R 201140Z AUG 26
MARADMIN 380/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE FOR MILITARY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REFORM
INITIATIVES//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/OSW//
REF/B/MSGID: DOC/OSW//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/DOWI 1350.02//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/DOWI 1020.03//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/MCO 5354.1G//
REF/F/MSGID: DOC/ALNAV 048/26//
NARR/REF (A) IS THE UNDER SECRETARY OF WAR FOR PERSONNEL AND
READINESS MEMORANDUM, “IMPLEMENTATION OF MILITARY EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY REFORMS,” 18 JUNE 2026 PREVENTION AND RESPONSE POLICY.
REF (B) IS THE UNDER SECRETARY OF WAR FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS
MEMORANDUM, “IMPLEMENTATION OF MILITARY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EQUAL
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY REFORM PLAN,” 30 SEPTEMBER 2025. REF (C) IS
DEPARTMENT OF WAR INSTRUCTIONS ON MILITARY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY,
22 DECEMBER 2022. REF (D) IS DEPARTMENT OF WAR INSTRUCTIONS ON
HARASSMENT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE IN THE ARMED FORCES, 17 JANUARY
2025. REF (E) IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER ON PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND
CONDUCT. REF (F) IS THE ALNAV ON IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE FOR
MILITARY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REFORM INITIATIVES
POC/B. CARTER/COL/MPE/TEL:(703)784-6276/
EMAIL: BRYCE.W.CARTER.MIL@USMC.MIL//
POC/R. SMITH/MGYSGT/MPE/TEL:(703)432-9164/
EMAIL: RODNEY.D.SMITH@USMC.MIL//
POC/J. MORALES/GS-13/MPE/TEL:(703)784-0533/
EMAIL: JACQUELINE.MORALES@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN provides immediate
implementation guidance for the Marine Corps Military Equal
Opportunity (MEO) program reforms directed by reference (a) pending
revision of MCO 5354.1.
2. Confidential reporting.
2.a. Effective immediately, the Marine Corps establishes a
confidential reporting option for allegations of prohibited
discrimination and harassment.
2.b. A confidential report of prohibited discrimination or
harassment allows a Marine or Sailor to receive appropriate
services, and to disclose Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
to authorized personnel without initiating an informal or formal
MEO complaint via NAVMC 11512 or MPE approved form.
2.c. Confidential reports shall not result in command notification,
inquiry, or investigation unless:
2.c.1. The report reveals a specific and imminent threat of serious
bodily harm or death;
2.c.2. The report reveals intent to commit a future crime or fraud;
2.c.3. Disclosure is required by federal law, DoW policy, or
competent legal authority.
2.d. A reporting Marine or Sailor may request conversion of a
confidential report to an informal or formal MEO complaint at any
time.
2.e. Until further guidance is published, Equal Opportunity Advisors
(EOAs) are designated as authorized recipients of confidential MEO
reports.
3. Anonymous reporting.
3.a. Anonymous allegations of prohibited discrimination or
discriminatory harassment will not be processed as MEO complaints via
NAVMC 11512 or MPE approved form.
3.b. Commanders may still take appropriate action based upon
information received through anonymous sources.
3.c. MEO will continue to route processing anonymous complaints for
sexual harassment, hazing and bullying per reference (f).
4. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
4.a. ADR, shall be offered in the form of conflict resolution where
feasible when processing an informal complaint as a means of quickly
and appropriately resolving MEO related concerns before they
escalate.
4.b. If a service member opts out of conflict resolution or if the
process does not resolve the issue, the MEO complaint process may be
initiated or resumed prior to the completion of any command inquiry
or investigation.
4.c. Participation in conflict resolution is voluntary by both
parties.
5. Dismissal of formal complaints.
5.a. Commanders may dismiss a formal MEO complaint without
investigation after consultation with the command EOA and staff
judge advocate general when:
5.a.1. The complaint is untimely and was filed more than 60 calendar
days following the most recent incident, 120 calendar days following
the most recent incident in the case of a Reserve member.
5.a.2. The allegation does not fall within the scope of MEO policy;
5.a.3. The complaint lacks sufficient or actionable information;
5.a.4. The matter has been resolved through ADR or other informal
means;
5.a.5. The complainant requests withdrawal;
5.a.6. The complainant fails to respond to requests for information;
5.a.7. The complaint is duplicative;
5.a.8. The complaint is determined to constitute a false official
statement in violation of article 107, UCMJ.
5.b. EOAs shall forward formal complaints to the appropriate
commander within five calendar days of receipt.
5.c. Commanders shall determine whether a complaint will be
dismissed within thirty calendar days of receipt.
5.d. Complainants shall be notified in writing of a dismissal
decision within seven calendar days of the commander’s determination.
6. Appeals.
6.a. Complainants may appeal a dismissal decision to the next higher
commander with General Court Martial Conveying Authority within five
calendar days of the written determination per reference (a).
6.b. Appeal procedures will be incorporated into the next revision of
MCO 5354.1.
7. Favorable personnel actions. Commanders shall ensure favorable
personnel actions previously delayed due to a MEO complaint are
resumed or completed within seven calendar days of a complaint being
dismissed or found unsubstantiated.
8. Article 107.
8.a. Marines and Sailors who knowingly make false official statements
may constitute a violation of article 107, UCMJ.
9. Harassment definitions.
9.a. The definitions of harassment, bullying, and hazing contained in
reference (a) are effective immediately and supersede conflicting
policy language.
10. Reporting requirements.
10.a. Major subordinate commands shall identify implementation gaps
and provide status of compliance through their appointed EOA upon
request by Manpower Equal Opportunity Branch (MPE), Manpower Plans
and Policy Division (MP). Correspondence from the EOA to MPE Branch
will be sent to the following organizational mailbox:
smb_mpe_eo@usmc.mil.
10.b. Headquarters Marine Corps will provide implementation
certification to the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) in
accordance with reference (a).
11. This MARADMIN remains in effect until incorporated
into MCO 5354.1H.
12. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//