Armed Forces News

Navy officials have approved changes to the enlisted Fleet Marine Force warfare specialist program to require active-duty junior enlisted sailors assigned to FMF commands to complete qualifications for the FMF warfare device within their first 18 months aboard. The change affects corpsmen, dental technicians and religious programs specialists in grades E-1 through E-4. Other changes to the FMF instruction allow medical and dental treatment facility personnel assigned to operational platforms augmenting Marine Corps commands to participate in the program. In addition, full-time support personnel assigned to Marine Forces Reserve commands now can earn their FMF warfare devices. Furthermore, enlisted sailors deployed for a minimum of 90 consecutive days in direct support of Marine combat or peacekeeping operations may pursue the pin. Further information is contained in OPNAVINST 1414.4A.