Career

In typical Marine Corps fashion, you are in charge of your own career, but you're clueless what you need to do. Here is some promotion gouge. All of the details can be found in MCO P1400.31C.

Lineal Precedence
Lineal precedence is determined in each grade by date of rank, and for lieutenants, by TBS standing. The numbers are published by MMPR Promotion Branch every July in the "Blue Book" MCBUL 1400, and can be found on their website.

First Lieutenant
You will automatically pick up 1st Lt after 24 months (two years) from your Date of Rank as a 2nd Lt, as long as you haven't gotten in to any big trouble (criminal, investigation pending, physical, etc.) You can check the MARADMINs about a month before your 2 year mark, there should be a message listing all the people being promoted to 1st Lt.

Captain
This is basically automatic as well, but it is the begining of the real promotion boards. A MARADMIN will come out saying that a promotion board has been convened and the Lieutenants between two lineal numbers are "In Zone." Many people get promoted without doing anything at all, but it is a good idea to get your crap together for the board.


 * 1. Get your photo done. If you're in the Pensacola area, call the base photographer 850-623-7249 (at NASWF) or 850-452-3100 ext.1545 (at NASP) and set up a promotion photograph appointment. It's the same guy who works both bases; the easiest way to get a photo up at Whiting is to schedule it on a winging Friday as the guy is up at NASWF already.
 * To verify receipt of digital photo: https://138.156.174.27/photocheck-portal.htm


 * 2. Check to make sure your Fitness Reports are all in. Check Fitness Reports Online


 * 3. Request a copy of, and review for accuracy, your OMPF (specifically the Master Brief Sheet. Request Your OMPF


 * 4. You can do an over the phone OMPF audit with MMSB-20 (Manpower Office in Quantico) (703)-784-3907, 3906, 3949. They will tell you what is missing from your file and the procedures to properly submit the missing documentation.


 * 5. After the board's results are approved, the new list of those selected is published via an ALNAV. Once you have your number, watch the "Officer Promotion" MARADMINs.  They will state Captain Promotions this month and projected for next month.  For example it could state promotions this month are between Smith, J A 1 and Jones, J A 234 projected for next month are between 235 and 403.  Meaning, if your number is between 1 and 234, you're getting promoted, between 235 and 403, you will probably be promoted next month.

Expeditionary Warfare School
In order to be promoted to Major, you have to finish Expeditionary Warfare School. If you have time before you class up for API, MATSG-21 used to hold seminars where you would get the first 2 of 7 courses done. Even if they don't still do that, Marinenet recently started a new course called EWSDEP for pilots. It's specifically designed for SNA's who have not started flight school yet. Get it done while you can because you won't be doing EWS for the next few years.

When you do pick it up again (or start from the beginning) you can either go to the resident course in Quantico (ask your monitor) or non-resident. To do non-resident you have to go to your local Office of Continuing Education. Then they will sign you up for the EWS seminars. If your a Captain already or on a deployment, then they will let you do the class as a Distance Education Program. In that case, the tests are on Marinenet, and the questions are randomized, so goodbye gouge. The seminars are graded based on your class participation and then a project or essay at the end.

It's a lot of work, so if you know for a fact you're getting out, don't waste your time. If you might stay in, get started. It sucks to get passed over just because you're PME incomplete.

The rest of this is unorganized info...
Use this website to make sure your ribbons are on right http://kepler.pratt.duke.edu/USMCRibbons.html (703)-784-3985, 3905, 3430.
 * 1. Review your OMPF (Operational Military Personnel file.) and your MBS (Master Brief Sheet.) This is the only impression the board has of you, so ensure there are no discrepancies.
 * a. First call MMSB-20 (Manpower Office in Quantico) (703)-784-3907, 3906, 3949 and tell them you need an over the phone OMPF audit. They will tell you what is missing from your file and the procedures to properly submit the missing documentation. To get a copy of your OMPF, go to the Manpower site and click “records request” on the bottom left. Fill out the form (found on page 4) and fax or email the request using your NMCI email account.
 * b. Examples of Documents in OMPF:
 * Proof of college degree (diploma)
 * All PME documentation (certificate of completed EWS courses)
 * obtain PME certificates through NMCI online
 * current MCMAP certificate of training
 * Unit Awards and Individual Award citations and MARADMINS
 * Service photo (taken in “Service C” green trousers/khaki shirt)
 * must be taken within 12 months
 * example of Service photo is to the left
 * to verify receipt of digital photo: https://138.156.174.27/photocheck-portal.htm
 * All fitreps - date gaps cannot be more than 30 days
 * to check the status of your fitrep date gaps, go to https://138.156.174.27/pesquery/app.aspx and enter your last name and social security number.
 * for fitreps to become part of the OMPF, they must be submitted through MMSB-30 (manpower, fitrep people.)


 * 2. Write your full name, grade, and social security number on the upper right hand corner of everything you submit to the board. All documents must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the date the board convenes. There are two ways to submit missing document for your promotion:
 * a. The easiest way is to have your OMPF squared away 3 months prior to the promotion board. You can do that by calling them and start faxing missing items using the example of the cover letter attached. OMPF fax# (703)-784-5682
 * b. The other way is the last minute approach. Documents can be submitted directly to the promotion board. Write a cover letter to the president of the promotion board explaining your intent to submit required material in time for consideration and mail to:

President FY09 Captains Board Headquaters, U.S. Marine Corps (MMPR-1) Harry Lee Hall 17 Lejeune Road Quantico, VA 22134-5104

-sample cover letter on page 3.


 * 3. (Optional) Schedule an appt with a career counselor at MMOA-4 (another manpower division.) (703)-784-9281. Do this after you are positive your OMPF is squared away. It will be an over the phone counseling session with a career monitor to learn what billets to take next, and if you are performing well to be competitive for your promotion board. The secretary that will answer the phone is Mrs. Holmes. You need to keep her updated each time you submit new documentation to your OMPF so your career counselor is up to speed. This needs to be done because there is a black hole disconnect between the OMPF folks and the career counseling folks. Don’t ask why.


 * 4. Sample cover letter: Use this when submitting documentation to the board.

1400 30 Jan XXXX

From: Captain John Q. Marine 6789/0302 USMC To: President, (Specific Board)

Subj: UPDATE MATERIAL

Ref: MarAdmin XXX/XX

Encl: (1) Photo (2) Letter from Reporting Senior (3) Fitness Report (AN ??????? - ???????)

. The enclosures (1) through (3), are provided for the board's consideration.

//signed// John Q. Marine

__________________
 * 5. The OMPF request form is on the next page.
 * 6. Helpful site: https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page?_pageid=278,1936030&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
 * 7. MCO P1400.31C https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/M_RA_HOME/MM/PR/MMPR1/MMPR1_PREPARING_BOARD/MMPR1_PREP_BOARD_REFERENCES/MCO%20P1400%2031C.PDF