Joint Directives - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The lead command DCP runs the joint directive process per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 4 paragraph 1 (Introduction). The S-1 officer at the lead command signs by direction on the routing through partner commands. The S-1 chief tracks coordination through preliminary (Chapter 4 paragraph 7) and final (Chapter 4 paragraph 8) phases. The signature authorities at each partner command sign per Chapter 4 paragraph 9 and 10. Every partner command's DCP indexes the joint directive on issuance.

Source documents flow from the policy or procedural area requiring multi-principal action, the partner command identification, the preliminary coordination feedback, the final coordination signatures, the SSIC assignment per Chapter 4 paragraph 2, and the applicability scope per Chapter 4 paragraph 3. Joint directive outputs include the signed joint directive with the multi-principal signature block per Chapter 4 paragraph 10, the checklist of effective joint directives per Chapter 4 paragraph 6, the DCP index entries at every partner command, and the joint cancellation when applicable per Chapter 4 paragraph 4.

Per MCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 4 paragraph 1 (Introduction), a joint directive carries the signatures of two or more principals (Marine Corps and one or more partner services or agencies). Per paragraph 3 (Applicability), the joint directive applies to all signing principals' commands. Per paragraph 9 (Signature Authority), every principal signs per their command's signature authority rules.

Trigger events

• Multi-command or multi-service policy or procedural area requires unified directive.
• Marine Corps and Navy area requires joint directive (e.g., naval-Marine joint policy).
• Marine Corps and another agency partnership requires formal directive.
• Existing joint directive expires or requires update.
• Cancellation of a joint directive routed for processing.
• Coordination breakdown identified during internal review.

Processing workflow

1. Validate joint directive applicability. Per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 4 paragraph 3 (Applicability of Joint Directives), confirm the directive covers all signing principals.
2. Apply SSIC and signature requirements. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 2 (SSIC and Signature Requirements), assign the SSIC and the multi-principal signature requirement.
3. Build the joint directive content. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 5 (Information Required for Joint Directives), structure the content with the joint applicability paragraphs.
4. Maintain the checklist of effective joint directives. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 6 (Checklist of Effective Directives), the lead DCP maintains a joint-specific checklist.
5. Run preliminary coordination. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 7 (Preliminary Coordination), the lead DCP circulates the draft for partner command review.
6. Run final coordination. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 8 (Final Coordination), the lead DCP circulates the final draft for partner command signature.
7. Apply signature authority. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 9 (Signature Authority), every principal signs per their command's signature authority delegation.
8. Apply two-or-more-principal format. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 10 (Format of a Directive Signed by Two or More Principals), the signature block accommodates every signing principal.
9. Process cancellation. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 4 (Canceling Joint Directives), the cancellation routes through every signing principal command.
10. Distribute the joint directive. Route through the lead DCP and each partner command's DCP per the distribution list.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• Lead command DCP. Runs the joint directive process.
• Partner command DCPs. Index the joint directive on signature.
• HQMC Directives Portal. Surfaces Marine Corps-signed joint directives.
• DON Directives Issuance System. Surfaces Navy and DON-level joint directives.
• Checklist of Effective Joint Directives. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 6.

Forms

• Joint Directive Draft Cover Sheet. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 1.
• Preliminary Coordination Memorandum. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 7.
• Final Coordination Memorandum. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 8.
• Joint Signature Page. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 10.
• Joint Directive Cancellation Memorandum. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 4.

Common pitfalls

• Preliminary coordination skipped or rushed. Per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 4 paragraph 7, the preliminary coordination identifies partner command objections early. Skipping the phase risks a stalled final coordination.
• Final coordination signature missing one principal. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 8, every principal signs. A missing signature voids the joint directive.
• Cancellation processed without partner concurrence. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 4, cancellation routes through every signing principal. Unilateral cancellation breaks the joint authority.
• SSIC assignment conflicts across partner commands. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 2, the SSIC is consistent across the signing partners. Reconcile at draft.
• Applicability paragraph excludes a signing principal command. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 3, the applicability covers every signing principal. Validate at draft.

Decision points

• Joint directive versus separate single-principal directives. Per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 4 paragraphs 1 and 3, when the same policy applies to multiple principals with coordinated implementation, the joint directive is the right path. Separate directives suit independent implementation.
• Lead command selection. The lead command runs the DCP process. The partner commands signal preliminary and final coordination.
• Cancellation routing path. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 4, cancellation requires joint action. The lead command drafts the cancellation memorandum and circulates for partner signatures.

Authority

This sub-page sits under MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 4 (Joint Directives) paragraphs 1-10. Chapter 1 paragraphs 6 (Authority to Issue) and 7 (Signature Delegation) set the signing authority framework cross-referenced by Chapter 4 paragraph 9. 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-1004.

Related references

• MCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 4 paragraphs 1-10. Authoritative joint directive rules.
• MCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 1 paragraphs 6-7. Authority to issue and signature delegation.
• MCO 5000.14D MCAP enclosure 4. S-1 directives responsibilities.
• NAVMC 3500.3E. T-R event 0102-GENA-1004.