R 071925Z NOV 25
MARADMIN 537/25
MSGID/CMC PPO WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/UPDATE TO SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (sUAS) 
POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECRETARY OF WAR GUIDANCE DATED 
10 JUL 2025//
REF/A/SECWAR MEMO “UNLEASHING U.S. MILITARY DRONE DOMINANCE
,” 10 JUL 25// 
REF/B/MARADMIN 398/24// 
REF/C/MARADMIN 284/24//
REF/D/NATO STANDARD ATP-3.3.8.1//
REF/E/JP 3-30//
REF/F/MIL-STD-6040(SERIES)/B.1.01.15//
REF/G/NAVMC 3500.107D//
REF/H/SUAS PROGRAM SOP//
REF/I/UAS ADVISORY COUNCIL CHARTER 28 MAY 2025//
REF/J/NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 
2024//
REF/K/MCO 5100.29C VOL 9//
REF/L/CNAF 3710.9//
REF/M/MCO 3570.1D//
REF/N/DoDI 5000.64//
REF/O/DoD Manual 4160.28//
REF/P/UAS GOVERNANCE MOA//
REF/Q/ SOUM 16-25//
NARR/REF A IS THE GUIDANCE FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR ON 
SUAS UPDATES FOR THE DOD. REF B IS THE BLUE UAS 
PROCUREMENT AND TRAINING MARADMIN. REF C IS THE 
CLARIFICATION OF GROUP 1 AND 2 UAS POLICY FOR THE 
OPERATION OF USMC SUAS. REF D IS THE NATO STANDARD ALLIED 
TACTICAL PUBLICATION MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR UAS
 OPERATORS AND PILOTS. REF E IS THE JOINT PUBLICATION ON 
JOINT AIR OPERATIONS. REF F IS THE UAS CATEGORY 3 INTERIM 
FLIGHT CLEARANCE (IFC) FOR GROUP 1 AND 2 UAS FOR SHORE-
BASED AND SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS. REF G IS THE UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (GROUP 1 AND 2) TRAINING AND READINESS 
MANUAL. REF H IS THE SUAS PROGRAM SOP. REF I IS THE 
CHARTER FOR THE FAMILY OF UAS ADVISORY COUNCIL AND WORKING
 GROUP. REF J IS THE FY24 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION 
ACT AND AMERICAN SECURITY DRONE ACT. REF K IS THE NAVY AND
 MARINE CORPS SAFETY INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING MANUAL. 
REF L IS THE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS MANUAL GROUP 1 AND 2 
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. REF M IS THE SMALL UNMANNED 
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (SUAS) PROGRAM STANDARD OPERATING 
PROCEDURES (SOP). REF M IS THE RANGE SAFETY ORDER. REF N 
IS THE DOD INSTRUCTION ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND MANAGEMENT OF
 DOD EQUIPMENT AND OTHER ACCOUNTABLE PROPERTY. REF O IS 
THE DOD MANUAL ON DEFENSE DEMILITARIZATION PROCEDURES. REF
 P IS THE GOVERNANCE OF MARINE CORPS UAS DECISION 
MEMORANDUM. REF Q IS THE SOUM UPDATE TO SUAS USE WITHIN 
USMC RANGE AND TRAINING AREAS.//
POC/MSGT/B. W. POWELL/PP&O POF/EMAIL: 
PMOS_7316_OCCFLD@usmc.mil
/TEL: 703-614-4300//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/ 1. This is a coordinated Deputy Commandant, Plans
, Policies, and Operations (DC PP&O), Deputy Commandant, 
Aviation (DC A) and Deputy Commandant Training and 
Education (DC T&E) message. This MARADMIN rescinds and 
supersedes references (b) and (c).
1.a. This MARADMIN addresses changes to procurement, and 
operational authorities for sUAS in response to reference 
(a) for Groups 1 and 2 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
(sUAS) as defined by reference (e). This message is not 
all encompassing but provides critical policy updates, 
aligns Service efforts, and clarifies requirements and 
authorities for commanders.
1.b.  This MARADMIN does not change or affect the 
requirements to operate Group 3 and above UAS as 
defined by reference (e).
1.c.  For the purposes of this message and for addressing 
generally, Groups 1 and 2 UAS will be referred to as small
 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) with the exception of 
those designated as weapons systems.
2. Intent. The release of references (a) and (f) have 
changed processes and procedures for sUAS from the Office 
of the Secretary of War (OSW) down to the Service-level. 
This message will provide reference (a) Service 
implementation guidance.
3.  Policy.
3.a. Governance of Marine Corps UAS.
3.a.1. In accordance with (IAW) reference (p), sUAS Group 
1 and 2 will be governed by DC PP&O.
3.a.2. IAW reference (p) UAS Group 3 – 5 will be governed 
by DC A. 
3.a.3 sUAS designated as a weapon system, armed, and used 
on a range and training area will be governed by DC T&E. 
3.a.4. Any topics or initiatives not addressed 
specifically by this MARADMIN or by DC PP&O and/or DCA 
will be adjudicated by the DC CD&I Family of UAS Advisory 
Council.
3.b. UAS Categorization and Training Standards.
3.b.1. Group 1 UAS.  Defined IAW reference (e) as an air 
vehicle weighing 20 pounds or less which typically 
operates under VFR in Class E, G, and restricted or 
uncontrolled airspace below 1200’ AGL at speeds less than 
100 knots.
3.b.1.a.  Group 1 UAS may be operated by any Marine IAW 
the current Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) interim 
flight clearance (IFC) who has successfully completed the 
requirements outlined in references (d) and (g), including
, but not limited to, system-specific Initial Qualification
 Training (IQT) and Basic UAS Qualification – 1 (BUQ) and 
being designated as a sUAS-Operator (sUAS-O) by the 
Aircraft Reporting Custodian (ARC) IAW reference (h).
3.b.1.b. Program of Record (POR) Group 1 system training 
is conducted by the local Training and Logistics Support 
Activity (TALSA). Initial non-POR (NPOR) system training 
will be conducted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer 
and approved by the ARC. Additional guidance for specific 
systems or training capabilities may be approved or 
released via separate correspondence.  
3.b.2.  Group 2 UAS. Defined IAW reference (e) as an air 
vehicle weighing between 21-55 pounds which typically 
operates under VFR in class D, E, G, and restricted 
airspace below 3500’ AGL at speeds less than 250 knots. 
3.b.2.a.  Group 2 sUAS-Os shall successfully complete a DC
 T&E approved BUQ-2 syllabus.  The syllabus to include IQT
 will be approved by DC T&E.
3.b.2.b.  Group 2 PMOS.  USMC Group 2 UAS shall only be 
operated IAW the current NAVAIR issued flight clearance by
 an operator with an approved Military Occupational 
Specialty (MOS) and who has completed training IAW the sUAS
 T&R Manual. The Primary MOS (PMOS) 7316 Small UAS Operator
 is currently the only approved MOS to operate Group 2 
systems outside of Marine Special Operations Command 
(MARSOC) as described in paragraph 3.b.2.c. The Tactical 
Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS), TRV-150, is 
currently waived by DC A from a Group III system to be 
operated and maintained as a Group 2 by incidental 
operators trained through their TALSA.
3.b.2.c.  MARSOC sUAS Operations. Marines assigned to 
MARSOC holding the PMOS of 0370 (Special Operations 
Officer), 0372 (Critical Skills Operator), or Billet MOS 
8071 (Special Operations Capabilities Specialist) are 
eligible to be trained on and operate Group 2 systems IAW 
the requirements in reference (f). MARSOC Marines who 
receive the Free MOS 8623 may be authorized to fly Group 2
 systems. These Marines are hand selected and undergo a 
comprehensive screening process and a Special Operations 
Forces - Peculiar training pipeline that enables these 
Marines to operate the Group 2 aircraft.
3.b.3. A sUAS designated as a weapon system is defined IAW
 reference (q) as a sUAS having an integrated collection 
of elements, including a weapon, delivery platform, and 
supporting systems, designed to inflict damage, 
incapacitate, or neutralize a target. Additionally, based 
on the concept of employment, unarmed variants may be 
treated as a training weapon, similar to a “blue body” 
practice hand grenade.
3.b.4. A system by default is considered a sUAS unless 
designated as a weapon system by the DC CD&I Family of UAS
 Advisory Council or other authoritative body. 
4. Secretary of War Memorandum Updates.
4.a. Delegation of Authorities.
4.a.1. Reference (a) provides broad updates and changes to
 sUAS programs and policies with a goal of eliminating 
barriers to purchase and train utilizing emerging UAS 
technology. This includes the delegation of specific 
authorities from the Secretary of War (SecWar) to the O6-
level commander or the General Officer (GO) / Senior 
Executive Service (SES) level.
4.a.2. For NPOR sUAS that are compliant with references 
(a) and (j), the ability to grant Authority to Operate 
(ATOs) has been delegated to the O6 Commander or 
equivalent. This authority cannot be further delegated. 
These sUAS must remain in closed loop cyber networks, 
cordoned from DoD networks because the O6 ATO does not 
provide the required cyber certification for National 
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance. For systems 
purchased from the Blue UAS Cleared List, an ATO is 
included however, this ATO does not consider 
electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) management and does not 
constitute an EMS approval.
4.a.3. The Department of the Navy (DON) will utilize the 
DON Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) UAS portal 
(https://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/doncotsuas/) to 
track procurements and ATOs issued by O6 commanders or 
equivalents. O6 commanders or equivalents must provide 
signed procurement information and ATO paperwork to DC 
PP&O Future Operations Branch (POF) via the email 
PMOS_7316_OCCFLD@usmc.mil. Additional information for NDAA
 guidance, mitigation methods, and other sUAS topics may 
be found on the DON SharePoint as well.
4.a.4. Commanders must exercise their best judgement after 
reviewing all available supply chain information to ensure
 these sUAS do not utilize critical components from covered
 countries as defined in reference (j). If an ATO is 
provided for a sUAS that is not NDAA compliant, the 
Commander may be held responsible for any violations of 
the law.
4.a.5. GOs and SES equivalents have been delegated the 
SecWar’s authority per reference (j) to procure covered 
UAS systems solely for specific mission types as outlined 
in reference (a). Authority for other mission types is not
 granted and requires an exemption or waiver from the 
SecWar or Deputy SecWar.
4.a.6. O6 Commanders or equivalent have been delegated the
 authority to operate or procure sUAS with critical 
components from covered entities as permitted by 
references (a) and (j). All risk mitigation measures must 
be implemented, including but not limited to: removing 
memory cards or other storage measures, and using Rizer 
software for DJI manufactured sUAS. Questions or concerns 
may be directed to the POCs for this message. 
4.b. Categorization of sUAS.
4.b.1 Reference (a) provides guidance that sUAS should be 
categorized as consumable. Historically, sUAS have been 
considered as attritable meaning loss is acceptable, while
 consumable infers that loss is intended for sUAS as 
expendable supplies. 
4.b.2. The current POR Reconnaissance, Surveillance, 
Target Acquisition (RSTA) and logistics capability systems
 fielded from PMA-263 will continue to have a High 
Probability of Loss. Incident and Mishap reporting shall 
be done IAW references (k) and (n). 
4.b.3. Non-POR sUAS procured or produced at the unit level
 shall be considered consumable and expendable supplies. 
Mishaps or incidents resulting in injury, fatality, 
property damage, or unintentional loss of an asset shall 
be reported IAW references (k), (l), (n), and (o).  
5. sUAS Accountability.
5.a. The accountability of all USMC sUAS purchased, leased
, or contracted is required and reported to the Office of 
the Secretary of War annually. PMA-263 provides reports 
for all USMC POR sUAS through the Catalog Ordering 
Logistics Tracking System (COLTS) program management 
suite. GOs or SES equivalents assigned as a Designated 
Approval Authority (DAA) IAW reference (l) are responsible
 for reporting all POR, NPOR or otherwise operated sUAS 
utilized by the units under their command.
5.b. DAA level sUAS Program Managers are responsible for 
providing the required data to DC PP&O POF to support the 
yearly inventory submission requirement to the Government 
Accountability Office. 
6. Unit sUAS Programs. USMC commands possessing sUAS shall
 immediately comply with the policies and guidance 
outlined in this MARADMIN. These commands shall establish 
their unit sUAS program IAW references (h) and (l) no 
later than 90 days from the publication. Units are 
encouraged to coordinate with higher headquarters to 
document and share lessons learned to accelerate 
Service-wide capability adoption.
7.  Administration and Logistics. Requests for waivers or 
changes to any portion of this policy will be submitted 
through the chain of command with required endorsement 
from the DAA to DC PP&O POF for endorsement and appropriate
 routing for approval. Electronic submissions of requests 
and endorsements may be sent to the PP&O POCs listed 
above.
7.a. Review. This MARADMIN will be periodically reviewed 
to incorporate lessons learned and facilitate the 
evolution and integration of future systems, or until a 
sUAS Marine Corps Order is promulgated and authorized.
8.  Command and Signal
8.a.  Command.  Applicable to the total force.
8.b.  Signal. This MARADMIN is effective upon release.
9.  Release authorized by LtGen Jay Bargeron, Deputy 
Commandant, Plans, Policies, and Operations.//