R 262115Z AUG 16
MARADMIN 449/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG EDCOM PRES MCU QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FY17 FIRST SERGEANTS COURSE CID M02L645//
POC/DIRECTOR, SENIOR ENLISTED ACADEMY/ENLISTED PME/MCU/TEL: (703)432-4793/ EMAIL: SCOTT.HAMM(AT)USMC.MIL// and MCU(UNDERSCORE)SEPME(AT)USMC.MIL
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Situation. Since 1996, the Commandant of the Marine Corps has directed that a formal course of instruction be provided for all newly promoted or selected First Sergeants. The course facilitates the transition from Gunnery Sergeant to First Sergeant.
2.  Mission. The Director, Senior Enlisted Academy, will conduct the First Sergeants Course to provide instruction covering the duties and responsibilities of Marines with the rank of First Sergeant. The First Sergeants Course will be conducted at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA on the following dates:
Course     Report          Convene        Graduate
1-17       26 FEB 17       27 FEB 17      10 MAR 17
2-17       16 JUL 17       17 JUL 17      28 JUL 17
3.  Execution.
3.A.  Commanders Intent. Instruct students on the duties and responsibilities of a First Sergeant. Course end state is achieved when students are equipped with the knowledge to effectively support commanders and fulfill billet responsibilities.
3.B.  Concept of operations. The First Sergeants Course will be conducted over a two-week period. Instruction is presented through a variety of lectures and guided discussions. The focus of effort is to prepare First Sergeants to advise their Commanders regarding all matters affecting enlisted personnel and to assist Commanders in the performance of their duties.
3.C.  Coordinating Instructions. The FY17 First Sergeants Courses will be conducted at the Marine Corps University. Reserve and active duty attendees will report to Quantico, VA. Coordinating instructions will be sent via separate correspondence three weeks prior to the course convening date.
3.C.1.  Attendance. All First Sergeants selected during FY17, those who have received remedial promotion, and those who received a FY15 or FY16 exemption are required to attend. Master Sergeants serving in the billet of a First Sergeant may attend, however, a letter describing their current duties and responsibilities and a command endorsement must be submitted to the Director, Senior Enlisted Academy, prior to being authorized to attend. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Direct all correspondence to the Director, Senior Enlisted Academy, at scott.hamm(at)usmc.mil
and mcu(underscore)sepme(at)usmc.mil.
3.C.2.  Registration. Attendees are required to register for class 1-17 NLT 26 Jan 17 and class 2-17 NLT 16 Jun 17. Parent command G-3/S-3 are required to register attendees in MCTIMS. Registration in MCTIMS is required in order to receive funding data from Training and Education Command (TECOM) Formal Schools.
4.  Administration and Logistics.
4.A.  Orders.  TAD orders will be non-reporting.
4.B.1.  Active Component. Travel/per diem is provided by TECOM World-wide Travel. Parent command G-3/S-3 are required to request funding. 
4.B.2.  Reserve Component. Marine Reserve Order Writing System PME/School orders will be routed through MFR G-3 in order to receive funding.
4.C.  Transportation. Transportation costs to and from airports are reimbursable. Attendees should not schedule any flight departure prior to 1800 on their scheduled graduation date. Parent commands are responsible for the cost of rental cars.
4.D.  Lodging. Attendees who require lodging are required to lodge at the Crossroads Inn, Tel: 703-630-4444 or Liversedge Hall, Tel (703)-784-3149. If billeting is not available, Marines must receive a non-availability statement from Liversedge Hall before arranging off-base lodging.  Due to lodging expenses at the TAD site, it is highly recommended that reserve units use the initial payment process.
4.E.  Uniform.
4.E.1.  The prescribed uniform is seasonal service uniform and seasonal Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform.
4.E.2.  Students should bring a sufficient number of uniforms for the duration of the course.
4.E.3.  All weather coat or tanker jacket is optional.
4.E.4.  Appropriate civilian attire is required.
4.F.  Social events.
4.F.1.  All attendees will attend a mandatory professional dinner. The prescribed uniform for the dinner is civilian attire (male: suit and tie, female: dress or equivalent business attire).
4.F.2.  Depending upon availability, all attendees will attend an Evening Parade at 8th and I, Washington, DC (slacks and collared shirt).
5.  Command and Signal. Inquiries regarding the content of this MARADMIN can be directed to Sergeant Major Scott Hamm, Director,Senior Enlisted Academy.
6.  Release authorized by BGen Thomas A. Gorry, Commanding General Education Command, President, Marine Corps University.//