MARADMIN 099/18 - Improved Awards Processing System (IAPS) Updates

Scope

MARADMIN 099/18 announces enhancements to the Improved Awards Processing System (iAPS) implemented 2017-12-07. Updates support V, C, R device authorization (effective dates 2016-01-07 and later), valor award timeliness, award opening and commendatory sentences, MOVSM period validation, certificate filing, and Unit Awards Administrator (UAA) controls. Applicability is the Total Force Marine Corps.

Audience

• Award originators. Apply the new V, C, R device rules. Apply valor award timeliness.
• Unit Awards Administrators (UAAs). Process awards in iAPS. Apply the new certificate tab requirement.
• Chain of command reviewers. Process valor awards within 10 days at each level.
• HQMC MMMA. Receives notifications on awards for Silver Star and higher at UIC M54000.

Device rules

• V device. Authorized for actions with end date on or after 2016-01-07. iAPS adjusts requirements based on end date.
• C device. Authorized only for end date on or after 2016-01-07. iAPS blocks pre-2016 origination.
• R device. Authorized only for end date on or after 2016-01-07. iAPS blocks pre-2016 origination.

Valor award rules

• Origination. Within 45 days of the end date of action. Late origination requires a detailed comment.
• Routing. 10 days at each level of command up to the awarding authority. Late routing requires a detailed comment.
• Documentation. Two signed and notarized witness statements attached at origination.
• Format. Standard Valor Award Key Information format. Required for the summary of action.
• Notification. Use the iAPS Notification To box to alert the awarding authority and intermediate commanders.

Other upgrades

• Award opening and commendatory sentences. Exclusive per award. Two authorized commendatory options. iAPS pre-formats.
• Award decision tile. Awarding authority decision appears on the dashboard to prevent wrong certificate production.
• MOVSM. Three-year minimum period enforced.
• Certificate tab. Required for every approved award. Only the award certification and award citation attach. No command letters of transmittal. PDF scan saves and forwards with the case to MMMA for OMPF recording. iAPS blocks forwarding until the certificate is saved.
• Disapproved awards. Commander chooses to bypass MMMA or send for archive review. Combat Action Ribbon disapproval routes to MMMA for CAR/HSM database record.
• UAA home page. Displays To and From dates on assigned awards.
• Disapprove user requests. UAA option to disapprove or partially approve permission requests.

Connection to higher policy

• ALNAV 055/17. New devices authorized for wear on certain military medals and ribbons.
• SECNAVINST 1650.1H. Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• MARADMIN 665/17. Additional Marine Corps guidance on new devices.
• MARADMIN 513/17. Administrative requirements for expediting combat awards for valor.
• MARADMIN 514/09. Unit Awards Update.
• MARADMIN 074/21. CMC Delegation of Awarding Authority. Successor delegation framework.

Status

Released 2018-02-12, DTG R 120848Z FEB 18. Originator CMC Washington DC MRA MM. Release authorized by Major General Robert F. Castellvi, Director, Manpower Management Division. POC Captain B.A. Felty at HQMC MMMA, 703-784-9342, SMB_HQMC_PERS_AWARDS@usmc.mil. Applicability is the Total Force.