R 151109Z Aug 16
MARADMIN 415/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FY18 HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT VOLUNTEER PERIOD (SDAVP)//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/MARADMIN 061/16//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/NAVMC 1330_1//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/NAVMC 1330_2//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/SDAMAN/APPENDIX C//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/MCO P1326.6D//
NARR/REF A IS SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT (SDA) SELECTION AND SLATING PROCESS. REF B IS SDA CHECKLIST. REF C IS SDA FINANCIAL WORKSHEET, REF D IS MSG SCREENING CHECKLIST, REF E IS SELECTING, SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS AND INDEPENDENT DUTIES (SDAMAN)//
POC/D. P. HOOPER/CAPT/Unit: MMEA-25/TEL: (703)784-9335//
POC/I. O. GOUDYREV/CAPT/Unit: MMEA-25/TEL: (703)-432-9472//
POC/R. R. FELICIANO/MSGT/Unit: MMEA-25/TEL: (703)432-9476//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message announces the Fiscal Year(FY) 2018 Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Special Duty Assignment Volunteer Period (SDAVP) and provides coordinating instructions for requesting billets as Recruiter, Drill Instructor, Combat Instructor, Marine Security Guard, and Marine Corps Security Forces Security Guard.  During the SDAVP, qualified volunteers will be given an opportunity to request first priority assignment to billets in the FY18 Special Duty Assignments or remaining FY17 billets.
2.  Background.  A successful SDA tour is a hallmark for a competitive Marine and makes him or her exceptionally qualified for promotion.  In addition to opportunities for SNCO meritorious promotions, financial incentives, and duty station preference, an SDA tour is intellectually rewarding and physically and mentally challenging.  In order to allow volunteers to have a first look at FY18 available SDA billets, HQMC is creating a volunteer submission period, immediately preceding the involuntary screening and assignment period.
3.  Situation.  From the publication date of this MARADMIN to 15 December 2016, HQMC will accept and review volunteer packages for potential assignment to an SDA of the Marine’s choice.  Upon conclusion of FY18 SDAVP, HQMC will continue to accept and screen volunteers;  however, volunteers will no longer have priority for assignment and may be restricted by Primary MOS requirements.  The screening and involuntary assignment of remaining USMC population of qualified applicants will begin immediately after FY18 SDAVP via the FY18 Headquarters Marine Corps Special Duty Assignment Screening Team (HSST).
4.  Execution.  The following MOSs have open FY17 SDA allocations and are accepting volunteers for assignment to FY17 classes:  0111, 0311, 0369, 0619, 0629, 0648, 065X, 0689, 0699, 26XX, 28XX, 3043, 3051, 61XX, 621X, 622X, 6276, 7372.  During FY18 SDAVP HQMC is accepting volunteers from all MOSs.
4.a.  Marines must meet 24 months Time-On-Station (TOS) in the geographical location prior to the start date of the SDA class.
4.b.  Marines who have executed a lateral move into their present MOS are not eligible to submit for voluntary assignment unless they have completed 36 months in that MOS prior to class start date.
4.c.  Marines who have previously completed an SDA must have been in the operating forces for a minimum of 24 months prior to class start date.
4.d.  Marines who wish to volunteer for assignment to an SDA must submit a “SDA RELM” using the Total Force Retention System (TFRS) to HQMC with the assistance of the unit career planner.
4.e.  There will be a limited number of allocations for non-infantry Marines for assignment to the School of Infantry (SOI) and Marine Corps Security Forces (MCSF).  Each request will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
4.f.  Career planners should include a comment in the RELM about the Marines preference.
4.g.  Marines desiring to serve on Marine Security Guard (MSG) duty are encouraged to volunteer during this period.
5.  Per references (b), (c), and (d), commands must recertify Marines during the 60–45 day window prior to their SDA class start date.  Failure to properly screen Marines for SDA will result in a determination of non-compliance.
6.  Questions regarding the FY18 SDAVP should be referred to POCs listed above.
7.  Release authorized by MajGen Craig Q. Timberlake, Director, Manpower Management Division.//