R 101810Z APR 26 MARADMIN 170/26 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA// SUBJ/INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR COMMAND RESPONSE TO SERVICE MEMBERS ABSENT  FROM DUTY AND DETERMINATION OF VOLUNTARY VERSUS INVOLUNTARY  ABSENCE// REF/A/DOC/CMC/20110301// REF/B/DOC/10 U.S.C. 801-946A// REF/C/DOC/CMC/20090519// REF/D/DOC/MCTFSPRIUM// REF/E/DOC/CMC/20161103// REF/F/DOC/CMC/20210826//  REF/G/DOC/CMC/20000714// REF/H/DOC/DODFMR VOL 7A// REF/I/DOC/CMC/20210701// REF/J/DOC/CMC/20180122// REF/K/DOC/CMC/20250521// REF/L/DOC/CMC/20250307// NARR/REFERENCE (A) IS MCO 3040.4, THE MARINE CORPS CASUALTY  ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MARCORCASASTPRO) MANUAL. REFERENCE (B) IS THE  UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. REFERENCE (C) IS MCO 1050.3J,  REGULATIONS FOR LEAVE, LIBERTY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABSENCE.  REFERENCE (D) IS THE MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE SYSTEM PERSONNEL  REPORTING INSTRUCTION USERS MANUAL. REFERENCE (E) IS MCO 4400.201  W/CH 3 VOL 13, MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY IN THE POSSESSION OF THE  MARINE CORPS. REFERENCE (F) IS MCO 5800.16 W/CH1-7, LEGAL SUPPORT  AND ADMINISTRATION MANUAL (LSAM). REFERENCE (G) IS MCO P1070.12K  W/CH 1, THE MARINE CORPS INDIVIDUAL RECORDS ADMINISTRATION MANUAL  (IRAM). REFERENCE (H) IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FINANCIAL  MANAGEMENT REGULATION. REFERENCE (I) IS MCO 1751.3 W/CH 1, THE  MARINE CORPS DEPENDENCY DETERMINATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR  HOUSING AND TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE. REFERENCE (J) IS  MCO 11000.22 W/CH 1, THE MARINE CORPS BACHELOR AND FAMILY HOUSING  MANAGEMENT MANUAL. REFERENCE (K) IS MCO 5580.2B W/CH 3, THE MARINE  CORPS LAW ENFORCEMENT MANUAL. REFERENCE (L) IS MCO 1001R.1L W/CH 2,  THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT MANUAL  (MCRAMM).// POC/CHRISTOPHER W. MERTINS/MRA SECRETARIAT/TEL: 703-432-9176/  EMAIL:[email protected]// POC/JASON G. ATTEMA/GS-12/MFPC/TEL: 703-784-9512// POC/DESERTER INFORMATION POINT/MCICOM LE BRANCH/ TEL: 703-604-0395/ EMAIL:[email protected]// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN provides interim guidance  and a standardized response framework for commanders exercising  statutory command authority pursuant to Title 10, United States  Code, responding to service members who are absent from duty with  unknown whereabouts. This guidance establishes response timeframes,  requires safety and mental health risk consideration, and provides  a framework for determining whether an absence is voluntary or  involuntary. This guidance serves as an interim compensating control  until permanent service policy is established. 2. Governing principles and definitions. 2.a. Commanders will presume that a service member whose whereabouts  are unknown may be in potential danger until facts indicate  otherwise. 2.b. Response actions will consider safety risk, mental health risk,  self-harm risk, and personal circumstance factors. 2.b.1. An immediate and thorough inquiry is essential. An incorrect  determination can delay law enforcement investigations in a missing  persons case or cause undue hardship on dependents. 2.c. Voluntary Absence. A voluntary absence is one in which a  service member knowingly and intentionally fails to report for duty  or remains absent without authority.  2.d. Involuntary Absence. An involuntary absence is one in which a  service member is absent due to circumstances beyond their control,  including but not limited to foul play, accident, medical emergency,  or other calamity. Involuntary absences may be processed through  casualty reporting in accordance with reference (a). 2.e. The definitions of voluntary and involuntary absence used in  this MARADMIN are for the sole purpose of executing this policy.   They have no application to the definitions contained in reference  (b).   2.f. This guidance is intended to align with current and future  Department of War policies regarding response to service member  absences. 3. Execution. The process is divided into three phases: initial  response, preliminary inquiry and risk assessment, and status  determination. 3.a. Phase I – Initial response (initiate within 3 hours of  discovery). 3.a.1. Commanders will initiate accountability actions upon  discovery of absence, which includes but is not limited to making  reasonable attempts to contact the service member using available  contact methods, as well as checking with local police stations,  hospitals, clinics, behavioral health facilities, and any other  relevant agencies to see if the service member has sought  assistance, treatment, or is being held for any reason. 3.a.2. Commanders will presume potential safety risk during initial  response actions. 3.a.3. Commanders will notify the local chaplain(s) of the service  member’s absence. 3.a.4. Commanders will report the appropriate duty status using the  unit management status report (UMSR) module within Marine Online.   3.a.5. Commanders will notify the installation Provost Marshall  Office (PMO). PMO will conduct law enforcement actions in accordance  with reference (k) and applicable federal law enforcement standards. 3.b. Phase II – Preliminary inquiry and risk assessment (initiate  immediately, complete No Later Than (NLT) 24 hours after a service  member is discovered absent and their whereabouts remain unknown). 3.b.1. Commanders will appoint a preliminary inquiry officer to  collect available facts related to the absence. 3.b.2. Commanders will assess available information related to  safety threats, mental health risk indicators, self-harm risk,  recent stressors, and significant deviations from normal behavior. 3.b.3. Commanders should consult their staff judge advocate when  questions exist regarding search authority, privacy considerations,  or potential criminal misconduct. 3.c. Phase III – Status determination(NLT 48 hours after discovery). 3.c.1. Commanders should presume the absence to be involuntary  unless a preponderance of available evidence (more likely than not)  indicates voluntary absence. 3.c.2. Determinations may be made at any time when sufficient  information exists. 3.c.3. 48 hours represents an investigative and decision review  milestone and does not prevent earlier status determination when  warranted. 3.c.4. If evidence supports voluntary absence, the service member  may be reported as being in an Unauthorized Absence (UA) status and  processed in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and Marine  Corps administrative and reporting requirements. 3.c.5. If credible evidence indicates involuntary absence, or  evidence is insufficient to support voluntary absence, the service  member will be reported as Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN)  and processed in accordance with reference (a). 3.c.6. If information indicates potential self-harm risk and the  service member is not located, Commanders should strongly consider  DUSTWUN classification even if evidence otherwise supports voluntary  absence. 3.d. Follow-on actions. 3.d.1. Casualty actions will be executed in accordance with  reference (a). 3.d.2. Search and investigation efforts will continue until  resolution or a status change. 3.e. Data reporting. Commands will ensure accurate reporting of  absence status in Enterprise Manpower and Personnel Systems.  Accurate reporting supports service and Department of War  accountability requirements. 4. Administration and logistics. 4.a. This guidance applies to the total force. The response  framework described in this MARADMIN applies to service members  serving under active-duty orders or otherwise subject to continuous  Title 10 Command Authority. For service members performing inactive  duty (i.e.  IDT, IRR Muster, or other Reserve Component duty  statuses), Commanders will consult applicable reserve component  policy and guidance, including reference (l), to determine  appropriate action. 4.b. Commanders will ensure daily accountability reporting accuracy.  The UMSR module, within Marine Online, is the directed method of  reporting accountability in all cases supported by the application. 4.c. The Commander retains the authority to take appropriate  administrative or disciplinary action. 4.c.1.  All actions will be documented in the NAVMC 10132 (unit  punishment book), NAVMC 118(11) (administrative remarks), or as part  of a formal law enforcement investigation or other appropriate  administrative record, as appropriate. 5. Command and signal. 5.a. This MARADMIN is effective immediately. 5.b. This MARADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or  cancelled. 6. Release authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers,  Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//