Leading marines study guide 2: promotion system

REGULAR PROMOTION

Commanders must decide whether a Marine can be expected to assume the responsibilities and perform the duties of the next higher grade in a creditable and satisfactory manner. For the grades private first class through sergeant, a Marine will not be promoted if, in the opinion of the commander, the Marine is not capable of performing satisfactorily in the higher grade, even though all other promotion requirements have been met. •Promotion to PFC A private who has served for 6 months on active duty (time in service or TIS), may be promoted to PFC, if the Marine's service has been satisfactory (as determined by the commander). •Promotion to LCPL A private first class who has 8 months time-in-grade (TIG) and 9 months time-in-service (TIS) and who is otherwise qualified for promotion, as determined by the commander, may be promoted to the grade of LCpl.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Conduct marks range from 0.0 to 5.0. The IRAM provides the following corresponding adjective rating to each range of marks. In addition, the IRAM provides standards of conduct that apply to each range.

CONDUCT FACTORS

In addition to observance of the letter of law and regulations, the following conduct factors should be considered when evaluating a Marine's conduct. •Conformance to customs •Positive contributions •General bearing •Attitude •Interest •Reliability •Courtesy •Cooperation •Obedience •Adaptability •Influence on others •Moral fitness •Physical fitness as affected by clean and temperate habits •Participation in unit activities not related directly to mission

MARKING OCCASIONS

Marine Corps Order P1070.12, or Individual Records Administration Manual (IRAM), establishes the occasions when proficiency and conduct marks are to be recorded. •At a minimum, proficiency and conduct marks are required to be recorded during the semi-annual evaluation periods ending 31 January and 31 July.

MERITORIOUS PROMOTION

Meritorious promotions are intended to promote Marines whose performance is superior to that of their peers, or to promote Marines for specific actions/superior achievement. •Minimum time-in-grade requirements are waived in the case of meritorious promotions. However, minimum time-in- service compliance is mandatory. •Determination of eligibility for meritorious promotion will be based on the performance of the Marine as reported in the meritorious recommendation and on the Marine's military record. Criteria for Meritorious Recommendations - Commanders, in their determination of qualifications for meritorious promotions, will be guided by, but are not limited to, the following: •Marines must have completed the required PME in grade. •Marine's performance of duty, in comparison with all known Marines of the same grade, without regard to MOS, must be to a significant degree superior to that of his/her peers. •Marine must have superior performance on unusual assignments that reflects favorably upon the Marine Corps. •Marine must not be in a promotion restriction status.

REGULAR PROMOTION TO NCO

Per MCO P1400.32, no Marine will be promoted to corporal or sergeant who has not positively demonstrated the potential, motivation, and maturity to satisfactorily discharge the duties of a small-unit leader. Therefore, the commander's decision on whether or not to promote is even more critical. Each Marine recommended for promotion must be worthy of the title "noncommissioned officer." •Promotion to Cpl A LCpl will be eligible for promotion if the Marine has 8 months TIG, 12 months TIS, and has completed the required professional military education (PME). An eligible LCpl can be promoted if they have a composite score that meets or exceeds the current cutting score for their MOS and if they have been recommended by their commander. •Promotion to Sgt A Cpl will be eligible for promotion if the Marine has 12 months TIG, 24 months TIS, and has completed the required professional military education (PME). An eligible Cpl can be promoted if they have a composite score that meets or exceeds the current cutting score for their MOS and if they have been recommended by their commander.

PURPOSE

Performance evaluation is a formal process of assessing an individual's past performance, depending on rank. Privates through corporals are evaluated using proficiency and conduct marks. Sergeants and above receive fitness reports. What is the purpose of proficiency and conduct marks? Proficiency and conduct marks are used: •To record a Marine's performance •To determine: -Eligibility for reenlistment and certain special duty assignments -Characterization of service upon discharge -Composite scores for promotions

STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY

Proficiency marks range from 0.0 to 5.0. The IRAM provides the following corresponding adjective rating to each range of marks. In addition, the IRAM provides standards of proficiency that apply to each range

PROFICIENCY CONSIDERATIONS

Proficiency marks should: •Indicate how well a Marine performed their primary duty. •Reflect their technical skills and specialized knowledge. •Consider when a Marine is filling a billet inconsistent with their grade

MINIMUM TIG & TIS, PROMOTION RESTRICTIONS

Promotion Restrictions Marines will not be promoted in numerous restriction categories including: •During the evaluation process, or while pending assignment or assigned to the Military Appearance Program or the Body Composition Program •After failure of a physical fitness test (PFT) or combat fitness test (CBT) restriction remains in effect until the Marine passes a PFT/CBT •Within 3 months of nonjudicial punishment

COMPOSITE SCORES & CUTTING SCORES

Promotion to corporal and sergeant is based on overall performance competition among Marines of the same grade and MOS. The overall performance of lance corporals and corporals is determined by composite score. The data elements used to determine an eligible Marine's composite score include: •Rifle score •PFT score •CFT score •Average proficiency mark •Average conduct mark •Time-in-grade (TIG) •Time-in-service (TIS) •Bonus points: - Special duty - Self-education - Command recruiting Quarterly, the Marine Corps automatically calculates the composite scores for those Marines who are eligible for promotion. Monthly, the Marine Corps publishes a cutting score by MOS for promotion to corporal and sergeant. The cutting score is used to control the number of promotions based on the Corps' need for corporals and sergeants.

OBJECTIVES, BASIC GOAL, AND TYPES

The Marine Corps promotion system provides a process whereby Marines within each grade and MOS compete among themselves for promotion to the next higher grade. Objectives: •To maintain the needed strength in each grade and MOS •To ensure all eligible Marines receive an equitable opportunity to compete for promotion •To ensure that only the best and fully qualified Marines are promoted Basic Goal: •To promote the best qualified Marines who are fully qualified to perform the duties and to assume the responsibilities of the next higher grade Types of Promotion: •Regular promotion •Meritorious promotion

PROFICIENCY ATTRIBUTES

When evaluating a Marine's proficiency, the "whole Marine concept" must be considered. The following attributes should be considered: •Mission accomplishment •Leadership •Intellect and wisdom •Individual character •Physical fitness •Personal appearance •Completion of: - Professional military education (PME) - MarineNet courses - Marine Corps Institute courses - Off-duty education