R 121030Z OCT 01  ZYW
FM CMC WASHINGTON//CMC//
TO ALMAR
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UNCLAS  //N50000//
ALMAR 046/01
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/CMC//
SUBJ/RESULTS OF THE 2001 NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER SYMPOSIUM//
RMKS/1.  THE SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE MARINE CORPS HOSTED THE 2001
NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER (NCO) SYMPOSIUM FROM 20 THROUGH 26 MAY
2001 AT QUANTICO, VIRGINIA.  THIRTY-SEVEN OF OUR CORPS' FINEST
NCOS ATTENDED.  THEY EXPLORED A RANGE OF ISSUES; DEVELOPING
28 RECOMMENDED MARINE CORPS POLICY CHANGES.  CONTAINED IN
THIS ALMAR ARE 17 APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS, 11 RECCOMENDATIONS
NOT APPROVED, AND THE REASONS WHY THEY WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED.
2.  THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS WERE CONCURRED WITH BY THE
CMC AND APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION:
A.  ITEM: MODIFY PROMOTION WARRANTS TO REFLECT CURRENT NCO
RESPONSIBILITIES.  DECISION: PROPOSED WARRANT MODIFICATION
WILL BE PRINTED AND TAKE EFFECT DURING FIRST QUARTER FY02.
B.  ITEM: ENSURE MARINES ARE SHOWN THEIR FITNESS REPORT BEFORE
SUBMISSION BY THE REPORTING SENIOR (RS) BY PROVIDING SIGNATURE
BLOCKS ON THE FITREP FORM.  DECISION: REPORTING SENIORS ARE
REMINDED THAT BY SIGNING SECTION J THEY CERTIFY "..I HAVE
PROVIDED A SIGNED COPY OF THIS REPORT TO THE MARINE REPORTED
ON (MRO)."  ADDITIONALLY, THE FEASIBILITY OF ADDING A "MRO
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT" SIGNATURE BLOCK IN SECTION J WILL
BE DETERMINED BY MID OCT 01.  FINALLY, THE LENGTH OF SECTION
B AND C WILL REMAIN AS DESIGNED, WITH SECTION I "DIRECTED AND
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS" USED TO DOCUMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS BEYOND
THOSE LISTED IN BLOCKS B AND C.
C.  ITEM: IMPROVE THE TIMELINESS OF OMPF UPDATES AND TRANSITION
FROM PAPER/MICROFICHE TO A MORE MODERN TECHNOLOGY.  DECISION:
OMPF IS IN THE PROCESS OF MODERNIZING WITH THE GOAL TO HAVE
ON LINE VIEWING WITHIN TWO TO THREE YEARS.  DURING 2002, WE
WILL STAND-UP AN ORGANIZATIONAL MAILBOX TO REQUEST OMPFS ON LINE
AND MAIL THE OMPFS ON COMPACT DISC INSTEAD OF MICROFICHE.
D.  ITEM: REQUIRE MONITORS TO REVIEW COMPLETED INDEPENDENT OR
SPECIAL DUTY CHECKLISTS PRIOR TO ISSUING ORDERS.  DECISION:
WHEN A MARINE REQUESTS INDEPENDENT DUTY THROUGH THE CAREER
PLANNER, VIA AA FORM; THE MONITORS WILL REVIEW THE COMPLETED
CHECKLIST TO ENSURE THE MARINE IS QUALIFIED.  COMMANDERS ARE
REMINDED THAT THEY ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETING
THE REQUIRED CHECKLIST AND CERTIFYING THAT THE MARINE IS
QUALIFIED FOR INDEPENDENT OR SPECIAL DUTY STATUS.
E.  ITEM: ENFORCE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRUG USERS AND DISCHARGE
FIRST OFFENSE USERS.  DECISION: BY MCO, ZERO TOLERANCE IS BEING
ENFORCED.  BY THE ORDER, ALL MARINES, REGARDLESS OF GRADE, ARE
PROCESSED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT,
DUE TO DRUG ABUSE.  HOWEVER, COMMANDING OFFICERS CAN RECOMMEND
RETENTION AND COMMANDING GENERALS MAY SUSPEND SEPARATION FOR ONE
YEAR.  IF NO FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION IS TAKEN AGAINST THE
MARINE, THEN THE MARINE MAY REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY TO THEIR EAS.  
THIS POLICY IS DESIGNED TO BE FAIR TO THE MARINE, THE COMMANDER,
AND THE MARINE CORPS.  NO REQUESTS FOR REENLISTMENT BY MARINES
WITH IN-SERVICE DRUG USE WERE APPROVED IN FY01.
F.  ITEM: USE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT
ONE-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL REQUIREMENT WHEN CONSIDERING THE
ASSIGNMENT OF MARINES.   DECISION: THE CHOICE OF DUTY ASSIGNMENTS
THE INDIVIDUAL MARINE HAS ENTERED IN MCTFS IS THE SOURCE FOR
FUTURE DUTY ASSIGNMENTS.  DURING THIS YEAR'S ASSIGNMENT CYCLE,
OUR NEW MONITOR ASSIGNMENT SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL BE ACTIVATED.
THIS SYSTEM REPLACES THE PAPER BASED NUMERIC CHARTS USED
PREVIOUSLY WITH A USER-FRIENDLY DATABASE THAT WILL RESULT IN
GREATER EFFECTIVENESS IN THE ASSIGNMENT PROCESS.  THIS WILL LEAD
TO FEWER OVERALL PERSONNEL TRANSFERS, GREATER GEOGRAPHIC
PERSONNEL STABILITY, AND A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF MARINES SERVING AT
APPROPRIATE DUTY STATIONS FOR WHICH THEY VOLUNTEER.
G.  ITEM: PROVIDE THE SAME SUPPORT AND BENEFITS TO CAREER PLANNERS
AS ARE PROVIDED TO RECRUITERS.  DECISION: OUR CAREER PLANNING FORCE
HAS PERFORMED EXCEPTIONALLY WELL AND UNDERGONE A MAJOR RESTRUCTURING
DURING FY01.  CAREER PLANNERS (CAREER RETENTION SPECIALISTS)
WILL ATTEND A FORMAL SCHOOL TO OBTAIN THE 8421 MOS.  CAREER
PLANNING OFFICE SPACES AND MANUALS WILL BECOME STANDARDIZED AND
CAREER PLANNERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO WEB-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TO ASSIST MARINES DESIRING TO REENLIST.  COMBINED, THESE CHANGES
WILL REDUCE THE TIME FROM CONTACT TO CONTRACT.  CAREER PLANNING
SPECIALISTS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK DIRECTLY FOR THE UNIT COMMANDER,
BUT MAINTAIN AN ASSOCIATION TO THE RECRUITING FORCE THROUGH CONTACTS
AND MENTORS DEVELOPED DURING SCHOOL TRAINING AT RECRUITER'S SCHOOL,
MCRD SAN DIEGO, CA.
H.  ITEM: TREAT PRIOR SERVICE ENLISTMENT PROGRAM (PSEP) MARINES AS
CAREERISTS, WITH THE SAME INCENTIVES.  DECISION: CURRENTLY, 80
PERCENT OF THE MARINES BROUGHT BACK TO ACTIVE DUTY UNDER PSEP RECEIVE
TREATMENT AS CAREERISTS.  THE OTHER 20 PERCENT ARE IN KEEN
COMPETITION FOR BILLETS WITH ACTIVE DUTY MARINES, AND THEREFORE MAY
OPT FOR A FIRST TERM CONTRACT, WHICH COMPETES FOR REENLISTMENT AMONG
PEERS AS A FIRST TERMER.  REGARDING SELECT REENLISTMENT BONUS (SRB),
MARINES RETURNING UNDER PSEP HAVE COMPLETED MORE YEARS OF SERVICE AND
MAY BE INELIGIBLE FOR BONUSES BASED ON THE MANY DIRECTIVES AND
POLICIES GOVERNING THE PRIOR SERVICE PROGRAM.  EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY
TO CONSOLIDATE, SIMPLIFY, AND UPDATE THE REFERENCES FOR BETTER
UNDERSTANDING AND CONSISTENT IMPLEMENTATION.
I.  ITEM: EMPHASIZE SUICIDE PREVENTION.  DECISION: SUICIDE PREVENTION
AND SAFETY OF OUR MARINES ARE OF TOP PRIORITIES.  WE WILL RELEASE AN
ALMAR HIGHLIGHTING THE ELEMENTS OF OUR SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
TRAINING AT ALL LEVELS OF OUR MARINE LEADERSHIP IS KEY TO IDENTIFYING
AND ASSISTING MARINES IN NEED.  WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING CONSOLIDATING
THE SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM INTO OUR SAFETY PROGRAM, WHICH WILL
IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND COORDINATE
TRAINING.
J.  ITEM: IMPROVE DAY CARE OPERATIONS ACROSS THE MARINE CORPS.
DECISION: MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE DAY CARE ARE
BEING IMPLEMENTED AS A RESULT OF THE "FY 2000 NATIONAL DEFENSE
AUTHORIZATION CHILD CARE AND YOUTH PROGRAM PROVISION."  OUR PILOT
PROGRAM EXPANDS CHILDCARE THROUGH SEVERAL INITIATIVES.  THE WEBSITE
HTTP://WWW.AFTERSCHOOL.GOV/CGI-BINH/HOME.PL HAS ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION CONCERNING SPACE AT DOD SCHOOLS, OFFSET COSTS, AND
EXPAND HOURLY CARE.
K.  ITEM: ADD MARINE CORPS HISTORY TO ANNUAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
DECISION: MARINE CORPS HISTORY IS ALREADY A PART OF THE MARINE
CORPS COMMON SKILLS PROGRAM, WHICH REQUIRES THAT MARINES RECEIVE
ANNUAL SUSTAINMENT TRAINING IN HISTORY-RELATED TOPICS SUCH AS
CUSTOMS, COURTESIES AND TRADITIONS; SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN MARINE
CORPS HISTORY; AND THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF UNIFORM ITEMS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE STUDY OF MARINE CORPS HISTORY IS AN INTEGRAL
PART OF THE EDUCATION PROCESS AT ALL OF OUR PME SCHOOLS.  THESE
PROGRAMS ARE REINFORCED THROUGH THE U.S. MARINE READING PROGRAM
THAT INCORPORATES BOOKS ON THE HISTORY OF OUR CORPS AND WHICH
ENCOURAGES ALL MARINES TO READ AND DISCUSS THESE WORKS AS TEACHERS
AND SCHOLARS.  FINALLY, PER THE NCO'S RECOMMENDATION, UNITS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO INCLUDE THEIR HISTORY ON COMMAND/DUTY STATION
WEBSITES.
L.  ITEM: IMPROVE BODY FAT MEASUREMENT METHOD, WHICH IS CURRENTLY
INCONSISTENT AND HAS TOO MANY VARIABLES.  DECISION: ALL METHODS OF
BODY FAT EVALUATION HAVE VARYING DEGREES OF ERROR.  THE
DOD-DIRECTED TAPE MEASUREMENT METHOD IS PLUS OR MINUS FOUR PERCENT.
HOWEVER, THIS METHOD'S EMPHASIS ON ABDOMINAL CIRCUMFERENCE PROVIDES
A GOOD INDICATOR OF OVERALL WELLNESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE. AN
UPDATED MCO 6100.3K, SOON TO BE PUBLISHED, PROVIDES MORE DETAILED
MEASURING GUIDELINES TO HELP BETTER STANDARDIZE BODY COMPOSITION
EVALUATION AND DETERMINATIONS.
M.  ITEM: REVISE SMALL UNIT TACTICS TO EMPHASIZE MANEUVER WARFARE BY
MAKING TRAINING MANDATORY; AND, REINSTATE CREW-SERVED WEAPONS
TRAINING.  DECISION: MCDP 1-3 IS THE DOCTRINAL STANDARD FOR THE
APPLICATION OF MANEUVER WARFARE AT THE TACTICAL LEVEL OF WAR.  THE
TENETS OF MANEUVER WARFARE WILL RECEIVE INCREASED EMPHASIS AT ALL OF
OUR OFFICER AND ENLISTED PME COURSES.  IN REGARDS TO CREW SERVED
WEAPONS TRAINING, THE SCHOOLS OF INFANTRY PROVIDE CREW-SERVED
WEAPON MTTS TO TRAIN MACHINE-GUNNERS IN NON-INFANTRY UNITS.
N.  ITEM: REPLACE AGING EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE SAFETY.  DECISION: THIS
IS A PRIORITY FOR OUR MARINE CORPS.  WE ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A
WHOLESALE MODERNIZATION EFFORT AND OPERATING FORCES HAVE A FIELDING
PLAN.  WE ARE MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO EXPEDITE THE NEXT GENERATION OF
EQUIPMENT AND RETIRE AGING SYSTEMS.  WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS,
EVEN UNDER THE EXISTING FISCAL CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY OUR BUDGET.
O.  ITEM: RE-EVALUATE THE MOLLE PACK AND INCLUDE MORE TESTING AND
FIELD INPUT BEFORE ISSUE.  DECISION: THE INITIAL 40,000 SETS OF MOLLE
I PACKS WERE SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO THE OPERATING FORCE AND THEIR USE
SUSPENDED DUE TO COMPLEXITY AND FAMILIARIZATION REQUIREMENTS.  MOLLE
II PACKS HAVE BEEN FIELDED AND TO DATE HAVE A HIGHER ACCEPTANCE RATE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON MOLLE SYSTEM TRAINING, PROVIDE MOBILE
NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING TEAMS, AND ADD MOLLE SYSTEM TRAINING AS A
SUBJECT TO THE MCI DISTANCE LEARNING PACKAGE.
P.  ITEM: INCLUDE ALL PERIODS OF TRAINING ASSOCIATED WITH DEPLOYMENT
AS PART OF ACCUMULATED DEPLOYED TIME (ADT).  DECISION: PREDEPLOYMENT
PLANNING, TRAINING, AND EXERCISES DO COUNT AS DEPLOYED TIME WHEN
MARINES ARE NOT AFFORDED A CHANCE TO RETURN TO THEIR RESIDENCE OR
BILLETING AREA AT THEIR ASSIGNED PERMANENT DUTY STATION BECAUSE OF
MILITARY COMMITMENTS.  HOWEVER, GUARD DUTY, INDIVIDUAL TRAINING AT
SCHOOL, HOSPITALIZATION AT HOME STATION, OR INCARCERATION DO NOT
COUNT AS DEPLOYED TIME.  THE MARINE CORPS' DEPLOYMENT TEMPO POLICY
GUIDANCE IS EXPLAINED IN ALMAR 026/01, AND A WHITE LETTER WILL SOON
BE PUBLISHED PROVIDING FURTHER GUIDANCE AND POLICY.
Q.  ITEM: MAKE THE "ARRIVE ALIVE" PROGRAM CONSISTENT ACROSS THE
MARINE CORPS.  DECISION: THE ARRIVE ALIVE PROGRAM IS A LOCAL COMMAND
SPONSORED PROGRAM, INTENDED TO ASSIST MARINES IN SAFELY RETURNING
FROM LIBERTY.  AS SUCH, EACH COMMAND IMPLEMENTS THE PROGRAM TO MEET
THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL MARINES.  A MARADMIN WILL SOON BE RELEASED,
GIVING FURTHER GUIDANCE AND INTENT OF THE PROGRAM.
3.  THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS WERE CONSIDERED, BUT WILL NOT
IMPLEMENTED AT THIS TIME:
A.  ITEM: ESTABLISH AN ENLISTED DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM TO ALLOW
MARINES TO OBTAIN THEIR ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE.  DECISION: A PROGRAM OF
THIS NATURE HAS MERIT, BUT MUST BE USED TO EMPOWER THE CAREER FORCE.
FIRST TERM MARINES HAVE INSUFFICIENT TIME REMAINING ON THEIR
ENLISTMENT CONTRACT ONCE THE INITIAL TRAINING COURSES ARE COMPLETED.
FOR FIRST TERM MARINES, TUITION ASSISTANCE PROVIDES THE RESOURCE
FOR OFF DUTY EDUCATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT.
A DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM FOR NCOS IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR
THOSE CAREER NCOS DESIRING CONTINUED EDUCATION.
B.  ITEM: REINSTATE WARRANT OFFICER RANKS FOR ALL MOS'S.  DECISION:
THE MARINE CORPS IS LIMITED TO THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED
MARINES ALLOWED ON ACTIVE DUTY.  THE WARRANT OFFICER PROGRAM EXISTS
TO MAINTAIN A POOL OF TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS TO PERFORM DUTIES THAT
REQUIRE EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE BEYOND THOSE
OF STAFF NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND UNRESTRICTED OFFICERS.  AS
SUCH, NOT ALL MOS'S NEED THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR WARRANT OFFICERS AND
FOR EACH WARRANT OFFICER BILLET INCREASE WE MUST PROVIDE A
COMPENSATORY REDUCTION IN UNRESTRICTED OFFICER BILLETS.  WE HAVE
MAINTAINED THE FLEXIBILITY TO ADJUST OUR FORCE STRUCTURE ACCORDING TO
THE NEEDS AND CAPABILITIES OF THE MARINE CORPS THROUGH OUR TOTAL
FORCE STRUCTURE DIVISION'S TABLE OF ORGANIZATION (T/O) REVIEW.  ANY
COMMANDER CAN REQUEST A T/O CHANGE TO ADD OR DELETE WARRANT OFFICER
BILLETS.  THE WARRANT OFFICER COMMUNITY HAS INCREASED FROM 1,200 TO
1,850 SINCE 1989, AND OUR ABILITY TO CHANGE STRUCTURE AS REQUIRED
HAS BEEN A FORCE MULTIPLIER FOR OUR CORPS.
C.  ITEM: DO NOT CHARGE EMERGENCY LEAVE AGAINST LEAVE BALANCE SINCE
IT IS NOT FOR R&R; AUTHORIZE PTAD INSTEAD.  DECISION: LEAVE IS A
LEGISLATED ENTITLEMENT.  EMERGENCY LEAVE IS A PORTION OF OUR ANNUAL
LEAVE TOTAL, DESIGNED AND WRITTEN INTO LAW WITH THE INTENT OF
CONSIDERING FAMILY EMERGENCIES, AND PERSONAL AFFAIRS, AS WELL AS
VACATION.  THE LAW PROHIBITS THE SERVICES FROM EXCLUDING EMERGENCY
LEAVE FROM CHARGEABLE ANNUAL LEAVE.  THIS ENTITLEMENT INCLUDES THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE AND IS PROTECTED FROM
CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF DENIAL.  PTAD IS A BENEFIT, WHICH IS NOT
PROTECTED, BUT AUTHORIZED AS NEEDED BY THE LOCAL COMMANDER.  PTAD IS
NOT A SUITABLE FOR EMERGENCY LEAVE AND ONLY SHOULD BE USED AS
ADMINISTRATIVELY INTENDED.
D.  ITEM: IMPROVE BASIC RIFLEMAN SKILLS TRAINING WITH INSPECTIONS,
MOBILE TRAINING TEAM CHECKLISTS, AND INCREASED EMPHASIS,
PARTICULARLY FOR THE SERVICE SUPPORT MARINES.  DECISION: A SYSTEM
IS ALREADY IN PLACE TO IMPROVE TRAINING.  COMMAND IGS UTILIZE THE
AUTOMATED INSPECTION REPORTING SYSTEM CHECKLISTS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS
TASK.  THE IGMC READINESS ASSESSMENT TEAMS INCLUDE TRAINING AND
EDUCATION COMMAND REPRESENTATIVES WHO OBTAIN FEEDBACK ON TRAINING
RELATED ISSUES DURING COMMAND VISITS.  IF UNMET TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
EXIST, REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM THE TECOM MEMBERS OF THESE TEAMS.  THE
MARINE CORPS COMMON SKILLS PROGRAM OUTLINES THOSE BASIC RIFLEMAN
SKILLS IN WHICH ALL MARINES, REGARDLESS OF MOS, MUST REMAIN
PROFICIENT.
E.  ITEM: MAKE CONSEQUENCES FOR BEING PLACED ON WEIGHT CONTROL AS
SEVERE FOR CPLS AND BELOW AS FOR SGTS AND ABOVE BY MAKING IT AN
OCCASION TO ASSIGN PRO/CON MARKS.  DECISION: BEING PLACED ON WEIGHT
CONTROL IS NOT A REPORTING OCCASION FOR SGTS AND ABOVE.  FAILURE TO
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE WEIGHT CONTROL PROGRAM OR MAINTAIN THE
WEIGHT STANDARD ARE GROUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION (DISCHARGE)
WHICH IS A REPORTING OCCASION FOR BOTH FITREPS AND PRO/CONS.  CPLS
AND BELOW PLACED ON THE WEIGHT CONTROL PROGRAM SHOULD RECEIVE THE
SAME CONSIDERATION BY COMMANDERS, AND PRO/CON MARKINGS SHOULD
REFLECT PERFORMANCE AND APPEARANCE AS A MARINE.  BOTH FITREP AND
PRO/CON MARKINGS ARE TOOLS INTENDED TO DOCUMENT STRENGTHS AND
IDENTIFY LIMITATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT, NOT TO BE USED AS A
CONSEQUENCE FOR A PROGRAM LIKE WEIGHT CONTROL.
F.  ITEM: IMPROVE THE CORPORAL'S COURSE AND ADD 15 POINTS TO
COMPOSITE SCORES FOR COMPLETION.  DECISION: CORPORALS COURSES ARE
COMMAND SPONSORED AND FUNDED PME COURSES THAT PLAY A VALUABLE ROLE
IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUNG NCO LEADERS.  THESE COURSES ARE ALSO
LEADERSHIP ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS FOR OUR COMMANDING GENERALS.  BECAUSE
OF THIS, UNITS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ASSIGN MARINES OF THE
HIGHEST CALIBER (IF POSSIBLE GRADUATES OF THE SERGEANTS COURSE)
AS INSTRUCTORS TO THESE SCHOOLS.  ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND ADDING 15
POINTS TO COMPOSITE SCORES FOR COMPLETION CANNOT BE SUPPORTED AT THIS
TIME.
G.  ITEM: MANAGE THE UNIFORM REPLACEMENT ALLOWANCE AND ESTABLISH A
CLOTHING REPLACEMENT ALLOWANCE (CRA) PAYMENT ACCOUNT.  DECISION:
SEVERAL MYTHS EXIST REGARDING THE CRA AND PRICES CHARGED AT MILITARY
CLOTHING SALES STORES.  THE CRA IS INTENDED TO BE DISCRETIONARY, AND
IT IS AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION FOR THE MARINE TO SPEND THE ANNUAL
AMOUNT ON UNIFORM REPLACEMENT.  AT THE MARINES' OPTION, THEY WILL
SOON BE ABLE TO PLACE THE ANNUAL AMOUNT IN A DEBIT ACCOUNT.
HOWEVER, THIS WILL RESTRICT THE MARINE TO THE USE OF ON-BASE CLOTHING
STORES AND WILL ONLY BE AUTHORIZED FOR CLOTHING PURCHASES.  WITH THE
CURRENT SYSTEM, OUR MARINES HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO SPEND THE CRA AS
THEY CHOOSE.
H.  ITEM: ARM CROSS-COUNTRY CHASERS.  DECISION: THE SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY DISCONTINUED THE ROUTINE ARMING OF CROSS-COUNTRY CHASERS IN
1985.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED INSTANCES OF CROSS-
COUNTRY CHASERS' PERSONAL SAFETY BEING AT RISK.  CIVILIAN LAW
ENFORCEMENT OR MILITARY CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL AT POLICE STATIONS
AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES RESPECTIVELY, TRANSFER DESERTERS AND
PRISONERS TO CHASERS.  CHASERS DO NOT APPREHEND DESERTERS.
PRISONERS AND DESERTERS DO OCCASIONALLY RESIST RESTRAINT;  HOWEVER,
NON-LETHAL COMPLIANCE TECHNIQUES ARE EMPLOYED, RESTRAINING DEVICES
APPROPRIATE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE USED, AND ADDITIONAL CHASERS
ARE ASSIGNED.  CHASERS ARE TRAINED TO SEEK CIVILIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT
SUPPORT IF REQUIRED.  SECNAVINST 1640.9B (DON CORRECTIONS MANUAL)
AUTHORIZES CMC TO ARM CHASERS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
I.  ITEM: IMPROVE SAFETY.  DECISION: WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FROM
THE TOP DOWN.
J.  ITEM: MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN JUMP WINGS.  DECISION:
THE NUMBER OF JUMPS AND TIME IN BILLET REQUIREMENTS WILL REMAIN IN
EFFECT.
K.  ITEM: AFFORD ACTIVE RESERVE (AR) MARINES THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES
AS ACTIVE MARINES.  DECISION: THE AR PROGRAM EXISTS TO SUPPORT
"ORGANIZING, ADMINISTERING, RECRUITING AND RETRAINING, INSTRUCTING,
AND TRAINING MEMBERS OF THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE (MCR)."  SOME "B"
BILLETS SUPPORT THIS MISSION AND AR MARINES ARE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE.
OTHER "B" BILLETS DO NOT SUPPORT THE MISSION, AND AR MARINES WILL
NOT BE ASSIGNED.  OUR CURRENT POLICY ON ASSIGNING AR MARINES WILL
REMAIN IN EFFECT.
4.  CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NCO LEADERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS
SYMPOSIUM.  YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS REFLECT REASONED JUDGMENT AND THE
ABILITY TO LOOK BEYOND THE CONFINES OF YOUR OWN COMMUNITIES TO
IMPROVE THINGS FOR ALL MARINES.  SERGEANT MAJOR MCMICHAEL JOINS ME
IN EXTENDING OUR APPRECIATION TO YOU FOR GENEROUSLY LENDING YOUR
TIME AND TALENTS TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS.
5.  SEMPER FIDELIS, J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//
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