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PolicyAffects all reservists

Annual CBRN mask fit testing is now mandatory for all Marines

MARADMIN 384/26·August 21, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps has made annual CBRN mask fit and seal testing a mandatory requirement for every Marine, active and reserve. This comes from a chain of higher-level guidance that directed the services to resource and track this testing annually. If your unit already runs an Individual Protective Equipment Confidence Exercise (IPECE), that satisfies the requirement. If not, a negative pressure seal check is the minimum standard.

★ Affects all reservists: Every Marine must complete annual mask fit and seal testing each fiscal year, and it will be tracked in MCTIMS under a new training requirement called "Annual Mask Fit Training."

Who it affects

All Marines, SMCR, IMA, and active component. No exceptions by MOS or grade. Government civilians, contractors, and other authorized personnel attached to units are also covered under separate supply and equipment policies.

What you need to do

If you're a Marine:

  1. Complete annual mask fit and seal testing before the end of the fiscal year. If your unit ran an IPECE (CS chamber or open-air exposure) this year, you're already covered.
  2. If no IPECE was conducted, you need a negative pressure seal check using an M50 or M53A1 mask, following operator-level maintenance and sanitary procedures.
  3. Be clean shaven at the mask seal surface when testing. No exceptions during the actual fit test.

If you're a commander or NCOIC:

  1. By 31 August 2026, validate the "Annual Mask Fit Training" status for all assigned personnel in MCTIMS and update any records that are wrong.
  2. If you have untrained personnel after that date, an O-6 commander must submit a written compliance plan to the commanding general no later than 31 December 2026 (reserve component). That plan needs to address resource shortfalls, timelines, milestones, and how you'll fold this into routine training going forward.
  3. Report all completions in MCTIMS under the training requirement titled Annual Mask Fit Training. Statuses are: TRAINED, UNTRAINED, or FAILED.
  4. Use the Consolidated Storage Program (CSP) to source masks if your unit doesn't have them on-hand.

A FAILED status is assigned when a Marine doesn't meet the performance standard or when the previous annual period closed without completion. That's a readiness hit, so don't let it slide into the next FY.

Key dates

  • 31 August 2026: Commanders validate and update MCTIMS status for all personnel.
  • 31 December 2026: Reserve component O-6 commanders submit compliance plans to their commanding general for any untrained personnel.
  • End of FY (annually): All Marines must complete mask fit and seal testing each fiscal year going forward.

The official version

This guidance is in MARADMIN 384/26. Referenced orders include MCO 3400.3H (CBRN Defense Policy and Training), NAVMC 3500.18D (Marine Corps Common Skills T&R Manual), and MCO 1500.63A (Marine Corps Common Military Training Requirements). MARADMIN 352/26 covers related CBRN readiness reporting updates.

POC for questions: Andrew Smith (GS-14, HQMC PP&O CBRN Section Head) at andrew.p.smith.civ@usmc.mil / 703-545-9177, CWO5 Terry Gray at terry.gray@usmc.mil / 703-692-2576, or MGySgt Seth Densford at seth.densford@usmc.mil / 703-545-9177.

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 War Memorandum on Grooming Standards for Facial Hair (REF A)Reference

    This memo established the uniform grooming standards that require clean-shaven faces at the respirator seal surface and directed annual training to validate mask fit. It is the foundational authority for the grooming and mask-fit requirements in this MARADMIN.

  • Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Memorandum on Mask Training Implementation (REF B)Reference

    This memo denied exemptions to the annual mask training requirement and directed military departments to resource the minimum training, including a negative pressure seal check. It sets the floor for what counts as compliant training.

  • CBRND Policy and Training Order (MCO 3400.3H)Reference

    This order establishes the annual individual CBRN training and IPECE requirements for Marines, including donning, fit, seal verification, and reporting in MCTIMS. It is one of the primary authorities governing what training must be completed and how often.

  • Marine Corps Common Skills Training and Readiness Manual (NAVMC 3500.18D)Reference

    This T&R manual sets the individual training standards, performance criteria, and sustainment intervals for Marine Corps Common Skills. Completing an IPECE in accordance with this manual satisfies the annual mask fit requirement.

  • Management of Property in the Possession of the Marine Corps, Volume 13 (MCO 4400.201-V-13)Reference

    This order governs the management and issue of CBRN Individual Protective Equipment within the Consolidated Storage Program. Units without individual-issue CBRN gear rely on this policy to obtain an IPE training allotment.

  • M50 Mask Operator and Field Maintenance Technical Manual (TM 09204G/09205G-OI/1)Reference

    This technical manual covers operator-level use and maintenance of the M50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask. It defines the procedures for conducting a proper negative pressure seal check, which is the minimum training standard when IPECE is not available.

  • MARADMIN 352/26 - Interim Guidance for CBRND Readiness Reporting, Training, Equipping, and Exercise CertificationMARADMIN

    This earlier MARADMIN provides interim guidance on CBRN defense readiness reporting and training. It is directly referenced as related policy context for the mask fit testing requirements in this message.

  • Assistant Secretary of the Navy Memorandum on Annual CBRN Protective Mask Fit Training and Respiratory Protection Requirements (REF H)Reference

    This ASN memo establishes the Department of the Navy requirement for annual CBRN protective mask fit training and respiratory protection. It is one of the direct authorities requiring all Marines, active and reserve, to complete annual mask fit and seal testing.

  • Marine Corps Common Military Training Requirements (MCO 1500.63A)Reference

    This order establishes common military training requirements across the Marine Corps. Completing an IPECE in accordance with this order also satisfies the annual mask fit requirement directed by this MARADMIN.

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