Fitreps

[SSgtB1990]

I'm sure I'm going to show my age here but I hate, HATE the fitrep system that we have in place. I just received, yet again, a fitrep through APES that has been signed by both the RS and RO without so much as a spoken word from them. The comments are great but there's no way of knowing if the actual markings match what the words say. It's a frustrating process. I received a fitness report in the past that had outstanding markings, my RS's highest actually, but there were NO comments whatsoever.

This system was designed to elleviate inflated fitness reports but it hasn't done that at all. And electronic fitness reports take the responsibilities away from the RS and RO's to explain and be held accountable for the markings/comments that they give. They are able to send a fitness report all the way up to MMSB without ever even speaking to the Marine. The system is flawed. I long for the old paper fitreps that had to be personally signed by the Marine being reported on saying he read and was COUNSELLED on his fitrep.

[smarg]

I'm sure I'm going to show my age here but I hate, HATE the fitrep system that we have in place. I just received, yet again, a fitrep through APES that has been signed by both the RS and RO without so much as a spoken word from them. The comments are great but there's no way of knowing if the actual markings match what the words say. It's a frustrating process. I received a fitness report in the past that had outstanding markings, my RS's highest actually, but there were NO comments whatsoever.

This system was designed to elleviate inflated fitness reports but it hasn't done that at all. And electronic fitness reports take the responsibilities away from the RS and RO's to explain and be held accountable for the markings/comments that they give. They are able to send a fitness report all the way up to MMSB without ever even speaking to the Marine. The system is flawed. I long for the old paper fitreps that had to be personally signed by the Marine being reported on saying he read and was COUNSELLED on his fitrep.

If you were never asked for input to your fitrep, you may have been given the "velvet knife/silent kill" to your career. Were you stratified in the verbage?

[Gunny P]

Our system is not perfect and could always be improved in one way or another. We should be thankful for it, though. My last command was a joint environment and without a doubt our system is FAR better than anything the other services have in place. The army lets every schmuck between you and the president have a hack on your evaluation, including all your enlisted supervisors and leaders. The Air Force has a JACKED UP system where spaces, codewords and punctuation all have hidden meaning. One senior enlisted airman railed against their evaluation system one day then later gave a class on how to give a glowing report for airmen so you wouldn't "ruin their careers." Our FitRep system may not be perfect, but like Secretary Gates said, you go to war with what you have.

[Yggdrasil]

At least you guys don't have the forced distribution system that we have in the Navy. Even civilian companies tend to shy away from forced distribution, as there have been many EEO lawsuits over them in the past.

[smarg]

At least you guys don't have the forced distribution system that we have in the Navy. Even civilian companies tend to shy away from forced distribution, as there have been many EEO lawsuits over them in the past.

Yeah, I'd say the Marines have the best system out of all.

[SSgtB1990]

If you were never asked for input to your fitrep, you may have been given the "velvet knife/silent kill" to your career. Were you stratified in the verbage?

What do you mean?

[darkhorse0369]

Talk to your RS and RO. If that doesn't work, talk to your Sgt Major / 1st Sgt. If they can't correct it. Get in touch with the Naval Corrections Board and try to get the report pulled. You'll have to do some research, but I'm sure no justification comments is a good loop hole for getting one pulled. Is it a Bad report or God?
(ie...do you think with the markings that it could be construed as an adverse report?)

[JARHEAD377]

.... The comments are great but there's no way of knowing if the actual markings match what the words say. It's a frustrating process. I received a fitness report in the past that had outstanding markings, my RS's highest actually, but there were NO comments whatsoever.

SSgt,

You can order your OMPF & Master Brief Sheet from MMEA (https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page?_pageid=278,1937668&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL) .... here's the LINK (https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page?_pageid=278,1964629&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL) with the information. All you have to do is send an email with the required info to the address found on that link & they will send you a CD with all of your Marine Corps career information, to include how your FITREPS from your RS & RO stand up against other SSgt's those RS's & RO's have written FITREPs on.

If you received an observed FITREP from an RS with no comments in Section I, then your RS is jacked up....and your RO is a baffoon for not sending it back to the RS!! If the FITREP was from your current RS, then go talk with him/her & ask him/her why there are no comments in Section I, and politely remind him/her that MARINE CORPS ORDER P1610.7F (PES Manual) requires comments in Section I. If he/she tells you to go pound sand, or if the RS is not around anymore, you can give MMEA (https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page?_pageid=278,1937668&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL) a call & ask them pull that FITREP from your records.

Just FYI if you didn't know ... you can check for your FITREP date gaps HERE (https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page?_pageid=278,1937147&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL) ... click on Check Your Fitness Report Status ... & enter the required info. It'll tell you if you have any date gaps .. if you do, report it to your RS ... if he/she gaffs you off & doesn't help you fix it, then go up your enlisted chain of command.

S/F

[LeaderOfMarines]

Fitreps suck anyhow. If you get a boot RS that has written two fitreps, your most likely screwed. Your relative value will plummet once they write 20. If you get a valued RS then it's straight. Like that always happens.

[Toogr82h8]

I think FITREPS are a great tool but it is the responsibility of the MROW, RS and RO equally. If you have a RS who has to write FITREPS on 15 other Marines of equal rank at the same time obviously he is going to find it challenging to ensure that each one is 100% accurate to the Marine being reported on (MRO).

This is where the MRO comes in. When you fill out your MROW Section A,B,C and D you should paint a picture of your value to the command. Although it is the RS's responsibility for those sections you should ensure it accurately reflects your job and accomplishments. Additionally if you have an issue with your grades, you should approach your RS. Being that he/she is evaluating you then you should be able to approach them about grade issues.

A number of times I have approached my RS with a certain issue I had with a grade. Typically for me it is the PME grade but it could vary with other people. Alot of RS's get stuck in that average mentality where they always give a "C" for something. Everytime I have approached an RS with something I have come back succesful. Have a good arguement and let them know what you feel.

As a previous poster stated talk to you 1stSgt about it. You career is in your hands as far as fitreps go and if you just let them write themselves it will reflect in promotion.

SERGEANT
I-I Staff
Alpha Co, 4th CEB, 4th MARDIV

[SGT2311]

I'm sure I'm going to show my age here but I hate, HATE the fitrep system that we have in place. I just received, yet again, a fitrep through APES that has been signed by both the RS and RO without so much as a spoken word from them. The comments are great but there's no way of knowing if the actual markings match what the words say. It's a frustrating process. I received a fitness report in the past that had outstanding markings, my RS's highest actually, but there were NO comments whatsoever.

This system was designed to elleviate inflated fitness reports but it hasn't done that at all. And electronic fitness reports take the responsibilities away from the RS and RO's to explain and be held accountable for the markings/comments that they give. They are able to send a fitness report all the way up to MMSB without ever even speaking to the Marine. The system is flawed. I long for the old paper fitreps that had to be personally signed by the Marine being reported on saying he read and was COUNSELLED on his fitrep.

I agree, most of my fitreps I have received not a word was spoken to me! However, I have just received a Fitrep and was counseled by the RS, though the words still didn't reflect the marks. I think they should make it mandatory that the MRO reviews the Fitrep and signs it just like the RS and RO have to. Making a statement that he was counseled by his/her RS/RO. Sounds like a good idea to me.

[Gunny P]

Have to agree. Although we still have the best system, it would be better if SNM had an opportunity for review or rebuttal before submission. I just had a change in RS fitrep. Although it was glowing, I received my counseling AFTER it was submitted. What if there were something my outgoing RS forgot about? Something I didn't agree with and had legitimate argument to adjust?

And that some Marines are not getting their counseling is unsat. If you haven't been counseled, "remind" your OIC that it's unreasonable to evaluate a Marine without first telling him what the expectations are. What you think your job is and what he thinks your job is might not be exactly the same.

Also advise all Marines to keep a journal of accomplishments. At the end of the week, write down what you did. Come FitRep time, it will make your bullets easier to write.

[THORSHAMMER69]

One of the most important things to remember as SNCOs is to make sure that the new Sgts feel comfortable approaching their RS and requesting a discussion. I have had experiences in the past where my RS never planned on saying a word about my fitrep. You can't let them get away with that crap. In some situations we are just numbers and we have to hold our leaders accountable just as they hold us accountable.