Light Duty - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The medical officer issues the light duty recommendation per MCO 1900.16MCO 1900.16 Chapter 8 paragraph 8103 (Light Duty). The unit commander approves the light duty period and applies the duty restrictions per the medical officer chit. The S-1 chief tracks the light duty period and the re-evaluation gate. The S-1 officer signs by direction on the routing of the Page 11 documenting the light duty. The legal clerk and IPAC outbound counselor coordinate when light duty exceeds the threshold and routes to a LIMDU board. The medical treatment facility (MTF) supports the medical officer determination and the re-evaluation.

Source documents flow from the medical condition, the medical officer chit per Chapter 8 paragraph 8103, the recommended duration, the duty restrictions list (lifting limits, run/walk limits, fitness participation limits), the unit commander approval, the Page 11 entry per MCO P1070.12KMCO P1070.12K Chapter 6, and the re-evaluation appointment record. Light duty outputs include the approved light duty period, the documented duty restrictions, the Page 11 entry, the convalescent leave coordination when applicable, the re-evaluation appointment, and either the fit-for-full-duty return or the referral to the LIMDU board per paragraph 8104.

Per Chapter 8 paragraph 8103, light duty applies to short-duration medical conditions where the Marine cannot fully perform duties. Light duty does not require a LIMDU board. The medical officer's chit sets the scope and the duration. Standard light duty runs 30 days or less. Extensions beyond the threshold route through the LIMDU process per paragraph 8104.

Trigger events

• Medical officer issues light duty recommendation.
• Marine's medical condition cannot support a LIMDU board but limits full duty.
• Convalescent leave triggers coordinated light duty period.
• Light duty period nears the re-evaluation gate.
• Light duty extends past the 30-day threshold triggering LIMDU referral.
• Annual physical or sick call surfaces a new restriction.
• Fit-for-full-duty determination closes the light duty period.

Processing workflow

1. Receive the medical officer recommendation. The Marine reports the medical officer chit to the unit S-1 and to the chain of command.
2. Validate the recommended duration. Per MCO 1900.16MCO 1900.16 Chapter 8 paragraph 8103, light duty runs short-duration. Standard light duty is 30 days or less.
3. Brief the unit commander. The S-1 chief or the section chief briefs the commander on the duty restrictions, the period, and the re-evaluation gate.
4. Document on Page 11. Per MCO P1070.12KMCO P1070.12K Chapter 6, cut a Page 11 documenting the light duty period, the medical scope, the restrictions, and the re-evaluation date.
5. Apply duty restrictions. The unit applies the chit-driven restrictions (lifting limits, fitness participation, run/walk limits, deployment limits if relevant).
6. Track the re-evaluation gate. The S-1 chief tracks the appointment cycle for the re-evaluation.
7. Coordinate convalescent leave. Per Chapter 8 paragraph 8102 (LIMDU Purpose, cross-reference), the unit coordinates convalescent leave when the medical recommendation supports it.
8. Close light duty. On fit-for-full-duty return, the unit closes the light duty in MCTFS through UD-MIPS per MCTFSPRIUMMCTFSPRIUM and cuts a closing Page 11.
9. Refer to LIMDU on extension. If light duty extends past the threshold or the medical condition warrants a board, the MTF and the unit refer to LIMDU per paragraph 8104.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS). Holds duty status during light duty.
• Unit Diary System (UD-MIPS). Cuts duty status transactions per Appendix E.
• Medical Treatment Facility Records. Hold the medical officer chit.
• Unit Light Duty Roster. Local register tracking light duty Marines.

Forms

• Medical Officer Chit. Per Chapter 8 paragraph 8103.
• NAVMC 118 (11) Administrative Remarks. Page 11 documenting the light duty per MCO P1070.12K paragraph 4006.
• Fit-for-Full-Duty Return Memorandum. Local format documenting the return.
• Re-Evaluation Appointment Memorandum. Local format documenting the appointment.

Common pitfalls

• Page 11 omitted on light duty. Per MCO P1070.12KMCO P1070.12K Chapter 6, every duty status change records on Page 11.
• Light duty period extends past 30 days without LIMDU referral. Per Chapter 8 paragraph 8104, the LIMDU process applies past the light duty threshold.
• Duty restrictions not applied per the chit. The medical officer chit governs. Unit deviation breaks the medical recommendation.
• Re-evaluation gate missed. The Marine continues on light duty without medical follow-up.
• Convalescent leave not coordinated with light duty. The Marine returns to duty without the medical recovery support.
• Light duty closed without medical clearance. The fit-for-full-duty return requires the medical officer determination.

Decision points

• Light duty versus LIMDU. Per Chapter 8 paragraphs 8103 and 8104, the medical officer's expected recovery time drives the path. Short-duration runs through light duty. Longer-duration runs through LIMDU.
• Convalescent leave timing. The medical recommendation drives the leave timing. The unit coordinates with the chit.
• Re-evaluation appointment. The medical officer sets the appointment. The S-1 chief tracks.
• Extension versus closure. The medical officer recommends extension or fit-for-full-duty return at the re-evaluation.

Authority

This sub-page sits under MCO 1900.16MCO 1900.16 Chapter 8 paragraph 8101 (Limited Duty Section General) and paragraph 8103 (Light Duty). Paragraph 8110 (Limited Duty Responsibilities) cross-references the unit and the IPAC duties on tracking and re-evaluation. MCO P1070.12KMCO P1070.12K Chapter 6 covers Page 11 documentation. MCTFSPRIUMMCTFSPRIUM covers MCTFS transactions. DODI 1332.18 covers the parent DoD disability framework cross-referenced for cases extending past light duty.

Related references

• MCO 1900.16 Chapter 8 paragraph 8103. Light Duty rule.
• MCO 1900.16 Chapter 8 paragraph 8104. LIMDU Overview cross-reference for extensions.
• MCO P1070.12K paragraph 4006. Page 11 documentation.
• MCTFSPRIUM. MCTFS transactions.