R 251630Z NOV 15
MARADMIN 599/15
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS(UC)/F002//
SUBJ/POLICY, AUTHORITIES, AND PROCEDURES RELATIVE TO AUGMENTING SECURITY AND ARMING PERSONNEL IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SECURITY DUTIES//
REF/A/SECDEF MEMO DTD 2 OCT 15//
REF/B/DODI 5200.08//
REF/C/DODD 5210.56 //
REF/D/MCO 5500.6H//
REF/E/MCO 3574.2L//
REF/F/MCO 3504.2A//
REF/G/MCO 5530.14A//
REF/H/MCO 3058.1//
REF/I/MARADMIN 507-15//
REF/J/SECTION 930 OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE
REF/K/SECTION 1584 OF TITLE 10, UNITED STATES CODE
REF/L/SECTION 797 OF TITLE 50, UNITED STATES CODE
NARR/REFERENCE A IS THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (SECDEF) MEMO, FORCE PROTECTION EFFORTS FOLLOWING THE CHATTANOOGA ATTACKS. REFERENCE B IS THE DOD INSTRUCTION, SECURITY OF DOD INSTALLATIONS AND RESOURCES AND THE DOD PHYSICAL SECURITY REVIEW BOARD (PSRB). REFERENCE C IS THE DOD DIRECTIVE, CARRYING OF FIREARMS AND THE USE OF FORCE BY DOD PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN SECURITY, LAW AND ORDER, OR COUNTERINTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES. REFERENCE D IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER, ARMING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY PERSONNEL AND THE USE OF FORCE. REFERENCE E IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER, MARINE CORPS COMBAT MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM. REFERENCE F IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER, OPERATIONS EVENT INCIDENT REPORT (OPREP-3) REPORTING. REFERENCE G IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER, PHYSICAL SECURITY PROGRAM MANUAL. REFERENCE H IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER, MISSION ASSURANCE. REFERENCE I IS THE MARADMIN THAT OUTLINES MARINE CORPS MEASURES TO MEET THE SECDEF DIRECTED ACTIONS TO ADDRESS CONTEMPORARY SECURITY THREATS INCLUDING THE THREAT OF HOMEGROWN VIOLENT EXTREMISTS.//
POC/ZACHARY WHITE/LTCOL/UNIT: PP&O PS/EMAIL: ZACHARY.M.WHITE(AT)USMC.MIL/TEL: (703) 692.4247//
POC/JAN DURHAM/LTCOL/UNIT: PP&O PS/EMAIL: JAN.DURHAM(AT)USMC.MIL/TEL: (703) 692.4249//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  The recent attacks in Chattanooga, TN, highlight the continuing risks our Marines and civilian personnel face every day while carrying out their duties.  In countering these threats, it is imperative we ensure uniform understanding and implementation of existing policy and authorities for augmenting security, including the arming of additional personnel.  As directed in SECDEF’s memo (reference (a)), this message clarifies Marine Corps policy and authorities, and guides commanders’ decision making related to arming personnel in the performance of security duties.  Additionally, it establishes reporting procedures when commanders authorize arming of additional security personnel.
2.  Policy and Authorities
    a.  Policy
        (1) Marines and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian personnel engaged in law enforcement (LE) or security duties will be armed when engaged in such duties.
        (2) Marine Corps LE and security personnel will carry only government issued weapons and ammunition in the performance of official duties, and will not carry firearms off duty unless so authorized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps (PP&O, Security Division).
        (3) Units located aboard Marine Corps installations, facilities, or sites, armed tenant-unit duty and security personnel are prohibited from performing LE duties and will not be integrated into the installation/facility LE forces.
    b.  Authorities
        (1) Commanders exercising special and general courts-martial convening authority are authorized to arm personnel for security purposes according to the provisions and requirements set forth in references (b) through (d).
        (2) The authority to arm military personnel for the purposes of performing their official duties extends to DoD-owned or leased facilities, both on and off DoD installations, per references (a), (c), and (j) through (k).
        (3) Commanders exercising this authority to arm personnel will take into account the following:
            (a) A current assessment of the probability of the threat at a particular location.  The Marine Corps risk assessment process and methodology is outlined in reference (h) and should be referenced as a guide in conducting risk assessments.
            (b) The timeliness and adequacy of protection already provided by DoD Protective Personnel.
            (c) The timeliness and adequacy of armed response by federal, state and local law enforcement/security authorities.
            (d) The type and ownership of the affected facility.
            (e) The adequacy of existing security measures to prevent, deter, or mitigate the risk from violent attacks.
3.  Execution
    a.  Commanders will ensure the requirements of reference (d) are followed, and will pay particular attention to the following provisions:
        (1) Policies regarding arming and use of force while performing official duties.
        (2) Initial and annual use of force training requirements.
        (3) Authorized weapons, carrying configuration, and ammunition.
        (4) Required weapons qualifications in accordance with reference (e).
    b.  Personnel Screening.  Commanders are required to screen personnel to ensure all persons carrying firearms are sufficiently responsible, appropriately trained and qualified, and have undergone a background check in coordination with military or local law enforcement.  Specifically, commanders will ensure that any person convicted of a felony, a domestic violence misdemeanor, or is the subject of a domestic violence protective order is prohibited from handling a firearm or ammunition as directed under the 1968 gun control act, as amended by the Lautenberg Amendment.
    c.  Per reference (a), commanders who arm additional personnel outside of normal operations (LE, area guard, duty personnel) are required to report this action via OPREP-3 to the Headquarters Marine Corps Operations Center and will inform the installation/activity commander.  Reporting format will be conducted in accordance with reference (f) and will include the number of personnel armed, date/time armed, type and number of weapons issued, reason for arming, and anticipated duration.  Commanders will similarly report when said personnel are no longer armed.  Ensure the appropriate Regional Service Component Command (MARFOR) is info copied on all reports.
4.  Security Force Coordination.  Marine Corps installation, facility, and site commanders will coordinate with tenant commanders who have armed personnel to review respective roles/responsibilities.  Tenant commanders will ensure installation, facility and site commanders are aware of all arming actions.  Disagreements regarding the activities of tenant-unit armed personnel will be resolved by the installation/facility commander to ensure that tenant-unit security measures do not conflict with installation or adjacent missions, and to prevent blue-on-blue engagements.
5.  Commanders of Marine Corps units hosted aboard other Service installations/facilities will coordinate the arming of Marine Corps personnel with the host installation commander or lead agency on joint installations/facilities; unresolved conflicts over whether to arm Marine Corps personnel will be addressed via chain of command for resolution.
6.  Security Force Orders.  Commanders will review and publish specific security force orders for personnel and property under their control in accordance with reference (g) to include, but not limited to:
    (a) Instructions for the application and use of deadly force and detailed guidance on the safe handling of weapons.
    (b) Security force chain of command.
    (c) Required actions taken during increased Force Protection Conditions.
    (d) Emergency actions to respond to immediate security threats and procedures to reduce the risk of blue-on-blue incidents with responding LE personnel.
7.  Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives Physical Security.  Commanders must ensure all requirements for security, accountability, storage, and transportation of weapons and ammunition, as specified in reference (g), are addressed.
8.  Questions regarding this MARADMIN will be directed to the message points of contact.
9.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Total Force Marine Corps.
10.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General James B. Laster, Director, Marine Corps Staff.//