MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Starting in 1998 the Marine Corps introduced the current Performance Evaluation System (PES), Marine Corps order P1610.7E.
The integration of this new system was a complete change that required a fresh approach to filing fitness reports. Over the past five years the Marine Corps has made several small revisions to streamline this system and improve its overall effectiveness.
The most recent change was published on Jan. 16, 2003 that modified the Fitness Report submission schedule for both E-7's and E-8's.
Also affected by this change was the E-8/E-9 selection board, which was transitioned from a calendar year to the fiscal year rotation. As a result the board now convenes in October rather than January.
Used to adapt the submission schedule of reports, this revision was a precursor to the most recent change released April 16. The change published the table of the revised fitness report submission schedule.
Sgt. Maj. Dave Allison, Station Sergeant Major, was enthusiastic about the change and emphasized its importance.
"It's good to see these changes with this type of a system," he said. "It's only when we stop seeing these improvements that we should probably start over and get a whole new way of doing things."
"The system we're currently using was put in place back in 1998 and this latest change is the seventh revision to it, since then," he added.
With the seemingly ever-changing revisions to this system Marines should keep in mind what is trying to be accomplished through them, said Allison.
"The change is designed to get both the 'fit rep' and the promotion system on track with one another," said Allison. "This insures Marines get an up to date fitness report entered into the system just prior to the promotions boards."