Outgoing CO Master Checklist

When To Start

Section 1 actions begin no later than D-90. Major signature events occur at D-15 (final Supply inventory), D-10 (SOCL submission), D-3 (Status of Command Brief), and D-0 (turnover ceremony). The change of command CCA belongs to the incoming commander, due within 90 days after assumption per MARADMIN 534/23MARADMIN 534/23. Your part is handing over the most recent annual CCA and the corrective action plan.

Treat the timeline as fixed. CMC White Letter 3-17 is explicit on the SOCL and Brief deadlines. Slipping them is a direct deviation from HQMC guidance and is visible to the Reporting Senior.

A. Pre-Departure Administrative Requirements

Required actions before the brief and before the ceremony.

The 10-day SOCL deadline is a Reporting Senior expectation and a HQMC guidance requirement. Do not submit the SOCL the day before the brief and treat it as compliant.

B. Supply and Accountability Turnover

The Certificate of Relief is the operative document. It binds your accountability for everything held by the command at the moment of relief.

A FLIPL within your authority that you fail to close before relief becomes the incoming CO's problem. The clock date does not pause for CoC.

C. Military Justice Turnover Including OSTC

OSTC is the highest-leverage line on this section. Once OSTC exercises authority on a covered offense, neither the outgoing nor the incoming CO can dispose of the case.

The OSTC list is documented in detail on the OSTC Covered Offenses page in this section. Use that page as the reference for what counts as a covered offense.

D. Readiness and Special Programs Turnover

The Readiness Officer Turnover Binder is the operative document. It captures 12 months of readiness records and is required.

CIRRAS warm handoff is the highest-frequency failure on this section. Outgoing COs habitually treat the FPC briefing as the warm handoff. The MCO 1500.60AMCO 1500.60A standard is documentation in CIRRAS, not a verbal brief.

Common Failures on Section 1

1. Late SOCL. Submitted within a week of relief instead of 10 days prior. Reporting Senior visibility on the deviation.
2. Certificate of Relief signed without final inventory. Outgoing CO signs based on the prior monthly count instead of the D-15 inventory. Inventory must be current.
3. Open FLIPLs left for incoming CO. Adjudicated FLIPLs within outgoing authority must close before relief. Failing this transfers the action to incoming CO without authority adjustment.
4. OSTC case identification by category instead of by name. Briefing "we have three covered offenses" is insufficient. Each case briefed by name with STC POC.
5. DD Form 577DD Form 577 sweep deferred to incoming. All predecessor appointments terminate at CoC. Outgoing CO terminates. Incoming CO re-appoints. The two actions are separate.

Sign-Off Checklist

Before the ceremony, confirm in writing:

1. SOCL submitted to RS NLT 10 days prior - date and addressee
2. Status of Command Brief delivered NLT 3 days prior - date and audience
3. Most recent annual CCA and corrective action plan handed to incoming CO - date
4. Certificate of Relief signed - based on D-15 inventory
5. DD Form 577DD Form 577 sweep complete - all fiscal appointments terminated
6. OSTC case list briefed by name to incoming CO with STC POC
7. CIRRAS warm handoff documented for every high-risk Marine
8. Readiness Officer Turnover Binder delivered

If any item is incomplete, do not sign the joint certification block.