UPDATES TO THE REGIONAL, CULTURE, AND LANGUAGE FAMILIARIZATION (RCLF) PROGRAM
Date Signed: 6/19/2019 | MARADMINS Number: 348/19
MARADMINS : 348/19

R 191951Z Jun 19
MARADMIN 348/19
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG MCCDC QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/UPDATES TO THE REGIONAL, CULTURE, AND LANGUAGE FAMILIARIZATION (RCLF) PROGRAM//
REF/A/MROC DM 38-2012//
REF/B/MCSCP/4 JANUARY 2010//
REF/C/MARINE CORPS LREC STRATEGY 2016-2020, SIGNED DEC 2015//
REF/D/619-12/232332ZOCT12//
REF/E/196-13/091921ZAPR13//
REF/F/231-14/091817ZMAY14//
REF/G/521-14/162200ZOCT14//
REF/H/520-15/191515ZOCT15//
REF/I/663-16/191450ZDEC16//
NARR/REF A ESTABLISHED RCLF AS A RECOGNIZED MARINE CORPS PROGRAM TO BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF PME.  REF B DIRECTS THE REGIONAL ORIENTATION OF THE OPERATING FORCES.  REF C DIRECTS THE INTEGRATION OF LANGUAGE, REGIONAL EXPERTISE, AND CULTURE CAPABILITY ACROSS THE MARINE CORPS.  REF D ANNOUNCED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RCLF PROGRAM.  REF E ANNOUNCED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RCLF PROGRAM FOR THE RESERVE COMPONENT.  REF F ANNOUNCED THE ACTIVATION OF THE INITIAL SUITE OF HEADSTART2 LANGUAGE PROGRAMS.  REF G ANNOUNCED UPDATES TO THE ENLISTED PME CONTINUUM AND THEIR ASSOCIATED RELATIONSHIP TO ENLISTED PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS.  REF H PUBLISHED GUIDANCE FOR REQUESTING AN EXEMPTION TO THE ENLISTED PME POLICY THAT WENT INTO EFFECT 1 OCT 2015 FOR PROMOTION TO CORPORAL AND SERGEANT IN THE REGULAR AND RESERVE COMPONENTS.  REF I PUBLISHED GUIDANCE FOR AN EXEMPTION TO THE ENLISTED PME POLICY FOR MARINES SERVING ON SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS AND THE ASSOCIATED RELATIONSHIP TO ENLISTED PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS.//
POC/T. R. JAYSURA/MAJ/HEAD OFFICER PROMOTIONS/M(AND)RA/LOC: QUANTICO//
TEL: (703) 784-0007/EMAIL: TANZANIA.JAYSURA@USMC.MIL//
POC/C. J. WILLIAMS/COL/EPME DIRECTOR/MCU/LOC: QUANTICO//
TEL: (703) 784-4018/EMAIL: CHRISTOPHER.J.WILLIAMS@USMC.MIL//
POC/J. COHN/CIV/EPME/MCU/LOC: QUANTICO//
TEL: (703) 432-5262/EMAIL: JAMES.COHN@USMCU.EDU//
POC/D. K. KUMMINGS/MGYSGT/RESERVE LIAISON OFFICER/MCU//
LOC: QUANTICO/TEL: (703) 784-4497//
EMAIL: DOUGLAS.KUMMINGS@USMC.MIL POC/J. K. KARLIN/MAJ//
MMPR-2 ENLISTED PROMOTIONS/MRA/LOC: QUANTICO//
TEL: (703) 784-9710/EMAIL: CHRISTINA.UPTON@USMC.MIL//
POC/T. C. FRETWELL/MAJ/CAOCL/EDUCATION OFFICER//
EMAIL: CAOCLADMIN@USMC.MIL/TEL: (703) 432-1449//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN is coordinated between the Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs and the Commanding General,  Training and Education Command.  This MARADMIN consolidates all previous Regional, Culture, and Language Familiarization (RCLF) program MARADMINS.  It also announces the activation of the RCLF programs completion for grade for promotion boards, and provides a layout of the RCLF programs curriculum.
2.  Background.  The Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning (CAOCL) manages the RCLF program, which is the Marine Corps career-long distance learning program for developing a language, regional expertise, and culture capability in the general purpose force.  The RCLF program was established by reference (Ref) A and further supported by Refs B and C, with administrative requirements outlined in Refs D, E, and F.
3.  Relationship with Professional Military Education (PME).  In accordance with Ref A, completing RCLF is integral to being PME complete for grade.  Being RCLF complete for grade will be briefed to enlisted promotion boards starting with Fiscal Year 2022 promotion boards.  Being RCLF complete for grade for officers may be briefed starting with Fiscal Year 2022 officer promotion boards.
3.A.  Officers.  Title 10 does not require PME completion for officer promotions.  PME completion by grade, however, is indicative of an officers desire to seek professional growth and may make the officer more competitive for promotion.  The successful completion of PME demonstrates an officers commitment to self-improvement and represents a clear desire to prepare for positions of increased responsibility.  Milestones toward completion of PME (i.e., course completion certificates) similarly are indicative of these distinguishing traits.
3.B.  Enlisted.  The PME completion requirements per grade to be considered for promotion remain as addressed in Ref G.  RCLF completion for grade will be briefed and considered during promotion package briefing as a discriminating factor, not a disqualifier.  Per Refs H and I, RCLF requirements will not be waived.  Questions related to enlisted selections and promotions should be directed to the MMPR-2 POC.
3.C.  Exemptions.  Officers commissioned as a second lieutenant before 1 April 2009, warrant officers appointed before 1 February 2011, and Marines promoted to sergeant before 1 October 2012 within the active component or 1 May 2013 within the reserve component are grandfathered out of the RCLF program and exempt from these courses.  Grandfathered Marines are encouraged to study a specific RCLF region and complete all applicable RCLF culture blocks.
3.D.  An enlisted Marine who has transitioned to commissioned or warrant officer status will use their officer promotion date as opposed to enlisted date of promotion to determine their RCLF requirements.
4.  Curriculum Layout.  RCLF is built upon a building block model.  Before enrolling in a RCLF MarineNet block, all lower blocks must be complete.
4.A.  Enlisted.  Minimum RCLF enlisted PME requirements, by grade, for active duty, active reserve, and Selected Marine Corps Reserve (to include Individual Mobilization Augmentee) Marines are below.
4.A.1.  Private/Private First Class/Lance Corporal.  Complete RCLF Enlisted Block 1 (EB1) (satisfied by the recruit training culture course).
4.A.2.  Corporal.  Complete RCLF EB2 (satisfied by completing the Corporals Course Distance Education Program (EPME4000AA).
4.A.3.  Sergeant.  Complete RCLF EB3 for assigned region on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.A.4.  Staff Sergeant.  Complete RCLF EB4 for assigned region on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.A.5.  Gunnery Sergeant.  Complete RCLF EB5 for assigned regions combatant command (see paragraph (Para) 4.C.) on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.A.5.  Master Sergeant/First Sergeant.  Complete RCLF EB6 for assigned regions combatant command (see Para 4.C.) on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.B.  Officer.  RCLF PME courses, by grade, for active duty, active reserve, and Selected Marine Corps Reserve (to include Individual Mobilization Augmentee) officers are below.
4.B.1.  Second Lieutenant/Warrant Officer.  Complete RCLF Officer Block 1 (OB1) (satisfied by the RCLF brief at The Basic School).
4.B.2.  First Lieutenant/Chief Warrant Officer 2.  Complete RCLF OB2 for assigned region on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.B.3.  Captain/Chief Warrant Officer 3.  Complete RCLF OB3 for assigned region on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.B.4.  Major/Chief Warrant Officer 4.  Complete RCLF OB4 for assigned regions combatant command (see Para 4.C.) on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.B.4.  Lieutenant Colonel/Chief Warrant Officer 5.  Complete RCLF OB5 for assigned regions combatant command (see Para 4.C.) on MarineNet (under the Language and Culture tab of the Course Catalog).
4.C.  Combatant Command Alignment of RCLF Regions
RCLF Region (RCLF Region Code)   Combatant Command (RCLF Region Code)
Arabian Peninsula and Gulf (AG)  USCENTCOM (CC)
The Balkans (BK)                 USEUCOM (EU)
Central Africa (CF)              USAFRICOM (AF)
Mexico, Central America, and
Caribbean (CM)                   USSOUTHCOM (SC)
Central Asia (CS)                USCENTCOM (CC) or USINDOPACOM (PA)
East Africa (EF)                 USAFRICOM (AF)
The Levant (LV)                  USCENTCOM (CC)
North Africa (NF)                USAFRICOM (AF) or USCENTCOM (CC)
Northeast Asia (NS)              USINDOPACOM (PA)
Southeast Asia (SE)              USINDOPACOM (PA)
Southern Africa (SF)             USAFRICOM (AF)
The Sahel (SH)                   USAFRICOM (AF)
South America (SM)               USSOUTHCOM (SC)
South Asia (SS)                  USCENTCOM (CC) or USINDOPACOM (PA)
Trans-Caucasus (TC)              USEUCOM (EU)
West Africa (WF)                 USAFRICOM (AF)
West-South Asia (WS)             USCENTCOM (CC)

Note:  for the CS, NF, and SS RCLF regions, Marines may choose either combatant command option but must continue with that option.
5.  Future Program Updates. 
5.A.  In order to adjust RCLF to be aligned with the guidance established in the National Defense Strategy (NDS), beginning in first quarter Calendar Year 19 (CY19), all future RCLF block updates and revisions will include content that addresses the strategic relevance of the RCLF regions within context of the NDS.
5.B.  Beginning with the revision of OB3 and EB4 courses in the second quarter of CY19 Russia will be included within select RCLF regions.
5.C.  China will be extended to additional regions beyond its current Northeast Asia region alignment.
5.D.  Upon completing the revisions of OB3 and EB4 a subsequent MARADMIN will be published to provide the specifics of the regional alignment changes.
5.E.  Headstart2 languages are no longer required to be RCLF complete for grade.  However, Headstart2 languages will continue to be available.  
5.F.  Those Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and programs requiring language proficiency will continue to receive those skills through established processes as outlined below.
5.F.1.  The following MOSs require language capabilities but do not garner them from RCLF:
5.F.1.A.  264X:  Cryptologic Language Analysts, with minor exceptions, receive initial language training via the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) and receive sustainment/enhancement training via the Marine Corps Intelligence Foreign Language program.
5.F.1.B.  824X:  Foreign Area Officers have demonstrated language skills via the Defense Language Proficiency test (DLPT) and/or receive initial language training via the DLIFLC, and receive sustainment/enhancement training via the International Affairs program.
5.F.1.C.  823X:  Foreign Area Staff Non-Commissioned Officers have demonstrated language skills via the DLPT and/or receive training via the DLIFLC and receive sustainment/enhancement training via the International Affairs program.
5.F.1.D.  037X:  Special Operations Officers/Critical Skills Operators undergo DLIFLC training upon accession into the MOS and receive sustainment/enhancement training via the Marine Corps Special operations Command Language, Region, and Culture program.
5.F.2.  The following programs are funded to provide sustainment/enhancement training for their respective communities:
5.F.2.A.  The Marine Corps Intelligence Foreign Language program provides funding to intelligence units to support sustainment, enhancement, and maintenance of language skills via resident and immersion training, Temporary Additional Duty costs, facilities, and lexical aids.
5.F.2.B.  The International Affairs program supports 824X, 823X, and the Personnel Exchange program.
5.F.2.C.  The Marine Corps Special Operations Command Language, Region, and Culture program supports both initial acquisition for 0370, as well as sustainment/enhancement training.
6.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
7.  Additional Information and Contacts
7.A.  For information about the RCLF program and frequently asked questions, please refer to the CAOCL website at https:(slant)(slant)www.usmcu.edu/caocl/education/rclf
7.B.  CAOCL, Dunlap Hall, 2048 South Street, Quantico, VA 22134, (703) 432-1504.
7.C.  Major Timothy Fretwell, CAOCL Education Officer, (703) 432-1449, caocladmin@usmc.mil.
8.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General D. H. Berger, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command.//