Payment for Civilian Academic Degrees and Professional Credentials

1. THIS MARADMIN AUTHORIZES LOCAL COMMANDS TO PAY
FOR ACADEMIC DEGREES, LICENSES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH REFS A, B, AND C. PAYMENT OF COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH OBTAINING AN ACADEMIC DEGREE TO ASSIST IN RECRUITING OR
RETAINING EMPLOYEES IS NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO AN OCCUPATION IN
WHICH A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL IS IDENTIFIED. THIS
AUTHORITY MAY BE REDELEGATED TO THE LOWEST PRACTICAL LEVEL AT
COMMAND DISCRETION. REF D PROVIDES THE GUIDELINES FOR PAYMENT FOR
NONAPPROPRIATED FUND (NAF) EMPLOYEES. PER REF B THIS AUTHORITY IS
NOT APPLICABLE TO ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND LOCAL
NATIONALS. THIS MARADMIN PROVIDES INTERIM GUIDANCE CONCERNING
PAYMENT OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OBTAINING AN ACADEMIC DEGREE TO
ASSIST IN RECRUITING OR RETAINING EMPLOYEES.
2. FUNDING IS AUTHORIZED ONLY FOR INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN
PLANNED, SYSTEMIC, AND COORDINATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM IS THE CIVILIAN
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (CLD) PROGRAM, AND ANY ACADEMIC DEGREE
SEEKING PROGRAM THAT LEADS TO A DEGREE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
IN A FIELD THAT IS RELATED TO THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES JOB SERIES.
SUCH PROGRAMS MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM IS PREPLANNED RATHER THAN AD
HOC.
B. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF A SEQUENCED SET OF INSTRUCTION OR
ASSIGNMENTS THAT CLEARLY SUPPORTS ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES.
C. THE PROGRAM PRODUCES MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENT IN EITHER INDIVIDUAL
OR ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE.
3. FUNDING IS PERMITTED FOR ANY COURSE OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
DELIVERED THROUGH CLASSROOM, ELECTRONIC, OR OTHER MEANS PROVIDED
THAT IT SHALL BE ADMINISTERED OR CONDUCTED BY AN INSTITUTION THAT IS
ACCREDITED BY A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACCREDITING BODY TO PROVIDE A
CURRICULUM OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
(DOE) PUBLISHES A LISTING OF ACCREDITED BODIES UNDER SECTION 1001(C)
OF TITLE 20 U.S.C. THIS LISTING CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON THE DOE
WEBSITE WWW.ED.GOV. FUNDING MAY INCLUDE SUCH ADDITIONAL EXPENSES AS
MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, APPLICATION FEES,
REGISTRATION FEES, AND PARKING FEES.
4. A CONTINUED SERVICE AGREEMENT (DD FORM 1556 SECTION E) SHALL BE
COMPLETED PRIOR TO DEGREE PAYMENT. FOR FULL-TIME ATTENDANCE, THE
CONTINUED SERVICE AGREEMENT OBLIGATES EMPLOYEES FOR WHOM ACADEMIC
DEGREE TRAINING IS PAID TO SERVE IN A GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR A PERIOD
AT LEAST THREE TIMES THE LENGTH OF THE TIME SPENT IN ACADEMIC DEGREE
TRAINING. THE PERIOD OF OBLIGATED SERVICE BEGINS THE DAY AFTER THE
LAST TRAINING CLASS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF A. FOR PART TIME
TRAINING, THE PERIOD OF OBLIGATED SERVICE WILL BE COMPUTED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH REF C.
5. ACADEMIC DEGREE PAYMENT IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR ANY EMPLOYEE AS
FOLLOWS:
A. OCCUPYING OR SEEKING TO QUALIFY FOR APPOINTMENT TO ANY POSITION
THAT IS EXCEPTED FROM THE COMPETITIVE SERVICE BECAUSE OF ITS
CONFIDENTIAL POLICY-DETERMINING, POLICY MAKING, OR POLICY-ADVOCATING
CHARACTER.
B. ATTENDING AN INSTITUTION THAT DISCRIMINATES ON THE BASIS OF
POLITICAL AFFILIATION, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX,
MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, STATUS AS A PARENT, AGE, OR
HANDICAPPING CONDITION.
6. FEDERAL GRANTS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE SOLELY
FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS,
MAY NOT BE PROVIDED BY CONTRACT OR GRANT TO AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
EDUCATION, IF EITHER THE PARENT INSTITUTION OR ANY SUB-ELEMENT OF
THE INSTITUTION HAS A POLICY OR PRACTICE THAT PREVENTS THE RESERVE
OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) UNITS OR STUDENT ROTC PARTICIPATION,
OR PREVENTS MILITARY RECRUITING ON CAMPUS, OR ACCESS TO STUDENT
DIRECTORY INFORMATION.
7. OFFICES WITH AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAMS
OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT OFFER ACADEMIC DEGREE PAYMENT SHALL
ENSURE THE PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED IN A MANNER THAT WILL RESULT IN
BETTER ORGANIZATIONAL OR INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE. THE EFFECTIVE USE
OF PROGRAMS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS PART
OF THE OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT. TO HELP
DEVELOP AND PROMOTE USE OF RETENTION STRATEGIES TO HELP
ORGANIZATIONS SUSTAIN A QUALITY CIVILIAN WORKFORCE, COMMANDS SHOULD
PROMOTE THE ACADEMIC DEGREE TRAINING PROGRAM BY EDUCATING,
MARKETING, FUNDING, AND EXECUTING ACADEMIC DEGREE TRAINING AT LOCAL
COMMANDS TO INCLUDE SETTING CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS
CONSISTENT WITH THE GUIDELINES STATED IN THIS MARADMIN. COMMANDS
WILL KEEP RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE GRANTED FUNDS FOR ACADEMIC
DEGREE TRAINING TO INCLUDE GRADE AND JOB SERIES, DEGREE PROGRAMS
ENROLLED, MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, AND THE TOTAL
FUNDING THAT WAS PROVIDED EACH FISCAL YEAR FOR ACADEMIC DEGREE
TRAINING AT THE COMMAND. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ANY COMMAND
INTENDING TO ESTABLISH AN ACADEMIC DEGREE TRAINING PROGRAM THIS
FISCAL YEAR CONTACT THE COMMUNITY OF INTEREST LEADER OR MANAGER OF
A PARTICULAR CAREER FIELD TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER A DEGREE PROGRAM IS
BEING ESTABLISHED FOR A JOB SERIES OR FUNCTIONAL SKILL LEVEL THAT
SUPPORTS COMMUNITY OF INTEREST CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. A REPORT TO DON IS ANTICIPATED FOR
FY04 AND WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE NEW CIVILIAN CAREER
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (CCLD) PUBLICATION THAT IS ANTICIPATED TO BE
PUBLISHED THIS SUMMER.
8. THIS AUTHORITY DOES NOT APPLY TO THE MARINE CORPS STUDENT LOAN
REPAYMENT PLAN.
9. IN ADDITION TO ACADEMIC DEGREE TRAINING, THIS MARADMIN ALSO
AUTHORIZES LOCAL COMMANDS TO PAY FOR EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH
OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS. PAYMENT OF COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH OBTAINING AND RENEWING PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS INCLUDING
PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION, STATE-IMPOSED AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES,
AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, AND EXAMINATIONS TO OBTAIN SUCH
CREDENTIALS, IS AUTHORIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF A TO SUPPORT THE
DON'S HUMAN CAPTIAL GOALS. GIVEN THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING, AN
ACTIVITY MAY PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS THAT ARE NECESSARY OR
BENEFICIAL FOR THE EMPLOYEE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFFICIAL DUTIES.
10. THIS AUTHORITY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS DESCRIBED BY THE
FOLLOWING CRITERIA. THE LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION:
A. ENHANCES PRODUCTIVITY
B. IMPROVES PERFORMANCE
C. MAXIMIZES RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTAGE
CATEGORY OCCUPATIONS AND OTHER LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS.
D. INCREASES RETENTION, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH TURNOVER CAREER FIELDS.
E. BROADENS AND DEVELOPS THE SKILL BASE FOR A QUALITY WORK FORCE TO
ACCOMPLISH THE MARINE CORPS'S MISSION AND ENSURE READINESS.
F. SUPPORTS CLD INITIATIVES AND CAREER PATH IMPROVEMENTS TO MEET
FUTURE REQUIREMENTS.
11. THIS AUTHORITY IS DISCRETIONARY AND IS NOT AN ENTITLEMENT OR
BENEFIT OF EMPLOYMENT. LOCAL COMMANDS SHALL DOCUMENT THE USE OF
THIS AUTHORITY. THE DEFENSE CIVILIAN PERSONNEL DATA SYSTEM (DCPDS)
WILL BE MODIFIED TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL DATA FOR PROGRAM EVALUATION.
SPECIFIC DATA MUST BE RETAINED BY THE ACTIVITIES TO BE INCLUDED AS A
PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED BY REF A UNTIL THE DCPDS
ACCOMMODATES THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS. EACH APPROVING OFFICIAL IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE USE OF THIS AUTHORITY IS DOCUMENTED.
12. THIS AUTHORITY MAY NOT BE EXERCISED ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES
OCCUPYING SCHEDULE C AND NON-CAREER POLITICAL SES POSITIONS.
DIRECT-HIRE LOCAL NATIONALS, WHO ARE EMPLOYED UNDER ANOTHER
COUNTRY'S CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM, ARE INELIGIBLE. DIRECT-HIRE LOCAL
NATIONAL EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PAYMENTS TO OBTAIN LICENSES AND
CREDENTIALS; HOWEVER, INDIRECT-HIRE LOCAL NATIONALS, WHO ARE
EMPLOYED UNDER ANOTHER COUNTRY'S CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM, ARE
INELIGIBLE. PAYMENT OF CERTIFICATION EXPENSES FOR A NAF EMPLOYEE
SHOULD BE MADE FROM THE FUNDS USED TO PAY OTHER BENEFITS TO THAT
EMPLOYEE.
13. PAYMENT FOR LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT
RENEWALS, MAY INCLUDE, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE ACTIVITY AND
COMMAND, SUCH ADDITIONAL EXPENSES AS DUES OR FEES. THE LICENSING
OR CERTIFYING AGENCY REQUIRES PREPARATION FEES FOR EXAMINATIONS,
REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL, AND PER DIEM COSTS. PAYMENT MAY NOT
INCLUDE EMPLOYEES' MEMBERSHIP FEES IN SOCIETIES OR ASSOCIATIONS.
14. PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE ON A REIMBURSABLE BASIS UPON SUCCESSFUL
RECEIPT OF THE CREDENTIAL. REIMBURSEMENT SHALL BE THROUGH THE
COMPLETION OF THE SF 1164. WHERE PREAPPROVAL IS REQUIRED BY THE
ACTIVITY, INTERNAL PROCEDURES FOR PRE-APPROVAL OF THE REIMBURSEMENT
WILL BE ISSUED BY THE ACTIVITY.
15. UNLESS PERMITTED BY LAW OR REGULATION, MINIMUM QUALIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS MAY NOT BE ESTABLISHED BASED UPON THE PRESENCE OR
ABSENCE OF A LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION.
16. LOCAL COMMANDS RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING FUNDING
SUPPORT, ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE PROGRAMS, AND
REPORTING PROGRAM DATA. IAW REF A THEY SHALL:
A. PLAN, PROGRAM, BUDGET, OPERATE, AND EVALUATE PROGRAMS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MARADMIN.
B. ESTABLISH A COST-EFFECTIVE TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE USING A
COMBINATION OF IN-HOUSE RESOURCES, OUTSOURCING, AND PARTNERSHIPS.
THIS INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD INCLUDE THE CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE
TRAINING THROUGH CLASSROOM SESSIONS, ADVANCED DISTRIBUTED LEARNING
INSTRUCTION, AND THROUGH ACTUAL WORK ASSIGNMENTS EMPLOYING VARIOUS
LEARNING STRATEGIES. THE CLD ADMINISTRATORS AND THE CCLD
COORDINATORS ARE SUGGESTED AS IN-HOUSE RESOURCES IN ESTABLISHING A
TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE.
C. INTEGRATE EMPLOYEE TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND DEVELOPMENT INTO
THEIR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS TO ENSURE ITS CONTRIBUTION TO
MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PERFORMANCE GOALS.
D. CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
E. ISSUE INTERNAL PROCEDURES THAT COMPLY WITH MERIT SYSTEM
PRINCIPLES.
17. THE HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICE CENTERS WILL ENSURE THAT TRAINING
DATA COLLECTED BY ACTIVITIES ARE PROCESSED AND RECONCILED IN THE
APPLICABLE HR DATABASE SYSTEMS AS REQUIRED. UTILIZING THE BELOW
REPORTING FORMAT. HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES CENTER (HRSC) WILL TRACK
THE DATA GATHERED FOR REPORTING PURPOSES IN THE MODERN DEFENSE
CIVILIAN PERSONNEL DATA SYSTEM:
A. (TITLE) CIVILIAN LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND RELATED EXPENSES
B. DATA ELEMENT
C. LICENSE/CERTIFICATE (NAME OF CREDENTIAL AS IT APPEARS ON THE
CERTIFICATE)
D. INITIAL ANNUAL/RENEWAL
E. COST OF LICENSE/CERTIFICATE (ADDITIONAL COSTS)
F. DATE PAID
G. AMOUNT PAID
H. TRAINING FOR CERTIFICATE/LICENSE
18. HQMC AND COUNCIL 240 SIGNED AN MOU EFFECTIVE 10 FEB 2004
COVERING MEMBERS OF THE CONSOLIDATED AFGE BARGAINING UNIT.
19. PROGRAMS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTERED UNDER THIS
MARADMIN MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH MERIT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES.
IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES FOR TRAINING AND
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES MUST BE DONE FAIRLY AND EQUITABLY, WITHOUT
REGARD TO POLITICAL AFFILIATION, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL
ORIGIN, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, STATUS AS A PARENT,
AGE, OR HANDICAPPING CONDITION.
20. COMMANDS SHALL TAKE NECESSARY ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS MARADMIN WITHIN 120 DAYS.