Marine Corps Manual (W/CH 1-3)

Scope

The Marine Corps Manual is the foundational reference for the instruction and guidance of every person in the Department of the Navy on matters concerning the Marine Corps. The manual establishes the framework of authority, responsibility, and conduct expected of Marines and the supporting staff structure. It sits above every Marine Corps Order and operates under U.S. Navy Regulations.

Audience

Every Marine. Every leader. Every commander. The manual is the source most other Marine Corps publications reference for foundational policy on organization, command, military justice, ethics, ceremonies, and the historic role of the Marine Corps.

Authority

The manual is issued by the Commandant of the Marine Corps under the authority of U.S. Navy Regulations, 1973. The Secretary of the Navy approves the manual. The 1980 edition signed by General Robert H. Barrow, CMC, supersedes the Marine Corps Manual, 1961.

Change history

• 21 March 1980. Basic manual issued. Supersedes the 1961 edition.
• Change 1. 2 March 1982. Signed by General P. X. Kelley, Assistant Commandant and Chief of Staff.
• Change 2. 11 January 1984. Signed by Lieutenant General D'Wayne Gray, Chief of Staff.
• Change 3. Date in the published title block. Filed behind the promulgation letter.

Chapter map

• Chapter 1. Marine Corps mission, role, command structure, and authority of the Commandant.
• Chapter 2. Operating forces, supporting establishment, Reserve Component, organizational relationships.
• Chapter 3. Officers and senior leadership responsibilities. The relationship between officers and Marines (Marine Corps Order No. 29 territory).
• Chapter 4. Discipline, ceremonies, customs, courtesies.
• Additional chapters. Administrative procedures and supporting policy areas.

Connection to higher policy

• U.S. Navy Regulations, 1973. The Commandant issues the manual under this authority, and the manual operates beneath it.
• The Secretary of the Navy approves the manual.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

The manual sits above every Marine Corps Order. Publications in the portal registry citing it as foundational authority include MCO 5000.14D, which implements the personnel administration duties the manual assigns, MCO 1070.1, MCO 1500.61, MCO 1616.1, MCO 6110.3A, and MARADMIN 280/24. The fraternization policy framework sits in the manual at paragraph 1100.4, with prosecution under UCMJ Article 134, per the portal's leader wellness guidance. The permissive TAD page applies the manual's application requirements for Marines serving in joint organizations.

Distribution

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited. Distribution code JJ. PCN 50100342500.

Status

Active. The 1980 edition with Changes 1 through 3 remains the operative Marine Corps Manual. Subsequent MCOs and SECNAV publications incorporate its framework. Every MCO published in the 4000-series, 5000-series, and 1000-series cites the manual as foundational authority.