report in green on green physical training uniform with running suit at 0600 to the Director, Force Fitness Readiness Center/Martial Arts Center of Excellence, Raider Hall, 24191 Gilbert Road, Quantico, VA, 22134-5019.  27 June 2017 is considered a travel day.  Students traveling from overseas are authorized to travel 26 June 2017.
C.  Marines are encouraged to consult references contained in this MARADMIN for specific questions regarding the FFI course.  Additional points of contact are listed at the top of this MARADMIN.
D.  Student read ahead material will be sent out to all registered students in the Marine Corps Training Information Management System.  These particular read aheads are targeted around subjects that have proven to be challenging for the students in the first two pilot courses.  It is strongly recommended students familiarize themselves with this information prior to the course convening.  There are two written tests during the course and the schoolhouses academic Policy states that a test failure will be remediated and re-tested for each written exam.  The re-test counts as an additional failure if a passing score is not attained.  Disenrollment will be recommended for any student who fails two graded events.  The inventory test will be administered on training day one.
11.  Commanding officers will ensure widest dissemination of this MARADMIN.
12.  This MARADMIN is cancelled 30 September 2017.
13.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
14.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Robert S. Walsh, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command.//