MARADMINs

This MARADMIN announces Change 2 to the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test and Body Composition Evaluation Process, specifically updating the Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) standard to less than or equal to 0.52 for all Marines regardless of sex. This change modifies paragraph 6 of the previous MARADMIN 066/26, while all other instructions from that message remain in effect.

This MARADMIN announces changes to the Marine Corps body composition evaluation process, replacing the semiannual height and weight requirement with a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) methodology effective 1 January 2026. All Marines in the Total Force are affected and must be evaluated using the new WHtR standard of <0.52, with those exceeding the standard undergoing body fat evaluation via tape test or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

This MARADMIN establishes the United States Marine Corps Family Member Travel Screening (FMTS) Cell at Headquarters Marine Corps to serve as a centralized help desk and resource for Marines, monitors, and commands involved in the overseas suitability screening process. The FMTS Cell will provide proactive support, manage resources, maintain points of contact, and ensure transparency to address screening delays and improve the timely assignment of Marines to overseas or remote CONUS locations requiring suitability determinations.

This MARADMIN notifies Marines of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) updates to the overseas and remote duty assignment suitability screening process. The updates address five key areas including guidance for Chief of Mission assignments, risk assessments by commanding officers, reconsideration processes for unsuitable findings, screening timelines, and immunization-based unsuitability determinations. Marines must initiate screening within 10 days of receiving orders for overseas assignments.

The Wounded Warrior Regiment is soliciting applications for the 2026 Marine Corps & Air Force Trials (MCAFT), an 11-sport athletic competition for wounded, ill, and injured active-duty service members and veterans. The event will be held at Camp Pendleton, CA, from February 22 to March 3, 2026, and serves as the primary selection venue for the Department of Defense Warrior Games.

This MARADMIN establishes the Director of Risk Management Directorate (RMD) as the Marine Corps' service-level coordinating authority for all blast overpressure (BOP) initiatives, effective immediately. All Marine Corps units working on BOP-related activities—including experimentation, testing, monitoring, or mitigation efforts—are required to communicate with RMD points of contact. This applies to the Total Force and aims to ensure transparency and accountability in managing BOP exposure risks.

This MARADMIN provides guidance for implementing the 2025-2026 seasonal influenza vaccination program for Marine Corps active and reserve components. All active duty Marines must be vaccinated or have an approved exemption by 15 December 2025, while reserve component must achieve 90% vaccination by 15 January 2026. The message outlines vaccination requirements, handling procedures, documentation requirements, and prioritizes operational forces and training commands for vaccine receipt.

This MARADMIN updates Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) course codes in the Marine Corps Training Information Management System (MCTIMS) to align with BUMED standards and improve training documentation accuracy. Fleet Marine Force units must immediately begin using six new TCCC course codes (TB through TH) to replace eight legacy codes (T1 through T8), which will be archived 90 days after the message release date of October 8, 2025.

This MARADMIN announces the Fiscal Year 2026 Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2), a two-year program at the Uniformed Services University that prepares qualified enlisted Marines for admission to medical school. Five seats are available for Marines who meet eligibility requirements including a bachelor's degree with minimum 3.2 GPA, competitive SAT/ACT scores, and 3-10 years of service. Applications must be submitted via TFRS by 30 September 2025.

This MARADMIN announces the 2025 National Red Ribbon Week Campaign (23-31 October 2025) and Prescription Drug Take Back Day (25 October 2025). The campaigns aim to increase awareness of drug abuse consequences, promote prevention efforts, and provide safe disposal methods for prescription medications. All Marines, family members, civilian personnel, and reserve component members are encouraged to participate in awareness activities and local observances.

This MARADMIN announces the cancellation of two Marine Corps Orders (MCO 6220.1 and MCO 6220.2) related to pandemic influenza response and disease containment planning. These orders have been replaced by a new comprehensive policy, MCO 6220.3, which consolidates and expands guidance on pandemic and infectious disease planning and response. The new order is applicable to the Total Force and aligns with federal and DoD policy.

This MARADMIN announces the selection of two Staff Sergeants for the Fiscal Year 2025 Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2). The selectees will attend the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) for 24 months beginning July 1, 2025, with all expenses paid, to prepare for medical school admission.

This MARADMIN implements the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) Program for active-duty and active-reserve Marines, allowing them to use pre-tax earnings to pay for eligible healthcare expenses. Individual Marines can contribute $100-$3,300 annually (dual military couples can contribute up to $6,600 combined), with a special enrollment period running from March 3-31, 2025 through the FSAFEDS website.

This MARADMIN establishes policy for Non-Covered Assisted Reproductive Technology (NCART) Permissive Temporary Additional Duty (PTAD) and travel allowances for Marines and their dependents seeking fertility treatments not covered by standard military healthcare. Active-duty Marines are eligible for up to 21 days of PTAD per request for procedures including egg retrieval, sperm collection, IUI, and IVF, with travel reimbursement available when services are not locally available.

This MARADMIN provides interim guidance on exceptions to policy (ETP) for uniform and grooming standards based on medical conditions, with particular emphasis on Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) treatment protocols. It establishes that Medical Officers will recommend modifications and Commanding Officers will approve or disapprove them, replacing previous guidance. All Service members with current PFB diagnoses must be re-evaluated within 90 days of this message's release.

This MARADMIN establishes policy requiring all Marine Corps health services support (HSS) personnel providing clinical care or support at fixed Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) and Dental Treatment Facilities (DTF) to maintain active accounts in the Defense Medical Human Resources System internet (DMHRSi) and document their workload hours weekly. The policy ensures transparency and accurate tracking of Marine Corps support to the Military Health System, including care provided at Marine Centered Medical Home (MCMH) clinics, while excluding operational and field training activities.

This MARADMIN establishes Marine Corps policy for Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL), a taxable compensation paid to service members with permanent catastrophic injuries or illnesses who require assistance from a primary caregiver with daily living activities. The program provides three tiers of monthly compensation based on the level of care needed, requires certification by a licensed DoD or VA physician, and mandates recertification every 180 days.

The Wounded Warrior Regiment is soliciting applications from Recovering Service Members (RSMs) not currently assigned to WWR to participate in the 2025 Air Force & Marine Corps Trials (AFMCT), an 11-sport athletic competition for wounded, ill, and injured active-duty personnel, veterans, and international partners. The event will be held at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, from March 9-22, 2025, and serves as the primary selection venue for the Department of Defense Warrior Games.

This MARADMIN announces the second sequence of fielding Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) devices to 54 Marine Corps units during the first quarter of FY25 to support the Body Composition and Military Appearance Program. The fielding includes units across I MEF, II MEF, III MEF, and other commands, with BIA devices replacing traditional height/weight tables and circumference methods for body composition evaluations. Commands receiving devices must allow access to Marines from units without BIA devices, and Command Physical Training Representatives and Force Fitness Instructors must complete training by 1 January 2025.

This MARADMIN announces the 2025 Human Performance Advisory Council (HPAC) to be held virtually on 11-12 February 2025, hosted by Training and Education Command. The council will gather input from Marine Corps command representatives on various human performance topics including physical fitness, injury prevention, body composition, resilience, nutrition, and technology integration. Commands must submit primary and alternate attendee nominations by 15 December 2024.