Findings, Opinions, Recommendations, and Report Format - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The investigating officer (IO) builds the investigation report per JAGINST 5800.7GJAGINST 5800.7G Chapter II section 0208 (Investigation Report Format). The legal advisor reviews the report for sufficiency before convening authority (CA) action. The CA endorses the report per JAGMAN section 0223 (Action by Reviewing Authorities). The S-1 officer signs by direction on the report routing. The S-1 chief tracks the report against the convening order suspense.

Source documents flow from the convening order per JAGMAN 0206, the witness statements and evidence per JAGMAN 0207, the IO investigative work, the Findings of Fact derived from the evidence, the Opinions drawn from the Findings, and the Recommendations driven by the Opinions. Report outputs include the certified investigation report per JAGMAN 0208 (Command Investigation Report per Appendix A-2-f or Litigation-Report Investigation per Appendix A-2-h), the legal sufficiency review, the CA endorsement, and the case file retained per the applicable section (0209.h for Type One, 0210 for Type Two, 0211 for Type Three).

Per JAGMAN section 0208.a (General), the report uses the standard format applicable across investigation types. Per section 0208.c (Preliminary Statement), the IO opens with scope, authority, and method. Per section 0208.d (Findings of Fact), the IO states the facts found from the evidence. Per section 0208.e (Opinions), the IO draws conclusions from the Findings. Per section 0208.f (Recommendations), the IO recommends action. Per section 0208.g (Enclosures), the report attaches the supporting evidence. Per section 0208.h (Signatures), the IO signs the report.

Trigger events

• Investigation field work complete and IO ready to draft.
• Legal advisor brief delivered prior to report submission.
• Report draft circulating among legal advisor, CA, and IO.
• Report returned by CA for further work.
• Report ready for CA endorsement per JAGMAN 0223.

Processing workflow

1. Apply the general report format. Per JAGINST 5800.7GJAGINST 5800.7G Chapter II section 0208.a (General), the report uses the standard structure. Use Appendix A-2-f for Type One Command Investigation or Appendix A-2-h for Type Two Litigation-Report.
2. Apply classification. Per JAGMAN section 0208.b (Classification), classify per the content. Most reports are unclassified or FOUO. Classified reports follow the security order.
3. Draft the Preliminary Statement. Per JAGMAN section 0208.c (Preliminary Statement), open with the authority for the investigation (convening order reference), the scope, the method used, and any procedural notes (extensions, party rights advisements, witness limitations).
4. Draft Findings of Fact. Per JAGMAN section 0208.d (Findings of Fact), state every fact found from the evidence in numbered paragraphs. Each finding cites the supporting enclosure (witness statement, document, photograph) in parentheses at the end of the finding.
5. Draft Opinions. Per JAGMAN section 0208.e (Opinions), draw conclusions from the Findings. Each opinion cites the supporting findings by number. Keep opinions distinct from findings.
6. Draft Recommendations. Per JAGMAN section 0208.f (Recommendations), recommend specific actions per the matter (administrative separation, FITREP entry, Page 11, policy change, training, equipment update, no further action).
7. Build the Enclosures list. Per JAGMAN section 0208.g (Enclosures), list every enclosure (convening order, witness statements, evidence log, photographs, medical records, prior investigations) with the numbered designator used in the Findings.
8. Apply the Signatures section. Per JAGMAN section 0208.h (Signatures), the IO signs the report. The signature certifies the report and triggers the routing.
9. Route through legal sufficiency review. The legal advisor reviews for compliance with JAGMAN 0207 (evidence), 0208 (format), and any type-specific section. The legal advisor recommends corrections or approves.
10. Submit to the convening authority for action. Per JAGMAN section 0223 (Action by Reviewing Authorities), the CA endorses with approval, modification, return for further work, or rejection.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• IO Working File. Holds the report draft and supporting evidence.
• Legal Sufficiency Review File. Holds the legal advisor review.
• Convening Authority Legal Records. Holds the certified report per MCO 5800.16 Volume 1.
• OMPF Field Folder. Holds personnel record cross-references.

Forms

• Investigation Report. Per JAGMAN 0208 with Appendix A-2-f or A-2-h template.
• Preliminary Statement Block. Per JAGMAN 0208.c.
• Findings of Fact Numbered List. Per JAGMAN 0208.d.
• Opinions Numbered List. Per JAGMAN 0208.e.
• Recommendations Numbered List. Per JAGMAN 0208.f.
• Enclosures List. Per JAGMAN 0208.g.
• IO Signature Block. Per JAGMAN 0208.h.

Common pitfalls

• Findings and Opinions mixed in the same section. Per JAGINST 5800.7GJAGINST 5800.7G Chapter II section 0208.d versus 0208.e, the two sections separate. Mixing them confuses the CA review and leaves the legal sufficiency review unclear.
• Findings without supporting enclosure cites. Per JAGMAN section 0208.d, each finding cites the supporting evidence. A non-cited finding breaks the evidentiary chain.
• Opinions without supporting Findings. Per JAGMAN section 0208.e, each opinion ties to specific Findings by number. Opinions without Findings support look like speculation.
• Recommendations not actionable. Per JAGMAN section 0208.f, recommendations are specific and actionable. Vague recommendations (consider, evaluate, review) without specifics leave the CA without a clear path.
• Enclosures list incomplete. Per JAGMAN section 0208.g, every cited enclosure appears in the list. A missed listing breaks the cross-reference.
• IO signature omitted. Per JAGMAN section 0208.h, the IO signs the report. An unsigned report does not certify and routes back for completion.

Decision points

• Report classification. Per JAGINST 5800.7GJAGINST 5800.7G Chapter II section 0208.b, the content drives classification. Most reports are unclassified or FOUO. Classified information triggers the security order routing.
• Recommendation scope. Per JAGMAN section 0208.f, recommendations cover administrative actions (Page 11, FITREP, administrative separation referral), corrective actions (training, equipment, policy), or no further action. The IO matches recommendation to the Findings and Opinions.
• Enclosure pagination versus separate file. Per JAGMAN section 0208.g, enclosures attach to the report. Large evidence files (photo logs, video, body-worn camera) reference by exhibit number with separate file storage.

Authority

This sub-page sits under JAGINST 5800.7GJAGINST 5800.7G Chapter II section 0208 (Investigation Report Format) including subsections a (General), b (Classification), c (Preliminary statement), d (Findings of fact), e (Opinions), f (Recommendations), g (Enclosures), and h (Signatures). Appendix A-2-f provides the Type One sample report. Appendix A-2-h provides the Type Two sample report. JAGMAN section 0207 cross-references evidence rules. JAGMAN section 0223 sets review authority action. MCO 5800.16MCO 5800.16 Volume 1 supplements at the Marine Corps level. S-1 responsibilities sit at MCO 5000.14DMCO 5000.14D MCAP enclosure 4. The processing workflow maps to NAVMC 3500.3E T-R event 0102-GENA-1012.

Related references

• JAGMAN section 0208 and subsections a-h. Authoritative report format rules.
• JAGMAN Appendices A-2-f and A-2-h. Sample reports.
• JAGMAN sections 0207 and 0223. Cross-cutting evidence and review rules.
• MCO 5800.16 Volume 1. Marine Corps legal administration.
• MCO 5000.14D MCAP enclosure 4. S-1 investigation responsibilities.
• NAVMC 3500.3E. T-R event 0102-GENA-1012.