MCO P3500.72A - Marine Corps Ground Training and Readiness (T&R) Program

Scope

MCO P3500.72A establishes the Marine Corps Ground Training and Readiness (T&R) Program. The order defines the T&R framework for ground combat units, setting standards for individual and collective training events, event coding, Combat Readiness Percentage (CRP) calculation, training plan development and submission, after action review (AAR) conduct, and training exception processing. The order applies to all ground combat units and integrates with the Marine Corps Training Information Management System (MCTIMS).

Audience

Commanders use this order to build unit training plans, assign METL tasks, and manage CRP. Unit Training Managers (UTMs) use it to build MCTIMS entries, manage training calendars, and process exceptions. S-1 admin specialists and 0170 Personnel Officers use it to manage the administrative component of training records and the 01XX T&R events.

Chapter map

The order contains eight chapters and associated enclosures. Chapter 1 provides purpose, scope, and authority. Chapter 2 defines responsibilities by echelon from CMC through unit commanders. Chapter 3 covers the T&R event coding system (MOS-FunctionalArea-Level 4-4-4 format). Chapter 4 defines individual events, collective events, and chaining rules. Chapter 5 covers Mission Essential Task List (METL) development. Chapter 6 covers training plan development, submission, and higher headquarters approval. Chapter 7 covers MCTIMS calendar and documentation requirements. Chapter 8 covers CRP calculation, training exceptions (defer, waive, delinquent), and after action reviews.

Operative content

• T&R event coding. Individual and collective events use a 4-4-4 alphanumeric system (MOS-FunctionalArea-Level). Individual events range from 1000-level (formal school) through 2200-level (advanced). Collective events range from 3000-level (team/section) through 9000-level (command).
• CRP calculation. Combat Readiness Percentage measures unit training readiness. CRP is the ratio of completed events to required events within the sustainment interval. Deferred and delinquent events reduce CRP per paragraph 4006.
• METL review. Commanders review and update the METL annually, within 45 days of change of command, and within 15 days of a new mission assignment per paragraph 4.b.(6)(e) of MCO 1553.3C cross-reference.
• Training exceptions. Defer (paragraph 4006.1), Waive (paragraph 4006.2), and Delinquent (paragraph 4006.3) are the three exception categories. All exceptions are documented in MCTIMS.
• AAR requirement. After Action Reviews are required for all scheduled T&R events. Informal AARs run after most training. Formal AARs run after MCCRE and formal evaluations. AAR conduct rules sit at paragraph 7000.3.
• Training plan submission. Unit training plans are submitted to higher headquarters for approval per Chapter 6. Deployment cycle transitions require a deployment-focused plan per paragraph 7002.1.

Connection to higher policy

Published by the Commandant of the Marine Corps as service-level training policy, sponsored by CD&I, and applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force. The portal registry links no DoD or SECNAV parent directive to this order. The order itself stands as the top of the ground T&R policy chain within the Marine Corps.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• MCO 1553.3C Unit Training Management Program. Establishes UTM roles and MCTIMS documentation requirements executing this framework.
• NAVMC 3500.3E Manpower and Administration Training and Readiness Manual. T-R Manual for MOS 0102, 0111, 0170.
• MCRP 7-20A.1 Training Plan Design, MCRP 7-20A.2 Event and Exercise Design, and MCRP 7-20A.5 Training Data Management. Doctrinal publications whose portal registry entries cross-reference this order.
• MCTIMS. Marine Corps Training Information Management System, the system of record the order's documentation requirements target.
• Portal admin training-sustainment pages, covering T&R event coding, CRP calculation and reporting, training exceptions, AAR conduct, and annual METL review, cite this order.

Status

Current. MCPEL article 899339. Admin Change 1 (CH-1) incorporated administrative updates. Supersedes MCO P3500.72.