First 30 Days Policy and Appointments

The 30-Day Window Rule

Section 4 puts a hard deadline on actions that incoming COs habitually defer. The Master Turnover Checklist is explicit: do NOT use "all policies remain in effect." Every policy letter must be re-issued under your signature.

The 30-day window covers four distinct areas: command policy letters, written appointments, fund control training, and readiness setup including FPC and CMT.

A. Command Policy Letters

Every policy letter terminates with the predecessor. Re-issue under your signature within 30 days. Do not back-date. Effective date is the date of your signature.

The "all policies remain in effect" pattern is a common failure. It is administratively convenient and substantively incorrect. The policy letter is your statement of expectation as commander. Predecessor signatures do not bind your command.

B. Required Written Appointments

Each appointment requires a written letter signed by you. SAPR VA appointments have additional eligibility prerequisites.

The SAPR VA eligibility chain is a high-frequency failure. Appointing a Marine as a VA before D-SAACP certification, or before the 40-hour training is complete, is a procedural defect that voids the appointment. Run the full screening before signing.

C. Fiscal and Fund Control Training [NEW V4.0]

MARADMIN 490/26MARADMIN 490/26 sets the rule. As CO you are Funds Control Personnel (FCP) by position. The tier system is gone. MARADMIN 350/11 and MARADMIN 468/26 are canceled.

FCP status comes with the position and stays with you. After the initial course, complete Appropriations Law refresher training at least once every 3 years while in command. An FCP out of compliance loses authority to approve obligating documents until training is complete. The activity comptroller keeps the training record.

D. Readiness Reporting, FPC, Family Readiness, and CMT [NEW V4.0]

The biennial non-core CMT change under MARADMIN 199/26MARADMIN 199/26 is recent. Units running on the prior annual cadence are non-compliant. Verify in MCTIMS.

The "elevated risk for 90 days" rule for new joins under MCO 1500.60AMCO 1500.60A Para 4.b.(3)(g)(3) is non-discretionary. A Marine joined with LOW risk in MCTFS gets ELEVATED status by rule. FPC discussion is documented.

Common Failures on Section 4

1. Predecessor policy letters left in force. Letters dated under outgoing CO continue to be referenced. New CO has not signed any. Substantively void.
2. SAPR VA appointed before D-SAACP certification complete. Appointment letter signed; eligibility screening incomplete. Voids the appointment and exposes the program to inspection finding.
3. Funds control training treated as a Comptroller brief. The brief is encouraged, the course is required. MARADMIN 490/26MARADMIN 490/26 requires the Funds Control for Commanding Officers course within 2 weeks and a training record held by the activity comptroller.
4. CMT cadence not adjusted to biennial. Unit continues annual non-core CMT under prior MCO. MCTIMS still shows annual. MARADMIN 199/26MARADMIN 199/26 supersedes.
5. CIRRAS warm handoff treated as briefed-not-documented. New CO inherits a list of names without the underlying CIRRAS entries updated. Para 4.b.(3)(g) standard is documentation, not briefing.

30-Day Sign-Off Checklist

Before Day 30 closes, confirm:

1. All seven core policy letters signed under my name with current dates
2. Required written appointments signed for every applicable billet
3. Funds Control for Commanding Officers course completed within 2 weeks of assuming command
4. DOA letters on file for every Funds Control Personnel member
5. MarineNet DRRS-MC policy course completed
6. First FPC chaired with CIRRAS
7. UPFRP enrollment audited (NAVMC 11654NAVMC 11654 or 11657 for every Marine)
8. CMT cadence confirmed against MCO 1500.63AMCO 1500.63A in MCTIMS
9. First random urinalysis schedule approved

A "no" on any of these is a 60-day problem. Resolve before the 30-day mark or accept the schedule slip is on the record.