MARINE CORPS POLICY ON THE WEAR AND PURCHASE OF BODY ARMOR AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Date Signed: 11/27/2018 | MARADMINS Number: 667/18
MARADMINS : 667/18

R 271721Z NOV 18
MARADMIN 667/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/USMTF 2018/CMC PPO PO WASHINGTON DC/FOO2//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS POLICY ON THE WEAR AND PURCHASE OF BODY ARMOR AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)//
REF/A/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO/YMD: 20070417//
REF/B/MSGID: GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO PPO: 20090416//
REF/C/MSGID: GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO PPO: 20090710//
REF/D/MSGID: GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PPO PS: 20170327//
REF/E/MCO 6260.3A SD: 20160926//
NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 262/07, MARINE CORPS POLICY ON THE WEAR AND PURCHASE OF BODY ARMOR AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE). REF B IS MARADMIN 254/09, CORPS POLICY ON THE WEAR OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE).  REF C IS MARADMIN 415/09, ESTABLISHMENT OF BODY ARMOR PROTECTION LEVELS.  REF D IS MARADMIN 151/17, CHANGE 1 TO MARINE CORPS POLICY ON THE WEAR AND PURCHASE OF BODY ARMOR AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE).  REF E IS THE MARINE CORPS HEARING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM.// 
POC/E.A. BENSON/CIV/UNIT: PPO POG/-/TEL:(703)692-4303/EMAIL: EUGENE.A.BENSON@USMC.MIL//
POC/J.W. LIVELY/LTCOL/PPO POG/-/TEL: 703-614-4300//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The Commandant of the Marine Corps directs the following policy for Marines and Sailors assigned to USMC and joint commands, on the wear and purchase of body armor and personal protective equipment (PPE). This  MarAdmin supersedes references (a, b, c, and d). PPE refers to Marine Corps approved body armor, helmets, goggles, gloves, clothing, and other gear  designed to protect the wearer’s body from battlefield injuries. Product information sheets for service-approved PPE systems can be found at http:(slash)(slash)www.marcorsyscom.Marines.mil/portfolios-and-programs/ground-combat-element-systems/pm-ice/equipment/
2.  Individual Marines/Sailors may not use commercial PPE in lieu of government tested, approved and issued PPE as outlined in the product  information sheets referenced in paragraph 1.  Commanders are not authorized to utilize unit funds to purchase commercial PPE items that have not been approved for use by the Marine Corps.
3.  Ballistic spectacles and goggles that are listed on the authorized protective  eyewear list (APEL) and are compatible with the universal prescription lens carrier (UPLC) are authorized for use.  While the Marine Corps will continue to issue a single spectacle and a single goggle, units may purchase other authorized ballistic eyewear through the defense logistics agency (DLA) or the post-exchange (PX) that are listed on the APEL. The latest APEL can be found at: http:(slash)(slash)www.peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/
4.  All forms of hearing protection devices are considered PPE and the Marine Corps issues the combat arms earplugs which includes multiple sizes and open and closed positions to be used depending on the importance of situational awareness. Detailed guidance on the use and fitting of hearing protection devices can be found in ref (e).
5.  Marine Corps body armor protection levels (APLs).
5.a.  A service level policy defining specific armor protection levels has been established with the intent of establishing standardized APLs enabling commanders to tailor armor protection based on their estimate of the situation or based on guidance from service/joint/theater combatant commanders.  Higher APLs provide increased ballistic protection through the addition of modular armor components increasing the areas of coverage and/or ballistic protection. Higher APLs correspond to greater weight, increased thermal loading, and reduced mobility; thus degrading individual and unit performance over extended periods of time.
5.b.  The following APLs are established. They apply to all Marine Corps-issued armor systems. Read in two columns: APL description Level 0  no body armor worn Level 1  vest/PC with soft armor only (defeats handgun and fragmentation threats) Level 2 vest/PC with front and back hard armor plates (defeats rifle and  fragmentation threats) Level 3  vest/PC with front, back, and side hard armor plates (defeats rifle and fragmentation threats)
5.c.  Marine Corps issued body armor allows for the wear of protective attachments. It is impractical to establish APLs that incorporate every possible configuration in which these attachments may be worn. Commanders will designate the wear of Marine Corps approved helmets, ballistic eyewear, groin, neck, and throat protection as required by their units' mission, the  threat and local environmental considerations.
6.  Authority
6.a.  Operating force commanders at the Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) level or higher are authorized to determine the required level of PPE (or APL when established) for wear by assigned personnel.  This determination will be made based on mission (including during training), unit type, threat, and environmental factors.
6.b.  Combatant, joint task force (JTF), and service component commanders retain the authority to prescribe the level of protection worn by all assigned personnel.  In cases where combatant, JTF, and/ or service component commanders have established a required level of PPE that is more inclusive than that set by Marine unit commanders, Marines will adhere to the highest level.  In cases where the APL is not designated, the Marine Corps service policy places the authority to designate the APL in commanders, Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) and higher.
6.c.  Based on their unique mission requirements, Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) personnel may, within published MARSOC policies and subject to their commanders' approval, wear special operations command-approved special purpose body armor.
6.d.  Installation commanders are authorized to use government funds to purchase commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) body armor and PPE only for use by military police performing law enforcement duties aboard Marine Corps installations. COTS body armor must be, at a minimum, National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified level II as listed at the NIJ website https:(slash)(slash)www.nij.gov/topics/technology/body-armor/pages/compliant-ballistic-armor.aspx.  COTS body armor purchased for installation law enforcement duty will not be worn by Marines as a substitute for Marine Corps approved body armor and PPE in a combat zone or theater of operation.
7.  Marine Corps organizations that do not receive class II PPE materiel support from the logistics command should direct all materiel requirements to DC, IL, IP.
8.  Release authorized by LtGen B. D. Beaudreault, Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations.//