Interim Guidance for Command Response to Service Members Absent from Duty and Determination of Voluntary Versus Involuntary Absence

1. Purpose. This MARADMIN provides interim guidance 
and a standardized response framework for commanders exercising 
statutory command authority pursuant to Title 10, United States 
Code, responding to service members who are absent from duty with 
unknown whereabouts. This guidance establishes response timeframes, 
requires safety and mental health risk consideration, and provides 
a framework for determining whether an absence is voluntary or 
involuntary. This guidance serves as an interim compensating control 
until permanent service policy is established.
2. Governing principles and definitions.
2.a. Commanders will presume that a service member whose whereabouts 
are unknown may be in potential danger until facts indicate 
otherwise.
2.b. Response actions will consider safety risk, mental health risk, 
self-harm risk, and personal circumstance factors.
2.b.1. An immediate and thorough inquiry is essential. An incorrect 
determination can delay law enforcement investigations in a missing 
persons case or cause undue hardship on dependents.
2.c. Voluntary Absence. A voluntary absence is one in which a 
service member knowingly and intentionally fails to report for duty 
or remains absent without authority. 
2.d. Involuntary Absence. An involuntary absence is one in which a 
service member is absent due to circumstances beyond their control, 
including but not limited to foul play, accident, medical emergency, 
or other calamity. Involuntary absences may be processed through 
casualty reporting in accordance with reference (a).
2.e. The definitions of voluntary and involuntary absence used in 
this MARADMIN are for the sole purpose of executing this policy.  
They have no application to the definitions contained in reference 
(b).  
2.f. This guidance is intended to align with current and future 
Department of War policies regarding response to service member 
absences.
3. Execution. The process is divided into three phases: initial 
response, preliminary inquiry and risk assessment, and status 
determination.
3.a. Phase I – Initial response (initiate within 3 hours of 
discovery).
3.a.1. Commanders will initiate accountability actions upon 
discovery of absence, which includes but is not limited to making 
reasonable attempts to contact the service member using available 
contact methods, as well as checking with local police stations, 
hospitals, clinics, behavioral health facilities, and any other 
relevant agencies to see if the service member has sought 
assistance, treatment, or is being held for any reason.
3.a.2. Commanders will presume potential safety risk during initial 
response actions.
3.a.3. Commanders will notify the local chaplain(s) of the service 
member's absence.
3.a.4. Commanders will report the appropriate duty status using the 
unit management status report (UMSR) module within Marine Online.  
3.a.5. Commanders will notify the installation Provost Marshall 
Office (PMO). PMO will conduct law enforcement actions in accordance 
with reference (k) and applicable federal law enforcement standards.
3.b. Phase II – Preliminary inquiry and risk assessment (initiate 
immediately, complete No Later Than (NLT) 24 hours after a service 
member is discovered absent and their whereabouts remain unknown).
3.b.1. Commanders will appoint a preliminary inquiry officer to 
collect available facts related to the absence.
3.b.2. Commanders will assess available information related to 
safety threats, mental health risk indicators, self-harm risk, 
recent stressors, and significant deviations from normal behavior.
3.b.3. Commanders should consult their staff judge advocate when 
questions exist regarding search authority, privacy considerations, 
or potential criminal misconduct.
3.c. Phase III – Status determination(NLT 48 hours after discovery).
3.c.1. Commanders should presume the absence to be involuntary 
unless a preponderance of available evidence (more likely than not) 
indicates voluntary absence.
3.c.2. Determinations may be made at any time when sufficient 
information exists.
3.c.3. 48 hours represents an investigative and decision review 
milestone and does not prevent earlier status determination when 
warranted.
3.c.4. If evidence supports voluntary absence, the service member 
may be reported as being in an Unauthorized Absence (UA) status and 
processed in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and Marine 
Corps administrative and reporting requirements.
3.c.5. If credible evidence indicates involuntary absence, or 
evidence is insufficient to support voluntary absence, the service 
member will be reported as Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) 
and processed in accordance with reference (a).
3.c.6. If information indicates potential self-harm risk and the 
service member is not located, Commanders should strongly consider 
DUSTWUN classification even if evidence otherwise supports voluntary 
absence.
3.d. Follow-on actions.
3.d.1. Casualty actions will be executed in accordance with 
reference (a).
3.d.2. Search and investigation efforts will continue until 
resolution or a status change.
3.e. Data reporting. Commands will ensure accurate reporting of 
absence status in Enterprise Manpower and Personnel Systems. 
Accurate reporting supports service and Department of War 
accountability requirements.
4. Administration and logistics.
4.a. This guidance applies to the total force. The response 
framework described in this MARADMIN applies to service members 
serving under active-duty orders or otherwise subject to continuous 
Title 10 Command Authority. For service members performing inactive 
duty (i.e.  IDT, IRR Muster, or other Reserve Component duty 
statuses), Commanders will consult applicable reserve component 
policy and guidance, including reference (l), to determine 
appropriate action.
4.b. Commanders will ensure daily accountability reporting accuracy. 
The UMSR module, within Marine Online, is the directed method of 
reporting accountability in all cases supported by the application.
4.c. The Commander retains the authority to take appropriate 
administrative or disciplinary action.
4.c.1.  All actions will be documented in the NAVMC 10132 (unit 
punishment book), NAVMC 118(11) (administrative remarks), or as part 
of a formal law enforcement investigation or other appropriate 
administrative record, as appropriate.
5. Command and signal.
5.a. This MARADMIN is effective immediately.
5.b. This MARADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or 
cancelled.
6. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, 
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.