DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
MARINE CORPS REPRESENTATIVE
U.S. NA VAL ACADEMY
107 :tv1ARYLAND AVENUE
ANNAPOLIS MD 21402-5044
IN REPLY REFER TO:
1000
SMR
15 Oct 15
From:
To:
Senior Marine Corps Representative, United States Naval
Academy
USNA Company Marine Mentors and Class of 2017
Subj:
1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
Ref:
(a) COMDTMIDNINST 1531.12C
(b) MCO 6100.13
(c) ALMAR 046/12
Encl:
(1) Leatherneck (LN) Attendance Waiver Form
1. Purpose. To inform the midshipmen of the Class of 2017 and
Marine mentors about USMC summer training, rules regarding
qualification and attendance, and its effect on Marine Corps
service selection.
2. Background. USMC summer training serves two functions.
The
first is to provide a meaningful evaluation data for the Marine
Service Assignment Board (MSAB) to ensure the best and most
qualified MIDN are selected for commission as Marine officers.
Second, USMC summer training exposes Midshipmen (MIDN) to the
Marine Corps through several immersive periods of instruction
aboard various Marine Corps training facilities.
The three USMC
summer training events are Leatherneck (LN), Leatherneck Lite
(LN-lite), and MAGTF. If you do not attend LN or MAGTF you will
not be considered for USMC service assignment.
3. Leatherneck (LN).
Per reference (a), USNA graduates seeking
a Marine commission must attend LN summer training during the
summer prior to their senior year. LN is offered during blocks
I and II of the summer training period.
a.
In addition to the primary block of instruction (I or
II) , all MIDN attending LN will be required to attend block 0
events aboard USNA. Block o consists of classroom periods of
instruction, equipment inspections, and graded physical events.
b. Block I and II training will be conducted aboard Marine
Corps Base, Quantico, VA.
The period of instruction consists of
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
physical training, formal classes and field exercises
culminating with MIDN leading squad level offensive and
defensive operations.
c. Physical Fitness Requirements.
In order to attend LN,
MIDN must have a current score of 225 on a USMC Physical Fitness
Test (PFT) per reference (b) prior to ship date.
For the
purposes of summer training, "current" is defined as any time
between Academic Year 16 reform and the MIDN's shipping date.
(1) Company Mentor PFT requirement. Every effort should
be made by Company mentors and MIDN to achieve a PFT score of
225 before the Midshipmen Information System (MIDS) summer
training module becomes available. Any USNA Marine can monitor
a midshipman PFT.
The expectation is that Company mentors will
administer at least two PFTs for their company prior to the MIDS
summer training module closing. Coordination between mentors to
allow additional times for MIDN to execute PFTs is highly
encouraged.
(2) Female PFT Standards. Per reference (c), female
MIDN may perform either flexed-arm-hang or pull-ups for score.
(3) Verify Marine Recruiting and Service Assignment
Tracking System (MARSATs) Data. Prior to summer training
execution, company mentors are responsible for the entry of PFT
scores into MARSATs. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of
the MIDN to verify that the data is entered has been entered by
the deadline. MIDN can check the status of any data entered
into MARSATs at the following link (only available on the USNA
grounds) :
https://intranet.usna.edu/Marines/midn/
(4) MIDN on Limited/Light Duty. MIDN who are unable to
complete a proctored PFT prior to the MIDS summer training
module closing will run the PFT for score when they are
physically capable, as determined by appropriate medical
personnel.
(a) Company mentors are encouraged to maintain
regular contact with MIDN who are on light or limited duty in
order to maintain cognizance of their status.
(b) Forcing or encouraging a MIDN to perform
physical activities forbidden in their medical chit is not
authorized.
2
Subj: l/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
(c) MIDN on light or limited duty should only submit
for Leatherneck in the MIDS summer training module if a full
recovery before summer training is expected.
If recovery is not
expected prior to the final block shipping date, mentors should
submit a LN attendance waiver as described in paragraph 4.
(5) Varsity Athletes. MIDN who are varsity athletes
will still need to score a 225 on the PFT in order to attend LN.
(a)
Mentors should make every attempt to ensure
that the conduct of the PFT occurs outside of the athlete's
competition season.
(b)
MIDN who participate multiple sports or in
sports with unusually long competition seasons may not get a
chance to take a PFT outside of their season.
If this is the
case, the Company mentor will coordinate with the USNA senior
mentor and LN staff in order to waive the PFT shipping
requirement.
(6) MIDN Studying Abroad. MIDN who plan to study abroad
in the second semester of their 2/C year should make every
effort to run the PFT prior to departure abroad.
(7) Students From Other Service Academies.
Students
from other service academies who wish to attend USMC summer
training will coordinate taking a USMC PFT with their academy
USMC Liaison.
The USMC Liaison will coordinate directly with
the senior mentor in order to create a MARSATs profile and enter
scores for the student(s).
(8) Failure to Achieve a 225 PFT.
Upon closing of the
MIDS summer training module, Company mentors and the LN staff
will begin to validate the attendance roster.
(a) MIDN who fail to run a PFT prior to the close of
the MIDS summer training module without a valid excuse (outlined
above) will be dropped from the LN roster.
(b) MIDN who executed the PFT but failed to achieve
the 225 standard will be maintained on the LN attendance roster.
An attendance spot will be reserved as long as the Company
mentor feels that significant progress is being made towards
achieving the standard.
(c) If the MIDN does not achieve the standard prior
to shipping date, he or she will be dropped from the LN roster.
3
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
d. Missing Part of LN. Missing portions of LN will be
considered on a case-by-case basis for the following reasons:
(1) Block O Partial or Non-Attendance. Block O is a
prerequisite for LN participation. For exceptional
circumstances, attendance of Block O may be waived by the LN
staff on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Company
mentor.
(2) Late Joins.
In rare cases, such as participation in
sports championships, midshipmen may be unable to report to LN
on zero day of Block II (the latest block) . Late join requests
must be submitted well in advance and closely coordinated
between the Company Mentor and LN staff.
The requests MUST
include a mutually agreed upon "report-no-later-than" determined
by the LN Staff and the Company mentor. The primary concern for
late-joins is a lack of valuable evaluation time by the LN staff
and the building-block approach to training.
If a late join
will leave not enough meaningful contact between the staff
platoon commander and the MIDN, a waiver to attend Block III
MAGTF in lieu of LN should be considered.
(3) Early Excusals. Early excusals from the LN period
of instruction for personal events should be rare. The first
course of action for any known conflict should be to attend LN
during a block outside of the event. The MIDN should work
closely with their Company mentor in order to resolve any
potential conflicts well in advance.
Consideration will only be
given to once-in-a-lifetime occasions (e.g. wedding involving
immediate family occurring during BOTH blocks of LN etc).
1
e. Alternatives to LN.
In extenuating circumstances 1 there
may be instances where a MIDN cannot attend LN. Because of
increasing interest among MIDN seeking a Marine commission 1 LN
is now offered during two different summer training blocks. As
such 1 situations preventing LN attendance should be extremely
rare.
If a MIDN cannot attend LN for a valid reason, Company
mentors and MIDN must work together to submit a LN attendance
waiver as described in paragraph 4.
In lieu of LN 1 MIDN with an
approved attendance waiver will attend the following summer
training:
(1) Leatherneck Lite. LN-Lite will be conducted during
Block O USNA training and consists of nine training days aboard
Marine Corps Base 1 Quantico 1 VA. The period of instruction
consists of physical training 1 formal classes and field
exercises culminating with basic fire-team level attacks.
4
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
(2) Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) . MAGTF will be
conducted during blocks I, II and III of the USNA summer
training cycle. The MAGTF program is designed to expose MIDN to
ground, aviation and logistics combat units. MIDN will be fully
immersed with the gaining unit(s) and will participate in the
unit(s) day-to-day training.
It is quite possible that a MIDN
might have attended MAGTF during his or her 3/C or 2/C summer
training. Only summer training during a MIDN's·l/C summer
training will be considered by the MSAB.
4. Leatherneck Waivers.
For the purpose of this instruction,
LN non-attendance falls into two categories: Official Exemptions
and Elective Activities. LN non-attendance must be properly
documented and maintained using Enclosure (1), entered
electronically through MaRSATs.
Company Mentors will brief a
midshipman's non-attendance to the MSAB.
a. Official Exemptions. The MSAB should not consider an
Official Exemption from LN.as a detractor from a midshipmen's
overall record. The following are authorized official
exemptions:
(1) NAAA Restrictions
(a) Championship season events taking place during
both Leatherneck blocks.
(b) Varsity Football players.
(2) Mandatory Block I & II summer school.
(3) Injuries. Medically documented injuries or
surgeries can potentially make a MIDN incapable of safely
handling the physical rigor of LN.
Company mentors need to work
closely with the MIDN and medical personnel in order to
determine whether or not a MIDN can handle LN without risk of
re-aggravating an injury.
(4) Elective Activity. Any elective activity (as
outlined below) can be approved as an official exemption by the
Senior Marine via Senior Company Mentor.
b. Elective activities are summer activities that may
conflict with the two scheduled blocks of LN.
5
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
(1) These activities include, but are not limited to:
(a) Language Studies Abroad Programs (LSAP)
(b) Language Regional Expertise Culture (LREC)
(c) Soaring
(d) Alliance Linking Leaders in Education and the
Services (ALLIES)
(e) Internships
(f) SEAL/EOD Cruises
(g) Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) surgery.
Because of the recovery time requirement, every effort should be
made to schedule PRK procedures to allow for recovery time prior
to LN. MIDN will be outside for a majority of the training
period and will encounter several water obstacles throughout.
As such, PRK should be completed no later than 60 days prior to
the desired LN shipping date.
(2) MAGTF for Elective Activity.
For MSAB purposes,
attendance of MAGTF in lieu of LN due to an elective activity is
not equal to LN attendance. Given two identical records, a MIDN
who attends LN will be chosen ahead of a MIDN who attends MAGTF
due to an elective activity.
(3) MIDN responsibility.
It is critical that all MIDN
are aware of the risk they incur in choosing to attend an
elective activity over LN. Additionally, it is imperative for
MIDN to follow up with their Company Mentors if a waiver was
required to be submitted and identify if their waiver was
approved/disapproved.
c. Waiver Deadlines. MIDN must discuss with their Company
Mentors the implications of LN non-attendance before being
nominated for MAGTF. The initial MAGTF nomination window will
close at 1200 on the day the MIDS summer training module closes.
Mentors will have the ability to nominate additional Midshipmen
to MAGTF in the future.
This initial window captures a 90%
solution for the Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs) to commence
their sponsorship planning.
d. Waiver Process Flow.
Every effort should be made to
enter waivers electronically through MARSATs.
6
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
(1) To generate a waiver, log in to MARSATs and locate
the MIDN via your company roster or by entering their alpha
number in the search box.
(2) From the individual's information screen, select
"Create Waiver" from the menu on the left side and follow the
instructions.
(3) Upon the mentor creating the waiver, a copy will be
sent to the individual MIDN for their input.
(4) Upon completion by the MIDN, a copy is sent to the
Company mentor for input.
(5) Upon completion by the Company mentor, a copy is
sent to the Senior Marine for approval. The Senior Marine will
indicate whether the attendance waiver will or will not detract
from their record on the MSAB.
(6) In the rare event that MARSATs is unavailable, hard
copies of Enclosure (1) will be permitted on a case-by-case
basis.
(7) In the event of an emergency where the MIDN is
unable to complete their portion of the MARSATs entry, contact
the Company mentors should contact the Senior Mentor.
5. Evaluations. Completion of a USMC summer program requires a
final evaluation from that program (LN, LN-Lite, or MAGTF) .
Ultimately, each MIDN is responsible for ensuring that they have
a final evaluation in MARSATs before the MSAB meets.
6. Official Photograph. MIDN have from the publication of this
message until the AY17 MSAB convenes (after AY17 reform) to have
an official photo taken at the USNA photo lab.
a. The lab conducts full-length photos on Wednesdays from
1300-1600 by appointment. The lab is open year-round with the
exception of school holidays and during inclement weather.
b. Call 3-3572 to make an appointment and mention that you
are requesting a "Leatherneck" photo.
c. Uniform for the photo will be Navy Working Uniform (NWU)
with blouse and cover removed.
d.
Priority for appointments at the lab goes to active duty
7
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
personnel on the yard. MIDN must remain flexible and be aware
that their appointment might get moved in the case of a
conflict. As a result, it is highly encouraged that MIDN get
this requirement done as early as possible. Given the long lead
time, waiting until the last minute will likely result in a
failure to comply and will be briefed accordingly during the
MSAB.
7. POCs. Refer specific questions to the following personnel.
Phone numbers use a (410) 29#-#### prefix for those not on the
academy grounds.
S-3 Operations
Summer Training
LN-1 OIC
LN-2 OIC
LN-Lite OIC
MAGTF OIC
Senior Mentor
MARSATs Admin
Maj Beatty
Capt Day
Maj Crespin
Maj Barnes
Maj Bohne
Maj Lavallee
Maj Pepin
Maj Pepin
8
3-6890
3-1905
3-6141
3-6820
3-6141
3-6126
3-5251
3-5251
beatty@usna.edu
day@usna.edu
crespin@usna.edu
rbarnes@usna.edu
bohne@usna.edu
lavallee@usna.edu
pepin@usna.edu
pepin@usna.edu
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
(Date)
MEMORANDUM
From:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Last Name)
(First Name)
(MI)
(Alpha)
(Company)
To:
Via:
Senior Marine Corps Representative, United States Naval Academy
Marine Company Mentor
Subj:
REQUEST TO ATTEND MAGTF/LEATHERNECK LITE IN LIEU OF LEATHERNECK
Ref:
(a) COMDTMIDNINST 1531.12C
(b) 1/C USMC Summer Training Guidance for 2016
1. In accordance with the reference (a), Naval Academy midshipmen are
required to attend Leatherneck in order to be commissioned into the
Marine Corps.
2. I certify that I have been counseled by my Marine Company Mentor
concerning the following. (Initial each statement).
a. I have fully read and understand reference (b).
b. MAGTF in lieu of Leatherneck for approved Elective Activities
may make my record less competitive at the MSAB, thereby reducing my
chances of being selected for a Marine Corps commission.
c. Final approval/disapproval of this request is at the discretion
of the Senior Marine Corps Representative.
d. I will receive a copy of the completed request with the Senior
Marine Corps Representative's decision and signature.
3. I request to attend MAGTF /Leatherneck Lite (circle one) in lieu
of Leatherneck for the following reason(s):
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED: YES NO
(Midshipman Signature and Date)
Enclosure (1)
Subj: 1/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
FIRST ENDORSEMENT
From: Company Mentor
To:
Senior Marine Corps Representative, United States Naval Academy
1. Forwarded recommending approval / disapproval (circle one).
2. If subject named midshipman is authorized to attend
MAGTF/Leatherneck Lite in lieu of Leatherneck, I recommend that MAGTF
attendance is / is not (circle one) considered a detractor from the
SNM's overall record at the MSAB.
3. Justification and amplifying remarks:
(Signature and Date)
(Print Name and Rank)
2
Enclosure (1)
Subj: l/C USMC SUMMER TRAINING GUIDANCE FOR SUMMER 2016
FINAL AUTHORIZATION
From: Senior Marine Corps Representative, United States Naval Academy
To:
Subject Named Midshipman
1. You are I are not (circle one) authorized to attend MAGTF
Leatherneck Lite (circle one) in lieu of Leatherneck.
I
2. For MSAB purposes, MAGTF/Leatherneck Lite attendance will I will
not (circle one) detract from your record at the MSAB if you decide to
pursue a United States Marine Corps commission.
Additional comments:
(Signature and Date)
Col J. M. Aytes, USMC
Senior Marine Corps Representative
United States Naval Academy
3
Enclosure (1)