R 222121Z SEP 16
MARADMIN 503/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF//
SUBJ/TRANSITION READINESS PROGRAM WARM HANDOVER PROCESS//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/MF/20111017//
REF/B/OASD-RA MEMO/20160418//
REF/C/OASD-RA MEMO/20160421//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 1700.31, TRANSITION READINESS PROGRAM (TRP) MARINE CORPS ORDER. REF B IS OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMO DATED 18 APRIL 2016 WHICH PROVIDES WARM HANDOVER GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS WHO DO NOT SEPARATE WITH AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE. REF C IS OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMO DATED 21 APRIL 2016 WHICH PROVIDES WARM HANDOVER GUIDANCE FOR TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS WITHOUT A POST-MILITARY HOUSING PLAN.//
POC/J. MILLER/CIV/UNIT:MFR/-/TEL: 703-784-9550/EMAIL: JOLINE.MILLER(AT)USMC.MIL//
POC/M. MOWEN/CIV/UNIT:WWR/-/TEL: 703-432-5451/EMAIL: MARVIN.MOWEN (AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  PURPOSE.  To provide information and procedures for Commanders conducting Capstone Verification of Marines transitioning from service in support of recent DoD policy memorandums on Capstone warm handover requirements.  Specifically, Marines identified during Capstone or by Force Preservation Councils as being high risk due to a lack of post service housing plans, not meeting Career Readiness Standards (CRS), or those with any characterization of service less than honorable, who require additional considerations for conducting the warm handover to supporting agencies.
2.  BACKGROUND.  Capstone is a two-stage process.  Stage one - Capstone Review is an in-depth review of the Marine’s Individual Transition Plan (ITP) and CRS, conducted by the transition staff using DD Form 2958, ITP Checklist, per reference (a).  Stage two - Capstone Verification (also known as Commander’s Verification), is the culminating activity in the transition process where a Commanding Officer (CO) or designee verifies that the Marine has met CRS, has a viable individual transition plan from military to civilian life, and whether a “Warm Handover” to a partner agency for additional assistance is necessary due to lack of post-military housing plans, inability to meet necessary CRS, and/or for those with any characterization of service less than honorable.  A “Warm Handover” is positive contact between the subject matter Marine and a relevant partner agency.  Transitioning Marines identified by their CO during Capstone or at Force Preservation Councils and assessed to be high risk due to a wound, illness, or injury should be referred to the Wounded Warrior Regiment for assessment of needs.  Requests must be submitted to the smbwwropscenter(at)usmc.mil and signed by the O-5 level Commander.  The referral form is available at http:(slash)(slash)woundedwarriorregiment.org.
3.  ACTION.  Capstone must be completed no less than 90 days preceding anticipated separation, retirement, demobilization or deactivation.  In the case of eligible Active Component Marines with an unanticipated separation of less than 90 days or fewer before discharge or release from active duty, Capstone will be completed no later than the date of separation as reflected on the DD form 214.  In the case of eligible Reserve Component Marines released from active duty, in which operational requirements make the prescribed timeline unfeasible, Capstone will be completed no later than the date of release from active duty as reflected on the DD Form 214. 
a.  Capstone Review – Stage One.  During stage one of capstone, the transition staff will evaluate the transitioning Marine based on inquiry as to the type of characterization of service and information found in the following documents:
        (1) Review the ITP, Block 1, Section I, Page 3 (Identify Post-Transition Personal/Family Requirements).  The Marine will evaluate and document any post-transition housing requirements.  If the Marine has not completed the evaluation, the Marine is considered at risk and must be provided a warm handover to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL).
        (2) DD FORM 2958, Service Member Career Readiness Standards/Individual Transition Plan Checklist.  If the Marine has not successfully met relevant CRS per reference (a) or developed a plan to meet personal/family needs using the ITP Block 1 referenced above, provide a warm handover to the DOL and VA.
        (3) For Marines whose characterization of service is other than honorable, provide supporting warm handover information to the DOL and VA.  DOL and VA eligibility for certain programs and services are based on characterization of service and is determined by the supporting agency.  Document the evaluation on Section V (Warm Handover of the Supporting Agencies Contact Information) on the DD Form 2958.  Per reference (a), the warm handover information shall be completed in full.
        (4) To locate a VA Representative to enter into Block 24(a-c) of the DD Form 2958, go to http:(slash)(slash)www.va.gov and select “Locations” and then from the drop-down menu, “Regional Benefits Offices.”  Select the appropriate destination location, representative’s full name and phone number.  If a representative’s name and/or number is unavailable, the transition staff may obtain this information from the supporting VA Benefits Briefing Representative at their location.
        (5) To locate a DOL Representative to enter into Block 25(a-c), go to http:(slash)(slash)www.servicelocator.org and enter the destination zip code for the transitioning Marine.  Select the appropriate destination location, representative’s full name and phone number.
        (6) Additional resources identified by the Transition staff or Marine can be annotated on line 26 of the DD Form 2958.
    b.  Capstone Verification – Stage two.  During this stage, the CO or designee will review the ITP, CRS documents, and DD Form 2958 to determine whether a “Warm Handover” needs to be executed.
        (1) Verify the Warm Handover (Section V) per reference (a), the CO or designee shall check the appropriate “Handover Confirmed” box, (Blocks 24d, 25d, and/or 26d) of DD Form 2958, as appropriate and ensure the Marine has had positive contact with the appropriate agency.  The CO will advise the Marine to register for DOL services at the American Job Center (AJC) closest to his/her nearest post-transition location. Registration at the local AJC is required to receive services.
        (2) Verification (Section VI).  Upon review and verification of the completion of all CRS per reference (a), the CO or designee shall print his or her name, any remarks, and date in items Blocks 30(a-c), provide the original completed DD Form 2958 to the Marine, and ensure a copy is filed in the command’s official files.  A copy of the DD Form 2958 must also be provided to the installation Transition Readiness staff to complete the entry of information in the Marine’s record in the service tracking system.
4.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
5.  Release authorized by MajGen B.W. Whitman, Director, Marine and Family Programs Division.//