Inspector General of the Marine Corps Grading Criteria
as defined in MCO 5040.6J, 11 July 2019
Grade Assigned by IGMC/Command Inspector General (CIG) to the Command:
Grade Assigned to a Command. The IGMC and CIGs assess commands as either Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III using the below grading criteria. Grades are compiled using all inspected FAs (CoRE, CoRE+, and non-CoRE). Note: Any FAs receiving “assist visits” (i.e., unofficial evaluations requested by a unit or directed by a senior commander) are not included when determining an inspection grade.
Tier I (Commendatory). The IGMC assesses a command as commendatory when 90% - 100% of its inspected FAs are deemed to be effective.
Tier II (Satisfactory). The IGMC assesses a command as satisfactory when 80% - 89% of its inspected FAs are deemed to be effective.
Tier III (Unsatisfactory). The IGMC assesses a command as unsatisfactory when 0% - 79% of its inspected FAs are deemed to be effective.
Grade Assigned to Functional Areas:
Effective. Sufficient evidence exists to compel an expert in the FA to believe the program existed in the past, is successful and in compliance at the time of the inspection, and is reasonably assured to be so in the future. Effective FAs may exist with a degree of findings and discrepancies.
Ineffective. Sufficient evidence exists to compel an expert in the FA to believe the program is ineffective, does not meet the intent of the policy or directive, or does not achieve the effect desired by the policy or directive. If the FA exists in name only or does not exist at all, it shall also be assessed as ineffective.
Grade Assigned to FAC Questions:
Compliant. Sufficient evidence exists validating that the inspected command meets or is in accordance with the rules or standards set forth by the FAC question(s).
Discrepancy. A minor deviation, error, or failure to comply with guidance, direction, standards, or action as required in appropriate and applicable policy directives. Discrepancies require minimal corrective actions and are normally within the capability of the inspected FA manager or leadership to correct independently within a short period of time. A discrepancy is of minor risk to the command.
Finding. A significant problem, deviation, error, or failure to comply with appropriate and applicable policy directives and/or higher headquarters policies and procedures. Findings require involvement, guidance, corrective action, and follow-up from a commander, the commander’s higher headquarters, or an external agency. Findings are often beyond the authority and purview of a FA manager to correct and may be indicative of a systemic or resource shortfall. Findings are greater than a minor risk to the command. If left uncorrected, findings may have one or all of the following characteristics: (a) Can negatively impact the command’s readiness; (b) Involve issues of health, safety, morale, or welfare of the command’s Marines, Sailors, civilians, and families; and (c) Involve or can lead to fraud, waste, abuse of authority, or mismanagement.