MILITARY LIFE

Command and Leader

Forms and Documents

  • R.A.C.E. Bi-Fold and Explanation Page

    The R.A.C.E. bi-fold is a card no bigger than your ID. The purpose of the bi-fold is to educate Marines, their family members or friends about what steps to take if they notice an individual in distress. Open the link to learn more about this editable pdf.

     

  • 8 Day Backbrief Template

    8-day briefs are to be provided to ACMC by the first General Officer in the chain of command within 8 days of a class A or class B mishap and for all non-combat deaths (deaths due to disease or medical condition excepted).   Deaths due to suicide are included within this brief.

  • Death Brief Template

    The death debrief will be delivered to the first general officer in the chain-of-command.   MARFOR and MEF Commanding Generals need only receive the death debriefs by exception but are responsible for gleaning and distributing lessons learned.   The death debriefs are required for all non-combat deaths in order to prevent future deaths.  The implementation of the death briefs will be codified in the release of MCO 5100.29

  • The Leaders Guide to Managing Marines in Distress

    • The Leaders Guide for Managing Marines in Distress is designed to provide guidance and tools to leaders on what to look for, what to do and specific resources for helping Marines who are in distress. It is a quick reference, designed to help leaders at all levels take care of Marines within the unit who are in distress because of their situation or behavior. Click on the above link to learn more about the guide.

A Command Suicide Prevention Program can be broken down into 4 areas, Training, Tracking, Treating, and Transcribing.  The AIRS Checklist, used during IG inspections, contains these 4 areas and is considered the base on which to build a command suicide prevention program.

Training 

A strong command suicide prevention program can include briefs, videos, handouts, organized training sessions and whatever other methods are chosen to educate Marines in suicide awareness and prevention. 

One course designed by Marines for Marines is the NCO Suicide Prevention Training.  This course was implemented as peer-instructed training.  The major objectives of the training are:

  • To foster resilience, emphasizing that all Marines need to be Weapons Ready
  • To provide NCOs with an increased understanding of suicide, including it causes and impact
  • To reduce the stigma of being in distress and asking for help
  • To provide NCOs with guidance for assisting troubled Marines
  • To ensure that NCOs are aware of and have access to available resources to help Marines
  • To ensure NCOs understand their responsibility to take action

To find out more about  the NCO Suicide Prevention Training course guides, resources, course files and videos go to the NCO Training Course Resource Library.  

Tracking

MCTFS Codes were generated to assist in the tracking of NCO Course training completion.  The following codes apply:

  • PT - NCO Suicide Prevention Train-the-Trainer Course (Designated for Command Sgt Instructors)
  • PS - NCO Suicide Prevention training (Designated for NCO Marine/Navy FMF students)

**Members of the Regional Master Training Team are designated with both MCTFS Codes**

Once Marines have gone through the required training it must be noted in MCTFS for tracking purposes.  Rosters should be kept by the Command Suicide Prevention Program Officer to provide ready documentation of completed training by command personnel.

Tracking is not only required for educational purposes but IAW the AIRS Checklist it is the Commands responsibility to ensure all personnel who make suicide gestures and attempts are evaluated by mental health professionals and obtain appropriate follow-up.  Command involvement and tracking of treatment may help to ensure a successful resolution of the incident stressors and provide a Weapons Ready Marine.

Treating

Treatment involves having the proper resources in place and available for Marines should they need help. Treatment also includes making sure that any Marine who attempts suicide received immediate attention and follow up care. The medical treatment facility should keep the command updated on the Marines status and needs. Once the Marine is discharged from the hospital the command needs to ensure that the Marine is receiving and attending follow up care.    A list of available resources will assist the command in providing the Marine with the resources needed to meet their individual needs.

Transcribing

Transcribing involves reporting an incident to Headquarters Marine Corps through various means of communication.

Personnel Casualty Reports (PCR) are required after an incident has happened along with any follow up/supplemental information.  IAW MARADMIN 726-09, the DODSER is also required for all suicide attempts, as verified by competent medical authority.  A Suicide Attempt is defined as a self-inflicted, potentially injurious behavior with a non-fatal outcome for which there is evidence either implicit or explicit, of intent to die.  A suicide attempt may or may not result in injury.  Responsibility for the completion and submission of the DODSER is clarified further within MARADMIN 726-09.

In the event of a suicide, the command, along with the submission of a PCR,  must complete  the  Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DODSER) (MARADMIN 147/08 applies)  HQMC Suicide Prevention Program SOP is to contact the command and provide information on the DODSER completion process, the online web address https://dodser.t2.health.mil/dodser/ and any questions the command has after the incident.

Tips/ Creating a strong foundation

  • Make sure that all parties involved in suicide prevention are on the same page
  • Get to know everyone involved in suicide prevention
  • Get connected
  • Find out the nearest and most accessible mental health professionals
  • Get to know the Chaplains
  • Talk to your installations Semper Fit Health Promotion Coordinator and determine what they have to offer in terms of briefs and unique training
  • Find out how suicide prevention training is tracked
  • Find out  what needs to happen in the event of a suicide
  • Gather everyone together and talk about suicide prevention at your installation 

When everyone is connected they will know:

  • When training is done it needs to be recorded and tracked
  • If a Marine needs help everyone  will know who the Mental Health Professionals and Chaplains are and that they are providing any treatment necessary
  • Should a Marine attempt, gesture or die by suicide you will know what reports need to be filled out, when to fill them out, and who to contact for questions
  • Guidance provided by the Marine Corps can answer questions you may have including how to report a suicide or attempt, what programs are involved in suicide prevention and training standards 

Suicide prevention is a group effort in which everyone must participate.