R 201815Z DEC 23
MARADMIN 643/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/MANPOWER MODERNIZATION CHALLENGE II: ASSIGNMENTS AND RETENTION//
REF/A/MSGID: MCO/CMC/MRA MPO/YMD:20210510//
AMPN/REF (A) IS MCO 1300.8, MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT POLICY.//
POC/S. E. OTIS/MAJ/MMEA-21/TEL: 703-432-5625/EMAIL: STEPHEN.OTIS@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message serves as an announcement for the Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs Manpower Modernization Challenge II. The purpose of this challenge is to solicit original ideas from Active Component Marines in order to generate new concepts, procedures, and incentives related to enlisted assignments. Each command is encouraged to maximize participation by disseminating this Manpower Modernization Challenge.
1.a.  The first Marine Corps Manpower Modernization Challenge was successfully conducted in 2021 and 2022. Marines were asked to develop and submit ideas associated with retention. A team from Battalion Landing Team 2/6 submitted a proposal that was eventually formalized into the Small Unit Leadership Initiative - now Marine Corps policy. This iteration of the challenge seeks to capitalize on the proven success of crowd-sourcing and implementing Manpower related ideas from Marines in the Fleet.
2.  The Marine Corps is currently developing a Talent Management Marketplace, as directed in Talent Management 2030, that better connects individuals with their monitors and future commands. As we continue to test and field the marketplace, room exists to explore new ways to incentivize difficult to fill or less desirable assignments, as well as optimize the location/billet desires of the individual Marine with the needs of the Corps. Assignments and retention are inextricably linked, and we must determine new ways to encourage individual decisions that help fill difficult billets/locations, facilitate career progression, and keep talent within our ranks.
2.a.  This message provides the challenge question, schedule, and submission instructions. This challenge provides Marines the opportunity to inform future assignment policies.
3.  Context for the Challenge. The Talent Management 2030 Campaign Plan states: “The more effective we are within the assignments process, the more consistently the Marine Corps will retain talented Marines, better enabling us to achieve our overall strategic objectives…the evolving assignments process will ensure the right Marines are at the right place at the right time in support of operational needs.”
4.  The Challenge “How can the service better encourage Marines to accept an assignment to a critical billet in a difficult to fill or less desirable location? What incentives, monetary or otherwise, would encourage you to consider these assignments? How can we improve the assignment process - from initial discussion with your monitor to reporting into your new unit?”
5.  Eligibility Criteria. This competition is open to all Active Component Marines.
6.  Timeline. Submissions can be provided from 20 December through 20 January 2024. Any submission received after midnight on 20 January 2024 will be ineligible.
7.  Instructions. Participants must provide their contact information, Military Occupational Specialty, Unit, and an idea or concept intended to improve/incentivize how Marines receive assignments in under 500 characters. Participants can access the challenge site at https:(slash)(slash)usnavy.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0IXNkDg9HaJneNE to submit ideas.
8.  Ideas will be reviewed after the submission deadline, and the winners will be announced and recognized via MARADMIN.
9.  Release authorized by BGen Ryan S. Rideout, Director, Manpower Management, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//