R 251800Z AUG 23
MARADMIN 422/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/2023 GENERAL OFFICERS, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS, AND SERGEANTS MAJOR PARTICIPATION IN MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALLS//
REF/A/DOC/USMC/13MAY13//
REF/B/DOC/DON/10APR19//
REF/C/DOC/DON/04AUG08//
REF/D/DOC/DOD/03APR19//
NARR/REF A IS CMC GREEN LETTER 2-13, SENIOR OFFICIAL SPOUSAL TRAVEL. REF B IS SECNAVINST 5720.44C CH-2, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY PUBLIC AFFAIRS POLICY AND REGULATIONS. REF C IS MCO 7040.11A, MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL FUNDING. REF D IS DOD DIRECTIVE 4500.56, DOD POLICY ON THE USE OF GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT AND AIR TRAVEL.//
POC/D. HUGHES/MAJOR/DMCS OPSO/TEL: 703-692-2829/E-MAIL: DUSTIN.HUGHES@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This MARADMIN provides guidance regarding travel of Marine Corps General Officers (GOs), Senior Executive Service members (SES), Sergeants Major (SgtMaj), and any other Marines serving in an active-duty capacity, to act as the guest of honor (GOH) or guest speaker for 2023 Marine Corps birthday ball celebrations per the references.  This MARADMIN does not apply to GOH or guest speakers who are not employed by the government or are not serving in an active-duty capacity.
2.  Guidance.  Due to the challenges of today’s fiscal environment, the Marine Corps will minimize government funded travel for active duty GOHs to attend Marine Corps birthday ball ceremonies.  Commands, units, or organizations requesting active duty GOHs to attend birthday balls should request appropriate representatives from the local area.
3.  Approval.  GOH travel outside the local area requires approval and determination of mission criticality from the Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS).
3.a.  Requests for GOHs from units/organizations which fall within the GOH's purview/command responsibilities (e.g., subordinate unit) do not require separate approval from DMCS.
3.b.  Requests for GOHs to attend a ball at which a GO, SES member, or SgtMaj is already in attendance, or at which a local GO, SES member, or SgtsMaj is available to attend as the GOH, will not receive a favorable endorsement.
3.c.  Stewardship of resources extends to the use of support staff and transportation resources.  As such, attendance approval for a GOH at an outside ball authorizes travel for the attending GOH and no other travelers.  Requests for other travelers, to include aides, will not be considered nor endorsed.
4.  Funding.  HQMC will not fund GOs, SES members, SgtsMaj, or any other Marine to travel to balls.
4.a.  Per ref (c), GOH travel will be funded with appropriated funds, from either the requesting unit's or the GOH's unit funds.
4.b.  Requesting units may provide the GOH hotel rooms that are no cost to the government as long as the rooms were bargained for under the ball support contract (e.g., contract provides some hotel guest rooms at no charge for event).
4.c.  Non-appropriated funds, including funds raised by the ball committee or unit fundraising, should not be used to pay for a GOH's travel costs.
5.  Spousal travel.  Government-funded spousal travel will not be endorsed for this ball season.
6.  Gifts.  Gifts for GOH/guest speakers should be nominal (e.g., under $10 or an item with little intrinsic value, such as a plaque).  However, due to the varying relationships of individuals presenting/ contributing and receiving, each gift offering should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Units should consult with their local staff judge advocate regarding the appropriate ethics rules and regulations prior to offering and presenting any GOH gifts.  Furthermore, GOH/guest speakers attending multiple balls should coordinate in advance with the units to minimize gifts.
7.  Requests.  Requests for non-local GOHs to participate in a ball should be routed directly to the DMCS POC identified in this MARADMIN no later than 10 business days prior to the date of event.
7.a.  Requests can be made via e-mail or formal correspondence and must contain the following:
7.a.1.  Unit hosting ball.
7.a.2.  Date & location of ball.
7.a.3.  Identify travel restrictions to and from ball location.
7.a.4.  Role of GO, SES member, or SgtsMaj at ball (e.g., GOH, guest speaker, attendee, etc) and reason for attending.
7.a.5.  Identify all GOs, SES members, and SgtsMaj in attendance, and all local GOs, SES members, and SgtsMaj available but not attending.
7.a.6.  Estimated TAD costs, how costs are to be funded, and by whom.
7.a.7.  Detailed travel itinerary (e.g., departing 8 Nov via comair for arrival in Atlanta, GA, 9 Nov meeting with xyz IOT discuss xyx/ conduct PME with xyz, evening of 9th attend ball, 10 Nov return to permanent duty station via comair).
7.a.8.  Anticipated number of attendees.
8.  Exceptions.  Exceptions to this policy require approval from the DMCS.
9.  Cancellation.  This MARADMIN is canceled 31 December 2023.
10.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Gregg P. Olson, Director, Marine Corps Staff.//