R 241258Z JUL 17
MARADMIN 387/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MP//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2018 SQUAD LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GUIDANCE//
REF/A/MSGID: MSG/CMC MRA/YMD: 20160802//
REF/B/MSGID: MSG/CMC MRA/YMD: 20170705//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/CMC TECOM/YMD: 20160701//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/CMC MMEA/YMD: 20100908//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 393/16, FISCAL YEAR 2017 SQUAD LEADER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GUIDANCE. REF B IS MARADMIN 350/17, MCBUL 7220 FISCAL YEAR 2018 (FY18) SELECTIVE RETENTION BONUS (SRB) PROGRAM AND FY18 BROKEN SERVICE SRB (BSSRB) PROGRAM. REF C IS NAVMC 1200.1B, MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES (MOS) MANUAL. REF D IS MCO 1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT.//
POC/MAJ GUNNAR SPAFFORD/ENLISTED PLANS SECTION/MRA/MPP-20/TEL: 703-784-9362/EMAIL: GUNNAR.SPAFFORD@USMC.MIL//
POC/MGYSGT JUSTIN AIKEN/INFANTRY OCCUPATIONAL FIELD SPECIALIST/PPO/POG30/TEL: 703-697-4036/EMAIL: JUSTIN.AIKEN@USMC.MIL//
POC/MGYSGT ADRIAN VIRGES/INFANTRY OCCUPATIONAL FIELD SPECIALIST/PPO/POG30/TEL: 703-697-4036/EMAIL: ADRIAN.VIRGES@USMC.MIL//
POC/MGYSGT DONALD BIRD/ENLISTED RETENTION SECTION/MRA/MMEA-1/TEL: 703-432-9120/EMAIL: DONALD.G.BIRD@USMC.MIL//
POC/MAJ JONATHAN ZARLING/ENLISTED MONITOR SECTION/MRA/MMEA-2/TEL: 703-784-9335/EMAIL: JONATHAN.ZARLING@USMC.MIL//
POC/MAJ HENRY NESBITT/INFANTRY ADVOCATE/PPO/POG30/TEL: 703-692-4290/EMAIL: HENRY.NESBITT@USMC.MIL//
POC/MAJ DEVIN BLOWES/GROUND PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT/TCOM/TEL: 703-432-2212/EMAIL: DEVIN.BLOWES@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN promulgates coordinated MRA/PPO/TECOM/TCOM guidance and solicits nominations for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Squad Leader Development Program (SLDP) and serves as the primary policy document for SLDP.  Reference (a) is superseded though the combat instructor track will not be a component of future iterations, previously published SLDP guidance for Marines currently executing combat instructor tours remains in effect.
2.  Program Intent.  The purpose of SLDP is to identify, select, train, promote and retain high caliber Infantry Marines capable of serving in a superior manner as Sergeant infantry squad leaders.  The SLDP meets this intent by:
2.a.  Identifying, selecting and incentivizing Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) infantry leaders who consistently exhibit conduct reflective of tactical excellence, leadership, and maturity at the small unit level.
2.b.  Training, educating and promoting Sergeants to lead Infantry squads into complex and distributed future operating environments across the range of military operations.
3.  Program Overview.
     a.  All active component infantry NCOs with the Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) of 0311, 0331, 0341, 0351, and 0352 are eligible to apply for SLDP.
     b.  SLDP Marines will continue to receive the PMOS of 0365.
     c.  Corporals and Sergeants can apply for the program.
     d.  SLDP retains only the Operational Force (OpFor) track.  The goal is to obtain steady state manning of one SLDP Marine per platoon for a total of 15 per infantry battalion (9 in rifle platoons, 3 in weapons platoons, 1 in 81mm mortar platoon, 1 in heavy machine gun platoon, and 1 in anti-armor platoon.)  There is potential for this requirement to grow to 20 per infantry battalion in the future when Marine Corps Force 2025 is implemented.
         (1) SLDP Marines will have priority to attend the Infantry Small Unit Leader’s Course (ISULC) and Sergeants Course.
         (2) Upon completion of the courses these Marines’ PMOS will be changed to 0365.
         (3) Bonuses will be paid in accordance with reference (b).
         (4) Marines accepted into the program will be assigned to the OpFor as an infantry squad leader for a minimum of 36 months and one deployment.
         (5) Upon awarding of the 0365 PMOS, SLDP Marines’ duty station preferences will be considered.  Final determination will be made by MMEA based on the needs of the Marine Corps.
4.  Commander Responsibilities.
     a.  In order to sustain readiness and small unit leadership in the OpFor, commanders shall encourage Corporals and Sergeants who exhibit superior attributes to apply for the program.  Commanding Generals will establish internal processes and procedures to ensure the identification and endorsement of the most qualified nominees.
     b.  The established FY18 goal is to produce 110 SLDP Marines.  The goal is allocated across the specified commands.  The allocations below are intended as general guidance.  Commands may submit more than their allocated number to ensure that the total service requirement of 110 qualified Marines is met.
         (1) OPERATING FORCES
             (a) 1st MarDiv:  47
             (b) 2nd MarDiv:  35
             (c) 3rd MarDiv:  7
             (d) MARINE CORPS SECURITY FORCES:  7
             (e) CBIRF:  2
         (2) SUPPORTING ESTABLISHMENT
             (a) TECOM:  6
             (b) MCICOM:  3
             (c) MARINE CORPS BARRACKS 8TH AND I:  3
     c.  Upon completion of 0365 PMOS requirements designated in reference (c), commanders will ensure proper reporting into MCTFS and complete the appropriate administrative actions.
5.  Desired Applicant Attributes.
     a.  Recognized leadership.  SLDP applicants motivate subordinates to perform at the highest levels through their exceptional tactical proficiency, initiative, enthusiasm, and personal example.
     b.  Performance.  SLDP applicants consistently produce results that surpass expectations and creates immediate impacts wherever assigned demonstrates ability to think critically and operate autonomously.
     c.  Intellect.  SLDP applicants consistently demonstrate their superior ability to solve complex problems despite friction, anticipate mission requirements, and formulate viable solutions.
6.  Program Requirements.
     a.  Applicants must be an active duty Corporal or Sergeant at the time of application with between 3 and 6 years of service.
     b.  Applicants must have completed one of the following infantry training courses.  Marines currently attending these courses are eligible to apply.  Failure or inability to complete one of these courses may not be waivered for the purposes of application to SLDP.
         (1) Advanced Infantry Marine (M03M3X4, M10M3X2, or M21M3X1).
         (2) Advanced Machinegun (M03H6A4 or M10H6A2).
         (3) Advanced Mortarman (M03H5H4 or M10H5H2).
         (4) Advanced Assault Marine (M03MUS4 or M10MUS2).
         (5) Advanced Anti-Tank Missile Gunner (M03MUR4 or M10MUR2).
         (6) Scout Sniper Basic Course (M0381Z4, M081Z2, or M0281Z9).
     c.  Applicants must have completed all Professional Military Education (PME) requirements for the rank of Corporal.  Marines currently attending the resident course may apply.
     d.  Applicants must meet all prerequisites listed for PMOS 0365 in reference (c) and retention prerequisites per reference (d).  For Corporals, the rank and Sergeants Course distance education program requirements are waived for the school checklists.
     e.  Only First Term Alignment Program (FTAP) Marines with an End of Current Contract (ECC) in FY18 and Subsequent Term Alignment Program  (STAP) Marines with 6 years of Time in Service (TIS) or less are eligible to apply.  Only FTAP Marines with an ECC in FY18 will receive the bonus.
     f.  SLDP Marines will not be assigned as a Squad Leader in the operating forces until they have been promoted to Sergeant and successfully completed required training.
7.  Coordinating Instructions.
     a.  Corporals accepted for SLDP who have 8 months Time in Grade (TIG) will be promoted to Sergeant.  Corporals accepted for SLDP with less than 8 months TIG will begin non-resident Sergeant PME and be enrolled in ISULC.  PPO will endeavor to schedule the required training such that the Corporal achieves the required TIG to be promoted to Sergeant during the execution of ISULC.
     b.  Applications are due NLT 1 Dec 17 for SLDP.  Applications received after 1 Dec as a result of operational requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Marines will submit their AA form application via TFRS through the first Commanding General in their chain of command.  An example of the SLDP AA form can be found at http:(slash)(slash)www.hqmc.marines.mil/ppo/unithome/sldp.aspx.
     c.  FTAP Marines in the current fiscal year retention cohort and STAP Marines with less than 6 years TIS will submit for reenlistment and Lateral Move to CMC (MMEA-1) via the chain-of-command.
     d.  Acceptance into SLDP disqualifies the Marine from submitting any other Lateral Move requests until after completion of their initial SLDP assignment per paragraph 3.d.(4) above.  Additionally, during assignment to SLDP, Marines will be excluded from further MRA special duty assignment screening efforts until within one year of completion of their initial SLDP assignment.  Marines are encouraged to coordinate with their monitor for follow-on assignments.
     e.  Infantry NCOs who have previously completed ISULC and/or Sergeants Course and otherwise meet the requirements for the 0365 MOS contained in reference (c) and this MARADMIN are encouraged to apply.
     f.  Upon approval by MRA, a naval message from PPO will announce the Marines selected for SLDP and their school dates.
     g.  Marines are encouraged to contact their unit career planner, Operations Chief, Sergeant Major, or commander for specific questions regarding SLDP.  Additional points of contact are listed at the top of this MARADMIN.
     h.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the active component only.
8.  This MARADMIN is cancelled 30 September 2018.
9.  Release authorized by LtGen M. A. Brilakis, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//