New Orleans -- Marine administrative message 204/15 announces validation requirements for establishing and updating the primary residence of Reserve Marines. Effective immediately, and no later than Aug. 31, 2015, all members of the Reserve component must submit the required documentation for validation of primary residence and the establishment of their address in Marine Corps Total Force System. Any changes or updates to a Reserve Marine's primary residence address must be validated by source documentation and submitted through the unit diary by the Marine's Integrated Personnel Administration Center.
The primary residence is defined as a permanent home from where a Marine commutes to and from work. The primary residence determines residence based allowances, which include travel and transportation allowances, housing allowances and cost of living allowance. Temporary lodging such as a hotel or motel is not considered a primary residence.
In the past, Reserve Marines were permitted to register and update their address information independently through the Marine Online self-service module. In the past, the Marine Corps authorized per diem and basic allowance for housing payments to Reserve Marines based on non-validated addresses.
Reserve Marines will still be permitted to make changes to their mailing address information through MOL for correspondence purposes, but submission of source documents for establishing or updating a primary residence must be validated by authorized personnel. The validation of source documents may be performed by the unit commanding officer, executive officer, inspector-instructor, assistant inspector-instructor, personnel officer, administration chief, sergeant major or first sergeant, or individual mobilization augmentee operational sponsor. The validation process requires that the supporting documentation provided to substantiate the primary residence supports the Marine’s claimed address.
Two forms of supporting documentation are required. Acceptable forms include, but are not limited to, utility bills, a member's place of civilian employment, the place of abode of the member's immediate family members or dependents, and the member's mailing address for personal bills, bank or credit card statements.
In order for a Marine to establish or update a primary residence, he must submit a request in-person at his unit or through an MOL electronic personnel action request.
Individual Ready Reserve, IMA and Selected Marine Corps Reserve Marines who are administratively supported by the Marine Forces Reserve IPAC or any SMCR unit that uses the MOL EPAR should submit a primary residence change through the MOL EPAR function. The Marine should electronically enter the information and scan/attach supporting documentation for submission.
Marines assigned to SMCR units who are not administratively supported by MARFORRES IPAC or are not using the MOL EPAR function are required to request changes in-person.
As a result of this change, however, commanders, administration and finance personnel may request validation of a primary residence at any time and will apply due diligence in verification of claimed primary residences.
For more information and a complete list of acceptable documentation, visit MARADMIN 204/15.