Skip to content
HistoryToolsMCRAMMSign in
PolicyPolicy change

New approval step required to change civilian COMMSTRAT billets

MARADMIN 081/26·March 3, 2026·2 min read·Official source
Listen to this article3 min
0:00 / 3:25

The Marine Corps has centralized approval authority for any structural changes to civilian 1035-series billets, effective immediately. If your command wants to add, cut, reclassify, or adjust the grade of a civilian communication strategy position, you now need sign-off from the Director of Communication (DIRCOMM) at HQMC before the request goes anywhere else. This adds a new step on top of the existing Table of Organization and Equipment Change Request (TOECR) process.

Heads up: If your command is planning any structural change to a civilian 1035-series billet, HQMC DIRCOMM approval is now required first, before submission to Total Force Structure Division.

Who it affects

This applies to all Marine Corps commands, organizations, and installations, including Reserve commands, that are requesting a TOECR to create, delete, convert, or change the grade of a civilian 1035-series position. The 1035 series covers public affairs and communication strategy civilians.

Two things are explicitly excluded:

  • Hiring into an existing 1035-series billet (that process is unchanged)
  • TOECR actions that only change a billet description without affecting grade, clearances, or other administrative details

If you are not touching 1035-series civilian billets, this policy does not apply to you.

What you need to do

If your command is initiating a TOECR for a 1035-series civilian position, follow this sequence:

  1. Build your TOECR package, including the classified position description.
  2. Submit the package via Enterprise Task Management Software Solution (ETMS2) to the group USMC HQMC CD BUSOPS for staffing and review.
  3. CD Business Operations (BUSOPS) reviews the submission and makes a recommendation to DIRCOMM.
  4. DIRCOMM issues a decision memorandum back to your command via ETMS2.
  5. Only after receiving DIRCOMM approval do you continue routing the TOECR to Total Force Structure Division.

If a civilian hiring freeze is currently in effect, this process does not replace the requirement to get a waiver through separate channels. Both steps are required.

Key dates

  • Effective: Immediately (MARADMIN released 3 March 2026)
  • Expires: When incorporated into a Marine Corps Order (no date given)

The official version

See MARADMIN 081/26 for the full text. Referenced orders: Marine Corps Order 5311.1E (Total Force Structure Process) and Marine Corps Order 12250.3 (Civilian Human Resources Management in the USMC). POC is HQMC CD Business Operations at CD_Admin@usmc.mil or (703) 614-8010.

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.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • Secretary of the Navy Memorandum (7 Aug 2025)Reference

    This memo is the authority behind the entire MARADMIN policy. It directed the Marine Corps to establish centralized control over civilian 1035-series billet changes.

  • DIRCOMM Memo (12 Jan 2026)Reference

    This memo governs hiring into existing 1035-series structure, which is explicitly excluded from the TOECR requirements in this MARADMIN. Reservists involved in 1035-series hiring should be aware it exists as a separate governing document.

  • Total Force Structure Process order (MCO 5311.1E)Reference

    This Marine Corps Order outlines the standard TOECR requirements that commands must still follow in addition to the new DIRCOMM approval step established by this MARADMIN.

  • Civilian Human Resources Management order (MCO 12250.3)Reference

    This Marine Corps Order covers civilian HR management policy within the Marine Corps and provides broader context for how 1035-series position actions fit into the overall civilian workforce framework.

  • Department of the Navy Civilian Human Resources Manual (DON CHRM)Reference

    This DON-level manual governs civilian human resources policy across the Department of the Navy. It is one of the foundational documents this MARADMIN policy must remain consistent with.

policyleadership

Take it to drill

A one-page brief you can print or save. Built for SNCOs to brief their Marines.