Directives Management - S-1 Procedural Overview

Role and responsibility

The Directives Control Point (DCP) clerk runs the daily DCP and indexes unit directives per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 1 paragraph 8 (Directives Control Point). The S-1 chief audits the DCP against the unit directives library. The S-1 officer signs by direction on directive issuances and approves the draft staffing path. The commander or signature authority per Chapter 1 paragraph 6 (Authority to Issue Directives) signs the directive. The commander delegates signature authority in writing per Chapter 1 paragraph 7 (Delegating Signature Authority).

Source documents flow from higher headquarters directives, unit-issued draft directives, MARADMINs and ALMARs requiring unit implementation, parent MCO updates, periodic internal review findings per Chapter 1 paragraph 14 (Internal Reviews), and command relocation or assumption actions per Chapter 1 paragraphs 12-13. DCP actions touch every staff section through the Subject Standard Identification Code (SSIC) routing. Outputs include the unit directives library, the DCP index, the master directive file per Chapter 1 paragraph 46, the change transmittals per Chapter 1 paragraphs 40-44, the cancellation actions, and the checklist of effective directives per Chapter 4 paragraph 6 (Joint Directives) for joint surfaces.

Per MCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 1 paragraph 1 (General), the Marine Corps Directives Management Program governs Marine Corps Orders (MCO), Marine Corps Bulletins (MCBul), Bulletins issued by message, and Joint Directives. Per paragraph 4 (Exemptions), the order does not govern NAVMC publications, technical pubs, stocklist pubs, doctrinal pubs, T/O&E, combat plans, top-secret material, special/travel/courts-martial orders, letters of instruction, CMC policy memos, or general announcements.

Sub-pages in this category

• Bulletins and Message Bulletins. Chapter 3 paragraphs 1-15 and Figures 3-1, 3-2, 3-3.
• Change Transmittals and Page Replacements. Chapter 1 paragraphs 40-44, 53, and Figure 1-2.
• Directives Control Point and Files. Chapter 1 paragraphs 8, 45-48.
• Joint Directives. Chapter 4 paragraphs 1-10.
• Marine Corps Orders. Chapter 2 paragraphs 1-7 and Figures 2-1, 2-2.
• Paragraph Numbering and Format. Chapter 1 paragraphs 32-39 and paragraphs 49-54.
• Periodic Review and Cancellation. Chapter 1 paragraph 14, Chapter 3 paragraphs 1, 13.
• References, Enclosures, and Reports. Chapter 1 paragraphs 24-31.
• Staffing, Coordination, and Signature Authority. Chapter 1 paragraphs 6, 7, 17.

Trigger events

• Higher headquarters issues a new or revised directive.
• Unit drafts a new MCO, MCBul, Joint Directive, or message bulletin.
• Periodic directive review cycle opens per Chapter 1 paragraph 14.
• MARADMIN releases requiring unit implementation.
• Directive cancellation routed for processing.
• Command relocation or re-designation per Chapter 1 paragraph 12.
• Command assumption per Chapter 1 paragraph 13.
• Change transmittal or page replacement required per Chapter 1 paragraphs 40-44.

Processing workflow

1. Maintain the DCP. Per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 1 paragraph 8 (Directives Control Point), the DCP runs the central directive control.
2. Validate authority to issue. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 6 (Authority to Issue Directives), the issuing command validates against the order rules.
3. Apply signature authority delegation. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 7 (Delegating Signature Authority), the commander delegates in writing per the criteria.
4. Draft the directive. Per Chapter 2 for MCOs, Chapter 3 for Bulletins, or Chapter 4 for Joint Directives. Apply Chapter 1 paragraphs 21 (Preparing Directives) through 39 (Numbering Pages) for format.
5. Run internal review. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 14 (Internal Reviews), the issuing command reviews periodically.
6. Apply paragraph numbering. Per Chapter 1 paragraphs 32 (Paragraphs), 33 (Paragraph Numbering System), 34 (Optional Paragraph Numbering), and 35 (Citing Paragraph Numbers in Text), structure the paragraphs.
7. Process change transmittals. Per Chapter 1 paragraphs 40-44 and 53, draft and route change transmittals.
8. Maintain directives files. Per Chapter 1 paragraphs 45 (Maintaining Directives Files), 46 (Master Directive File), 47 (Checklists), and 48 (Significant Pages Required in an Order).
9. Apply distribution and printing. Per Chapter 1 paragraphs 19 (Distribution Statements), 20 (Printing and Distribution), and 37 (Signature Block, Distribution, and Copy to).
10. Stage directives history for inspection. Maintain history for MCAAT and IGMC Directives Management FA inspection.

Systems of record and forms

Systems

• Directives Control Point (DCP). Per Chapter 1 paragraph 8.
• Unit Directives Library / Master Directive File. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 46.
• HQMC Directives Portal. Source of MCOs and MCBuls.
• SECNAV/DON Directives Issuance System portal. Per SECNAV M-5215.1SECNAV M-5215.1.

Forms

• MCO Draft Cover Sheet. Per Chapter 2 paragraph 1.
• MCBul Draft Cover Sheet. Per Chapter 3 paragraph 1.
• Joint Directive Draft Cover Sheet. Per Chapter 4 paragraph 1.
• Change Transmittal Page. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 42 and Figure 1-2.
• Locator Sheet. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 28 and Figure 1-3.
• Record of Changes Page. Per Chapter 1 Figure 1-4.
• Table of Contents Page. Per Chapter 1 Figure 1-5.
• Reports Required Page. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 29 and Figure 1-6.

Common pitfalls

• Unit directive issued without DCP coordination. The directive lives outside the index. Coordinate at issuance per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 1 paragraph 8.
• Stale unit directive cited despite parent update. The unit operates on outdated guidance. Run internal reviews per Chapter 1 paragraph 14.
• Paragraph numbering incorrect per Chapter 1 paragraph 33. The directive looks irregular and confuses cross-references. Apply the standard numbering scheme.
• Distribution Statement omitted. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 19, the Distribution Statement applies to every directive. Set the statement on the letterhead.
• Signature authority delegation not in writing. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 7, the delegation is in writing. Stage the delegation memorandum.

Decision points

• MCO versus MCBul. Per MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapter 2 paragraph 1 (Orders Introduction) versus Chapter 3 paragraph 1 (Bulletins Introduction), the MCO carries lasting policy. The MCBul carries time-limited information with a cancellation contingency or date.
• Substantive versus administrative change. Per Chapter 1 paragraph 40 (Change Transmittals), substantive updates issue as a change transmittal. Administrative-only updates issue as an Admin CH on the basic order.
• Joint Directive routing. Per Chapter 4 paragraphs 7 (Preliminary Coordination) and 8 (Final Coordination), Joint Directives route through every signing principal before signature.

Authority

This category sits under MCO 5215.1KMCO 5215.1K Marine Corps Directives Management Program with Admin CH-3 dated 29 Sep 2025. Enclosure (1) Chapter 1 sets directives administrative procedures (paragraphs 1-54). Chapter 2 sets MCO format and requirements (paragraphs 1-7). Chapter 3 sets MCBul format and requirements (paragraphs 1-15). Chapter 4 sets Joint Directive format and requirements (paragraphs 1-10). SECNAV M-5215.1SECNAV M-5215.1 and SECNAVINST 5215.1FSECNAVINST 5215.1F paragraphs 4-5 (Policy, Responsibilities) and Enclosures (1)-(2) set DON-level rules. DODI 5025.01DODI 5025.01 Sections 1, 4, and 5 set DoD-level rules. SECNAV M-5210.2SECNAV M-5210.2 supplies the SSIC table. MCO 5210.11FMCO 5210.11F covers records management for directives lifecycle. S-1 responsibilities sit at MCO 5000.14DMCO 5000.14D MCAP enclosure 4. The processing workflow maps to NAVMC 3500.3E T-R events 0102-GENA-1004 (Supervise command issued directive development), 0102-GENA-1005 (Supervise DCP), 0111-GENA-2007 (Maintain DCP), and 0111-GENA-2105 (Supervise DCP). The IGMC Directives Management FA checklist provides the audit baseline.

Related references

• MCO 5215.1K Enclosure (1) Chapters 1-4. Authoritative directives management rules.
• SECNAV M-5215.1. DON Directives Issuance System.
• SECNAVINST 5215.1F. SECNAV Directives Issuance System.
• DODI 5025.01. DoD Issuances Program.
• MCO 5210.11F. Records Management Program.
• MCO 5000.14D. S-1 directives responsibilities.
• NAVMC 3500.3E. T-R events 0102-GENA-1004, 1005 and 0111-GENA-2007, 2105.