R 251336Z FEB 21
MARADMIN 099/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/CHANGE 3 TO MCO 1900.16 SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL (MARCORSEPMAN)//
REF A/DOC/MCO 5215.1K/10MAY2007//
REF B/DOC/5 U.S.C. 552a//
REF C/DOC/SECNAVINST 5211.5F/20MAY2019//
REF D/DOC/SECNAV M-5210.1/23SEP2019//
REF E/DOC/MCO 5210.11F/7APR2015//
REF F/DOC/MCO 1616.1/25NOV2020//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 5215.1K (THE MARINE CORPS DIRECTIVES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM). REF B IS U.S. CODE, TITLE 5, PART I, CHAPTER 5, SUBCHAPTER II, SECTION 552A. REF C IS SECNAVINST 5211.5E (THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY (DON) PRIVACY PROGRAM). REF D IS SECNAV M-5210.1 (DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY RECORDS MANAGEMENT MANUAL). REF E IS MCO 5210.11F (MARINE CORPS RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM). REF F IS MCO 1616.1 (JUNIOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL EVALUATION SYSTEM)//
POC/MRS. PAULETTE M. SANGSTER/CMC MMSR/-/TEL: COMM 703-784-9321//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This MARADMIN is to notify the distribution list of Change 3 to MCO 1900.16.  
2.  In accordance with references (a) through (e), this message incorporates the implementation of the Junior Enlisted Performance Evaluation System (JEPES) as outlined in reference (f) as it pertains to enlisted separations. 
3.  As a result of the implementation of the Junior Enlisted Personnel Evaluation System, the following changes to the Separations Manual are effective, 1 February 2021:
3.a.  Paragraph 1004.2a (1) is modified to read, “Honorable Upon EAS Separation.  Honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the Marine’s service has met the accepted standards of command input marks in all three attributes of the Marine’s performance, i.e “Individual Character,” “MOS Proficiency and/or Accomplishment,” and “Leadership.”  Characterization will normally be honorable for Marines with an overall rating of 1.0 or higher in each category.  Marines receiving a rating of less than 1.0 in any of the three attributes of the command’s input marks may receive an honorable characterization at the separation authority's discretion.  The separation authority may determine an honorable characterization of service is warranted in cases where a Marine’s service is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would clearly be inappropriate.”
3.b.  Paragraph 1004.3a is modified to read, “The command’s input marks, as determined by reference (f) , and customs of the Service form the primary basis for determining characterization of service.  Minimum acceptable command input marks in any of the three attributes of performance during an enlistment is 1.0.  Failure of a Marine to achieve the minimum rating of 1.0 is evidence of significant negative aspects, outweighing all but the most meritorious military records.  Marines who do not achieve these standards should not receive an honorable discharge.”
3.c.  Table 1-1, Characterization of Service, modify Rule 4 to read, If the separating Marine: “is over 18 years of age and have served over 180 days or more, is a corporal or below and minimum command input marks of at least 1.0 in all three categories of performance.”
3.d.  Table 1-1, Characterization of Service, modify Rule 5 to read, If the separating Marine: “is over 18 years of age and have served over 180 days or more, is a corporal or below and has command input marks of less than 1.0 in any of the three categories of performance.”
3.e. Table 1-1, Characterization of Service, modify Note 1 to read, “To compute final average command input markings for separation, round to the nearest tenth as follows: 5 if the average hundredth Figure is 5 or more, round up to the nearest tenth; otherwise, round down. For example, 3.95 rounds up to 4.0; whereas
3.94 remains at 3.9).
3.f.  Table 1-1, Characterization of Service, modify Note 3 to read, “If a Separation Authority determines that an enlisted Marine warrants a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service, see paragraph 1004.  Other than for corporal and below with an average acceptable command input mark of less than 1.0 in any of the three categories of performance at EAS, the Marine must be notified in  writing and afforded a reasonable opportunity to submit matters for consideration.  If a Separation Authority then concludes that a general (under honorable conditions) characterization is still appropriate for significant negative aspects of the Marine’s performance, the reasons for that determination must be documented on page 11 of the SRB/ESR.  Any supporting documents must be forwarded to CMC (MMRP-20) for inclusion in the Marine’s OMPF.
3.g.  Paragraph 6203.7.d.(3), modify to read, “Characterization of Service. If a finding of intentional misconduct/willful neglect or other negative aspects of a Marine’s performance outweigh positive aspects of performance, to include acceptable command input performance ratings, and administrative separation is warranted, the least favorable characterization of service is general (under honorable conditions).”
3.h.  Paragraph 6206.1b, modify to read, “Failure to maintain required performance rating in grade, as demonstrated by command input marks below the average acceptable rating of 1.0 in any of the three  attributes of performance or adverse fitness report markings or comments accumulated in the Performance Evaluation System.”
3.i.  Paragraph 6303.3.a.(11), modify to read, “The notification requirements outlined in this paragraph do not apply when the Marine is processed for separation by reason of the convenience of the government for disability and the character of service is based upon the acceptable average command input performance marks.
3.j.  Paragraph 6305.2a, modify to read, “SRB/ESR Pages. Pages 3, 11, 12, 13 (if applicable), and Record of Service often are valuable supporting documents, but should be submitted only if germane.  When administratively more practical, data within the SRB/ESR can be incorporated into the commanding officer’s recommendation.  For example, command input marks of performance ratings may be submitted vice page 23 or Record of Service.”
3.k.  Paragraph 6401.4b, modify to read, “A corporal or below, when the characterization of service is not based on the average acceptable command input marks.”
3.l.  Figure 6-5, pg 2, 1.c., modify to read, “SNM’s in service Command Input Marks are _____Individual Character; ______MOS Proficiency and/or Accomplishment; ______Leadership.
4.  Administrative separation processing will be conducted based upon the MARCORSEPMAN in effect on the date the respondent was notified.
5.  This Manual is published electronically and can be accessed online via the Marine Corps website at the Marine Corps Publications Electronic Library.
6.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps total force.
7.  Release authorized by LtGen David A. Ottignon, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//