Its fundamental concepts are accuracy, accountability, simplicity, and consistency of policy and evaluation methods. Achieving these concepts requires standardization of the evaluation chain, supervision throughout the system, and the education of all participants in the system. Reporting seniors document their observations and assessment of the performance and character of a Marine on the USMC Fitness Report, NAVMC 10835A-E and NAVMC 11297 (Addendum Page), see Appendixes B and C. The fitness report document, through written communication to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC), provides a history of a Marine’s performance and potential.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps implemented an entirely new Performance Evaluation System 1 January 1999. The fitness report, designed from the ground up, accurately assesses the skills and potential of the individual Marine.

The system recognizes the inherent high quality of the individual Marine and accounts for the fact that the "average" Marine is in fact outstanding. Listed under the five main areas of evaluation are 14 attributes in the form of Performance Anchored Rating Scales (PARS). Each of the PARS provide a complete descriptor for the evaluated attribute, reduces the requirement for written comments, and evaluates the Marine against definitive degrees of performance.

Markings of "A" to "H" correspond to three scaled descriptions to stimulate the Reporting Senior's cognitive reasoning in making the appropriate selection. The scales run from left to right; each is distinctly separate from the others. For each attribute, the Reporting Senior must give consideration to the individual's grade, experience within grade, and accumulated experience as a Marine. The "A" marking is adverse, the "H" for not observed, and "B" through "G" cover the spectrum of ratings with "G" being the highest. A justification box has been added in each section to justify adverse or top ratings in any of the 14 attributes.

The fitness report is a user friendly, five page form, containing defined levels of performance and instructions. Automation of the form allows for enhanced Performance Evaluation System procedures, processes , and accountability.

5 Steps to Improving Your PES "SCORE"
Although the Marine Corps PES is designed to observe and report your performance, there are 5 steps you can take that are virtually guaranteed to improve your evaluations.

Step 1. Start out by reading Marine Corps Order P1610.7E. Understanding how the process works is key to making it work for you. Pay particular attention to the appropriate evaluation form for your rank.

Step 2. Communicate. Talk with your supervisor about your performance report. You should go over the form line by line to determine their expectations. Ask your supervisor for their advice on how to improve your Evaluation or Fitness Report and get the highest score possible.

Step 3. Be Opportunistic. Take every opportunity you can to demonstrate the level of performance that your supervisor suggested. Be sure to take the initiative and show that you're committed to performing at the highest level.

Step 4. Record your personal performance. Keep a performance diary, noting the times and situations when you demonstrated the skills, initiative, leadership, and performance your supervisor suggested.

Step 5. Evaluate yourself. Complete your own evaluation report on a blank Fitness Report Report and Counseling Record, (PES WinFE 3.0) or the MRO Worksheet, be sure to include documentation and support information. After all it is your career, and you are the only one who knows exactly what you have accomplished during the evaluation period. Submit your Fitness Report and documentation to your supervisor.

Your supervisor has a rough job, he or she has to monitor you and your coworkers performance throughout the entire evaluation period. It is nearly impossible for a supervisor to remember every detail about your performance. In fact supervisors tend to remember negative situations more often than the positive ones. By following these 5 steps you will make your supervisors job easier, and when you make their job easier it can't help but to increase your Fitness Report score.