R 161409Z APR 10
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 227/10
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/REVISED PAY AND ALLOWANCE CONTINUATION (PAC) PROGRAM//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/USD/YMD:20090716//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/CMC/YMD:20081202//
REF/C/MSGID:DOC/CMC/YMD:20090220//
REF/D/MSGID:DOC/NAV/YMD:20050812//
REF/E/MSGID:DOC/DFAS/YMD:20060501//
NARR/REF (A) IS USD(P AND R) SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDA REGARDING PAY AND ALLOWANCES CONTINUATION OF 16 JULY 2009.
REF (B) IS MARADMIN 685/08, PAY AND ALLOWANCE CONTINUATION (PAC) PROGRAM.
REF (C) IS MARADMIN 0111/09, EXTENSION OF THE PAY AND ALLOWANCE CONTINUATION (PAC) PROGRAM.
REF (D) IS THE MANUAL OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, NAVMED P-117, CHAPTER 18, LAST ELECTRONIC UPDATE AUGUST 2005.
REF (E) IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION, VOLUME 7A, CHAPTER 44, LAST ELECTRONIC UPDATE JULY 2009.//
POC/A. HARGIS/MAJ/UNIT:MPO/-/TEL:(703) 784-9386//
POC/T. HERRON/CIV/UNIT:WWR/-/TEL:(703) 432-1862//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  PURPOSE.  TO PUBLISH REVISED PAC PROGRAM POLICY IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF (A).  MAJOR CHANGES TO THE POLICY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
    A.  ELIMINATES THE REQUIREMENT FOR PAC RECIPIENTS, IN AN OUTPATIENT STATUS, TO BE ASSIGNED TO A MEDICAL OR PATIENT UNIT.
    B.  ADDS REQUIREMENT THAT PAC RECIPIENTS, IN AN OUTPATIENT STATUS, BE IN A MEDICALLY RESTRICTED DUTY STATUS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE RECEIVING PAC.
    C.  AUTHORIZES REINSTATEMENT OF PAC UNDER LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
    D.  MARINES ELIGIBLE FOR PAC MUST BE COUNSELED ON PROGRAM BENEFITS.
    E.  LISTS TERMS AND DEFINITIONS.
2.  BACKGROUND.  PAY AND ALLOWANCES SHALL CONTINUE TO BE PAID BY THE SECRETARY CONCERNED TO A MEMBER OF A REGULAR OR RESERVE COMPONENT WHO, IN THE LINE OF DUTY, INCURS A WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS WHILE SERVING IN A COMBAT OPERATION OR A COMBAT ZONE, WHILE SERVING IN A HOSTILE FIRE AREA, OR WHILE EXPOSED TO A HOSTILE FIRE EVENT (REGARDLESS OF LOCATION), AND IS HOSPITALIZED FOR TREATMENT OF THE WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
3.  EFFECTIVE 16 JULY 2009, THE GUIDANCE CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED AND REFS (B) AND (C) ARE CANCELLED.
4.  IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR PAC, A MARINE MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF BOTH PARAGRAPHS A AND B:
    A.  INCURS A WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE SERVING IN:
        (1) A COMBAT OPERATION; OR
        (2) A COMBAT ZONE; OR
        (3) A HOSTILE FIRE AREA (INCLUDING IMMINENT DANGER PAY AREAS); OR
        (4) WHILE EXPOSED TO A HOSTILE FIRE EVENT (ANY LOCATION); AND
    B.  BE HOSPITALIZED FOR TREATMENT OF THE WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
5.  DELAYED IDENTIFICATION AND HOSPITALIZATION FOR A WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS MAY RESULT IN ELIGIBILITY FOR PAC IF IT CAN BE CONNECTED TO AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED IN A COMBAT OPERATION OR A COMBAT ZONE, WHILE IN A HOSTILE FIRE AREA, OR WHILE EXPOSED TO A HOSTILE FIRE EVENT.
6.  ELIGIBLE MARINES ARE AUTHORIZED PAC BEGINNING ON THE DATE FIRST HOSPITALIZED FOR A PERIOD UP TO 12 CONTINUOUS MONTHS.  PAC WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING DATES (WHICH EVER OCCURS FIRST):
    A.  THE DATE ON WHICH THE MARINE IS DETERMINED TO BE IN A MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS BY A MILITARY MEDICAL PROVIDER.  FOR PURPOSES OF THIS POLICY, MEDICALLY RESTRICTED DUTY STATUS MEANS LIGHT DUTY OR LIMITED DUTY.  MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS MEANS NOT ON LIGHT DUTY OR LIMITED DUTY.  REF (D) PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON LIGHT DUTY AND LIMITED DUTY.
    B.  THE DATE ON WHICH THE MARINE IS DISCHARGED, SEPARATED, RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY, OR IS RETIRED FROM THE MARINE CORPS (INCLUDING PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY DISABILITY RETIREMENT).
    C.  ONE YEAR AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE MARINE IS FIRST HOSPITALIZED FOR TREATMENT OF THE WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
7.  MARINES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE ASSIGNED OR ATTACHED TO WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT (WWR), AN INSPECTOR-INSTRUCTOR UNIT (FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT) OR A MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAC.  MARINES RECEIVING OUTPATIENT MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR A QUALIFYING WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS MAY BE ASSIGNED OR ATTACHED TO ANY MILITARY, MEDICAL OR PATIENT UNIT.
    A.  EXAMPLE A: A MARINE INCURS A BULLET WOUND, IN THE LINE OF DUTY, WHILE IN A COMBAT ZONE, IS HOSPITALIZED FOR TREATMENT, THEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, IS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY, AND RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO HIS/HER PARENT UNIT FOR DUTY.
    B.  EXAMPLE A DETERMINATION: THE MARINE IS ELIGIBLE FOR PAC AND WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PAC PAY UNTIL ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN PARAGRAPH 6 OCCURS.
    C.  EXAMPLE B: A MARINE INCURS A BACK INJURY, WHILE IN AN IMMINENT DANGER PAY AREA, IS HOSPITALIZED FOR TREATMENT, IS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ASSIGNED TO WWR WHILE RECEIVING OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.  A COMMAND INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED AND THE INJURY WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RESULT OF THE MEMBERS WILLFUL NEGLIGENCE.
    D.  EXAMPLE B DETERMINATION:  THE MARINE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PAC BECAUSE THE MARINE WAS NOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHEN THE BACK INJURY OCCURRED.
8.  AUTHORIZED SPECIAL PAYS.
    A.  PAC INCLUDES PAYMENT OF SPECIAL OR INCENTIVE PAYS WHICH INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
        (1) HAZARDOUS DUTY INCENTIVE PAY (E.G. PARACHUTIST, FLIGHT, DEMOLITION)
        (2) DIVING DUTY PAY
        (3) HOSTILE FIRE/IMMINENT DANGER PAY
        (4) SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT PAY
        (5) ASSIGNMENT INCENTIVE PAY
        (6) DEPLOYED PER DIEM (INCIDENTAL EXPENSE PORTION ONLY)
        (7) HARDSHIP DUTY PAY
    B.  PAC DOES NOT INCLUDE:
        (1) BASIC PAY
        (2) BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING
        (3) BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR SUBSISTENCE
        (4) CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
        (5) FAMILY SEPARATION ALLOWANCE
        (6) COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE
    C.  PERIODS OF AUTHORIZED CONVALESCENT LEAVE DO NOT AFFECT PAC PAY.
    D.  MARINES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUATION OF SPECIAL OR INCENTIVE PAYS BASED ON WHAT THEY WERE ENTITLED TO THE DAY THEY ARE HOSPITALIZED OR RE-HOSPITALIZED.  THE AUTHORIZED PAYS WILL CHANGE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
9.  HOW TO DETERMINE PAC PAY START AND TERMINATION DATES.
    A.  PAC IS PAID MONTHLY; IT IS NOT PRORATED (PAY STARTS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH AND ENDS ON THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH).
    B.  PAC PAY WILL START ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH WHEN THE MARINE BECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR PAC (SEE PARAGRAPH 4).
    C.  PAC PAY WILL TERMINATE AT THE END OF THE MONTH WHEN ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN PARAGRAPH 6 OCCURS.
    D.  THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ARE PROVIDED FOR CLARITY:
        (1) EXAMPLE A: A MARINE INCURS A HEAD INJURY IN A COMBAT ZONE AND IS FIRST HOSPITALIZED ON 14 FEBRUARY 2010.  MARINE IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, IS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY, AND IS ASSIGNED TO WWR ON 23 MAY 2010.   MARINE CONTINUES IN THIS STATUS UNTIL MEDICALLY RETIRED ON 5 AUGUST 2010.
        (2) EXAMPLE A DETERMINATION:  THE MARINE'S PAC PAY WILL START ON 1 FEBRUARY 2010 AND TERMINATES ON 31 AUGUST 2010.  THE MARINE'S FINAL SEPARATION PAY SHALL BE ADJUSTED TO REFLECT THE AMOUNT OF PAC PAY FOR THE FULL MONTH OF AUGUST 2010.
        (3) EXAMPLE B:  A MARINE INCURS A FOOT INJURY IN A COMBAT OPERATION AND IS FIRST HOSPITALIZED ON 1 MARCH 2010.  MARINE IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, IS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY, AND IS RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO HIS/HER PARENT UNIT FOR DUTY ON 20 MARCH 2010.  MARINE IS PLACED IN A MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS ON 5 JUNE 2010.
        (4) EXAMPLE B DETERMINATION:  THE MARINE'S PAC PAY WILL START ON 1 MARCH 2010 AND TERMINATES ON 30 JUNE 2010.
10. REINSTATEMENT OF PAC.
    A.  MARINES WHOSE PAC PAY WAS TERMINATED, ON OR AFTER 16 JULY 2009 AND PRIOR TO THE DATE THIS MESSAGE IS SIGNED, MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT OF PAC PAY IF ALL THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET ON OR AFTER 16 JULY 2009:
        (1) MARINE WAS RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO OTHER THAN A MEDICAL OR PATIENT UNIT FOR DUTY; AND
        (2) WAS WITHIN A 12-MONTH PERIOD OF FIRST HOSPITALIZATION OR WITHIN AN AUTHORIZED EXTENSION PERIOD; AND
        (3) WAS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY AS DETERMINED BY A MILITARY MEDICAL PROVIDER AND DOCUMENTED IN THE MEDICAL RECORD.
    B.  MARINES DISCHARGED, SEPARATED, RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY OR RETIRED FROM THE MARINE CORPS ON OR BEFORE 15 JULY 2009 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PAC REINSTATEMENT.  HOWEVER, MARINES DISCHARGED, SEPARATED, RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY OR RETIRED FROM THE MARINE CORPS ON OR AFTER 16 JULY 2009 AND PRIOR TO THE DATE THIS MESSAGE IS SIGNED MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT OF PAC.  HOWEVER, REINSTATEMENT OF PAC PAY IS LIMITED TO THE TIME A MARINE WAS SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY.  PAC PAY DOES NOT ACCRUE AFTER THE DATE A MARINE'S ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE ENDS.
    C.  THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ARE PROVIDED FOR CLARITY:
        (1) EXAMPLE A:  A MARINE WAS HOSPITALIZED ON 15 APRIL 2009 FOR A QUALIFYING INJURY.  MARINE WAS ASSIGNED TO WWR ON 15 MAY 2009.  ON 15 JULY 2009, MARINE WAS RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO HIS/HER PARENT UNIT FOR DUTY, AND WAS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY.  MARINE'S PAC PAY TERMINATED ON 31 JULY 2009.  MARINE WAS PLACED IN A MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS ON 15 OCTOBER 2009 AND REMAINED ON ACTIVE DUTY.
        (2) EXAMPLE A DETERMINATION:  MARINE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT OF PAC EVEN THOUGH HE/SHE RECEIVED PAC PAY THROUGH 31 JULY 2009.  THE KEY DETERMINING FACTOR IS THAT THE MARINE WAS RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO OTHER THAN A MEDICAL OR PATIENT UNIT FOR DUTY BEFORE 16 JULY 2009.
        (3) EXAMPLE B:  A MARINE WAS HOSPITALIZED ON 15 APRIL 2009 FOR A QUALIFYING INJURY.  MARINE WAS ASSIGNED TO WWR ON 15 MAY 2009.  ON 5 AUGUST 2009, MARINE WAS RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO HIS/HER PARENT UNIT FOR DUTY, AND WAS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY.  MARINE'S PAC PAY TERMINATED ON 31 AUGUST 2009.  AT THE TIME THE PAY WAS TERMINATED, THE MARINE WAS RECEIVING 430 DOLLARS PER MONTH IN QUALIFYING INCENTIVE PAYS OUTLINED IN PARAGRAPH 8A.  MARINE WAS PLACED IN A MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS ON 15 DECEMBER 2009.
        (4) EXAMPLE B DETERMINATION:  THE MARINE IS ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT OF PAC PAY FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2009 TO 31 DECEMBER 2009 IN THE AMOUNT OF 430 DOLLARS PER MONTH BECAUSE THE MARINE MET THE CONDITIONS OF PARAGRAPHS 10A(1), 10A(2), AND 10A(3) ABOVE.
    D.  MARINES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT OF PAC WILL RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF PAC THAT WAS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME THEIR PAC WAS TERMINATED.
    E.  REINSTATEMENT OF PAC WILL START ON THE DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE PAC WAS TERMINATED AND CONTINUE UNTIL ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN PARAGRAPH 6 OCCURS.
    F.  ELIGIBILITY FOR REINSTATEMENT OF PAC WILL BE DETERMINED BY WWR ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.  THE MARINE CONCERNED MUST SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT OF PAC TO WWR, USING AN AA FORM, VIA THEIR CHAIN OF COMMAND AND ENDORSED BY THE FIRST GENERAL OFFICER OR CIVILIAN EQUIVALENT.  WWR WILL FORWARD QUESTIONABLE CASES TO CMC (MPO) FOR REVIEW AND FINAL DETERMINATION.
11. MARINES WHO CONTINUED TO RECEIVE PAC PAY ON OR AFTER 16 JULY 2009, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO OTHER THAN A MEDICAL OR PATIENT UNIT FOR DUTY ON OR AFTER 16 JULY 2009, BUT ARE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR PAC PAYMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS POLICY, SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED ERRONEOUSLY PAID AND WILL RETAIN THAT PAC PAY.
12. EFFECT OF MULTIPLE DIAGNOSES AND SUBSEQUENT HOSPITALIZATIONS.
    A.  PAC ELIGIBILITY IS FOR A CONSECUTIVE PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS (STARTING ON THE DATE FIRST HOSPITALIZED) REGARDLESS OF MULTIPLE DIAGNOSES OR SUBSEQUENT HOSPITALIZATIONS DURING THE ELIGIBILITY PERIOD.  THEREFORE, ALL QUALIFYING WOUNDS, INJURIES, OR ILLNESSES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED DURING A PAC ELIGIBILITY PERIOD WILL QUALIFY AS ONE WOUND, INJURY OR ILLNESS AND ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSIS WILL NOT ENTITLE THE MARINE TO AN EXTENSION BEYOND THE PAC ELIGIBILITY PERIOD.
        (1) EXAMPLE: A MARINE IS MEDICALLY EVACUATED FROM A COMBAT ZONE AND HOSPITALIZED FOR A BULLET WOUND, SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO HIS/HER PARENT UNIT FOR DUTY, AND CONTINUES TO RECEIVE OUTPATIENT MEDICAL TREATMENT.  MARINE IS LATER DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD WHICH STEMS FROM HIS/HER SERVICE IN THE COMBAT ZONE.
        (2) DETERMINATION: THE END DATE OF PAC ELIGIBILITY IS BASED ON THE BULLET WOUND INJURY AND ELIGIBILITY WILL TERMINATE NO LATER THAN 12 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE MARINE WAS FIRST HOSPITALIZED.
    B.  MARINES THAT ARE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL BUT SUBSEQUENTLY RE-HOSPITALIZED FOR THE SAME QUALIFYING INJURY WILL ONLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAC FOR THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE INITIAL 12-MONTH PERIOD.
        (1) EXAMPLE: A MARINE INCURS A LEG INJURY IN A COMBAT ZONE AND IS HOSPITALIZED ON 15 JANUARY 2010.  MARINE IS TREATED FOR THE INJURY, RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, AND RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO HIS/HER PARENT UNIT ON 1 APRIL 2010 WHILE CONTINUING OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.  ON 10 MAY 2010, MARINE IS PLACED IN A MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS AND PAC PAY IS TERMINATED ON 31 MAY 2010.  ON 12 SEPTEMBER 2010, MARINE IS RE-HOSPITALIZED TO UNDERGO SURGERY FOR THE SAME LEG INJURY AND IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL 10 DAYS LATER.  MARINE IS RETURNED FOR ASSIGNMENT TO HIS/HER PARENT UNIT AND IS ON LIGHT OR LIMITED DUTY.  ON 20 OCTOBER 2010, MARINE IS LATER PLACED IN A MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS.
        (2) DETERMINATION: SINCE THE RE-HOSPITALIZATION IS CONNECTED TO THE  QUALIFYING LEG INJURY AND IT FALLS WITHIN THE 12-MONTH ELIGIBILITY PERIOD, THE MARINE IS AUTHORIZED THE CONTINUATION OF ANY QUALIFYING SPECIAL OR INCENTIVE PAY AT THE TIME OF RE-HOSPITALIZATION BETWEEN 1 SEPTEMBER 2010 AND 31 OCTOBER 2010.
13.  COMBAT ZONE TAX EXCLUSION (CZTE).  PAC AND CZTE ARE TWO SEPARATE BENEFITS.  REF (E) GOVERNS THE ELIGIBILITY TO CZTE.  IF A MARINE IS HOSPITALIZED OR RE-HOSPITALIZED BECAUSE OF A WOUND, INJURY OR ILLNESS INCURRED IN A COMBAT ZONE, THE MARINE IS AUTHORIZED CZTE BENEFITS.  HOWEVER, CZTE ONLY APPLIES WHEN THE MARINE IS IN AN INPATIENT STATUS.  MARINES ASSIGNED TO A MEDICAL OR PATIENT UNIT FOR TREATMENT WHO ARE NOT IN AN INPATIENT STATUS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED CZTE BENEFITS.
14. EXTENSION BEYOND INITIAL 12 MONTHS.
    A.  THE PRINCIPAL UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS IS THE APPROVAL AUTHORITY TO EXTEND THE TERMINATION DATE IN 6-MONTH INCREMENTS UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
    B.  EXTENSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
    C.  IN ORDER TO BE APPROVED FOR AN EXTENSION, THE REQUEST MUST CLEARLY AND FULLY JUSTIFY THE NECESSITY TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PAC PAY.  IF THE MARINE IS MEDICALLY INCAPABLE OF SUBMITTING A REQUEST, THE MARINE'S NON-MEDICAL CASE MANAGER OR FIDUCIARY CAN INITIATE THE REQUEST ON BEHALF OF THE MARINE.
    D.  IF A MARINE HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY REFERRED FOR A PHYSICAL EVALUATION BOARD (PEB), AN EXTENSION REQUEST WILL NOT BE SUPPORTED BY THE MARINE CORPS.  IN THESE CASES, IT IS ASSUMED THE MARINE HAS REACHED OPTIMAL MEDICAL CARE.  MARINES UNDERGOING A PEB SHOULD NOT APPLY UNLESS THEY HAVE AN EXCEPTIONAL AND UNUSUAL CASE.  IF A MARINE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR PERMANENT LIMITED DUTY, OR EXPANDED PERMANENT LIMITED DUTY, AN EXTENSION REQUEST WILL NOT BE SUPPORTED BY THE MARINE CORPS.
    E.  MARINES MUST SUBMIT WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS, USING AN AA FORM, TO CMC (MPO).  THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION MUST BE VALIDATED BY THEIR MILITARY MEDICAL PROVIDER AND ENDORSED BY THE MARINE'S CHAIN OF COMMAND UP TO THE FIRST GENERAL OFFICER OR CIVILIAN EQUIVALENT AND REVIEWED BY WWR.  THE DIRECTOR OF MANPOWER PLANS AND POLICY DIVISION HOLDS DISAPPROVAL AUTHORITY FOR SAID REQUESTS.   DISAPPROVED REQUESTS MAY BE APPEALED IN WRITING TO THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT, MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS OF THE DATE NOTIFIED OF THE DISAPPROVAL.
    F.  EXTENSION REQUESTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 60 CALENDAR DAYS PRIOR TO THE END DATE OF THE 12-MONTH ELIGIBILITY PERIOD.  DUE TO REQUIRED PROCESSING TIME, IF A DECISION HAS NOT BEEN MADE BY THE END DATE OF ELIGIBILITY, THEN THE MARINE'S PAC PAY WILL BE SUSPENDED ON THE SCHEDULED END DATE PENDING FINAL DECISION.  IF THE EXTENSION REQUEST IS APPROVED, THEN WWR WILL COORDINATE WITH THE MARINE'S SERVICING IPAC TO ENSURE ALL SUSPENDED PAY IS SETTLED.
15. COUNSELING MARINES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PAC.
    A.  ALL MARINES ELIGIBLE FOR PAC SHALL BE COUNSELED AT THE FOLLOWING PAC MILESTONES:
        (1) UPON IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY OF PAC.
        (2) WHEN A MARINE IS WITHIN 90 CALENDAR DAYS OF THE SCHEDULED END DATE OF THE 12-MONTH PAC ELIGIBILITY PERIOD.
    B.  COUNSELING SHOULD COVER AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
        (1) MARINE'S SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY DATES.
        (2) REVIEW OF MARINE'S APPLICABLE SPECIAL AND INCENTIVE PAYS WHICH ARE COVERED UNDER PAC.
        (3) PAC TERMINATING CRITERIA.
        (4) REQUIRED PROCESS FOR EXTENSIONS REQUESTS.
        (5) IN THE EVENT THE MARINE IS INCAPACITATED, A FIDUCIARY FOR THAT MARINE SHALL BE COUNSELED.
        (6) THE PAC NOTIFICATION FORM MUST BE USED TO DOCUMENT THE COUNSELING.  WWR WILL FORWARD THE PAC NOTIFICATION FORM TO THE MARINE'S UNIT FOR THE COMMAND TO USE TO COUNSEL THEIR MARINE.  THE SIGNED NOTIFICATION FORM WILL BE RETURNED TO WWR FOR RECORD RETENTION.
16. TO ACCOUNT FOR PAC PROPERLY, PERSONNEL OFFICERS, HOSPITAL LIAISON TEAMS AND WOUNDED WARRIOR SUPPORT ELEMENTS MUST ENSURE PROPER REPORTING OF DATA ELEMENTS IN MCTFS.  REPORTING A MARINE "SICK AS A RESULT OF WOUNDED IN ACTION/HOSTILE/NON HOSTILE FIRE" WILL CHANGE A MARINE'S PAY STATUS CODE TO 06200/06300 AND IS REFLECTED ON THE MARINE'S D601 REMARK.  IN ADDITION TO BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY WOUNDED WARRIORS BY THIS UNIQUE PAY STATUS CODE, CURRENT MCTFS PROCESSING WILL SYSTEMATICALLY POST A DUTY LIMITATION CODE OF EITHER 'K' (WIA COMBAT ZONE/HOSTILE) OR 'L' (INJURED COMBAT ZONE/NON HOSTILE) TO THE MARINE'S D125 REMARK IN MCTFS.  WHEN IT IS DETERMINED THAT A MARINE SHOULD BE IN A SUBSEQUENT DUTY LIMITATION CODE/PAY STATUS CODE, UNITS SHOULD REPORT SUCH.  HOWEVER, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HISTORICAL DATA CONTAINED IN MCTFS D125 REMARK PAGES WHICH DOCUMENTS THE MARINE WAS WIA AND WILL AID IN THE TRACKING OF PAC.
17. LIST OF TERMS RELEVANT TO DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE PAC PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOWS:
    A.  "ASSIGN" TO PLACE PERSONNEL ON DUTY IN AN ORGANIZATION WHERE SUCH PLACEMENT IS RELATIVELY PERMANENT, AND/OR WHERE SUCH ORGANIZATION CONTROLS AND DIRECTS THE PERSONNEL AS A PRIMARY FUNCTION OR GREATER PORTION OF THE FUNCTION.
    B.  "ATTACH" TO PLACE PERSONNEL ON DUTY IN AN ORGANIZATION WHERE SUCH PLACEMENT IS RELATIVELY TEMPORARY.
    C.  "COMBAT OPERATION" IS A MILITARY ACTION THAT MAY INVOLVE CARRYING OUT A STRATEGIC, OPERATIONAL, OR TACTICAL MISSION AGAINST A HOSTILE OR UNFRIENDLY FORCE, TO INCLUDE CARRYING ON COMBAT AND ANY RELATED MOVEMENT, SUPPLY, ATTACK, DEFENSE, AND MANEUVERS NEEDED TO GAIN THE OBJECTIVES OF A BATTLE OR CAMPAIGN.  OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ARE CURRENT EXAMPLES OF COMBAT OPERATIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE PAC PROGRAM.
    D.  "COMBAT ZONE" IS AN AREA THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DESIGNATES BY EXECUTIVE ORDER UNDER SECTION 112 OF TITLE 26, USC, AS AN AREA IN WHICH U.S. ARMED FORCES ARE OR HAVE ENGAGED IN COMBAT.  USUALLY, AN AREA BECOMES A COMBAT ZONE OR CEASES TO BE A COMBAT ZONE ON THE DATES THE PRESIDENT DESIGNATES BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.  IN ADDITION, THE TERM COMBAT ZONE INCLUDES DIRECT-SUPPORT AREAS CERTIFIED BY THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.  FOR PURPOSES OF THE PAC PROGRAM, SUCH DIRECT-SUPPORT AREAS WILL BE TREATED AS COMBAT ZONES.
    E.  "HOSPITALIZED" MEANS A PATIENT WHO IS ADMITTED AS AN INPATIENT AND ALSO INCLUDES AN INPATIENT WHO IS SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED AND IS LATER RECEIVING OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION, OR MAY RECEIVE SOME OTHER FORM OF APPROPRIATE MEDICAL CARE IN A MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY, A VETERANS AFFAIRS OR CIVILIAN HOSPITAL, OR OTHER TREATMENT FACILITY.  A MARINE WHO IS MEDICALLY EVACUATED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT, SHALL AT THE TIME OF EVACUATION BE CONSIDERED "FIRST HOSPITALIZED" FOR THE PURPOSES OF DETERMINING PAC DURATION.
    F.  "HOSTILE FIRE" EVENT MAY INCLUDE HOSTILE FIRE, AN EXPLOSION OF A HOSTILE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, OR ANY OTHER HOSTILE FIRE ACTION THAT INVOLVES AN ATTACK OR USE OF FORCE PERPETRATED BY A FOREIGN INDIVIDUAL(S) OR ENTITY AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OR A MEMBER OF ITS UNIFORMED SERVICES, OR OTHER DESIGNATED PERSONS OR PROPERTY.  IT ALSO INCLUDES FORCE USED DIRECTLY TO IMPEDE THE MISSION AND/OR DUTIES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES, SUCH AS THE RECOVERY OF U.S. PERSONNEL OR VITAL U.S. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.  UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS REASONABLE TO ANTICIPATE THAT A MEMBER MAY SUFFER A WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, MISTAKE, OR FRIENDLY FIRE DIRECTED AT A HOSTILE FORCE OR WHAT IS THOUGHT TO BE A HOSTILE FORCE.
    G.  "INPATIENT" MEANS A PATIENT WHO HAS BEEN ADMITTED TO A HOSPITAL OR OTHER AUTHORIZED INSTITUTION FOR BED OCCUPANCY FOR PURPOSES OF RECEIVING NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE, WITH THE REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT THE PATIENT WILL REMAIN IN THE INSTITUTION AT LEAST 24 HOURS, AND WITH THE REGISTRATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF AN INPATIENT NUMBER OR DESIGNATION.
    H.  "LINE OF DUTY" A MEMBER WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE LINE OF DUTY UNLESS THE WOUND, INJURY, OR ILLNESS IS THE RESULT OF THE MEMBERS INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT OR WILLFUL NEGLIGENCE, OR IS INCURRED DURING A PERIOD OF UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE.
    I.  "MEDICAL OR PATIENT UNIT" IS AN ORGANIZATIONAL ENTITY OR FUNCTIONAL DIVISION OR FACILITY ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE TO QUALIFYING WOUNDED, INJURED, OR ILL MEMBERS (E.G. A WOUNDED WARRIOR PATIENT UNIT OR A INSPECTOR-INSTRUCTOR UNIT (FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT)).
    J.  "MEDICALLY RESTRICTED DUTY STATUS" MEANS A MARINE IS ON LIGHT DUTY OR LIMITED DUTY.
    K.  "MEDICALLY UNRESTRICTED DUTY STATUS" MEANS A MARINE IS NOT ON LIGHT DUTY OR LIMITED DUTY.
    L.  "OUTPATIENT"  MEANS THE USE OF A HEALTH CARE FACILITY FOR DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT WITHOUT BEING ADMITTED TO A HOSPITAL OR OTHER AUTHORIZED INSTITUTION AS AN INPATIENT; SOMETIMES CALLED A DAY PATIENT.  OUTPATIENT ALSO INCLUDES IN-OUT SURGERY.  SURGERY PERFORMED IN THE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A HOSPITAL OR OTHER INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDER, IN A PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE OR THE OFFICE OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL PROVIDER, IN A CLINIC, OR IN A "FREESTANDING" AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER WHICH DOES NOT INVOLVE A FORMAL INPATIENT ADMISSION FOR A PERIOD OF 24 HOURS OR MORE.
    M.  "LIGHT DUTY" OR "LIMITED DUTY" ARE PERIODS WHEN THE MEMBER REPORTS TO THEIR WORK SPACE, BUT DURING THE PERIOD THE MEMBER IS EXCUSED FROM THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF MILITARY DUTIES, AS DEFINED IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIGHT DUTY OR LIMITED DUTY WRITE-UP.
18. THIS MESSAGE IS APPLICABLE TO THE TOTAL FORCE.
19. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY (SES) MR. M. F. APPLEGATE, DIRECTOR, MANPOWER PLANS AND POLICY DIVISION.//