The Marine Corps just published standing guidance for what happens to property accountability when a civilian Responsible Officer (RO) is separated from their sub-custody equipment during a government shutdown or other interruption in government service. The existing order (MCO 4400.201) requires a new RO to be appointed within 60 days when the current one is unavailable. This MARADMIN spells out three options for covering that gap and adds a new standing requirement: every civilian RO needs a uniformed Responsible Individual (RI) appointed now, before any interruption happens.
Heads up: Commanding Officers with civilian ROs on their property books need to act before the next shutdown, not after.
Who it affects
Commanding Officers and Accountable Officers (CO/AO) who have appointed a civilian RO to a property sub-custody account. That includes both active and reserve commands with civilian employees holding equipment accountability. If your unit has no civilian ROs, this does not apply to you.
What you need to do
The action depends on where you are in the process.
Before any interruption (the standing requirement):
- Ensure every civilian RO on your books appoints a uniformed RI to their sub-custody account in writing. Do this now. This is the new baseline expectation.
If a shutdown has already started and your civilian RO is unavailable:
- Option 1: Appoint a new RO to conduct the required physical inventory.
- Option 2: If the civilian RO already delegated custodial responsibility to a uniformed RI before the shutdown, that RI can conduct the inventory in the RO's absence.
- Option 3 (extenuating circumstances only): If no RI was appointed before the shutdown, the CO/AO may appoint a uniformed RI after the fact. The appointment letter must reference MARADMIN 035/26 and terminates when the civilian RO returns.
Key dates
- Effective immediately. This MARADMIN stays in effect until canceled.
- The 60-day clock is the trigger: if a civilian RO is separated from their assets for more than 60 calendar days, a new RO must be appointed or an RI must be in place.
The official version
Source: MARADMIN 035/26
Governing order: MCO 4400.201, Management of Property in Possession of the Marine Corps.
POCs at HQMC I&L LPS-S: LtCol A. Glover at aaron.j.glover@usmc.mil / 571-256-7112, and Maj P. Kantner at paul.kantner@usmc.mil / 571-256-7111.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.