R 081945Z SEP 20
MARADMIN 516/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 FIRST SERGEANTS COURSE CID M02L645//
POC/SERGEANT MAJOR, COLLEGE OF ENLISTED MILITARY EDUCATION/MCU/TEL: (703) 432-4793/EMAIL: CHARLES.N.BELL@USMC.MIL AND SEPME.3@USMCU.EDU//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Situation.  Since 1996, the Commandant of the Marine Corps has directed a formal course of instruction be provided for all newly promoted and selected first sergeants.  The course facilitates the transition from gunnery sergeant to first sergeant.  Due to COVID-19, Course 2-20 was rescheduled as Course 1-21 listed below in 3.B.2.
2.  Mission.  The College of Enlisted Military Education (CEME) will conduct the First Sergeants Course to provide instruction covering the duties and responsibilities of Marines with the rank of first sergeant.
3.  Execution
3.A.  Commanders Intent.  Instruct students on the duties and responsibilities of a first sergeant.  The Course end state is achieved when students are equipped with the knowledge to effectively support commanders and fulfill billet responsibilities.
3.B.  Concept of Operations
3.B.1.  The First Sergeants Course will be conducted over a two week period.  Instruction is presented through a variety of lectures and guided discussions.  The focus of effort is to prepare first sergeants to advise their commanders regarding all matters affecting enlisted personnel and assist commanders in the performance of their duties.
3.B.2.  The First Sergeants Course will be conducted at Marine Corps Base (MCB), Quantico, VA.
Course     Report          Convene        Graduate
1-21       29 Nov 20       30 Nov 20      11 Dec 20
2-21       14 Mar 21       15 Mar 21      26 Mar 21
3-21       20 Jun 21       21 Jun 21       2 Jul 21
3.C.  Coordinating Instructions
3.C.1.  The Fiscal Year 2021 First Sergeants Course will be conducted at Marine Corps University.  Reserve and active duty attendees will report to Quantico, VA.  Coordinating instructions will be sent via separate correspondence approximately three weeks before the course convening date; COVID-19 specific guidance will be provided as part of official communication to all registered students.
3.C.2.  Attendance.  First sergeants in receipt of orders to an Inspector-Instructor or reserve first sergeants should register for course 3-21.  Master sergeants serving in the billet of a first sergeant may attend, however, a letter describing their current duties and responsibilities and a command endorsement must be submitted prior to being authorized to attend.  All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Direct all correspondence to the Sergeant Major, CEME, at charles.n.bell@usmc.mil and sepme.3@usmcu.edu.
3.C.3.  Registration.  Attendees are required to register for Course 1-21 no later than (NLT) 29 October 2020, Course 2-20 NLT 14 February 2021, and Course 3-21 NLT 19 May 2021.  Parent command G-3s/S-3s are required to submit nominees to the Sergeant Major, CEME.  Once students are registered in Marine Corps Training Information Management System, funding letters will be available for download following approval from Training and Education Command Formal Schools.
4.  Administration and Logistics
4.A.  Active Component
4.A.1.  Orders.  Temporary additional duty orders will be non-reporting.
4.A.2.  Travel/per diem is provided by TECOM World-Wide Travel.  Parent command G-3s/S-3s are required to request funding.
4.B.  Reserve Component
4.B.1.  Orders.  Marine Reserve Order Writing System Professional Military Education/school orders will be routed through Marine Forces Reserve G-3 in order to receive funding and will be non-reporting.
4.B.2.  Travel/per diem will be requested through Defense Travel System (DTS)-Reserve Travel.
4.C.  Transportation.  Attendees should not schedule any flight departures prior to 1600 on their scheduled graduation date.  Parent commands are responsible for the cost of rental cars.
4.D.  Lodging.  Accepted attendees who require lodging are required to lodge at Liversedge Hall, commercial:  (703) 784-3149 or The Crossroads Inn, commercial:  (703) 630-4444.  If billeting is not available, Marines must receive a non-availability statement from Liversedge Hall before arranging off-base lodging.  MCB Quantico is part of the DTS lodging pilot program.  Attendees are required to reserve off-base lodging through DTS after receiving a non-availability statement.  More information about the DTS pilot program may be found at:  http:(slash)(slash)www.quantico.marines.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=2MS_fRRYyqI%3D&tabid=18638&portalid=147&mid=46202.
4.E.  Uniform
4.E.1.  The prescribed uniform is the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform and appropriate seasonal service uniform.
4.E.2.  Students should bring a sufficient number of uniforms for the duration of the course.
4.E.3.  The all-weather coat is optional.
4.E.4.  Appropriate civilian attire and coat/tie are required.
4.F.  Social Events.  All attendees will attend a professional dinner.  The prescribed uniform for the dinner is civilian attire (male:  suit and tie, female:  dress or equivalent business attire).
5.  Command and Signal.  Direct all inquiries regarding the content of this Marine Administrative Message to Sergeant Major Charles N. Bell, Sergeant Major, CEME.
6.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Lewis A. Craparotta, Commanding General, Training and Education Command.//