Conducting a JEPES Evaluation

Prep Before the Sit-Down

The leader notebook is the source of truth, not your memory. Before you draft marks:

• Pull every observation note for the Marine across the cycle.
• Cross-check against accomplishments the Marine raised in counseling sessions.
• Pull APES or section data on training completion, qualification, and admin actions.
• Match each note to a JEPES category before scoring.

A blank notebook means you are guessing. Mark accordingly and fix the notebook habit for the next cycle.

Scoring Against the Anchor

Each JEPES category carries a behavioral description for each mark level. Score against the anchor, not against the section average and not against the writer you would want to be writing on you.

Three questions per mark.

1. Which behavioral anchor describes the Marine's actual cycle?
2. Where is the evidence?
3. Is the mark consistent with the evidence the section has watched?

If the answer to question two is "I think so," sit on the mark and pull more notes before you submit.

The Sit-Down

Schedule 30 minutes. Quiet space. No phone interruptions. Marine sees the marks on a printed or screen-shared draft, not handed a final sheet at the end.

Walk the conversation in this order.

1. Open with the strongest category and the evidence.
2. Walk the middle marks and the evidence.
3. Walk any low mark with the specific behaviors and the path to a higher mark.
4. Set one target tied to each gap.
5. Confirm the Marine signed off on understanding the result.

The Marine signs the JEPES record acknowledging receipt. Acknowledgment is not agreement. A Marine in disagreement has the right to the written rebuttal process inside the active MARADMIN. JEPES MARADMIN (verify)

What Goes Into Targets

NAVMC 2795NAVMC 2795 paragraph 4002.1 sets the target structure. NAVMC 2795 4002.1 A JEPES gap becomes a target with action verb, object, and standard. Tag each target to one of the six functional areas.

Worked example.

• JEPES gap in MOS proficiency category. Target writes as "Complete the next MOS distance learning module by 30 June with a passing score." Tagged Fighter.

After Submission

• Capture the conversation in your leader notebook the same day. MCO 1500.61 5.b.(1)
• Add the target list to your section tracker.
• Schedule the next counseling check-in mid-cycle to verify the Marine is on track against the targets you set.
• Loop the chain in if the JEPES result triggers Force Preservation criteria or other process gates.

Three Failure Modes Specific to the Sit-Down

• The Marine reads the marks for the first time during the conversation. Pre-brief with the printed draft.
• The writer talks for 25 minutes. The Marine talks for 5. Switch styles to nondirective for half the session.
• The session ends without targets. A JEPES sit-down without forward-looking targets is paperwork. Set the target before the Marine leaves.