Marines

ESCORT/CHASER TRAINING


1.  POC: Training Staff, Camp Pendleton Base Brig, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055 TEL: 760-725-4665

2.  Commands must have qualified escorts to move both pre-trial and post-trial prisoners.  To be qualified, personnel must meet screening criteria, attend a one-day Brig Escort Chaser Class and pass a written proficiency test.  Successful completion will result in the issuance of an Escort Identification Card (NAVPERS 1640/18).  The certification is good for one year.

3.  Exemptions: The Brig Commanding Officer will make a determination on a case by case basis for Army/Marine Corps Military Police, Air Force Security Forces, Navy Master-At-Arms and formal NEC/MOS school-trained corrections.  Personnel may be exempt from attending the class, but must meet the screening criteria listed in paragraph (6) below.

4.  Brig Escort Chaser Classes are normally scheduled on two Tuesdays of each month.  In order to attend the chaser class, units are required to send a signed copy of the pre-screening letter via e-mail to the Brig Training Staff or have students bring a signed copy to the course.  There is a maximum of 15 attendees per unit but this can be waived depending on the projected attendance.  There is a maximum of 100 seats per course; seats are first come first served.  The class begins promptly at 0730 until 1100. Attendees who show up after 0730 will be turned away!

The scheduled class dates in 2024 include the following:
                                      

Mar 5th and 12th

April 2nd and 9th

May 7th and 14th

June 4th and 11th

July 9th

Aug 6th and 13th

Sept 3rd and 10th

Oct 1st and 8th

Nov 5th and 12th

Dec 3rd and 10th

Note: Chaser courses at 29 Palms will go semi-annually through a designated unit.         

*ADDITIONAL CHASER DATES CAN BE REQUESTED IF UNITS CAN PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF 50 MARINES*

5.  Per references (a) and (b):
    a.  Escorts shall be carefully selected for maturity and the ability to handle emergencies.
    b.  Requesting activities shall provide their own escorts for trial, administrative, legal, and any other appointments for pre-trial prisoners.
    c.  Commands with frequent prisoner movements shall provide a pool of escorts and each trip shall include at least one escort who has traversed the same route in similar transportation.
    d.  In all cases, at least one escort will be of the same gender as the prisoner.
    e.  When transferring or escorting pretrial officers outside of the MCF, the senior escort must be an officer of equal or higher grade.  When transferring or escorting post-trial officers, who have not been sentenced to a dismissal, outside of the MCF, the senior escort shall be an officer.
    f.  Escorts will not be required or authorized to carry nightsticks/batons or other weapons to include Leatherman/Gerbers.
    g.  Maximum (Max) and Medium-In (MDI) prisoners must be escorted by at least two escorts.  Maximum (Max)  and Medium-In (MDI) prisoners shall wear restraints at all times while outside the security perimeter of the Brig.
    h.  A military judge (but never a lawyer) may direct that restraints be removed from a prisoner in a courtroom if, in the judge’s opinion, such restraint is not necessary.

6.  The following are eligibility requirements for personnel attending Camp Pendleton Base Brig Escort Chaser Class:
    a.  Must be 19 years of age or older.
    b.  Must have completed 15 months of active service (after completion of recruit training), regardless of service branch.
    c.  Must be mature and emotionally stable. Personnel with a history of alcohol or mental disorders are not eligible.

    d.  Must have no courts-martial convictions during current enlistment and must not be pending any punitive action or administrative separation.

    e.  Must have no record of civil court convictions which resulted in confinement.

    f.   Must have a score on the standard classification test (GT) of 90 or above.

    g.  Must have no disfigurement or physical impediment that could cause the service member to be ridiculed or otherwise undermine the chaser’s control of a prisoner.

    h.  Must not have his/her chaser status revoked by any brig in the past.
    i.   Chaser identified as a witness in a prisoner/detainees trial are not authorized to chase that individual.
    j.   In the event a chaser’s status changes regarding the requirements set forth above, that chaser’s qualification will be revoked.
    k.  The only accepted chaser cards are those issued from Camp Pendleton Base Brig, MCAS Yuma, and MCAS Miramar.
    l.   After being chaser qualified, all chasers are required to wear a duty belt when chasing prisoners/detainees.
 
7.  Approved personnel must bring a signed copy of the nomination letter to the class.  The required form is available via the link below.

Click here to download the nomination letter.

8.  All commands are invited to send personnel to the training.  The class begins promptly at 0730 at the Camp Pendleton Base CNATT Bldg. 2220. Note taking gear is encouraged as well as something to write on due to the classroom not having desks.

9.  All Chaser/Escort students must park in the parking garage lot to the North of the building and all motorcyclists must park in a motorcycle parking spot.

10.  Re-certification may be provided without re-attending the standardized course if all of the following conditions are met:
    a. The service member has previously attended the standardized course.
    b. Certification is still current (not expired)
    c.  Standards of conduct and use of force are reviewed and acknowledged.
    d.  The service member successfully passes a written proficiency test with 80% or higher.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton