VWAP Unit Commander and VWAC - S-1 Procedural Page

Role and responsibility

The unit commander appoints the Victim Witness Assistance Coordinator (VWAC) in writing per MCO 5800.16MCO 5800.16 Chapter 4 paragraph 040902(C)(1) by name, title, duty address, and telephone number. The unit commander coordinates with the supporting Legal Services Support Team (LSST) prior to completing DD Form 2704 in cases of summary courts-martial where confinement is adjudged and approved per paragraph 040902(C)(3). The unit commander ensures the appointed VWAC conducts unit training so unit personnel know the identity of the VWAC and understand victim and witness rights per paragraph 040902(C)(5). The VWAC is an officer, SNCO, or civilian member of the commander's staff of appropriate experience, temperament, and rank per paragraph 040902(D)(1). The S-1 officer signs by direction on the routing of the VWAC appointment letter and the unit training records.

Source documents flow from the unit commander's identification of the VWAC candidate, the appointment letter per paragraph 040902(C)(1), the LSST coordination on summary courts-martial confinement per paragraph 040902(C)(3), the DD Form 2701 distribution data maintained by the VWAC per paragraph 040902(D)(4), the MF liaison record per paragraph 040902(D)(5), the pretrial confinement notification election per paragraph 040902(D)(7), the annual training materials per paragraph 040902(D)(8), and the unit training roster. Outputs include the signed VWAC appointment letter, the LSST coordination record, the DD Form 2701 quarterly report to the IVWLO, the MF coordination record, the pretrial confinement status notifications, the annual unit training completion, and the audit trail.

Per paragraph 040902(D)(4), the VWAC maintains data on the number of victims and witnesses receiving DD Form 2701 and reports the total to the Installation VWLO quarterly. Per paragraph 040902(D)(8), the VWAC obtains and distributes VWAP materials and provides VWAP training to unit members annually. The VWAC maintains a list of personnel who attended the annual training.

Trigger events

• Unit stand-up or new commander triggering VWAC appointment.
• Summary court-martial with adjudged and approved confinement triggering LSST coordination before DD Form 2704 completion.
• Victim election of pretrial confinement status notification triggering paragraph 040902(D)(7).
• New crime victim or witness identified at the unit level.
• Quarterly DD Form 2701 reporting cycle to the IVWLO.
• Annual unit VWAP training cycle.
• VWAC PCS or rotation triggering replacement appointment.
• IGMC VWAP FA inspection covers Unit Commanders (Section 08.0) and VWAC (Section 09.0).

Processing workflow

1. Appoint the VWAC. Per MCO 5800.16MCO 5800.16 Chapter 4 paragraph 040902(C)(1), the unit commander appoints the VWAC in writing by name, title, duty address, and telephone number.
2. Validate VWAC selection. Per paragraph 040902(D)(1), the VWAC is an officer, SNCO, or civilian member of the commander's staff of appropriate experience, temperament, and rank.
3. Coordinate with LSST on summary court-martial DD Form 2704. Per paragraph 040902(C)(3), in cases of summary courts-martial where confinement is adjudged and approved, the unit commander coordinates with the supporting LSST prior to completing the DD Form 2704.
4. Conduct unit VWAP training so personnel know the VWAC. Per paragraph 040902(C)(5), the commander ensures the VWAC conducts unit training so unit personnel know the identity of the VWAC and understand victim and witness rights.
5. Maintain DD Form 2701 distribution data. Per paragraph 040902(D)(4), the VWAC maintains data on the number of victims and witnesses receiving DD Form 2701.
6. Report DD Form 2701 totals to the IVWLO quarterly. Per paragraph 040902(D)(4), the VWAC reports quarterly to the IVWLO.
7. Liaise with MF for compensation resources. Per paragraph 040902(D)(5), the VWAC liaises with the servicing Marine and Family Programs Office to ensure victims and witnesses receive information concerning the availability of resources, including compensation programs.
8. Notify victim of pretrial confinement status changes. Per paragraph 040902(D)(7), in pretrial confinement cases where the victim or witness has requested notification, the VWAC notifies of changes in the accused's pretrial confinement status.
9. Distribute annual VWAP training. Per paragraph 040902(D)(8), the VWAC obtains and distributes VWAP materials and provides VWAP training to the members of the command on an annual basis.
10. Maintain the annual training roster. Per paragraph 040902(D)(8), the unit VWAC maintains a list of command personnel who attended the annual training.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• Unit VWAP File. Holds the VWAC appointment letter and training records.
• DD Form 2701 Distribution Tracker. Per paragraph 040902(D)(4).
• Pretrial Confinement Notification Log. Per paragraph 040902(D)(7).
• Annual Training Roster. Per paragraph 040902(D)(8).
• Marine and Family Programs Office Coordination Record. Per paragraph 040902(D)(5).

Forms

• VWAC Appointment Letter. Per paragraph 040902(C)(1).
• LSST Coordination Memorandum (Summary Court-Martial DD Form 2704). Per paragraph 040902(C)(3).
• DD Form 2701 Distribution Quarterly Report. Per paragraph 040902(D)(4).
• Pretrial Confinement Status Notification Memorandum. Per paragraph 040902(D)(7).
• Annual VWAP Training Materials. Per paragraph 040902(D)(8).

Common pitfalls

• VWAC appointment missing name, title, duty address, or telephone number. Per paragraph 040902(C)(1), all elements record in writing.
• VWAC selection outside the officer/SNCO/civilian member standard. Per paragraph 040902(D)(1), the rank and experience standard applies.
• LSST coordination skipped before DD Form 2704 completion on summary court-martial confinement. Per paragraph 040902(C)(3), the unit commander coordinates with LSST.
• Unit training on VWAC identity skipped. Per paragraph 040902(C)(5), unit personnel know the VWAC identity through training.
• DD Form 2701 distribution data not maintained. Per paragraph 040902(D)(4), the VWAC maintains data and reports quarterly.
• Quarterly DD Form 2701 report to IVWLO missed. Per paragraph 040902(D)(4), the cadence is quarterly.
• MF liaison skipped. Per paragraph 040902(D)(5), the VWAC liaises for compensation resources.
• Pretrial confinement status notification missed when elected. Per paragraph 040902(D)(7), the VWAC notifies on elected cases.
• Annual VWAC training skipped. Per paragraph 040902(D)(8), the unit cycle is annual.
• Annual training roster missing. Per paragraph 040902(D)(8), the VWAC maintains the attendance list.

Decision points

• VWAC rank and experience. Per paragraph 040902(D)(1), the unit commander selects an officer, SNCO, or civilian member of appropriate experience, temperament, and rank.
• Pretrial confinement notification election. Per paragraph 040902(D)(7), the victim or witness elects notification.
• Quarterly DD Form 2701 reporting format. The VWAC reports the total to the IVWLO per paragraph 040902(D)(4). Format follows IVWLO guidance.
• Annual training delivery method. The VWAC selects in-person or online delivery for the annual training per paragraph 040902(D)(8).

Authority

This sub-page sits under MCO 5800.16MCO 5800.16 Chapter 4 paragraphs 040902(C) (Unit Commanders) with sub-paragraphs (C)(1) (VWAC Appointment), (C)(3) (LSST Coordination), (C)(5) (Unit Training), and paragraph 040902(D) (VWAC) with sub-paragraphs (D)(1) (Selection Standard), (D)(4) (Data Maintenance and Quarterly Report), (D)(5) (MF Liaison), (D)(7) (Pretrial Confinement Notification), and (D)(8) (Annual Training). The IGMC VWAP FA Checklist Section 08.0 items 0801-0803 (Unit Commanders) and Section 09.0 items 0901-0907 (VWAC) audit Unit Commander and VWAC compliance.

Related references

• MCO 5800.16 Chapter 4 paragraphs 040902(C) and 040902(D). Unit Commander and VWAC framework.
• IGMC VWAP FA Checklist Sections 08.0 and 09.0. Audit baseline.