R 242131Z FEB 20
MARADMIN 107/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA//
SUBJ//FISCAL YEAR 2021 (FY21) ACTIVE RESERVE SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT (SDA) AND MARINE COMBAT INSTRUCTOR (MCI) SCREENING//
REF/A/DOC/MCO 1326.6//
REF/B/MSG/MARADMIN 438/19//
REF/C/MSG/MARADMIN 581/19//
REF/D/NAVMC 11704//
REF/E/NAVMC 11705//
REF/F/NAVMC 11708//
REF/G/NAVMC 11711//
REF/H/DOC/MCO 1020.34H//
REF/I/DOC/MCO 1040R.35//
REF/J/MSG/MARADMIN 052/19//
REF/K/DOC/MCO 1300.8//
REF/L/MSG/MARADMIN 634/19//
REF/M/MSG/TFRS/R65800//
REFERENCE A IS MCO 1326.6 SELECTING, SCREENING, AND PREPARING ENLISTED MARINES FOR SCREENABLE BILLETS AND INDEPENDENT DUTY ASSIGNMENTS (SCREENMAN). REFERENCE B IS MARADMIN 438/19 SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS AND SCREENABLE BILLETS INCENTIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021. REFERENCE C IS MARADMIN 581/19 COMBAT INSTRUCTOR DUTY. REFERENCE D IS NAVMC 11704, COMMANDING OFFICER’S RECRUITING DUTY SCREENING/INTERVIEW GUIDE. REFERENCE E IS NAVMC 11705, COMMANDING OFFICER’S SCREENING/INTERVIEW GUIDE - DRILL INSTRUCTOR DUTY. REFERENCE F IS NAVMC 11708, COMMANDING OFFICER’S SCREENING/INTERVIEW GUIDE – MARINE COMBAT INSTRUCTOR DUTY. REFERENCE G IS NAVMC 11711 COMMANDING OFFICER’S FINANCIAL WORKSHEET. REFERENCE H IS MCO 1020.34H MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS. REFERENCE I IS MCO 1040R.35 RESERVE CAREER RETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT MANUAL. REFERENCE J IS MARADMIN 052/19 OFFICIAL MILITARY PERSONNEL FILE (OMPF) PHOTOGRAPH GUIDANCE. REFERENCE K IS MCO 1300.8, MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENTS POLICY. REFERENCE L IS MARADMIN 634/19 FISCAL YEAR 2021 (FY21) ACTIVE RESERVE SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT VOLUNTEER PERIOD (ARSDAVP) AND INCENTIVE. REFERENCE M IS TFRS MESSAGE R65800 ACTIVE RESERVE SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT COMPLIANCE.//
POC/PHILIP A. CAMPO/MGYSGT/RAM-2/DSN 278-0529/COMM (703)784-0529/ PHILIP.CAMPO@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This message initiates the FY21 Active Reserve Special Duty Assignments (SDA) screening process and provides coordinating instructions for the screening of Prior Service Recruiters (PSR), Drill Instructors (DI), and Marine Combat Instructors (MCI). Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), Reserve Affairs Management (RAM) aims to select and assign the most qualified and capable AR Marines to duties as PSR, DI, and MCI.
2. Background. A successful SDA tour makes a Marine exceptionally competitive for promotion. In addition to opportunities for SNCO meritorious promotions and financial incentives, a SDA tour is intellectually rewarding and physically and mentally challenging.
3. Eligible Marines. A list of Marines that are required to be screened for SDA and MCI assignment is available at https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/RAM2/pages_sdaspecialdutyassignments and the Total Force Retention System (TFRS). The identified Marines are required to be screened by Commanding Officers, utilizing the instructions, checklists and PSR screening addendum available at the web address provided above and via TFRS. The roster generated, has been based on a number of qualifying factors. Marines who are passed for promotion by the FY20 AR Staff Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO) promotion board and Marines who are boarded for the AR Twice Passed Continuation Board are not required to be screened.
a. No later than 6 March 2020, commands must notify RAM of Marines not available for screening with justification via Automated Message Handling System (AMHS). AMHS messages endorsed at the Battalion or Group level or higher should be submitted to the Reserve Affairs Management 2 OMB at joinar@usmc.mil. Non-availability for screening will not preclude assignment to SDA or MCI duty.
4. Submission Guidelines. Commands will submit completed SDA and MCI packages on all identified Marines to HQMC (RAM-2) via Total Force Retention System (TFRS), NLT 2359 EST, 1 April 2020. Packages failing to meet the minimum requirements, per reference (i), will be returned without action pending additional information. Career planners will utilize SDA with reenlistment or SDA with extension RELM types when submitting packages in accordance with separate guidance published via TFRS.
a. Designated Marines are required to be screened by Commanding Officers, utilizing the instructions, checklists, and PSR screening addendum available on the RAM-2 website and via TFRS.
b. Sergeants and above will schedule a screening with the nearest PSR career recruiter (MOS 8422). Every effort will be made by the Marine and the Command to conduct an in person screening with a PSR Career Recruiter. The uniform for this interview is the uniform of the day. Marines need only have in their possession the PSR screening addendum. Telephonic screenings may be conducted with career recruiters if a Marine is deemed unavailable by Command leadership who will coordinate the telephonic screening. The final page of the PSR screening addendum must be signed by the career recruiter and returned to the Marine to be submitted as part of the SDA RELM.
(1) The following are contact numbers for each PSR District Headquarters:
1st PSRS - (516)824-3095
4th PSRS - (717)836-1098, 1105
6th PSRS - (843)228-4428
8th PSRS - (817)738-6350, 6260
9th PSRS - (847)688-7129, 7144
12th PSRS - (760)725-4158
c. Medical Screening. Marines must be medically and dentally fit to serve on SDA and MCI duty. Due to the unique nature of each assignment, Medical Officers are encouraged to utilize the instructions provided with each checklist for guidance. A physical exam must be conducted within 12 months of the class reporting date but is not required for initial screening. During final certification Medical Officers will confirm there has been no change in status from initial screening. Commanding Officers will conduct final certification by personally interviewing the Marines.
d. Proof of security clearance or open investigation. All Applicants must have their security manager complete a security clearance verification letter and include this letter in their package. Marines not directed to be screened may still volunteer for SDA and should follow the guidance published in reference (l) for the submission of packages.
e. All Marines registered with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) must identify this during the screening interview. Enrollment in the EFMP does not disqualify the Marine, however, the location of assignment will be based on the recommendation of the HQMC EFMP Coordinator.
5. SDA Package guidance. Each package will include, at a minimum, the following items:
a. NAVMC 11537A (Rev. 1-2015) RELM with chain of command comments and recommendations.
b. Applicable Screening Checklists, per guidance provided in paragraph 3.d, and Financial Worksheet provided via sources identified in paragraph 4.c.
c. 360 degree photos in green on green PT gear, as well as individual photos or sketches of all tattoos. Utilize measuring tools provided in reference (g) for any tattoos in or near areas prohibited by the reference.
d. Records of disciplinary actions contained in the Marines service record.
e. Security Clearance Eligibility Letter.
f. Final page of the PSR screening addendum.
g. DTS Cross Organization Worksheet.
6. For Marines found not qualified for SDA or MCI, Commanders will provide source documentation of disqualifying criteria and estimated date of return to qualified status, in order to make accurate determination for class assignment and retention. Examples include Medical Officer prognosis letter for projected date of assignability, legal documents that show conflict with training class dates, page 11 entries for assignment to Body Composition Program or PFT and CFT failure. Unit Diary entries must be reflected in Marine Corps Total Force System for the disqualifying status in order to make determination for disqualification.
7. Between 1 April 2020 and 1 May 2020, electronic SDA and MCI packages will be screened by HQMC Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) and RAM. Qualified Marines will be assigned to the available training classes. During screening, SDA and MCI class assignments will be made in accordance with each Marines preferences and qualifications, command recommendations, needs of the program, and remaining SDA vacancies. Marines who are found qualified and selected to serve on SDA or MCI duty and class assignments will be announced via separate correspondence upon completion of screening. Once the approved RELM with designated class assignment is returned to the unit, Marines will have no more than 15 days to accept the obligated service. Those Marines that decline to gain the obligated service necessary for their assignment to an SDA will have their End of Active Service (EAS) date changed to reflect the graduation date of the school they refused to attend, transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve in order to complete the remaining Reserve time on their contract, and issued an RE-3O reenlistment code in accordance with references (k) and (m).
8. AR Monitor Roadshow. Beginning in August 2020, the RAM SDA Monitor will be available at all locations in which the RAM roadshow will visit in order to provide an opportunity for Marines to interact with the SDA monitor on a one on one basis. This visit will be coordinated as a part of the main AR Monitor Roadshow. Refinements or adjustments to the SDA or MCI class slate will be done on a case by case basis. Commands must submit official requests via AMHS, or TFRS as appropriate, in order to make class adjustments. Additional information and coordinating instructions for the AR Monitor Roadshow will be released via separate correspondence.
9. Once final assignments to SDA and MCI classes are made, Commanders are reminded that they must recertify Marines between 45 and 60 days prior to the convening date of the individual’s training class. Failure to properly rescreen Marines for SDA will result in a determination of noncompliance in accordance with reference (a).
10. Released authorized by Colonel M. E. Samples Jr., Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Acting.//