INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR COMMAND RESPONSE TO SERVICE MEMBERS ABSENT FROM DUTY AND DETERMINATION OF VOLUNTARY VERSUS INVOLUNTARY ABSENCE

R 101810Z APR 26
MARADMIN 170/26
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR COMMAND RESPONSE TO SERVICE MEMBERS ABSENT
FROM DUTY AND DETERMINATION OF VOLUNTARY VERSUS INVOLUNTARY
ABSENCE//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/20110301//
REF/B/DOC/10 U.S.C. 801-946A//
REF/C/DOC/CMC/20090519//
REF/D/DOC/MCTFSPRIUM//
REF/E/DOC/CMC/20161103//
REF/F/DOC/CMC/20210826//
REF/G/DOC/CMC/20000714//
REF/H/DOC/DODFMR VOL 7A//
REF/I/DOC/CMC/20210701//
REF/J/DOC/CMC/20180122//
REF/K/DOC/CMC/20250521//
REF/L/DOC/CMC/20250307//
NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS MCO 3040.4, THE MARINE CORPS CASUALTY
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MARCORCASASTPRO) MANUAL. REFERENCE (B) IS THE
UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. REFERENCE (C) IS MCO 1050.3J,
REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE.
REFERENCE (D) IS THE MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE SYSTEM PERSONNEL
REPORTING INSTRUCTION USERS MANUAL. REFERENCE (E) IS MCO 4400.201
W/CH 3 VOL 13, MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY IN THE POSSESSION OF THE
MARINE CORPS. REFERENCE (F) IS MCO 5800.16 W/CH1-7, LEGAL SUPPORT
AND ADMINISTRATION MANUAL (LSAM). REFERENCE (G) IS MCO P1070.12K
W/CH 1, THE MARINE CORPS INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION MANUAL
(IRAM). REFERENCE (H) IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT REGULATION. REFERENCE (I) IS MCO 1751.3 W/CH 1, THE
MARINE CORPS DEPENDENCY DETERMINATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR
HOUSING AND TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE. REFERENCE (J) IS
MCO 11000.22 W/CH 1, THE MARINE CORPS BACHELOR AND FAMILY HOUSING
MANAGEMENT MANUAL. REFERENCE (K) IS MCO 5580.2B W/CH 3, THE MARINE
CORPS LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL. REFERENCE (L) IS MCO 1001R.1L W/CH 2,
THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL
(MCRAMM).//
POC/CHRISTOPHER W. MERTINS/MRA SECRETARIAT/TEL: 703-432-9176/
EMAIL:[email protected]//
POC/JASON G. ATTEMA/GS-12/MFPC/TEL: 703-784-9512//
POC/DESERTER INFORMATION POINT/MCICOM LE BRANCH/ TEL: 703-604-0395/
EMAIL:[email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/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.//