R 241744Z APR 18
MARADMIN 234/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/REINFORCING GUIDANCE WITH REGARD TO TIMELY FITNESS REPORT SUBMISSIONS//
REF/A/MCO 1610.7//
AMPN/REF A IS THE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM (SHORT TITLE: PES ORDER).//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The submission of late fitness reports is unacceptable.  As promotion and selection board season approaches, this MARADMIN provides reinforcing guidance with regard to reference (a) effective immediately.
2.  The completion of fitness reports is a critical leadership responsibility.  Inherent in this duty is the commitment of our commanders and all reporting officials to ensure the integrity of the system by closely monitoring accurate marking, narrative assessment, and timely reporting.
3.  Throughout the past 12 months, officers have consistently failed in one of their most critical responsibilities.  A total of 188,256 fitness reports were submitted to HQMC between March 2017 and March 2018.  Of those reports, only 94,578—or 50.2 percent—were submitted on time.
3.a.  A review of outstanding fitness report data between March 2017 and March 2018 revealed that sergeants were the most adversely affected group, followed by staff sergeants, gunnery sergeants, and majors.  For that time period, a total of 10,720 fitness reports remain in a working status within the Automated Performance Evaluation System (A-PES).  Sergeant fitness reports account for 4,225 of the outstanding reports, staff sergeant reports account for 2,639, gunnery sergeant reports account for 1,053, and major reports account for 439.  Of those outstanding reports, 54 percent of sergeant, 74 percent of staff sergeant, 55 percent of gunnery sergeant, and 77 percent of major reports are at least 30 days late, with many reports exceeding 60 and 90 days.
3.b.  Late reports may be attributed to Reporting Seniors in 26.2 percent of cases affecting officers and 23.8 percent of cases affecting enlisted Marines.  Late reports may be attributed to Reviewing Officers in 50.4 percent of cases affecting officers and 49.6 percent of cases affecting enlisted Marines.
4.  In light of their critical leadership responsibilities, I task commanders and reporting officials to actively reinforce established performance evaluation policy.  Reference (a) outlines various tools available to assist leaders in the preparation of accurate and timely fitness reports and requests for assistance may be directed to Manpower Management Records and Performance Branch at (703)784-3993 or SMB.Manpower.MMRP-31@usmc.mil.
5.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
6.  Release authorized by LtGen M. A. Rocco, Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//