MCO 3000.18B - Marine Corps Force Deployment Planning and Execution Manual (FDP&E Manual)

Scope

MCO 3000.18B is the Marine Corps Force Deployment Planning and Execution (FDP&E) Manual, signed 2012-04-27. The order assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures for force deployment planning, deployment execution, and redeployment across the Marine Corps. It implements CJCSM 3122.01A, the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES), at the Marine Corps level and supports Marine Corps deployments worldwide under the Joint OPLAN framework. Coverage runs the full deployment lifecycle from planning through execution, redeployment, and reset.

Audience

• MAGTF commanders, MEU and MEB staffs, and Marine Corps Forces commands (MARFORCOM, MARFORPAC, MARFORRES) owning deployment execution and sourcing coordination.
• Unit FDP&E coordinators running deployment planning at the unit, with HQMC PP&O (PLN) deployment planning staff.
• S-3 operations and S-4 logistics officers building TPFDD entries.
• S-1 officers and chiefs (0102, 0111, 0170) validating personnel readiness inputs against sourcing requirements.

Content scope

• Force deployment planning framework (FDP&E) and the JOPES interface under CJCSM 3122.01A.
• Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data (TPFDD) development and MAGTF deployment sequencing.
• Sourcing and force allocation, coordinated through MARFOR to HQMC PP&O (PLN).
• Deployment execution procedures.
• Redeployment planning, closeout, and reset.

Operative content

• TPFDD development identifies personnel and equipment time-phased into the operational area, coordinated per MCO 3000.18B and CJCSM 3122.01A.
• The sourcing timeline drives TPFDD development. Late TPFDD inputs are a recurring unit failure point.
• The deployment readiness check confirms unit personnel, equipment, training, and supply readiness before deployment.
• Redeployment closeout procedures complete the deployment and support unit refit. Redeployment timing aligns with the relief in place.
• The unit commander signs the sourcing recommendation and the FDP&E sourcing inputs.
• Standard products under the order include the TPFDD Development Worksheet, the Personnel Deployment Tasking Order, the Deployment Readiness Check List, and the Redeployment Closeout Memorandum.

Connection to higher policy

CJCSM 3122.01A sets JOPES procedures at the Joint level. DoDD 7730.65 sets the DoD readiness reporting framework feeding deployment sourcing. CJCSI 3401.02B and CJCSM 3150.02B frame the Joint readiness reporting the portal ties to the deployment cycle.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• MCO 3120.12A. Global Force Management and Force Synchronization. GFM tasking feeds FDP&E execution.
• MCO 3000.13B. Marine Corps Readiness Reporting. The unit DRRS state supports sourcing feasibility.
• MCTP 3-30G. Marine Corps Manpower and Personnel Administration doctrine for S-1 deployment support.
• MCO P3500.72A. Marine Corps Ground T&R Manual for pre-deployment training.
• MCO 5000.14D. S-1 deployment support responsibilities.
• NAVMC 3500.3E. The S-1 deployment workflow maps to T&R event 0170-OPER-2003.
• MCTFS and DRRS carry the personnel and readiness data feeding TPFDD inputs.

Status

Active and listed as Current on MCPEL, pub date 2012-04-27, verified on the 2026-04-28 index snapshot. HQMC PP&O (PLN) sponsors the FDP&E Manual, which operationalizes deployment planning at the Marine Corps level under the Joint OPLAN framework. The order is over a decade old, so confirm the current revision on MCPEL before quoting procedural detail.