The command’s servicing Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA) is the subject matter expert who accepts all MEO complaints. The EOA assists the commander to ensure all reports are addressed in a fair, impartial, and timely manner, and are appropriately resolved without fear of reprisal, intimidation, or retaliation.
A victim who discloses to their EOA a sexual assault, domestic abuse, or other harmful behavior outside of the MEO, with their consent, will be referred and provided a warm hand-off to the appropriate office to assist the victim.
When an official complaint is submitted through the EOA, the commander or Service with administrative control and disciplinary authority over the subject will process the complaint. For informal complaints, resolution will occur within 30 days. For formal complaints, the commander is expected to complete the investigation within 30 days, or within 14 days in cases of sexual harassment, to the extent practicable.
Allegations in which a DoD civilian is the complainant shall be forwarded to the EEO Office, and commanders shall make all reports and notifications required by Departmental and Service policy. However, the investigation of such a complaint and any disciplinary action shall be in accordance with the investigative and procedural requirements pertaining to the subject of the complaint. In these situations, refer to DoDI 1020.04 EEO policy.
Either party—whether the complainant or the subject—may appeal the findings of the convening authority (CA) to the Appeal Authority and must promptly notify their command of the intent to appeal. Appeals of administrative findings may be based on the following grounds: a good faith belief that existing DoD or DON regulations were improperly applied, that the remedial action ordered by the commander was inadequate under the circumstances, or any other valid basis made in good faith. Please note that such an appeal is not automatic; it must be submitted in writing within 30 days of notification of the findings. This will ensure timely routing of the appeal and relevant case files for review by the Reviewing General Court-Martial Convening Authority.
Potential Service-member candidates must adhere to the application process outlined in the current EOA solicitation MARADMIN. For additional information about the EOA Program, Service members may contact their command EOA or their Career Planner. Civilian candidates are required to apply through USAjobs.gov for an EOA position. Both civilian and uniformed candidates must complete the mandatory training provided by DEOMI at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.
To become an Equal Opportunity Coordinator (EOC), you must be appointed in writing by the commander for at least one year and complete approved HQMC MPE training to assist with designated duties in the Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) Program. The EOC does not function as the command EOA however, the EOCs are authorized to stand inspection, assist with MOAs, designated as command Survey Administrator for the DEOCS, facilitate training, and provide MEO Program updates to the command. EOCs are not authorized to conduct intakes or manage cases.
All Functional Area Checklists (FACS) are updated annually and located on the Inspector General of the Marine Corps (IGMC) website Functional Area Checklists (FACs).