Pre-NJP Counseling and Documentation

Why Pre-NJP Documentation Matters

By the time a Marine reaches NJP, the documentation should already exist. Per MCO P5800.16MCO P5800.16 and IRAM, NJP records require supporting documentation. Strong pre-NJP documentation.

• Establishes pattern of misconduct
• Supports commander's case at mast
• Protects against challenges or appeals
• Documents counseling efforts before NJP
• Demonstrates appropriate use of progressive discipline

You build this documentation through specific leader actions.

Mandatory Processing Triggers

Per current MCO 1900.16MCO 1900.16 guidance, certain offenses require commanders to initiate administrative separation. Initiation does not guarantee separation, but commander discretion to skip the process is removed.

Common mandatory processing triggers.

• Substantiated child abuse.
• Substantiated domestic violence.
• Sexual harassment per the active policy.
• Wrongful broadcast or distribution of intimate visual images per UCMJ Article 117a.
• Sexual assault.
• Specific drug-related offenses per the active policy.

The NAVMC 10132 Unit Punishment Book

Per MCO 5800.16MCO 5800.16 Volume 14, the Unit Punishment Book is recorded on NAVMC 10132NAVMC 10132. The current revision is REV. 08-2023 (EF). The form has 25 numbered items and three pages.

Item-by-item structure.

• Item 1. UCMJ offenses alleged and summaries (date and place, no victim PII).
• Item 2. Article 31 rights advisement, opportunity to consult military lawyer, BOOKER statement of acceptance, member or CO signature.
• Item 3. CO certification of rights advisement before NJP imposition.
• Item 4. Current unauthorized absences over 24 hours and marks of desertion (only if Article 85 or 86 violation).
• Item 5. Findings (G or NG per offense).
• Item 6. Punishment imposed and date.
• Item 7. Suspension of execution of punishment, or "NONE."
• Item 8. NJP authority name, title, rank, EDIPI.
• Item 9. NJP authority signature on findings and punishment.
• Item 10. Date of notice to accused of final disposition.
• Item 11. Right to appeal advisement and NJP authority signature.
• Item 12. Member's intent to appeal or not, with signature.
• Item 13. Date of appeal if any, or "Not appealed."
• Item 14. Decision on appeal, date, and appeal authority signature.
• Item 15. Date of notice to accused of decision on appeal.
• Item 16. Final administrative action complete. Signing item 16 locks the entire form.
• Item 17. Unit (company-sized, up to first GCMCA command).
• Items 18 to 20. Accused biographical data (name, rank, EDIPI).
• Item 21. Remarks in chronological order.
• Item 22. Victim status, sex, race, ethnicity (per the form's standard categories or "Unknown").
• Items 23 to 25. Repeated accused biographical data on subsequent pages.

Progressive Discipline Path

Per common Marine Corps leadership practice.

1. Verbal counseling: For minor first-time issues
2. Written counseling (Page 11): For documented incidents or patterns
3. Letter of Caution: For more serious or repeated issues
4. Letter of Reprimand: For significant misconduct
5. NJP: For UCMJ violations
6. Court-martial or separation: For serious offenses

Pre-NJP, you typically work in the verbal-to-written counseling range.

What Triggers Pre-NJP Documentation

Specific situations.

Pattern of Minor Issues

Marine has multiple minor issues that, individually, would not warrant formal action.

• Tardiness pattern
• Repeated minor uniform violations
• Pattern of poor performance
• Specific recurring issues

Pattern documentation supports eventual progressive action.

Specific Incident

Marine has specific incident requiring documentation.

• Failure to report for drill (Reserve)
• Insubordinate conduct
• Specific UCMJ-relevant behavior
• Specific safety violation

Member's Own Request

Marine requests counseling or documentation for specific reasons.

• Acknowledgment of specific issue
• Member's own statement
• Specific procedural needs

Performance Steps

Step 1 - Identify the Issue

Be specific.

• Specific behavior (not general "attitude problem")
• Specific dates and times
• Specific witnesses if any
• Specific impact on unit or mission

Step 2 - Document Verbally First

For minor first-time issues.

• Brief Marine on issue
• Set clear expectations
• Specific timeline for improvement
• Document in your section notes

Step 3 - Conduct Counseling

For documented incidents.

• Schedule counseling session
• Pull Marine into private setting
• Discuss specific behavior and impact
• Identify required improvement
• Set timeline and standards

Step 4 - Document via Page 11

Per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12.

• NAVMC 118NAVMC 118 (Page 11) entry
• Specific facts (dates, behavior, impact)
• Specific corrective action expected
• Specific timeline for improvement
• Member acknowledgment signature

Step 5 - Coordinate Witness Statements

For specific incidents requiring witnesses.

• Identify witnesses
• Have witnesses prepare written statements
• Specific timeline (within 5 days of incident)
• Statements signed and dated

Step 6 - Forward to S-1 and Command

For pattern or specific incident.

• Provide copies to S-1 admin chief
• Brief commander on pattern or incident
• Specific recommendation if requested
• Coordinate any further actions

Step 7 - Continue Documenting

If behavior persists.

• Each subsequent incident documented
• Pattern strengthens
• Progressive actions considered
• Eventual NJP referral if warranted

Page 11 Best Practices for Pre-NJP

Per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12.

Be Factual

• "Marine was 30 minutes late to formation on 15, 22, and 28 October 2026" not "Marine has tardiness problem"
• Specific dates, times, behaviors
• Avoid characterization or opinion

Be Specific

• Reference specific UCMJ articles where applicable
• Cite specific orders or directives violated
• Reference specific unit policies

Be Constructive

• Identify specific corrective action expected
• Set specific timeline
• Identify support available to member
• Document follow-up plan

Be Brief

• Page 11 is record, not narrative
• Short, clear paragraphs
• One subject per Page 11
• Save context for separate documentation

Common Pre-NJP Counseling Topics

Tardiness Pattern

Document specific dates and times.

• Pattern of late arrivals
• Specific impact on unit
• Required improvement
• Timeline

Insubordination

Document specific incident.

• Specific orders or instructions
• Specific response or behavior
• Witnesses
• Impact

Failure to Maintain Standards

Document specific failures.

• Specific PFT or CFT failures
• Specific weight standards
• Specific MOS qualifications
• Specific corrective action plan

Drug or Alcohol Issues

Specific procedures.

• Coordinate with SACO if applicable
• Specific UCMJ Article 112a application
• Coordinate with SJA
• Specific documentation requirements

Domestic Issues Affecting Service

Document specific impact.

• Specific incidents at work
• Specific reporting requirements
• Coordinate with command on appropriate response
• Family Advocacy if applicable

Building the Pre-NJP Case

A complete pre-NJP package includes.

Pattern Documentation

Multiple Page 11 entries showing.

• Repeated behavior
• Counseling efforts
• Member's response or non-response
• Specific impact

Incident Documentation

For specific incidents.

• Witness statements
• Investigation summary
• Member's acknowledgment or response
• Specific evidence

Corrective Action Documentation

Showing progressive discipline.

• Verbal counseling notes
• Page 11 entries
• Letter of Caution if used
• Specific improvement opportunities provided

Member's Response

Member's position should be documented.

• Member's statement if provided
• Member's acknowledgment of counseling
• Member's specific response to corrective action
• Documentation of any improvement attempts

Coordination Touchpoints

Pre-NJP documentation touches.

• S-1 admin: For Page 11 processing and OMPF inclusion
• SJA: For UCMJ-relevant questions
• SACO: For drug/alcohol related matters
• Family Advocacy: For family-related issues
• Chaplain or behavioral health: For specific personal issues
• Member's chain: For escalation and decisions

Common Pre-NJP Errors

These weaken the eventual NJP case.

1. Documentation too general. "Bad attitude" instead of specific behavior.
2. No witness statements. Specific incidents need witnesses.
3. Counseling not documented. Verbal counseling without follow-up Page 11.
4. Member never acknowledged. Page 11 without member signature.
5. No progressive discipline shown. NJP without prior corrective action.

When to Refer to NJP

Refer to commander for NJP when.

• Pattern of misconduct documented
• Member counseled and not improving
• Specific UCMJ violation occurred
• Progressive discipline exhausted
• Specific commander decision needed

Related Roles

Pre-NJP documentation supports the entire discipline chain.

• Marines receive counseling and document acknowledgments.
• Admin at S-1 processes Page 11s and prepares NJP packages.
• Commanders receive complete documentation supporting NJP decisions.

Without your pre-NJP work, the commander's NJP case is weak.