R 172000Z AUG 21
MARADMIN 429/21
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/CALL FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE 2021 VIRTUAL BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE CONFERENCE//
POC/MARC SHEPPARD/CIV/CMC (MPE)/TEL: COM 703-784-9371/DSN 278/EMAIL: MARC.SHEPPARD@USMC.MIL//
POC/ANTHONY QUINONES/SGT/CMC (MPE)/TEL: COM 703-784-9371/DSN 278/EMAIL: ANTHONY.QUINONES@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message announces the 2021 virtual Blacks in Government (BIG) National Training Institute (NTI) conference from 23-26 August 2021.  This year’s theme is “Training Matters – Roadmap To Securing Your Career Goals.”  Manpower and Reserve Affairs’ (M&RA) Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion Branch (MPE) will sponsor 35 conference registration fees for this event.
2.  The Blacks in Government NTI is a nationwide response to train and develop individuals into subject matter experts so they will be able to perform the critical tasks of providing services to the general public.  Areas of training include technology, health care, science, equal employment opportunity, acquisition, financial management, project management, retirement planning, homeland security, and many other service-based functions necessary for the general welfare of the citizenry, and inclusive of programs and benefits.  For additional information, you may access the Blacks in Government website at www.bignet.org.
3.  Commanders may authorize Permissive Temporary Additional Duty for Marines and Sailors attached to their unit to allow virtual participation in an environment without distractions.  Commanders/Supervisors may also approve civilian Marine participation in an environment without distractions.  All Marine Corps registration fees must be coordinated through MPE.  Reservations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
4.  Requests to participate in this event should be emailed to the group mailbox MPE(underscore)Outreach@usmc.mil, Marc Sheppard (marc.sheppard@usmc.mil), and Sergeant Anthony Quinones (anthony.quinones@usmc.mil) via your Officer-in-Charge and include the following information: name, rank, unit, email, and duty station.
5.  The uniform of the day for the event is Service “C” for any attendee broadcasting images or video in the course of their participation.
6.  Black in Government NTI is a non-federal entity wholly independent of the Marine Corps.
7.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
8.  Release authorized by BGen A. T. Williamson, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.//