R 181517Z JUN 20
MARADMIN 355/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PP&O//
SUBJ/CHANGE 1 TO MCO 3504.2A OPERATIONS EVENT / INCIDENT REPORT (OPREP-3) REPORTING//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20130807//
REF/B/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20110301//
REF/C/DOC/CMC/YMD: 20120410//
NARR/REFERENCE A IS MCO 3504.2A, OPERATIONS EVENT / INCIDENT REPORT (OPREP-3) REPORTING//
REFERENCE B IS MCO 3040.4, MARINE CORPS CASUALTY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MARCORCASASTPRO)//
REFERENCE C IS MCO 1720.2, MARINE CORPS SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM (MCSPP)//
POC/GEORGE A. SWEETLAND/LTCOL/MCOC/TEL: 703-695-5454/EMAIL: GEORGE.SWEETLAND@USMC.MIL//
POC/MARINE CORPS OPERATIONS CENTER/MCOC/TEL: 703-695-5454/EMAIL: HQMC.MCC1@USMC.MIL, HQMC.MCC2@USMC.MIL, HQMC.MCC3@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The purpose of this MARADMIN is to provide an immediate update and guidance to reference (a) regarding suicide related events reported via OPREP-3 SIRs.
2. Background: Reference (a) is the primary source for reporting serious incidents to Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) via OPREP-3 SIRs. The information provided in OPREP-3 SIRs must adhere to all pertinent Marine Corps orders and directives.  References (b) and (c) are the primary directives governing suspected/confirmed suicide attempts and suspected suicides.  Reference (b) is the primary source for the HQMC Casualty Assistance Program and should be used as a guide when drafting a suicide related OPREP-3 SIR.  Reference (b) provides clear guidance for populating the Personnel Casualty Report (PCR) with only verified information.  Reference (b) also states that suicide attempts must be verified by competent medical authorities. In cases of suspected suicides, reference (b) states units must take care not to mischaracterize an incident.  Reference (b) specifically identifies the need to “Avoid the use of language that might be interpreted as prematurely concluding that the death resulted from self-inflicted wounds.”  This guidance and short reporting timelines make it critically important that OPREP-3 SIRs report only verified information.  All follow-on reporting will be handled in accordance with reference (b) via a PCR (Supplemental/Progress/Status Change/Final) and, if required below, with a Supplemental OPREP-3 SIR.
3. The following changes apply only to reference (a) and do not negate the requirement for the command to notify the Marine Corps Operations Center (MCOC) within 30 minutes of being informed of an incident.  Additionally, the following changes to reference (a) reinforce the requirement for units to notify the HQMC Casualty Section by voice prior to releasing the PCR.
3.A. Add the following as paragraph 5.g: Suicide Related Events
3.B. Add the following as paragraph 5.g.1: Incidents involving the death of a Marine or Sailor, or other service member attached to a Marine unit, from a possible suicide that has not yet confirmed by competent medical authority, or approved by the HQMC Casualty Section to be listed as a Self-inflicted Casualty Category, shall not be reported or classified as a Suicide OPREP-3 SIR, but as a Deceased Marine/Sailor, or other service member.  The OPREP-3 SIR should relay only information about the actual cause of death (e.g. perforating wound of the head, gunshot wound to the head, suffocation by drowning, etc).  Language that might be interpreted as prematurely concluding that the death resulted from self-inflicted wounds will be avoided (e.g. “SNM was found in residence with a single gunshot wound to the head,” instead of, “SNM was found unresponsive and is presumed to have shot himself in the head”).  For these situations, reference (b) directs a PCR in addition to a voice notification to the MCOC and HQMC Casualty Section.
3.C. Add the following as paragraph 5.g.2: Incidents involving death of a Marine, Sailor, or other service member attached to a Marine unit, which has been confirmed by competent medical authority as a suicide requires voice notification to the HQMC Casualty Section prior to releasing an OPREP-3 SIR and Initial PCR.  The HQMC Casualty will provide detailed guidance to the command for drafting and categorizing the Initial PCR.  This same guidance will be applied to the OPREP-3 SIR. This step in drafting the PCR and OPREP-3 SIR is critical as the Armed Forces Medical Examiner is the final authority in categorizing suicides and will receive all pertinent documentation from the HQMC Casualty Section. The OPREP-3 SIR shall only relay information about the actual cause of death (e.g. perforating wound of the head, gunshot wound to the head, suffocation by drowning, etc.) and state the confirmed information.
3.D. Add the following as paragraph 5.g.3:  Only submit a Suicide OPREP-3 SIR if an incident is confirmed by competent medical authority, regardless of casualty status.  The OPREP-3 SIR must state name and rank, EDIPI, the means of the attempt, location of the incident, current location of the service member, casualty status, and the point of contact information for the unit and competent medical authority.  This incident requires voice notification to the MCOC, the HQMC Casualty section, and an Initial PCR as directed in reference (b). 
3.E. Add the following as paragraph 5.g.4: Incidents involving suspected, but not confirmed, suicide attempts resulting in a casualty status of Very Seriously Injured/Ill (VSI) or Seriously Injured/Ill (SI) must be classified as a Hospitalization OPREP-3 SIR.  Reports will avoid language that characterizes the cause of the injuries.  The command must provide name and rank, EDIPI, the date and time of the incident, location of the incident, and current location of the service member, casualty status, unit point of contact, and a general description while only stating the confirmed facts.  This incident also requires an Initial PCR.  The MCOC and the HQMC Casualty Section require voice notifications from the unit prior to releasing the PCR and OPREP-3 SIR.  In the event this incident is later confirmed as a suicide attempt by competent medical authorities, the command will report the suicide attempt by a Supplemental Suicide Attempt OPREP-3 SIR.  A new voice notification to the MCOC and the HQMC Casualty Section is also required.  The HQMC Casualty Section will provide guidance for the Supplemental and Progress PCRs.
3.F. Add the following as paragraph 5.g.5:  There is no requirement for a unit to submit an OPREP-3 SIR or PCR for incidents involving suspected, but not yet confirmed, suicide attempts that have a casualty status of Not Serious Ill or Injured (NSI).  Since a competent medical authority is required to determine casualty status and to confirm suicide attempts, the Commander should discuss the case with the competent medical authority to understand why a suicide attempt determination was not made.
3.F.1. Add the following paragraph 5.g.5.a: Commanders have the discretion to submit an OPREP-3 SIR to HQMC for an incident as an item not covered by MCO 3504.2A, but concludes it is information that should be conveyed to Headquarters Marine Corps.  In this situation the OPREP-3 SIR will be classified as a Hospitalization report and state the service member’s name and rank, EDIPI, the date and time of the incident, location of the incident, current location of the service member, unit point of contact, and a general description of the incident. The unit will refrain from using language characterizing injuries as intentionally self-inflicted. If the Commander chooses to issue a Hospitalization OPREP-3 SIR, the unit is required to provide a voice notification to the MCOC.  Per reference (b), this incident does not require a PCR.
3.F.2. Add the following paragraph 5.g.5.b:  If an incident articulated in paragraphs 5.g.5 and 5.g.5.a, is later confirmed as a suicide attempt by competent medical authorities, the command will be required to provide a voice notification to the MCOC and the HQMC Casualty Section, as well as, submit an Initial or Supplemental Suicide Attempt OPREP-3 SIR and an Initial PCR. 
3.G. Add the following as paragraph 5.g.6: Commands will continue to utilize the PCR as directed in reference (b) where it pertains to providing initial PCRs and Supplemental or Progress PCRs for suspected/confirmed suicide attempts and suspected suicides.
3.H. Add the following as paragraph 5.g.7: Commands will continue to submit Suicidal Ideation OPREP-3 SIRs as required in references (a) and (c).  The OPREP-3 SIR must contain rank, EDIPI, birthdate, the date and time of incident, location of the incident, current location of the service member, casualty status, unit point of contact, small unit leader point of contact, and a general description of the circumstances. In order to reduce the stigma associated with these incidents the requirement for reporting the service member’s name has been eliminated.
4.  This message is approved for release by LtGen G. W. Smith, Jr. Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies, and Operations.//