The Marine Corps has released its annual guidance for the 2026 Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS). Any O-5 or O-6 slated commander, Commanding General, or Deputy Commandant with 50 or more personnel under their command is required to conduct the survey. The window runs August 1 through November 30, 2026, and this applies to the total force, including Reserve units.
Heads up: Survey administration must begin no later than October 31, 2026, and the designated administrator must complete a required JKO course before the survey opens.
Who it affects
Any O-5 or O-6 commander, Commanding General, or Deputy Commandant with 50 or more personnel. That includes SMCR commanding officers who meet that threshold. The survey itself is for all hands, both military and Department of War civilian personnel.
What you need to do
If you are a commander covered by this requirement:
- Designate a survey administrator now.
- Have that administrator complete the JKO course
Prevention 004: "How to Conduct a Command Climate Assessment and Administer the Defense Organizational Climate Survey"(5 hours) before the survey opens. - Register on or after July 31, 2026 at the Defense Climate Portal (URL in the MARADMIN; see note below).
- Kick off survey administration no later than October 31, 2026.
- Provide dedicated time during working hours for all personnel to complete the survey.
One hard restriction: Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW) personnel at levels 3 through 5 cannot serve as DEOCS administrators.
For everyone else, this is awareness only. Know the survey is coming and be ready to participate when your commander opens it.
Note on the portal URL: The MARADMIN text includes the Defense Climate Portal address but it was broken across lines in transmission. Your designated administrator should search for the Defense Climate Portal Survey Resource Center at prevention.mil or contact the POC below to confirm the correct link.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2026 | Registration opens |
| August 1, 2026 | Survey window opens |
| October 31, 2026 | Latest date to begin administration |
| November 30, 2026 | Survey window closes |
The official version
This guidance comes from MARADMIN 225/26.
References are DoD Instruction 6400.11 Change 1 (DoD Integrated Primary Prevention Policy) and MCO 5354.1G Admin Change 1 (Marine Corps Prohibited Activities and Conduct Prevention and Response Policy).
For questions on administration, contact MPE Branch at MPE_EO@usmc.mil or 703-784-0581. For prevention-related questions, contact the IPPW at smb_hqmcprevention@usmc.mil or 703-432-9787.
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.