MCO 1620.3A - Marine Corps Absentee and Deserter Apprehension Program

Scope

MCO 1620.3A establishes the Marine Corps Absentee and Deserter Apprehension Program. The order assigns responsibilities to the Marine Corps Absentee Collection Center (MCACC), the Deserter Information Point (DIP), and the two Marine Corps Absentee Collection Units (MCACUs) at HQMC Washington DC and MCRD San Diego. The order assigns responsibilities to commanders for absentee and deserter administration, civilian law enforcement liaison, IHCA (in hands of civil authorities) coordination, apprehension support, and escort transport.

Audience

S-1 officers, S-1 chiefs, and adjutants processing UA and deserter cases. Commanders signing deserter declarations, DD Form 553 packages, and confinement orders. Inspector and Instructor (I&I) staffs assigned geographic civilian law enforcement liaison areas of responsibility. MCACC, DIP, and MCACU corrections specialists (MOS 5831) executing the apprehension mission.

Content scope

• MCACC, DIP, MCACU mission, organization, and reporting chain to DC PP&O PS PSL.
• DD Form 553 Deserter or Absentee Wanted by the Armed Forces processing.
• NCIC (National Crime Information Center) entry and accountability.
• Daily return to military control (RMC) reporting.
• IHCA coordination with civilian law enforcement.
• Apprehension and escort transport procedures (armed transport per FAA rules).
• MOS 5831 Corrections Specialist (Chaser) screening and certification.
• Geographic areas of responsibility for I&I civilian law enforcement liaison (Enclosures 1 and 2, zip code cross-reference).
• Unit diary reporting requirements for UA, deserter, and return.
• Administrative separation procedures for absentees and deserters (cross-reference to MCO 1900.16).

Connection to Marine Corps policy

• DOD Directive 1325.2 Desertion and Unauthorized Absence. Parent DoD framework.
• MCO 1640.6 Marine Corps Confinement Manual.
• MCO P5800.16A Legal Support and Administration Manual (LSAM). Volume 13 historically held UA and deserter chapter content.
• MCO 1900.16 - Separation and Retirement Manual (MARCORSEPMAN). Administrative separation rules for absentees and deserters.
• MCO P1326.6D Selecting, Screening, and Preparing Marines for Independent Duty.
• MCO 1200.17B Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Manual. MOS 5831 Corrections Specialist.
• MCO P1070.12K Individual Records Administration Manual (IRAM). Page entry rules for UA and deserter cases.
• MCTFSPRIUM Personnel reporting instructions for UA, deserter, and RMC transactions.
• SECNAV M-5210.1 Records Management Manual.

Status

Active. Signed 27 December 2011. Cancels MCO 1620.3 and MCO 5800.10B. DC PP&O Security Division (PS) Law Enforcement and Corrections Branch (PSL) sponsors the order through the Head, Corrections Section (PSL Corrections) who serves as OIC, MCACC.