COMMANDER'S INTENT
Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) is a function of command. Marine Corps leaders must ensure their people are well-led and cared for physically, emotionally, and spiritually, in and out of combat. “Taking care of Marines” means vigorously enforcing our high standards of performance and conduct. We will hold each other accountable and address violations expeditiously, at the lowest appropriate level.
The responsibility of a successful MEO program rests with the commander. Commanders have earned special trust and confidence and are accountable for all of their decisions, actions, and inactions. The Prohibited Activities and Conduct (PAC) prevention and response measures provide commanders the discretion to assess, investigate, and take corrective action to ensure unit cohesion and warfighting effectiveness.
Marine Corps small unit leaders, company-grade officers and mid-grade staff noncommissioned officers (SNCOs) have experience, maturity, and close daily connection to our most junior Marines. These leaders are in the best position to lead, educate, train, supervise, and instill our high standards.
POLICY
Prohibited discriminatory and harassment practices within the Marine Corps are counter-productive, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. The Marine Corps will maintain a culture of dignity, care, and concern in which all members of the organization are afforded equal treatment and opportunity to achieve their full potential based upon individual merit, fitness, intellect, and ability. All Service members will cultivate an environment free from PAC. PAC undermine morale, reduce combat readiness, and prevent maximum utilization and development of the Marine Corps’ most vital asset: its people.
HOW TO REPORT A PAC COMPLAINT
You can report through your:
Chain of Command
The Chain of Command or Command designated personnel (EOA) is the primary and preferred channel to prevent and respond to complaints of PAC. Use of the chain of command to address PAC exemplifies trust in leadership to address violations of our standards quickly and effectively.
Equal Opportunity Advisor
EOAs are the Marine Corps Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on command climate and PAC.
31st MEU EOA, SSgt CruzMartinez, Ashley M., DSN 623-1016, Gov: +81-70-7158-3327, and email ashley.m.cruzmartinez.mil@usmc.mil
Reporting Options
Anonymous Complaints
An individual is not required to divulge any PII in a PAC complaint or report. Commanders generally receive such anonymous information through electronic means, such as organizational hotlines or advice lines, CIG websites, the HQMC IG Hotline/Website, or other means of transmission, from an unknown or unidentified source.
Informal Complaint
An informal complaint is officially made in writing, requesting the complaint to be handled at the lowest appropriate level (through conflict resolution) to the servicing EOA. Seeking advice from command staff/supervisor does not constitute as an official PAC complaint. The PAC complaint does not eliminate small unit leadership responsibilities. The command staff/supervisor shall provide the option to speak with the servicing EOA for official PAC reporting.
Formal Complaint
A formal complaint is an allegation submitted in writing to the EOA requesting the commander or other person in charge of the organization to investigate the complaint.
Confidential Report
Confidential reporting of SH is not investigated. Commanders will not be notified of any confidential report or of any PII pertaining to confidential reports. Servicing EOA may share only the quarterly number of confidential reports of SH with the commander upon request.
