Implementation of Stop Move Within Special Duty Assignments (SDA) Commands
This MARADMIN implements an immediate stop move policy for all Marines assigned to Special Duty Assignment (SDA) commands including Drill Instructors, Marine Security Guards, School of Infantry instructors, and recruiting duty personnel. Commanding Generals of SDA commands have authority to waive the stop move as replacements arrive, while MMEA will continue screening and assigning new Marines to SDAs to maintain the pipeline and prevent excessively long tours.
Issued: March 12, 2003
1. BACKGROUND. A. AS OUTLINED IN THE REF, THE MARINE CORPS STOP MOVE AND STOP LOSS POLICY ADDRESSES TWO ISSUES. IT PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR THOSE MARINES WHO ARE EXPECTING TO CHANGE DUTY STATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND IT INVOLUNTARILY EXTENDS THE DATE OF SEPARATION FOR ALL MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF TITLE 10, U.S.C. SECTIONS 123 AND 12305. B. THE REF ADDRESSES THE CONTINUING NEED AND ONGOING CHALLENGE TO ADEQUATELY STAFF SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS (SDA'S). WITH CURRENT OPERATIONAL COMMITMENTS COMPETING WITH SPECIAL DUTY REQUIREMENTS, THE ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY FILL FUTURE SDA SCHOOL SEATS HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING. THE MISSION OF THE MARINE CORPS IS TO "WIN BATTLES AND MAKE MARINES." WE HAVE GIVEN PRIORITY TO THE OPERATIONAL FORCES AND, THEREFORE, ACCOMPLISHED THE FIRST PART OF OUR MISSION. NOW, WE MUST GIVE EQUAL CONSIDERATION TO THE "MAKING OF MARINES." THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUSTAINED, CONCURRENT SUPPORT OF BOTH SDA'S AND THE OPERATING FORCES TO THE FULLEST POSSIBLE EXTENT. 2. ACTION. A. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, IMPLEMENT STOP MOVE ON ALL MARINES CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO SDA'S (MSG, DI, SOI, AND RECRUITING DUTY). MCSF MARINES WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. B. COMMANDING GENERALS OF SDA COMMANDS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE STOP MOVE AND ALLOW SDA MARINES TO PCS AS REPLACEMENTS ARRIVE OR AS THE SDA STAFFING SITUATION STABILIZES. C. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE SDA SCHOOL PIPELINE AND HELP ALLEVIATE EXCESSIVELY LONG SDA TOURS, MMEA WILL CONTINUE TO SCREEN AND ASSIGN MARINES TO SDA'S. MARINES ON ORDERS TO SDA'S WILL CONTINUE TO EXECUTE THOSE ORDERS UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY CMC (CODE MM). D. ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE REF ARE STILL APPLICABLE WITH REGARD TO RETIREMENTS, STOP LOSS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS. 3. CANCELLATION DATE IS 15 JAN 2004. 4. THIS MARADMIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE ACTIVE RESERVE PROGRAM. 5. POINT OF CONTACT IS LTCOL J.C. SMITH, MMEA-8, DSN 278-9330 OR COMM (703)784-9330.