Conduct of the Board

The board was in session from mid-July through mid-September 2014: approximately 2 months. The board reviewed, briefed, and voted on more than 4,500 records which translated to preparing and briefing approximately 125 records each day, Monday through Friday. Preparing each record took approximately 45 to 60 minutes; however, briefing each record took only 3 minutes. For consistency and standardization, the board agreed to a briefing sequence which consisted of the following:

PME complete (Yes or No). Letter to the President of the Board (Yes or No). Photo current (Yes or No). Height/weight/body fat percentage (within or out of standards). Training statistics and currency (Rifle/Pistol/PFT/CFT/Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Civilian and military education. Personal awards. Special duty assignments. Combat and deployments. Joint individual augment/transition team assignments. Adverse material. Reporting senior relative value and reviewing officer assessment. Reporting senior and reviewing officer comments from fitness reports. Briefer recommendation (Value 6 through 2):

(Six – water walker) (Five – recommended with enthusiasm) (Four – recommended with confidence) (Three – recommended with reservation) (Two – not recommended) Observations and Recommendations

Primary observations and recommendations that were taken away from the board include:

(1) Key to selection is performance, performance, performance. “Bloom” where you are planted, no matter where it is. (2) Marines must be PME complete; no exceptions. No PME, no selection. The Commandant’s Precept and Marine Administrative Messages (MARADMINs) 247/14 and 293/14 included a reminder of the requirement for PME. Marines eligible for selection missing evidence of required PME were briefed as not qualified for selection. Approximately three percent of eligible Marines did not complete their required PME. Yes, PME completion is one of the hard and fast requirements for selection. (3) Marines must be current in their required annual training qualifications (Rifle/PFT/CFT/MCMAP). No current PFT or no current CFT score, “probably” could result in no selection. No current rifle qualification “could” be no selection if a trend exists/not properly documented. If a Marine is not current in his annual training requirements, send a letter to the board clarifying or explaining the situation. (4) Fitness report gaps could have a negative impact on a Marines’ competitiveness. Even “just” 30-day gaps “could” be a discriminator based on the totality of the record. (5) Photographs need to be current. Approximately 40 percent of Marines did not submit a current photo. Board members could perceive you are hiding something by not submitting a current photo. In accordance with MARADMINs 247/14 and 293/14, all eligible Marines are required to submit an official photograph taken within 12 months of the convening date of the board. While absence of a current photograph is not a reason for non-selection in and of itself, an updated photograph or letter explaining absence of a photograph is one of the many elements viewed by a selection board in deliberations as to who is best qualified for selection. (6) Marines who completed and/or were assigned to special duty assignments were considered highly qualified and competed/fared exceptionally well among their peers. (7) Far too many Marines were missing crucial certificates (awards, PME, schools) from their OMPF (official military personnel file) and MBS (master brief sheet). It is the Marine’s primary responsibility to ensure his OMPF and MBS are current and up-to-date. In accordance with MARADMINs 247/14 and 293/14, Marines are personally responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of their OMPF and MBS before the date the board convenes. Marines are responsible for conducting an audit of their records prior to the convening date of the selection board. This is not the responsibility of your unit’s administrative division/section. (8) Marines can overcome adverse incidents and should never give up. As our Sergeant Major of the Major Corps, SgtMaj Micheal P. Barrett has often stated, always bring your “A” game 24/7/365. Letters of recommendation and letters to the President of the Board clarifying and magnifying your record definitely help. (9) Marines with or in the process of completing advanced civilian education fared exceptionally well amongst their peers. Bachelor’s degree and associate’s degree briefed exceptionally well by all the board members.