Marine for Life Injured Support Program Announces Initial Operational Capability

1. THE MARINE CORPS HAS A LONG HISTORY OF CARING FOR
ITS FALLEN AND INJURED MARINES. AS WE ALL KNOW MANY MARINES HAVE
RECENTLY SUFFERED EXTREMELY SERIOUS COMBAT INJURIES DURING
OPERATIONS IN OEF/OIF. MANY OF THESE MARINES WOULD NOT HAVE
SURVIVED IN PREVIOUS WARS, HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF OUR MAGNIFICENT
MEDICAL CARE AND OUR ABILITY TO QUICKLY TREAT WOUNDED MARINES, THEY
ARE FORTUNATELY STILL WITH US. NEVERTHELESS, THEIR TRAUMA STILL HAS
POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING IMPACTS ON THEM, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR
FUTURE.
2. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GREAT CONCERN FOR OUR INJURED,
THERE HAS BEEN NO FORMAL PROGRAM WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS TO ADDRESS
THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS. WE HAVE RELIED UPON OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES TO
CARE FOR THEM AFTER THEY LEAVE THE CORPS. AFTER TALKING WITH MANY
OF THESE MARINES, THEIR FAMILIES, DOCTORS AND COMMANDERS, AND IN
CONJUNCTION WITH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH BY HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS,
THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS ESTABLISHED THE MARINE FOR
LIFE-INJURED SUPPORT (M4L-IS) PROGRAM. PER REF (A), THIS PROGRAM
WILL BE OUR DIRECT LINK TO INJURED MARINES, AS WELL AS SAILORS
INJURED WHILE SERVING WITH MARINES, AND THEIR FAMILIES. 
3. LEVERAGING THE ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORK AND STRENGTHS OF THE MARINE
FOR LIFE PROGRAM, THE M4L-IS PROGRAM WILL ASSIST OUR INJURED COMBAT
WOUNDED MARINES AND SAILORS. THE GOAL OF THE MARINE FOR LIFE
PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE NEEDS BASED INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT, AS NECESSARY,
FROM THE TIME OF INJURY THROUGH THE POST-DISCHARGE TRANSITION PERIOD
(UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY), UNTIL FULLY
INTEGRATED INTO THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) SYSTEM. 
4. PLANNED FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE ADVOCACY FOR MARINES,
SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS AND WITH EXTERNAL
AGENCIES; PRE- AND POST-SERVICE SEPARATION CASE ASSISTANCE;
COORDINATION WITH PHYSICAL EVALUATION BOARDS; EDUCATIONAL AND
INTERACTIVE WEB PAGES FOR DISABILITY/BENEFIT INFORMATION; AN
ENHANCED "ONE SOURCE" CAPABILITY FOR 24/7/365 DISABILITY RELATED
INFORMATION; FACILITATION/ASSISTANCE WITH EMPLOYMENT; COORDINATION
WITH VETERANS, PUBLIC, AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SUPPORT
TO OUR SERIOUSLY INJURED; IN COOPERATION AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, IMPROVE HANDLING OF MARINE AND NAVY
CASES; FACILITATE RETENTION OF SELECTED INJURED AND DISABLED MARINES
ON ACTIVE DUTY (REQUIRES CMC APPROVAL) AND IN COMBINATION WITH THE
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MILITARY SEVERELY INJURED JOINT
OPERATIONS CENTER, PROVIDE REFERRAL SERVICES FOR DISABILITY SPECIFIC
INFORMATION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
5. INJURED MARINES, ELIGIBLE SAILORS AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS
REQUIRING ASSISTANCE CAN CALL THE M4L-IS OFFICE AT (866) 645-8762,
EMAIL INJUREDSUPPORT@M4L.USMC.MIL, OR VISIT WWW.M4L.USMC.MIL. THE
DOD MILITARY SEVERELY INJURED JOINT SUPPORT OPERATIONS CENTER CAN BE
REACHED AT (888) 774-1361, 24 HOURS A DAY.
6. TASKS.
A. HQMC (M4L-IS):
(1) PROACTIVELY REACH OUT TO INJURED MARINES, ELIGIBLE SAILORS AND
THEIR FAMILIES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE M4L-IS PROGRAM AND
ASSISTANCE AS NEEDED. ACT AS SINGLE MARINE CORPS LOCATION TO
COORDINATE WITH AND MANAGE DISPARATE EXTERNAL/INTERNAL
INJURY/DISABILITY RELATED ORGANIZATIONS/ENTITIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE
CARE FOR THE INJURED MARINES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
(2) ASSIGN PATIENT ADVOCATE AND PROVIDE LIMITED CASE MANAGEMENT
OVERSIGHT FOR INDIVIDUALS TO RESOLVE AND PREVENT PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED
WITH SEAMS IN CARE TO INCLUDE FACILITATION OF PROPER TREATMENT,
REHABILITATION, MEDICAL BOARD PROCESSING, AND VETERANS
ADMINISTRATION IN-PROCESSING.
(3) PROVIDE FAMILY ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATED WITH INJURY/DISABILITY TO
INCLUDE PERTINENT INFORMATION, UNIFORMED SUPPORT, REFFERAL FOR
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, FAMILY COUNSELING AND REFERRAL, EDUCATION ON
DISABILITY PROCESSES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE FOR BENEFITS
CLAIMS.
(4) SERVE AS SINGLE MARINE CORPS POC FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO
LEGALLY FACILITATE INFORMATION FLOW BETWEEN THOSE WISHING TO HELP
AND THOSE NEEDING ASSISTANCE.
(5) PER REF (B), ASSIST WITH RETENTION OF SELECTED INJURED MARINES
ON ACTIVE DUTY. ANY INJURED MARINE DESIRING TO BE RETAINED ON
ACTIVE DUTY, IF AT ALL FEASIBLE, WILL BE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO
DO SO (REQUIRES CMC WAIVER). PASSING THE PFT IS NOT A REQUISITE FOR
RETENTION. THE MARINE MAY BE RETRAINED OR RECLASSIFIED, PERMANENTLY
ASSIGNED LIMITED DUTY, OR BE PLACED IN A PERMANENT NON-DEPLOYABLE
STATUS. 
(6) IN ADDITION TO DISABLED TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (DTAP)
SERVICES, PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTARY TRANSITION ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE
M4L NETWORK FOR DISABLED MARINES AND SPOUSES TO INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT
ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP, AND LOCAL RESOURCE
INFORMATION.
(7) PROVIDE POST-SEPARATION TRACKING, ASSISTANCE AND FOLLOW-UP (UP
TO ONE YEAR).
(8) OVERSEE TIMELY PROCESSING OF USMC PEB CASES.
(9) UPDATE/REFINE M4L WEBSITE TO INCLUDE PERTINENT
FEDERAL/STATE/LOCAL DISABILITY/VETERANS ADMINISTRATION/BENEFIT
INFORMATION.
(10) PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE UNDERSTANDABLE FACT SHEETS IN ENGLISH
AND SPANISH WITH IMPORTANT DISABILITY INFORMATION.
(11) PROVIDE DISABILITY FINANCIAL BENEFIT EDUCATION TO INCLUDE
INDIVIDUAL CASE/SITUATION ANALYSIS.
B. UNIT AND INSTALLATIONS COMMANDERS: 
(1) ASSIST IN DISSEMINATING M4L-IS PROGRAM INFORMATION TO INJURED
MARINES, ELIGIBLE SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
(2) PROVIDE UNIFORMED MARINES TO CONDUCT PERSONAL VISITS/FOLLOW-UPS
TO HOSPITALS/MTFS WITHIN 100 MILES OF YOUR DUTY STATIONS FOR SERIOUS
INJURY CASES.
(3) PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INJURED MARINES, ELIGIBLE SAILORS AND
FAMILIES ASSIGNED IN NEARBY FACILITIES AND LOCATIONS. REFER TO
M4L-IS FOR ASSISTANCE AS NECESSARY.
(4) PER REFS (C) AND (D), ENSURE TIMELY AND ACCURATE MEDICAL STATUS
AND CONDITION UPDATES ARE INPUTTED VIA INJURED/ILL PATIENT TRACKING
SYSTEM (IIPTS) ANY TIME AN INJURED MARINE IS RELEASED FROM OR
TRANSFERRED TO A MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY, PRIVATE MEDICAL CENTER
OR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL. THIS INFORMATION IS UPLOADED
FROM IIPTS TO THE HQMC INJURED SUPPORT CASE MANAGEMENT TRACKING
SYSTEM, AND IS ESSENTIAL IN PROVIDING ACCURATE AND USEABLE
INFORMATION FOR REAL-TIME CASE MANAGEMENT AND DATA COLLECTION. 
(5) IAW REF E, CONTINUE TIMELY AND ACCURATE CASUALTY REPORTING OF
SEVERLY INJURED MARINES TO CMC (MRPC) FACILITATING OPTIMUM VISIBILTY
THROUGHTOUT THE MARINE CORPS.
(6) COORDINATE WITH LOCAL TAP OR SERVICE TRANSITION OFFICE TO
ENSURE ALL INJURED MARINES SEPARATING RECEIVE REQUIRED
PRE-SEPSEPARATION COUNSELING, TAP WORKSHOP, VA BENEFITS BRIEFINGS
AND TAP/DTAP CLASSES.
C. COMMANDER, MARINE FORCES RESERVE:
(1) PER REF (C), MAINTAIN VISIBILITY ON CONVALESCING MARINES AND
ENSURE APPROPRIATE I-I/SITE COMMANDER IS INFORMED OF INJURED
MARINES' ASSIGNMENT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE AREA. PER REF (D), ENSURE
TIMELY AND ACCURATE MEDICAL STATUS AND CONDITION UPDATES ARE
INPUTTED VIA INJURED/ILL PATIENT TRACKING SYSTEM ANY TIME AN INJURED
MARINE'S STATUS OR TREATMENT LOCATION IS CHANGED. REFER TO M4L-IS
FOR ASSISTANCE AS NECESSARY.
(2) ENSURE APPROPRIATE I-I/SITE COMMANDER PROVIDES UNIFORMED
MARINES TO CONDUCT PERSONAL VISITS/FOLLOW-UPS ON SERIOUS INJURY
CASES LOCATED OUTSIDE OF 100 MILES OF A MARINE CORPS INSTALLATION.
REPORT RESULTS OF VISIT VIA EMAIL TO M4L-IS HQ. REFER INDIVIDUALS
REQUESTING/NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO M4L-IS STAFF PER CONTACT
INFORMATION IN PARAGRAPH 5. 
(3) IN CASES WHERE MARINES/SAILORS PENDING SEPARATION ARE TREATED AT
FACILITIES NOT ABOARD MILITARY INSTALLATIONS WITH IN-PLACE
DISABILITY TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (DTAP) BRIEFINGS PROVIDED,
ESTABLISH CONTACTS WITH NEAREST VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITALS
AND COORDINATE WITH CLOSEST TAP OR SERVICE TRANSITION OFFICE FOR
REQUIRED PRE-SEPARATION COUNSELING, TAP WORKSHOP, VA BENEFITS AND
DTAP BRIEFINGS TO INJURED MARINES AWAITING MEDICAL
RETIREMENT/DISCHARGE.
(4) ESTABLISH CONTACTS WITH PROXIMATE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
HOSPITALS TO ASSIST IN ADVOCACY/OVERSIGHT OF USMC/USN CASES.
COORDINATE WITH LOCAL TAP OR SERVICE TRANSITION OFFICE AND ENSURE
ALL INJURED MARINES SEPARATING RECEIVE REQUIRED PRE-SEPARATION
COUNSELING, TAP WORKSHOP, VA BENEFITS BRIEFINGS AND TAP/DTAP CLASSES.
7. POC FOR M4L IS ISSUES IS LTCOL J.R. SHAFER (703) 784-9140 EMAIL
JOHN.SHAFER@USMC.MIL.
8. POC FOR IIPTS INFORMATION CAPT KENNETH JONES (703) 784-9513 
EMAIL JONESKM@MANPOWER.USMC.MIL.
9. THIS MARADMIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.