R 211430Z JAN 22
MARADMIN 019/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE TO MCO 6310.1C (PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE), MCO 1900.16 CH2 (MARINE CORPS RETIREMENT AND SEPARATION MANUAL), AND MCO 1040.31 (ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM)//
REF/A/DOC/MRA(MPO)/20121009//
REF/B/DOC/MRA(MMSR)/20190215//
REF/C/DOC/MRA(MMEA)/20100910//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 6310.1C, PSEUODFOLLICULITIS BARBAE. REF B IS MCO 1900.16 WITH CHANGE 2, MARINE CORPS SEPARATION AND RETIREMENT MANUAL. REF C IS MCO 1040.31, ENLISTED RETENTION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM//
POC/K. CERNY/CIV/MRA(MPO)/TEL: (703) 784-9386/EMAIL: KERRY.CERNY@USMC.MIL//
POC/T. GALLOWAY/MAJ/MRA(MMSR)/TEL: (703) 784-9308/EMAIL: TRAVIS.GALLOWAY@USMC.MIL//
POC/E. GODINEZ/MAJ/MRA(MMEA-1)/TEL: (703) 432-9120/EMAIL: ERIKA.GODINEZ@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. To provide advance notification of changes to the references to prohibit the involuntary separation of Marines who are diagnosed with Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) as the sole basis for separation from the Marine Corps.
2. Background. As promulgated by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in Talent Management 2030 the Marine Corps continues to seek opportunities to focus on and invest in the individual Marine to improve individual and force readiness. PFB is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition of the face and neck caused by shaving in predisposed individuals. Reference (a) establishes the policy for the management and disposition of Marines diagnosed with medical condition of PFB and authorizes a commander to recommend involuntary separation for convenience of the government for a condition not a disability when a medical authority determines that a Marine requires a permanent “no shave” status to adequately treat his/her PFB. Reference (b) provides guidance on the separation and retirement of Marines. Reference (c) establishes policies, procedures, and standards for the Reenlistment and Career Development Program. All three references direct the separation authority to assign a reenlistment code of RE-3P to the separation documents of a Marine when PFB is the sole basis of separation. Further, Marines who are separated under such circumstances are unqualified for reenlistment. Such separation documents are required to be retained in the Marine’s Official Military Personnel File.
3. Action. Effective 31 January 2022, the following changes shall be implemented:
3.A. No Marine shall receive a 6105 counseling due to a diagnosis of a PFB condition or treatment for PFB.
3.B. No Marine shall be processed for administrative separation, separated from the Marine Corps, or denied reenlistment due to a PFB condition and/or for placement in a temporary or permanent “no shave” status. PFB is no longer a condition that is separable for the convenience of the government or any other basis for separation. A reenlistment code of RE-3P is no longer applicable for PFB.
3.C. Marines diagnosed with PFB shall not be required to retain a copy of their medical waiver, or “shave chit” on their person as proof of a diagnosed PFB condition.
3.D. Medical officers are authorized to grant a temporary or permanent “no shave” status for Marines who have a diagnosis of a PFB condition if topical treatments are proven ineffective. Medical officers shall have final authority for granting such status. Previously, medical officers only made recommendations to commanding officers concerning “no shave” periods, and the commanding officer either approved or disapproved such recommendation. Medical waivers shall be issued by Medical Officers for a time period whereby Marines would either reasonably require medical follow-up or resolution of the PFB condition, to eliminate the administrative burden associated with multiple waivers for a period of treatment.
4. The changes described in paragraph three of this message will be incorporated in the appropriate references during their next periodic update.
5. No changes or modifications shall be made to any separation documents of Marines who were involuntarily separated from the Marine Corps for PFB prior to 31 January 2022.
6. This message is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
7. Release authorized by LtGen David A. Ottignon, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//