Marines

A Message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps

2 Feb 2016 | Lance Cpl. Devan Barnett U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

The 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, refined and expanded on the 36th Commandant’s Planning Guidance.  The fragmentation order was released on Jan. 19, 2016 to clarify the Marine Corps’ goals and how to reach them over the next four years.

Neller explained that he is not interfering with the previous plan given by former Commandant Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, now the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Neller listed five areas which are key to achieving future success: people, readiness, training, integration with the naval and joint force, and modernization.  Each area consists of three major themes which include maintaining and improving individuals in the Corps, transitioning out of the wartime mindset, and modernizing the force.

Neller said the highest priority is recruiting and retaining the highest quality of people.  This means reviewing how all Marines receive promotions in the reserve, such as advancing lance corporals.  Eligible Marines will soon be on a new review board for lance corporals based on the merit of their performance at their command.  Staff non-commissioned officers will be leading the boards and deciding if their lance corporals are ready to become NCOs. The “Marine for Life” program will be reviewed and, with the previously restricted military occupational specialties opening up, Neller will now look at and analyze the opportunities to Reserve Marines looking to change MOSs. 

Marines can also expect an increase in readiness efforts to reflect a culture of standards making Marines more deployable. With this, Marines across the Force are becoming more involved to make sure Marines stay physically fit. The Marine Corps will develop a new MOS for a force fitness instructor to keep track of a unit’s physical training standards. Neller is also putting an emphasis on training being conducted in the Force with simulation of real life events and will continue to develop and evolve the Marine Air Ground Task Force to test, fail, adjust, learn and advance the Marine Corps’ capabilities.

For more information and guidance visit FRAGO 01/2016: ADVANCE TO CONTACT.