R 201624Z NOV 25
MARADMIN 557/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/IMPLEMENTATION OF DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY GUIDANCE ON MARINE 
CORPS PERSONNEL PARTICIPATION IN EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENTS// 
REF/A/DOC/SECWAR MEMO/15SEP25//
REF/B/DOC/ALNAV 076/25/09OCT25//
REF/C/DOC/DODI 5410.19 VOL 1-4//
NARR/REF A IS THE SECRETARY OF WAR MEMORANDUM ESTABLISHING THE 
DEPARTMENT OF WAR (DOW) ENHANCED FRAMEWORK AND PRINCIPLES FOR 
PERSONNEL PARTICIPATION IN EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENTS.
REF B IS THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY’S IMPLEMENTATION OF REF A, WHICH
DELEGATES APPROVAL AUTHORITY TO DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY (DON)
COMPONENTS. 
REF C IS THE DOD INSTRUCTION ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.//
GENTEXT/RMKS/1.  Purpose.  This MARADMIN implements references (a) 
and (b) for the U.S. Marine Corps.  It provides comprehensive 
guidance on the delegation of approval authority and outlines the
required procedures for submitting written requests for 
participation in external engagements that fall under the enhanced
approval framework defined in reference (a).  This guidance is
applicable to all Marine Corps active duty and reserve personnel and
civilian personnel. 
2.  Background.  Per reference (a), the Department of War (DOW) must 
be deliberate and purposeful about the external engagements attended 
by its personnel.  All engagements must support Departmental 
priorities and effectively communicate our mission and values.  The 
enhanced framework outlined in reference (a) aims to improve the 
accuracy of policy communication, broaden audience engagement, 
uphold professionalism, and ensure the proper stewardship of 
taxpayer dollars.  Reference (a) directs approval authorities to 
conduct a thorough analysis based on this enhanced approval 
framework and be selective in approving requests.
3.  Applicability and Exclusions. 
3.a.  This MARADMIN applies to all Marine Corps personnel 
requesting to participate in an "external engagement" in their 
official capacity, as defined in reference (a). This includes 
speaking, presenting, and mere attendance at any event hosted by a 
non-Federal entity as defined in reference (a). 
3.b.  Several types of events and activities are excluded from 
the enhanced approval framework.  These are detailed in Section 1.c 
of reference (a) and include, but are not limited to:  broad-based 
community events (parades, air shows), military-to-military 
engagements, DoW-hosted events, and certain business meetings 
related to contract administration.  Personnel are reminded that 
even if an event is excluded from this specific framework, 
participation must still comply with the principles of reference 
(a) and the policies in reference (c). 
4.  Delegation of Approval Authority.  Pursuant to reference (b), 
authority to review and approve external engagement requests for 
Marine Corps personnel is delegated as follows: 
4.a.  O-6/GS-15 and Below.  Authority is delegated to the first 
General Officer/Flag Officer (GO/FO) or Senior Executive Service 
(SES) member in the requestor's chain of command. 
4.b.  O-7 to O-8/Civilian Equivalent.  Authority is delegated to 
the first senior GO/FO or SES in the requestor's chain of command.
4.c.  O-9 to O-10/Civilian Equivalent.  Authority is delegated to
the Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS), per reference (b). 
4.d.  General Officers/Senior Civilian Leaders Assigned to the 
Navy Secretariat.  Authority remains with the Secretary of the Navy. 
Requests from these individuals will be processed in accordance with
paragraph 3.d of reference (b). 
4.e.  Further Review.  If an approval authority at any level 
determines a request merits additional review, the request should be
routed to the next approval authority in the chain of command for 
decision until a decision is determined.  DMCS will route all 
decisions requiring enhanced screening to the Secretary of the Navy 
Public Affairs per reference (a).  
5.  Written Request for Approval.  Marines seeking to participate in
an external engagement subject to the enhanced framework must submit
a written request for approval routed as a decision memorandum via 
the Enterprise Task Management Software Solution 2 (ETMS2) through 
their chain of command to the appropriate approval authority 
outlined in paragraph 4.
5.a.  External engagement request must include the following 
enclosures to the decision memorandum:
5.a.1.  Engagement Analysis.  An enclosure providing a 
thorough analysis based on the principles of external engagement 
found in reference (a).  This document must, at a minimum, include 
all information detailed in Section 3.b of reference (a):
5.a.1.a.  External engagement title, date, and location.
5.a.1.b.  Host institution and type of institution (e.g., 
academic, think tank, industry group).
5.a.1.c.  Type of external engagement (e.g., conference, 
roundtable) and other participants (organizer, speakers, moderator,
and attendees, if known).
5.a.1.d.  Name, rank, and title of all proposed DoW 
participant(s).
5.a.1.e.  A hyperlink to the event page, if applicable.
5.a.1.f.  Media details: if media will be present, if the 
event is on/off-the-record or follows Chatham House rules, and if it
will be recorded.
5.a.1.g.  A detailed summary of the proposed benefits of 
participation, specifically addressing the principles of Disclosure 
and Broad Audience, Accuracy, Professionalism, and Cost-Efficiency 
as outlined in reference (a).
5.a.2.  Legal and Ethics Review.  An enclosure containing a 
legal and ethics review from the appropriate Staff Judge Advocate or
Counsel’s office concerning the proposed participation, as required. 
5.b.  Submission Format and Resources.  Current submission 
templates, resources, and assessment criteria for leaders are 
located on the DMCS home page: 
https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/DMCS_Home/ 
6.  Coordinating Instructions. 
6.a.  This MARADMIN establishes a streamlined process and 
supersedes any concurrent internal Marine Corps executive engagement
reporting requirements for GO/SES and above engagements. 
6.b.  All personnel must continue to comply with all applicable 
policies and regulations, including references (c) and the Joint 
Ethics Regulation. 
6.c.  When an external engagement also involves ethics 
considerations (e.g., offers of free attendance, meals, or travel), 
personnel must coordinate with their appropriate ethics official in 
addition to seeking approval under this MARADMIN.
7.  The points of contact for this MARADMIN is the Office of the 
Director, Marine Corps Staff.
8.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Paul J. Rock Jr.,   
Director, Marine Corps Staff.//