Training Exceptions: Defer, Waive, Delinquent - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The commander signs every training exception decision. The unit training manager validates the basis for the exception and documents it in MCTIMS. The S-1 chief tracks the exception roster and reconciles against MCTIMS event history. The S-1 officer briefs CRP impact to the commander.

Source documents flow from the T-R event standard, the unit training plan, the Marine's training history, and the basis statement (logistics, prior experience, or sustainment lapse). Exception data lands in MCTIMS as part of the event record. Outputs include the documented exception, the CRP impact per Chapter 5, and the chain brief.

Three exception types live in MCO P3500.72AMCO P3500.72A paragraph 4006. Defer (paragraph 4006.1) is a temporary exemption for logistics. Waive (paragraph 4006.2) is commander judgment based on prior experience. Delinquent (paragraph 4006.3) is exceeded sustainment interval.

Trigger events

• Lack of logistical support, range, or training assets requires Defer (paragraph 4006.1).
• Marine arrives with prior experience supporting a Waive (paragraph 4006.2).
• Marine or unit exceeds sustainment interval triggering Delinquent status (paragraph 4006.3).
• Pre-deployment training cycle requires Defer or Waive decisions.
• Inbound Marine prior-service Waive evaluation.
• Quarterly review identifies Delinquent events.
• Range closure forces Defer on multiple units.

Processing workflow

1. Identify the exception type. Defer for logistics, Waive for prior experience, Delinquent for lapsed sustainment per MCO P3500.72AMCO P3500.72A paragraph 4006.
2. Validate the basis. Defer requires documented logistics shortage. Waive requires documented prior experience or related performance. Delinquent runs as a function of time per paragraph 4006.3.
3. Document in MCTIMS. Capture the exception, basis, and decision per MCO 1553.3CMCO 1553.3C paragraph 4.c.(5).
4. Apply CRP impact rules. Per MCO P3500.72AMCO P3500.72A paragraph 4006.1, Defer does NOT award CRP credit for E-coded events. Per paragraph 4006.2, Waive DOES reflect CRP credit for E-coded events. Per paragraph 4006.3, Delinquent drops CRP credit until re-demonstration.
5. For Defer, set a required completion date. Per paragraph 4006.1, training records highlight deferred events with the required completion date when available.
6. For Waive, capture the experience or performance basis. The commander documents the rationale per paragraph 4006.2.
7. For Delinquent, route prereq re-demonstration. Per paragraph 4006.3, the Marine performs all prereq events first. When the commander deems prereq performance unattainable, the delinquent event is re-demonstrated under the appropriate evaluator.
8. Brief the chain. The S-1 officer presents exception decisions and CRP impact to the commander.
9. Track exceptions. Maintain a unit exception roster on a fixed cycle.
10. Reconcile against MCTIMS event history. Cross-check the exception roster against MCTIMS each month.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• MCTIMS UTM Module. Holds exception records tied to T-R event entries.
• T-R Manual. Defines the standard against which exceptions are evaluated.
• Unit exception roster. Local register of all exceptions.

Forms

• Defer Memorandum. Local format documenting basis and required completion date.
• Waive Memorandum. Local format documenting prior experience and commander signature.
• Delinquent Tracking Sheet. Local format tracking lapsed events.

Common pitfalls

• Defer applied without documented logistics basis. The exception lacks justification. Document logistics shortage per MCO P3500.72AMCO P3500.72A paragraph 4006.1.
• Defer awarded based on lack of training assets only. Per paragraph 4006, commanders may NOT waive an event based on lack of logistical support or training assets. That is Defer territory only.
• Waive without commander signature. The exception sits without authority. Per paragraph 4006.2, the commander signs the Waive.
• Delinquent re-demonstration without prereqs. Per paragraph 4006.3, the Marine performs all prereqs first unless the commander deems prereq performance unattainable.
• CRP impact misapplied. Per paragraph 4006.1 and 4006.2, Defer does NOT award CRP credit for E-coded events while Waive DOES award credit. The unit training manager applies the right rule.

Decision points

• Defer versus Waive selection. Logistics drives Defer. Prior experience drives Waive. The commander decides per the basis.
• Prereq re-demonstration scope. The commander deems prereq performance unattainable for the delinquent event. Per MCO P3500.72AMCO P3500.72A paragraph 4006.3, re-demonstrate the delinquent event under the appropriate evaluator.
• Pre-deployment exception scope. The unit faces resource shortages before deployment. The commander documents Defers with required completion dates and routes Waives based on prior deployment experience.

Authority

This sub-page sits under MCO P3500.72AMCO P3500.72A paragraph 4006, which defines Defer (4006.1), Waive (4006.2), and Delinquent (4006.3) exceptions and their CRP impact rules. MCO 1553.3CMCO 1553.3C paragraph 4.c.(5) requires exception documentation in MCTIMS. NAVMC 3500.3ENAVMC 3500.3E T-R event 0170-OPER-2001 covers the 01XX training plan including exception management.

Related references

• MCO P3500.72A Marine Corps Ground Training and Readiness Program. Paragraph 4006 sets exception types and CRP impact.
• MCO 1553.3C Unit Training Management Program. Paragraph 4.c.(5) requires MCTIMS documentation.
• NAVMC 3500.3E Manpower and Administration T-R Manual. Event 0170-OPER-2001 covers exception management.