2024 GENERAL OFFICERS, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS, AND SERGEANTS MAJOR PARTICIPATION IN MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALLS

MARADMINS : 473/24

R 042000Z OCT 24
MARADMIN 473/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2024 GENERAL OFFICERS, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS, AND
SERGEANTS MAJOR PARTICIPATION IN MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALLS//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/13MAY13//
REF/B/DOC/DON/10APR19//
REF/C/DOC/CMC/04AUG08//
REF/D/DOC/DOD/03APR19//
REF/E/DOC/DOD/15MAY24//
REF/F/DOC/DOD/01OCT24//
NARR/REF A IS CMC GREEN LETTER 2-13, SENIOR OFFICIAL SPOUSAL TRAVEL.
REF B IS SECNAVINST 5720.44C CH-2, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY PUBLIC
AFFAIRS POLICY AND REGULATIONS. REF C IS MCO 7040.11A, MARINE CORPS
BIRTHDAY BALL FUNDING. REF D IS DOD DIRECTIVE 4500.56, DOD POLICY ON
THE USE OF GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT AND AIR TRAVEL. REF E IS THE DOD
JOINT ETHICS REGULATION (JER). REF F IS THE JOINT TRAVEL
REGULATIONS.//
POC/D. HUGHES/MAJOR/DMCS OPSO/TEL: 703-614-2828/
E-MAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN provides guidance
regarding travel of Marine Corps general officers (GOs), senior
executives, sergeants major (SgtsMaj), and any other Marines serving
in an active-duty capacity, to act as the guest of honor (GOH) or
guest speaker for 2024 Marine Corps birthday ball celebrations per
the references. This MARADMIN does not apply to GOH or guest
speakers who are not employed by the government or are not serving
in an active-duty capacity.
2. Guidance. As responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, the
Marine Corps will minimize the use of government funds to support
travel expenses incurred by active-duty guests of honor or guest
speakers.
2.a. Commands, units, or organizations requesting active-duty GOHs
to attend Marine Corps birthday balls must demonstrate that local
GOs and/or SgtsMaj are unavailable to support the date specified.
2.b. Units are highly encouraged to consider leaders of local
veteran organizations and local retired community leaders as
additional GOH options to reduce costs and maintain our Marine for
Life commitment.
3. Approval. GOH travel outside the local area requires approval
and determination of mission criticality from the Director, Marine
Corps Staff (DMCS).
3.a. Requests for GOHs from units/organizations which fall within
the GOH's purview/command responsibilities (e.g., subordinate unit),
and/or at the traveler's own expense do not require separate
approval from DMCS.
3.b. Requests for GOHs to attend a ball at which an active-duty GO,
senior executive, or SgtMaj is already in attendance, or at which a
local GO, senior executive, or SgtMaj is available to attend as the
GOH, will not normally receive a favorable endorsement.
3.c. Stewardship of resources extends to the use of support staff
and transportation resources. As such, attendance approval for a
GOH at an outside ball authorizes travel for the attending GOH and
no other travelers. Requests for other travelers, to include aides,
will not be considered nor endorsed.
4. Funding. HQMC will not fund GOs, senior executives, SgtsMaj, or
any other Marine to travel to balls.
4.a. Per ref (c), GOH travel expenses (transportation, lodging,
meals, and incidentals) will be exclusively funded with appropriated
funds, from either the requesting unit's or the GOH's unit funds in
accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), reference (f).
4.b. Non-appropriated funds, including funds raised by the ball
committee or unit fundraising, shall not be used to pay for a GOH's
travel expenses.
5. Spousal travel. Government-funded spousal travel will not be
endorsed. GOHs are welcome to pay for their spouses travel and ball
ticket at their own expense.
6. Gifts.
6.a. Units shall consult with their local staff judge advocate prior
to presenting any gifts to a GOH/guest speaker as there have been
significant updates to the JER, reference (e).
6.b. Active-duty Marines who are authorized to serve as GOH/guest
speaker pursuant to DMCS approval are on official orders and
receiving travel entitlements in accordance with reference (f).
GOH/guest speaker will consult with their local staff judge advocate
prior to accepting any gifts or travel benefits to ensure compliance
with reference (e) and paragraphs 4.a.-4.b. above.
7. Requests. Requests for non-local, active-duty, GOHs to
participate in a ball should be routed directly to the DMCS POC
identified in this MARADMIN no later than 10 business days prior to
the date of event.
7.a. Requests will be in standard naval letter format and sent
directly, via e-mail, to the listed POC. Requests will address the
following:
7.a.1. Unit hosting ball.
7.a.2. Date & location of ball.
7.a.3. Identify if there are travel restrictions to and from ball
location.
7.a.4. Role of GO, senior executive, or SgtMaj at ball (e.g., GOH,
guest speaker, attendee, etc) and reason why they are exceptionally
unique to the hosting unit's ceremony.
7.a.5. Identify all active-duty GOs, senior executives, and SgtsMaj
in attendance, and all local GOs, senior executives, and SgtsMaj
available but not attending.
7.a.6. Estimated TAD costs (travel, per diem, and expenses), how
costs are to be funded.
7.a.7. Detailed travel itinerary beginning and ending at the GOH's
home station.
7.a.8. Anticipated number of attendees.
8. Cancellation. This MARADMIN is canceled 31 December 2024.
9. Release authorized by Lieutenant General Paul J. Rock, Jr.,
Director, Marine Corps Staff.//