R 201846Z FEB 20
MARADMIN 094/20
MSGID/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPANDO//
SUBJ/PROHIBITION OF PRIVATELY OWNED FIREARMS AND NON-OFFICIAL/PERSONALLY OWNED AMMUNITION FOR INTERNATIONAL MILITARY STUDENTS//
REF A/SECDEF MEMO DTD 16 JAN 20//
REF B/ALNAV 013/20//
REF C/MCO 5530.14A//
REF D/MCO 5500.6H//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN announces the prohibition of the possession, storage, transport, or use of Privately Owned Firearms (POF) and non-official/personally owned ammunition for International Military Students (IMS), and accompanying family members, attending training or a school under the cognizance of the Marine Corps in the United States and its territories.  For the purposes of this MARADMIN, POF also include firearm components (i.e., individual parts of a firearm that can be assembled into a fully operational firearm, or provide functionality to an existing firearm).  Also, the term “chain of command” herein refers to the command exercising cognizance over the IMS while attending a Department of Defense (DOD) sponsored school or training program.  
2.  The active shooter attack aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola in December 2019 prompted the Secretary of Defense to review and implement updated vetting and security policies related to IMS per references (a) and (b).      
3.  Per references (a) and (b), IMS and accompanying family members, admitted to the United States or its territories on a DoD sponsored A-2 visa or DOD invitational travel orders, regardless of their country of origin, are prohibited from the possession, storage, transport, or use of a POF or non-official/personally owned ammunitionon Department of the Navy (DON) property, which includes Marine Corps property.  IMS must agree, as a condition of acceptance into a DOD sponsored training program, that they will not import a POF or non-official/personally owned ammunition into the United States or its territories, nor purchase, transfer, possess, or use a POF or non-official/personally owned ammunition while in the United States and its territories.
4.  No later than (NLT) 1 May 2020 or upon the transfer of the IMS to another training installation, whichever occurs first, IMS and accompanying family members 18 years of age or older must affirm in writing their agreement to the prohibitions herein per references (a) and (b).  Accompanying family members turning 18-years old are required to sign this agreement within 10 days of their 18th birthday.  Failure to do so will result in immediate expulsion of the IMS from training or school, and orders generated for immediate transfer of the IMS and accompanying family members back to their country or origin.
5.  All future IMS and accompanying family members will be prohibited from bringing POF or non-official/personally owned ammunition to the United States or its territories while executing IMS orders.  They will not be permitted to purchase, possess, nor use POF or non-official/personally owned ammunition, including those on or off DON property.  Written affirmation to the prohibitions set forth in this MARADMIN will accompany issuance of original orders to an IMS.
6.  NLT 20 February 2020, commanders will direct IMS, and accompanying family members, currently possessing POF and/or non-official/personally owned ammunition in the United States and its territories, regardless if residing on or off Marine Corps property, and attending training or school under the cognizance of the Marine Corps, to execute one of the following remedial actions:
    a.  IMS and accompanying family members will transfer custody of POF, and non-official/personally owned ammunition to the commander exercising cognizance over the Marine Corps installation or property to which they are assigned for safekeeping in an armory, in accordance with the requirements of reference (c).  The IMS will have these items returned to them upon completion of training and departure from the United States and its territories, or until the IMS and accompanyimg family members execute another remedial option listed.
    b.  IMS and accompanying family members will transfer custody of POF and non-official/privately owned ammunition via shipment to a trusted agent outside of the United States and its territories.  The IMS will provide written proof of the shipment to their chain of command.
    c.  The IMS and accompanying family members will dispose of POF and non-official/personally owned ammunition in accordance with applicable policies and laws.  The IMS will provide written proof of disposition to their chain of command.
    d.  The IMS and accompanying family members will transfer POF and non-official/privately owned ammunition to an individual not prohibited by applicable laws and regulations from possessing such items; i.e. another individual of the chain of command, etc.  Written proof of transfer will be provided to the chain of command; i.e. bill of sale, official letter, etc.  Refer to resident Staff Judge Advocate to ensure IMS and accompanying family members meet statutory requirements to complete such transactions in the United States and its territories.
7.  This MARADMIN does not apply to the use of government issued firearms and ammunition by IMS when specifically required for official training while under the supervision of the Marine Corps.
8.  IMS currently at Marine Corps training or schools, and accompanying family members, will execute the appropriate DON approved “Privately Owned Firearms and Privately Owned Ammunition Agreement.”  The agreement will be sent via separate correspondence, and provided to the IMS and accompanying family members via his/her chain of command.
9.  The authority to approve short-term exceptions to this policy is delegated to the arming authorities specified in reference (b).  The only exceptions authorized are unit events in which the commander exercises direct supervision over the event.  
10.  This policy will be incorporated into the next revision of references (c) and (d).
11.  The point of contact for this MARADMIN is the Branch Head, Law Enforcement, Investigations, and Corrections, Security Division, Plans, Policies, and Operations at 703-692-4307.
12.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General G. W. Smith Jr., Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies, and Operations.//