10 USC Ch. 806: HEADQUARTERS, MARINE CORPS

From Title 10—ARMED FORCESSubtitle C—Navy and Marine CorpsPART I—ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER 806—HEADQUARTERS, MARINE CORPS

Sec.

8041.

Headquarters, Marine Corps: function; composition.

8042.

Headquarters, Marine Corps: general duties.

8043.

Commandant of the Marine Corps.

8044.

Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.

8045.

Deputy Commandants.

8046.

Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

8047.

Legislative Assistant to the Commandant.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(e)(1), (f)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837, 1838, redesignated chapter 506 of this title as this chapter and items 5041 to 5047 as 8041 to 8047, respectively.

2002—Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §504(d)(3)(B), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2532, added item 5047.

2000—Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title IX, §902(b)(2)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-224, substituted "Deputy Commandants" for "Chief of Staff; Deputy and Assistant Chiefs of Staff" in item 5045.

1986—Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title V, §509(a)(2), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3868, added item 5046.

§8041. Headquarters, Marine Corps: function; composition

(a) There is in the executive part of the Department of the Navy a Headquarters, Marine Corps. The function of the Headquarters, Marine Corps, is to assist the Secretary of the Navy in carrying out his responsibilities.

(b) The Headquarters, Marine Corps, is composed of the following:

(1) The Commandant of the Marine Corps.

(2) The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.

(3) The Deputy Commandants.

(4) The Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

(5) Other members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned or detailed to the Headquarters, Marine Corps.

(6) Civilian employees in the Department of the Navy assigned or detailed to the Headquarters, Marine Corps.

(c) Except as otherwise specifically prescribed by law, the Headquarters, Marine Corps, shall be organized in such manner, and its members shall perform such duties and have such titles, as the Secretary may prescribe.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title V, §513(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1052, §5041; amended Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title IX, §902(a)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-224; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title V, §531(c), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1726; renumbered §8041, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 5041 of this title as this section.

2013—Subsec. (b)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 112–239 added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) and (5) as (5) and (6), respectively.

2000—Subsec. (b)(3) to (7). Pub. L. 106–398 added par. (3), redesignated pars. (6) and (7) as (4) and (5), respectively, and struck out former pars. (3) to (5) which read as follows:

"(3) The Chief of Staff of the Marine Corps.

"(4) The Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

"(5) The Assistant Chiefs of Staff."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

§8042. Headquarters, Marine Corps: general duties

(a) The Headquarters, Marine Corps, shall furnish professional assistance to the Secretary, the Under Secretary, and the Assistant Secretaries of the Navy and to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

(b) Under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Navy, the Headquarters, Marine Corps, shall—

(1) subject to subsections (c) and (d) of section 8014 of this title, prepare for such employment of the Marine Corps, and for such recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping (including research and development), training, servicing, mobilizing, demobilizing, administering, and maintaining of the Marine Corps, as will assist in the execution of any power, duty, or function of the Secretary or the Commandant;

(2) investigate and report upon the efficiency of the Marine Corps and its preparation to support military operations by combatant commanders;

(3) prepare detailed instructions for the execution of approved plans and supervise the execution of those plans and instructions;

(4) as directed by the Secretary or the Commandant, coordinate the action of organizations of the Marine Corps; and

(5) perform such other duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as may be prescribed by the Secretary.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title V, §513(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1052, §5042; renumbered §8042 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§807(a)(1), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834, 1840.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §807(a)(1), renumbered section 5042 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8014" for "section 5014".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8043. Commandant of the Marine Corps

(a)(1) There is a Commandant of the Marine Corps, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Commandant shall be appointed for a term of four years from the general officers of the Marine Corps. He serves at the pleasure of the President. In time of war or during a national emergency declared by Congress, he may be reappointed for a term of not more than four years.

(2) The President may appoint an officer as Commandant of the Marine Corps only if—

(A) the officer has had significant experience in joint duty assignments; and

(B) such experience includes at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment (as defined in section 664(f) ¹ of this title) as a general officer.

(3) The President may waive paragraph (2) in the case of an officer if the President determines such action is necessary in the national interest.

(b) The Commandant of the Marine Corps, while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating his permanent grade.

[(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, §502(c), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 293.]

(d) Except as otherwise prescribed by law and subject to section 8013(f) of this title, the Commandant performs his duties under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Navy and is directly responsible to the Secretary.

(e) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Navy, the Commandant shall—

(1) preside over the Headquarters, Marine Corps;

(2) transmit the plans and recommendations of the Headquarters, Marine Corps, to the Secretary and advise the Secretary with regard to such plans and recommendations;

(3) after approval of the plans or recommendations of the Headquarters, Marine Corps, by the Secretary, act as the agent of the Secretary in carrying them into effect;

(4) exercise supervision, consistent with the authority assigned to commanders of unified or specified combatant commands under chapter 6 of this title, over such of the members and organizations of the Marine Corps and the Navy as the Secretary determines;

(5) perform the duties prescribed for him by sections 171 and 3104 of this title and other provisions of law; and

(6) perform such other military duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as are assigned to him by the President, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of the Navy.

(f)(1) The Commandant shall also perform the duties prescribed for him as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under section 151 of this title.

(2) To the extent that such action does not impair the independence of the Commandant in the performance of his duties as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commandant shall inform the Secretary regarding military advice rendered by members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters affecting the Department of the Navy.

(3) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Commandant shall keep the Secretary of the Navy fully informed of significant military operations affecting the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title V, §513(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1052, §5043; amended Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title V, §519(a)(3), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 1972; Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title V, §505(b), Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1358; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title V, §502(c), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 293; Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title V, §501(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1456; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §802(d)(4)(C), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 880; renumbered §8043 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§807(a)(1), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834, 1840; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1808(d)(3), as added Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(r)(2), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1847(e)(6)(B), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4257; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(r)(1)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2149.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 664(f) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), was redesignated as section 664(d) of this title by Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, §510(g)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2111.

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5201 of this title prior to enactment of Pub. L. 99–433.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 116–283, §1847(e)(6)(B), which directed substitution of ", 3103, and 4274" for "and 2547", was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(r)(1)(B).

Pub. L. 116–283, §1808(d)(3), as added by Pub. L. 117–81, §1701(r)(2), substituted "and 3104" for "and 2547".

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §807(a)(1), renumbered section 5043 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8013(f)" for "section 5013(f)".

2015—Subsec. (e)(5). Pub. L. 114–92 substituted "sections 171 and 2547" for "section 171".

2003—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 108–136 substituted "from the general officers of the Marine Corps" for "from officers on the active-duty list of the Marine Corps not below the grade of colonel".

1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–106 struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: "An officer who is retired while serving as Commandant of the Marine Corps, or who, after serving at least two and one-half years as Commandant, is retired after completion of that service while serving in a lower grade than general, may, in the discretion of the President and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, be retired with the grade of general."

1991—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–190 inserted "and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate" after "President".

1988—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–456 substituted "full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment (as defined in section 664(f) of this title)" for "joint duty assignment".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Waiver of Qualifications for Appointment as Service Chief

For provisions giving President temporary authority to waive requirements in subsec. (a)(2) of this section, see section 532(c) of Pub. L. 99–433, title V, Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1063, which was formerly set out as a note under section 3033 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§8044. Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps

(a) There is an Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from officers on the active-duty list of the Marine Corps not restricted in the performance of duty.

(b) The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating his permanent grade.

(c) The Assistant Commandant has such authority and duties with respect to the Marine Corps as the Commandant, with the approval of the Secretary of the Navy, may delegate to or prescribe for him. Orders issued by the Assistant Commandant in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the Commandant.

(d) When there is a vacancy in the office of Commandant of the Marine Corps, or during the absence or disability of the Commandant—

(1) the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps shall perform the duties of the Commandant until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases; or

(2) if there is a vacancy in the office of the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps or the Assistant Commandant is absent or disabled, unless the President directs otherwise, the most senior officer of the Marine Corps in the Headquarters, Marine Corps, who is not absent or disabled and who is not restricted in performance of duty shall perform the duties of the Commandant until a successor to the Commandant or the Assistant Commandant is appointed or until the absence or disability of the Commandant or Assistant Commandant ceases, whichever occurs first.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title V, §513(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1054, §5044; renumbered §8044, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 5202 of this title prior to enactment of Pub. L. 99–433.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 5044 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8045. Deputy Commandants

There are in the Headquarters, Marine Corps, not more than seven Deputy Commandants, detailed by the Secretary of the Navy from officers on the active-duty list of the Marine Corps.

(Added Pub. L. 99–433, title V, §513(b), Oct. 1, 1986, 100 Stat. 1054, §5045; amended Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title IX, §902(b)(1)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A-224; Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title IX, §934, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2626; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, §503(c), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2107; renumbered §8045, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 5045 of this title as this section.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 substituted "seven" for "six".

2002—Pub. L. 107–314 substituted "six" for "five".

2000—Pub. L. 106–398 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "There are in the Headquarters, Marine Corps, a Chief of Staff, not more than five Deputy Chiefs of Staff, and not more than three Assistant Chiefs of Staff, detailed by the Secretary of the Navy from officers on the active-duty list of the Marine Corps."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8046. Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps

(a) An officer of the Marine Corps who is a judge advocate and a member of the bar of a Federal court or the highest court of a State or territory and who has had at least eight years of experience in legal duties as a commissioned officer may be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, as Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

(b)(1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, in selecting an officer for recommendation to the President for appointment as the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, shall ensure that the officer selected is recommended by a board of officers that, insofar as practicable, is subject to the procedures applicable to selection boards convened under chapter 36 of this title.

(2) If the Secretary of the Navy elects to convene a selection board under section 611(a) of this title to consider eligible officers for selection to appointment as Staff Judge Advocate, the Secretary may, in connection with such consideration for selection—

(A) treat any section in chapter 36 of this title referring to promotion to the next higher grade as if such section referred to promotion to a higher grade; and

(B) waive section 619(a)(2) of this title if the Secretary determines that the needs of the Marine Corps require the waiver.

(c) The Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, under the direction of the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Secretary of the Navy, shall—

(1) perform such duties relating to legal matters arising in the Marine Corps as may be assigned to the Staff Judge Advocate;

(2) perform the functions and duties, and exercise the powers, prescribed for the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps in chapter 47 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice) and chapter 53 of this title; and

(3) perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Staff Judge Advocate.

(d) No officer or employee of the Department of Defense may interfere with—

(1) the ability of the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps to give independent legal advice to the Commandant of the Marine Corps; or

(2) the ability of judge advocates of the Marine Corps assigned or attached to, or performing duty with, military units to give independent legal advice to commanders.

(Added Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title V, §509(a)(1), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3868, §5046; amended Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, §504(b)(4), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2751; Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title V, §574(b)(2), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 1922; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title V, §504(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4434; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title V, §531(a), (b), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1725, 1726; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, §502(x), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2104; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, §508(a), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1375; renumbered §8046, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 5046 of this title as this section.

2017—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–91 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

2016—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–328 struck out last sentence which read as follows: "If the officer to be appointed as the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps holds a grade lower than the grade of major general immediately before the appointment, the officer shall be appointed in the grade of major general."

2013—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–239, §531(a), substituted "appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate," for "detailed" and "If the officer to be appointed as the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps holds a grade lower than the grade of major general immediately before the appointment, the officer shall be appointed in the grade of major general." for "The Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, while so serving, has the grade of major general."

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 112–239, §531(b), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–417 substituted "The Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, while so serving, has the grade of major general." for "If an officer appointed as the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps holds a lower regular grade, the officer shall be appointed in the regular grade of brigadier general."

2004—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–375 added subsec. (c).

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–337, §504(b)(4)(A), added second sentence and struck out former second sentence which read as follows: "While so serving, a judge advocate who holds a grade lower than brigadier general shall hold the grade of brigadier general if appointed to that grade by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–337, §504(b)(4)(B), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: "An officer retiring from the position of Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, after serving at least three years in that position, shall be retired in the highest grade in which that officer served on active duty satisfactorily, as determined by the Secretary of the Navy."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Effective Date

Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title V, §509(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3868, provided that: "Section 5046 [now 8046] of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply only with respect to appointments as Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 14, 1986]."

Transition Provision for Retirement of Staff Judge Advocates

Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title V, §509(d), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3868, provided that: "Notwithstanding [former] section 1370(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, an officer serving in the position of Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, or an equivalent position, on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 14, 1986], if retired after having served in such position (or equivalent position) at least three years, including any service in such position (or its equivalent) before such date, shall be retired in the highest grade in which the officer served on active duty satisfactorily, as determined by the Secretary of the Navy."

[In determining retired grade of certain commissioned officers of the Armed Forces who retire after Jan. 1, 2021, any reference to section 1370 of title 10 in such determination with respect to such officers deemed to be a reference to section 1370a of title 10, see section 508(c) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note under section 1370 of this title.]

§8047. Legislative Assistant to the Commandant

There is in the Marine Corps a Legislative Assistant to the Commandant.

(Added Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §504(d)(3)(A), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2532, §5047; amended Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title V, §502(y), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2104; renumbered §8047, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(a)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1834.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 5047 of this title as this section.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328 struck out second sentence which read as follows: "An officer assigned to that position shall be in a grade above colonel."