FISCAL YEAR 2020 SQUAD LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GUIDANCE
Date Signed: 7/17/2019 | MARADMINS Number: 400/19
MARADMINS : 400/19

R 171447Z JUL 19
MARADMIN 400/19
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MP//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2020 SQUAD LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GUIDANCE//
REF/A: DOC/CMC MMEA/YMD: 20100908//
REF/B: DOC/CMC TECOM/YMD: 20190329//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. REF B IS MCO NAVMC 1200.1E MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES (MOS) MANUAL//
POC/ZACH BASICH/CAPT/ENLISTED PLANS SECTION/MRA/MPP-20/TEL: 703-784-9362/EMAIL: ZACHARY.BASICH@USMC.MIL//
POC/MARK PAIGE/MAJ/INFANTRY ADVOCATE/PPO/POG30/TEL: 703-692-4290/EMAIL: MARK.PAIGE@USMC.MIL//
POC/ADRIAN VIRGES/MGYSGT/INFANTRY OCCUPATIONAL FIELD
SPECIALIST/PPO/POG30/TEL: 703-697-4036/EMAIL: ADRIAN.VIRGES@USMC.MIL//
POC/GYSGT ROSS KAEDING/ENLISTED MONITOR SECTION/MRA/MMEA-2/TEL: 703-784-9245/EMAIL: ROSS.KAEDING@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN promulgates coordinated MRA, PPO, TECOM and TRNGCMD guidance for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 20) Squad Leader Development Program (SLDP) and serves as the primary policy document for SLDP.
2.  Background.  After 5 years of execution, updates to SLDP are needed to ensure program flexibility and responsiveness to Infantry requirements.  During FYs 18 and 19, the program underwent thorough review and several program elements were identified that require change.  This MARADMIN outlines key program updates and serves as implementation instructions for new program elements.
3.  Program Intent. The purpose of SLDP is to identify, select, retain, and train high caliber Infantry Marines capable of serving in a superior manner as Sergeant Infantry Squad Leaders.
4.  Key SLDP updates for FY 20.
4.a.  Based on feedback from the operating forces, MRA is removing the 72-month lateral move option for the SLDP.  This will limit the continuous OPFOR commitment to no more than 48 months.  This change provides a more sustainable pathway for Marines who opt to remain in the operating forces, and allows them to pursue additional opportunities outside the Operating Forces Infantry prior to their promotion to Staff Sergeant.  Specific reenlistment details will be provided via the annual First Term Alignment Program (FTAP) guidelines/Selective Retention Bonus (SRB) MARADMIN.
4.b.  Starting in FY 20, Sergeants Course is no longer a component of the SLDP.  It is removed as a 0365 Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) requirement.  This change, however, does not remove Sergeants Course as an overall PME requirement for promotion to Staff Sergeant.  This change aligns with all other non-SLDP Marines that must complete Sergeants Course as part of their career/PME continuum.  The Marine and the unit retain the responsibility to ensure PME opportunity and attendance.
4.c.  Starting in FY 20, those Marines who previously reenlisted via the SLDP and accepted the 72-month lateral move/bonus option may request orders to fill Combat Instructor vacancies after completing a minimum of 36 months in the operating forces.  Marines that request to depart the Operating Forces to serve at SOI must have at least 36 months remaining on contract or agree to obligate sufficient time to complete 36 months at SOI.  This change allows the Marine to depart the operating forces, but aligns with intent of the SLDP to ensure quality, second enlistment Infantry Marines serve in Infantry billets.  While Combat Instructor duty is a challenging and rigorous duty, this option allows Marines who have completed 3 additional years in the Infantry to accept assignment to the supporting establishment if they desire to do so.  Vacancies/opportunities to PCS/PCA to a School of Infantry (SOI) are based on needs of the Marine Corps.  Example:  A Marine reenlisted via SLDP in FY 16 and obligated 72 months to remain in V11.  Upon completion of 36 months in V11, this Marine may, if desired, request orders to SOI-West to serve the remainder of his/her contract as a Combat Instructor.
5.  FY 20 SLDP Overview.
5.a.  Narrative: The SLDP retains high-quality, Infantry Marines to complete the Infantry Small Unit Leader Course (ISULC) and serve as Infantry Squad Leaders in the operating forces during their second enlistment.
5.b.  All active component Infantry NCOs with the PMOS of 0311, 0331, 0341, 0351, and 0352 are eligible to apply.
5.c.  Upon completion of ISULC, Marines will receive the PMOS of 0365.
5.d.  Corporals and Sergeants can apply for the program.
5.e.  Retention actions under the SLDP will ensure a Marine conducts all of their second enlistment in an Infantry Battalion for service as a Squad or Section Leader.
5.f.  SLDP Marines will have priority to attend ISULC.
6.  Commander Responsibilities.  Upon completing ISULC and meeting all of the 0365 PMOS requirements, commanders will ensure proper reporting into Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS) and complete the appropriate administrative actions for SLDP participants.
7.  Program Requirements.
7.a.  Applicants must be an active duty Corporal or Sergeant at the time of application with between 3 and 6 years of service.
7.b.  Applicants must have completed or be in attendance of one of the following Infantry training courses.  Failure or inability to complete one of these courses may not be waived for the purposes of applying to SLDP.
7.b.1.  Advanced Infantry Marine (M03M3X4, M10M3X2, or M21M3X1).
7.b.2.  Advanced Machinegun (M03H6A4 or M10H6A2).
7.b.3.  Advanced Mortarman (M03H5H4 or M10H5H2).
7.b.4.  Advanced Assault Marine (M03MUS4 or M10MUS2).
7.b.5.  Advanced Anti-Tank Missile Gunner (M03MUR4 or M10MUR2).
7.b.6.  Scout Sniper Basic Course (M0381Z4, M081Z2, or M0281Z9).
7.c.  Applicants must have completed all PME requirements for the rank of Corporal.  Marines currently attending the resident course may apply.
7.d.  Applicants must meet retention prerequisites per reference (b).
7.e.  Only FTAP Marines with an End of Current Contract (ECC) in FY 20 and Subsequent Term Alignment Program (STAP) Marines with six years of Time in Service (TIS) or less are eligible to apply.
8.  During FY 20, appropriate changes will be made to the MOS Manual to reflect updates to requirements for the 0365 PMOS.  Until such time that the FY 21 MOS manual is published, the following serves as 0365 PMOS guidance:
8.a.  Prerequisites
8.a.1.  Must be a volunteer in the grade of Corporal or Sergeant.
8.a.2.  Must have a minimum of 3 and no more than 6 years in service at the time of application.
8.a.3.  No derogatory page 11 entries within the last 12 months.
8.a.4.  No non-judicial punishments (NJPs) within the last 12 months and with no more than 2 NJPs during the current contract.
8.a.5.  No adverse fitness reports within the last 12 months.
8.a.6.  No courts martial convictions.
8.a.7.  Must be a graduate of the MOS appropriate advanced course below:
8.a.7.a.  Advanced Infantry Marine Course (M10M3X2 or M03M3X4).
8.a.7.b.  Advanced Machinegun Course (M10H6A2 or M03H6A4).
8.a.7.c.  Advanced Mortar Course (M10H5H2 or M03H5H4).
8.a.7.d.  Advanced Assault Marine Course (M10MUS2 or M03MUS4).
8.a.7.e.  Advanced Anti-Armor Course (M10MUR2 or M03MUR4).
8.a.7.f.  Scout Sniper Course (M0281Z9 or M0381Z4 or M1081Z2).
8.a.8.  Must be complete in all PME requirements for Corporal.
8.b.  Requirements
8.b.1.  Favorable endorsement by the First General Officer in the chain-of-command.
8.b.2.  Complete the ISULC (M030304) at SOI (East), Camp Lejeune, NC or (M100302) at SOI (West), Camp Pendleton, CA.
9.  Coordinating Instructions.
9.a.  Corporals accepted for SLDP who have a minimum of 8 months time in grade (TIG) and have completed ISULC will be promoted to Sergeant upon execution of a retention action under the SLDP.
9.b.  Marines will submit for the SLDP via a normal request submitted in the Total Force Retention System (TFRS).
9.c.  Marines participating in SLDP who remain on contract obligation under SLDP contract will not receive favorable consideration on subsequent lateral move requests.
9.d.  Infantry NCOs who have previously completed ISULC are highly encouraged to apply for this program.
9.e.  Marines are encouraged to contact their Unit Career Planner, Operations Chief, PMOS monitor, Sergeant Major, or Unit Commander for specific questions regarding SLDP.  Additional points of contact are listed at the top of this MARADMIN.
9.f.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the active component only.
10.  This MARADMIN is cancelled 30 September 2020.
11.  Release authorized by LtGen M.A. Rocco, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//