Independent Duty Funds (IDF) and Family Readiness Funds

1. Independent Duty Funds(IDF)and Family Readiness Funds Marine Forces Reserve Required Training Course For Responsible Officers (ROs)

2. Independent Duty Funds • Background: Independent Duty Funds (IDF) are authorized non-appropriated funds (NAF) to support the recreational needs of active duty Marines and families permanently assigned to units detached from command elements and not located aboard DoD owned property IDF are NOT authorized for units who are located aboard military installations or other DoD owned property Ref: MCO P1700.27B

3. Eligibility for IDF • Active duty Marines who are: • permanently assigned to units detached from command elements • are NOT tenant activities located aboard military installations, or other DoD owned property • and are not required to be supported by separate DoD regulation or inter-Service agreement

4. How are funds allocated? • The Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Board of Directors approved a NAF provision for Marines on Independent Duty • Active duty Marines permanently detached from DOD installations but located within a 30-minute/30-mile radius of a military installation, shall receive $40 per Marine per year • All others receive $130 per Marine per year • Family Readiness Funding is provided for Selected Marine Corps Reserves (SMCR) at a rate of $17.50 per Marine per year • These amounts include the increase of family readiness funds.

5. How are funds allocated? • Both IDF and Family Readiness Funds are subject to the policies and procedures in: MCO P1700.27B • IDF are not intended to be used to purchase items and equipment that are authorized Appropriated Funds (APF) and Family Readiness Funds are strictly limited to support the Unit Personal & Family Readiness Program and for items such as food or entertainment that are not entitled to APF. INDEPENDENT DUTY FUNDS AND FAMILY READINESS FUNDS SHALL NOT BE COMINGLED

6. Who can request IDF & Family Readiness Funds? • The unit Commanding Officer (CO) or assigned MCCS IDF Responsible Officers (RO) • The RO must: • be appointed in writing by the Command CO – original appointment letter kept on file at the unit • Appointment letter copies must be forwarded to: mfridf@usmc.mil and mccsidf@usmc-mccs.org • complete training within 30 days of assuming duties • Any changes to the RO shall be communicated to MFR MCCS and MRF immediately

7. Sample RO Appointment Letter (MUST BE ON OFFICIAL UNIT LETTERHEAD) 1000 Designator Date From: Commanding Officer, To: Responsible Officer (Name and rank, ) Subj: APPOINTMENT AS THE MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY SERVICES (MCCS) RESPONSIBLE OFFICER FOR INDEPENDENT DUTY FUNDS Ref: (a) MCO P1700.27B • Per the reference, you are hereby appointed as the MCCS Responsible Officer for Independent Duty Fund account #______. The reference also contains information pertaining to request and liquidation of subject funds. • You will complete the electronic MFR required training within 10 days of this appointment. • This appointment will remain in effect until you are transferred or relieved in writing. //CO//

8. How to request IDF and Family Readiness Funds? • Submit unit requests (see sample for approved format) to CMC (MRF) for Independent Duty and/or Family Readiness Fund expenditures via the unit CO, at least 30 days prior to the event • Requests may be faxed to CMC (MRF) at (703) 784-5336 OR (703) 784-6311 – ATTN: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER OR e-mailed to: mccsidf@usmc-mccs.orgwith an electronic approval attached • If there are questions regarding the use of the IDF, forward them to MCCS, MFR Headquarters mfridf@usmc.milor call 1-866-305-9058

9. Sample Request Letter (MUST BE ON OFFICIAL UNIT LETTERHEAD) 1700 Unit Date From: Responsible Officer, Independent Duty Funds To: Commandant of the Marine Corps, Personal and Family Readiness Division (MRF) Via: Unit Commander Subj: REQUEST FOR NONAPPROPRIATED FUNDS Ref: (a) MCO P1700.27B 1. In accordance with the reference and as authorized, the following funds are requested: • Purpose: • Total Amount Requested: • Date of Event: • Date Funds Desired Locally: • Total Number of Military Personnel Attending – • AD # total: • AR# total: • SMCR# total: • Name of authorized representative to whom check should be made payable: • Contact name and phone number: • Account/RUC number: //Signature of Responsible Officer// ----------------------------------------------------------------FIRST ENDORSEMENT From: CO To: Commandant of the Marine Corps, Personal and Family Readiness Division (MRF) • Forwarded, recommending approval. //CO//

10. What are the duties of the Responsible Officer? • Maintain accountability for IDF accounts • Ensure requests for IDF are in compliance with current policy (recreation enhancement i.e. unit activities such as picnics, parties, and other recreational or entertainment events as authorized by MCO P1700.27B (para. 1313 & 1314); CMC (MRF). Funds may also be used to support Unit Family Readiness Program and Marine Corps Family Team Building program activities. • If there are questions regarding the use of the IDF, forward them to MCCS, MFR Headquarters. Submit ALL unit requests to CMC (MRF) for independent duty and/or Family Readiness Fund expenditures via the unit Commanding Officer, no less than 30 days prior to the event .

11. What are the duties of the Responsible Officer? (continued) • Submit unit expenditure reports, with copies of supporting documentation to CMC (MRF), not more than 10 calendar days after the event. Reports may be faxed to CMC (MRF) at (703) 784-5336 OR (703) 784-6311 – ATTN: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE MANAGER OR e-mailed to: MCCSIDF@usmc-mccs.org. • Receipts must match expenditure requests - i.e. original request was for movie theater tickets. Receipts must be for the movie theater tickets not a family day. • Return unused funds, by check, not more than 10 calendar days after the event to the MR lockbox located at: • SEMPER FIT & EXCHANGE SERVICES DIVISION P. O. Box 277160 Atlanta, GA 30384-7160

12. Responsible Officer must • Maintain original receipts and records of transactions for two years following the year of expenditure • Legible/scanned receipts e-mailed to the RO are acceptable *** Your files will be subject to periodic audits conducted by MCNAFAS ***

13. How often can funds be requested? • Funds may be requested at any time as long as there are funds in the units account. • Allocations will be spent either: • quarterly • semi-annually • They can NOT be saved for a single annual event • I.E.- Marine Corps Birthday Ball NOTE: Any unused IDF will revert to CMC on 31 January of each year. Funds will not be carried forward into the new NAF year.

14. How can funds be spent? • Funds should be used in support of unit activities such as, but not limited to: • Picnics • Parties • Family dinner/functions • Other entertainment events authorized by the reference and MFR (MCCS)

15. Receiving and Returning Funds • The use of FedEx is not standard protocol • ROs will comply with the DoD Mail Policies • Preferred mail carrier is USPS *** DoD Official Mail Manual 4525.8-M ***

16. Recap • IDF is NAF funding approved by MCCS BOD • Only independent duty eligible Marines rate IDF • COs and ROs MUST request funds • Funds MUST be requested 30 days in advance • IDF will NOT be spent on one annual event • Proper documentation will be submitted and kept at appropriate levels (Unit) for 2 years. • Mail carrier is USPS

17. Complete the attached training certificate Maintain a copy of the certificate with the appointing letter and forward a copy to MFR/ MCCS at mfridf@usmc.mil, and CMC (MRF) at mccsidf@usmc-mccs.org.

18. Unit Name: ___________________ City, State:________________________ RUC:________________________