Family Care Plan (FCP)

Start Here If You Are New to FCP

A FAMILY CARE PLAN (FCP) is mandatory for any Marine, single or married, with dependents who require alternate caregiver arrangements when the Marine is unavailable. SINGLE PARENTS, DUAL-MILITARY COUPLES WITH DEPENDENTS, and Marines with SOLE CARE RESPONSIBILITY for adult dependents must complete an FCP. Use NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800 (Family Care Plan Certificate). 60-DAY completion window from the triggering event (marriage to dual-military, divorce making single parent, birth of first child to single parent, etc.). ANNUAL recertification required. Submit through Marine Online (MOL) FCP module. The FCP designates short-term and long-term caregivers and provides care details (childcare, school, medical, daily routines). Failure to maintain a current FCP can result in administrative action and impact deployment readiness. Per MCO 1740.13MCO 1740.13.

This page walks you through the Family Care Plan from your seat as the Marine. By the end you will know.

• Who needs an FCP
• The triggering events and 60-day window
• NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800 components
• Short-term versus long-term caregiver designations
• Marine Online FCP module mechanics
• FCP Coordinator and Validator roles
• Annual recertification
• Common failure points
• Coordination with HQ UPFRP

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1740.13MCO 1740.13, DoDI 1342.19DoDI 1342.19, NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800, and HQ UPFRP guidance.

Who Needs An FCP

Per MCO 1740.13MCO 1740.13, the following Marines MUST maintain an FCP.

Mandatory Categories

• Single parents with dependent children.
• Dual-military couples (both spouses on active duty or selected reserve) with dependents.
• Marines married to a civilian spouse who is unable to provide care due to disability, deployment, or extended absence.
• Marines with sole care responsibility for an adult dependent who cannot self-care (incapacitated adult child, dependent parent in some cases).
• Marines designated by command as requiring an FCP based on family circumstances.

Civilian Expeditionary Workforce (CEW) Employees

CEW employees with dependents are also required to maintain an FCP per MCO 1740.13MCO 1740.13.

Voluntary FCP

Marines with intact dual-civilian-parent households are encouraged but not required to maintain an FCP for emergency contingencies.

Triggering Events and 60-Day Window

The FCP must be completed within 60 DAYS of the triggering event.

Common Triggering Events

• Birth or adoption of first child for a single Marine.
• Divorce that results in single-parent status.
• Death of spouse for a Marine with dependent children.
• Marriage to another active-duty service member (dual-military trigger).
• New permanent dependent recognition (adult incapacitated child via DD 137, etc.).
• PCS to a new duty station that affects existing caregiver arrangements.
• Initial entry training completion for a single parent (FCP at first command).

The 60-Day Clock

Day zero is the date of the triggering event. The Marine has 60 calendar days to.

• Identify and recruit short-term and long-term caregivers.
• Complete NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800.
• Submit through MOL FCP module.
• Coordinate with FCP Coordinator at unit.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Administrative counseling (Page 11).
• Potential adverse FITREP impact.
• Deployment ineligibility.
• Continued non-compliance can lead to administrative separation (administrative discharge for inability to perform duties due to lack of FCP).

NAVMC 11800 Components

The Family Care Plan Certificate (NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800) captures.

Marine Identifying Information

• Name, DoD ID, rank, unit.
• Family circumstances triggering FCP.
• Effective date.

Dependent Information

• Each dependent name, age, medical conditions, special needs.
• DEERS status confirmation.

Short-Term Caregiver Designation

• Name, address, phone.
• Relationship to Marine.
• Availability (immediate response capability).
• Coverage period (typically 30 days or less).

Long-Term Caregiver Designation

• Name, address, phone.
• Relationship to Marine.
• Availability (sustained care capability).
• Coverage period (extended deployment, lengthy training, etc.).

Care Details

• Childcare arrangements.
• School attendance and pickup arrangements.
• Medical care providers and emergency contacts.
• Daily routines and special needs.
• Financial arrangements (allotments, joint accounts, power of attorney).

Logistics

• Required documents location (birth certificates, medical records, etc.).
• Power of attorney (special POA for caregiver).
• Emergency contact tree.

Signatures

• Marine signature certifying accuracy.
• Caregiver signatures (acknowledgment).
• Commanding officer endorsement.

Short-Term Versus Long-Term Caregiver

Short-Term Caregiver

• Provides care for SHORT periods (typically 30 days or less).
• Examples. Weekend duty, short TAD, brief training.
• Must be IMMEDIATELY available when the Marine is on duty.
• Often a local family member, neighbor, or friend.

Long-Term Caregiver

• Provides care for EXTENDED periods (deployment, lengthy training, mobilization).
• Must be capable of sustained primary caregiver role.
• Often a relative who can travel to assume care.
• Should be designated as legal guardian where appropriate.

Single Caregiver Designation

A single individual MAY serve as both short-term and long-term caregiver if they meet both availability requirements. This is common for in-state grandparents or other close family.

Caregiver Eligibility

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be capable (mentally, physically) of caring for the dependents.
• Must be willing (caregiver signs FCP acknowledging responsibility).
• Cannot be another single active-duty service member without compatible FCP.

Marine Online FCP Module

Where To Find It

Marine Online (MOL) at mol.tfs.usmc.mil > Family Care Plan section.

What You Do In MOL FCP Module

• Initiate FCP for the first time or update existing.
• Complete NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800 fields.
• Upload supporting documents (caregiver agreements, POA, medical info).
• Submit for command endorsement.
• Track validation status.
• Recertify annually.

MOL FCP Roles

• Marine. Primary submitter.
• FCP Coordinator. Reviews and assists at unit level.
• FCP Validator. Validates completeness and adequacy.
• Commanding officer. Endorses.

FCP Coordinator and Validator

FCP Coordinator (MFRFCPCOOR)

The FCP Coordinator at the unit is trained to.

• Counsel Marines on FCP requirements.
• Review FCP submissions.
• Identify gaps in proposed plans.
• Coordinate with Family Readiness Officer.

Training. Family Care Plan Coordinator Training (course code MFRFCPCOOR).

FCP Validator (MFRFCPVLDR)

The FCP Validator validates completeness and adequacy.

• Final review before commanding officer endorsement.
• Confirms caregiver capability and willingness.
• Confirms POA and supporting documents.
• Endorses for unit-level approval.

Training. Family Care Plan Validator Training (course code MFRFCPVLDR).

Where To Find Your FCP Coordinator

• Family Readiness Officer or unit administrative section.
• S-1 section.
• HQ UPFRP (Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program) at HQMC for guidance.

Annual Recertification

FCP is not a one-time submission. It requires annual recertification.

When To Recertify

• Annually on the anniversary of the FCP.
• Whenever caregiver designations change.
• After any PCS.
• After any change in dependent status (new child, dependent age-out, etc.).
• After significant life events (caregiver death, divorce, etc.).

Recertification Process

• Update NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800 in MOL FCP module.
• Confirm caregivers still willing and able.
• Refresh supporting documents (POA, medical info, etc.).
• Submit for command endorsement.

Common Recertification Triggers

• Caregiver moved out of state.
• Caregiver became unable due to age, health, or other commitments.
• Marine's dependents grew or changed (new sibling, school changes).
• Marine PCS'd to new duty station.

Coordination With HQ UPFRP

What HQ UPFRP Does

The HQMC Unit, Personal and Family Readiness Program (UPFRP) is the program owner for FCP at the headquarters level.

• Publishes FCP policy and procedures.
• Trains FCP Coordinators and Validators.
• Provides centralized POC for complex FCP cases.
• Maintains MOL FCP module.

How To Reach HQ UPFRP

• Email FCP POC. HQ UPFRP via Marine Corps email systems.
• Through your unit FCP Coordinator (preferred first contact).
• Through your Family Readiness Officer.

Marine and Family Programs Branch (MF)

FCP sits under the broader Marine and Family Programs Branch (MF), which also operates Casualty Assistance, Child and Youth Programs, EFMP, School Liaison Program, Career Services (FMEAP, SkillBridge, COOL, USMAP, TRP), Education Services (LSP, VolEd, Library), Family Readiness Services (IR&R, MCFTB, PFMP, Sponsorship, UPFRP), Marine for Life Network, and CREDO. Many of these programs may support your FCP planning.

Common Failure Points

Not Identifying Need

Marines often think FCP only applies to single parents. Dual-military couples, sole caregivers for adult dependents, and Marines with absent civilian spouses also need FCP.

Choosing Unwilling or Unable Caregivers

Marine designates a caregiver who has not actually agreed or who lacks capacity. FCP rejected during validation.

Stale Caregiver Information

FCP from years ago lists out-of-state caregiver who has since moved. Annual recertification catches this if done.

No Backup Caregiver

Single caregiver designation with no backup. If primary caregiver unavailable, no plan.

Missing Power of Attorney

Caregiver designated but no POA enabling them to make medical, financial, or school decisions for the dependent. Coordinate with Legal Services for special POA.

Not Updating After PCS

Marine PCS to new duty station with FCP from prior duty station. New geographic distance may invalidate caregiver arrangements.

Failure to Coordinate Dual-Military

Both spouses are active duty but only one has FCP. Both need a coordinated FCP.

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1. Single Parent After Divorce

Marine divorces, custody granted to Marine. Within 60 days.

• Initiate FCP in MOL.
• Designate short-term caregiver (local family or friend).
• Designate long-term caregiver (out-of-state family member with travel capability).
• Power of Attorney via Legal Services.
• Command endorsement.

Scenario 2. Dual-Military With Newborn

Both spouses active duty, first child born.

• Both spouses initiate coordinated FCP.
• Designate caregivers in case both spouses simultaneously unavailable.
• Coordinate with childcare (CYP if available on installation).
• Update SGLI, beneficiaries, and DEERS for child.

Scenario 3. Marine Caring for Disabled Adult Sibling

Marine has sole care responsibility for disabled adult sibling (recognized via DD 137 secondary dependency).

• FCP with caregiver designations for sibling.
• Coordinate with EFMP if applicable.
• Specialized medical caregiver designation.
• POA for medical and financial decisions.

Scenario 4. PCS Moving Caregiver Out of Range

Marine PCS to new duty station. Existing caregiver lives 1500 miles away.

• Recertify FCP within 60 days of PCS.
• Identify new local caregiver at gaining duty station.
• Family Readiness Officer at gaining unit can help connect with resources.

Cross References

• For overall life events framework, see Life Events Overview and Authorities
• For child custody changes that may trigger FCP, see Child Custody Changes
• For divorce that may trigger FCP, see Divorce and Spouse Loss
• For death of spouse that may trigger FCP, see Death of Dependent
• For birth of first child as single parent, see Birth and Adoption
• For DD 137 secondary dependency adult dependent care, see Secondary Dependency (DD Form 137DD Form 137)
• For Marine and Family Programs Branch context (UPFRP, MCCS, EFMP, CYP, SLP, FMEAP, etc.), see Marine and Family Programs parent group (when published).

Quick Reference

• Form. NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800 via Marine Online FCP module.
• Authority. MCO 1740.13MCO 1740.13 and DoDI 1342.19DoDI 1342.19.
• Window. 60 days from triggering event.
• Caregivers. Short-term and long-term designations.
• Recertification. Annual.
• Roles. FCP Coordinator (MFRFCPCOOR), FCP Validator (MFRFCPVLDR), commanding officer endorsement.
• POC. HQ UPFRP at HQMC.
• Branch. Marine and Family Programs (MF).

Records To Keep

• Completed NAVMC 11800NAVMC 11800
• Caregiver agreements and contact information
• Power of Attorney for designated caregivers
• Dependent medical, school, and routine information sheets
• Annual recertification confirmations
• Page 11 counseling on FCP requirements (initial)

If you have a question about FCP, your unit FCP Coordinator and Family Readiness Officer are first contacts. For policy questions, contact HQ UPFRP. For POA and legal arrangements, coordinate with Legal Services.