April 2011
FSCM Philip A. Garrett
202 475 5150
Philip.A.Garrett@uscg.mil
FS Force Notes are NOT official Coast Guard policy and are published solely for information purposes only.
I hope this finds all of you hard working FS’s doing well this year. We are off to a great start with regards to the fruition of several initiatives and other projects we have invested a lot of time and resources into developing.
Also, I want to thank each of you for all of the unseen and unselfish things you do on a daily basis to execute our charges of customer service and mission support. You are a huge part of what makes the CG work and keep America safe.
I appreciate the opportunity to work for you to make you better for the next mission. Take care of a shipmate when you see that they someone to talk to or they need a mentor. Take the time and you will be amazed at what a difference just taking 5 minutes to help someone can make.
I will speak to the accomplishments I spoke of above in a minute, but I would like to put on my
Gold Badge cover for a moment and direct your attention to the Commandant’s Four Guiding
Principles. If you ever have a chance to hear the Commandant deliver a speech or just answer questions from a group of FS’s (we talked with him at length in Kansas City a couple of years ago), I urge you to take advantage of the opportunity to hear him speak. I have found him to be as good and engaging speaker that I have ever listened to. He is a sailor that is a very good communicator and his message has never missed the mark with me.
The Commandant’s four guiding principles are:
- Steady the Service
- Honor our Profession
- Strengthen our Partnerships
- Respect our Shipmates
As the FS RFMC, I have taken the Commandant’s four guiding principles and applied them to each of our programs we have been working on. Each of the initiatives we have successfully generated (the Culinary Team for example), has embodied each of the principles and as a result, we are better trained, more flexible, our professionalism is enhanced and our capability to work alongside our DoD and industry partners is stronger than ever.
We have actually been doing this for years, but the Commandant’s principles completely articulate our way of doing business and really sum up/embody what the CG has taught us for years: Take care of our shipmates, improve our professionalism, honor those who have come before, etc.

For me, the statement of
“Steady the Service” means to provide you with current, relevant information and guidance for you to help you chart your career path to maximize your potential and provide you stability through knowledge giving you the confidence to make educated decisions upon what to base your career path upon.
Anyway, I wanted to pass onto you that I strongly believe in the Commandant’s four guiding principles and point out to you the positive influence they have had on me in overseeing the FS rating for the last few years.
I have had a very busy and very productive winter working on several initiatives that will hopefully enhance the FS ratings’ professional image and attractiveness. Among the initiatives I have been working on, there are a couple of things of which I am the proudest of:
The incredibly phenomenal job our 2011 Coast Guard Culinary Team did at the Joint Services
Competition held at Fort Lee, VA., in early March. As you can see by the attached ALCOAST below, all of the FS community owe the 11 FS’s who stepped up and represented the United
States Coast Guard and FS rating in a Joint Services environment.
This team (like last year’s team, placed 3 rd
overall (beating out 19 other teams) and winning the
Field Cooking competition. Additionally, FS2 Katie Heitman
, (DHS Secretary’s Mess) is the first non Army female selected to participate as a member of the United States Army Culinary
Arts Team. PO Heitman worked exceptionally hard to earn her position. She demonstrated exceptionally accomplished advanced culinary skills, dedication to teamwork and adapting to the physically demanding work environment typically associated with world-class culinary competitions.
The team was selected to compete in the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Western Regional
Culinary Competition (they are training at Fort Lee this week to prepare for the competition). If they place well in this upcoming competition, they will attend the National Championships in
Dallas later this summer. Please join me in congratulating this awesome team of culinary professionals on a job done well!
Here is the ALCOAST that the Foodservice Program Manager, CWO M. Carpenter , (CG-
1111) generated to acknowledge the great accomplishments of the 2011 Coast Guard Culinary
Team.
121734Z APR 11
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 165/11
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: COAST GUARD CULINARY TEAM (CGCT) COMPETITION RESULTS
1. THE CGCT, COMPRISED OF 8 FOOD SERVICE SPECIALISTS FROM AROUND THE

COAST GUARD, COMPETED IN THE 36TH ANNUAL CULINARY ARTS COMPETITION AT
FORT LEE, VIRGINIA WHICH IS THE LARGEST CULINARY COMPETITION IN NORTH
AMERICA. THERE WERE 22 MILITARY TEAMS REPRESENTING ALL THE ARMED
SERVICES COMPETING FOR BEST U.S. MILITARY CULINARY TEAM IN THE WORLD.
THE CGCTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE CONSIDERING 251
INDIVIDUAL COMPETITORS WERE VYING FOR THE TOP PRIZES.
2. WHILE MANY OF THE TEAMS IN ATTENDANCE HAD TRAINED TOGETHER PRIOR
TO THE COMPETITION, THE CGCT DID NOT HAVE THIS ADVANTAGE. THE CGCT
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH COMPETITION STARTING THE DAY AFTER THE
TEAM ARRIVED IN FORT LEE, VA. THEY COMPETED IN 12 DIFFERENT AMERICAN
CULINARY FEDERATION SANCTIONED CATEGORIES INCLUDING FIELD COOKING,
STUDENT SKILLS, COLD FOOD, CAKE DECORATING, TALLOW SCULPTURES, ICE
CARVING, PASTRIES, AND CONTEMPORARY COOKING.
3. IN THE TWO WEEK COMPETITION, THE CGCT WON A COMBINED TOTAL OF 14
GOLD MEDALS, 14 SILVER MEDALS, AND 5 BRONZE MEDALS. THEY ALSO WON
FIRST PLACE IN THE FIELD COOKING COMPETITION AS WELL AS THE STUDENT
SKILLS COMPETITION. THEY FINISHED A SPECTACULAR THIRD PLACE OVERALL
BEATING OUT 19 OTHER MILITARY TEAMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THIS WAS
A TREMENDOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT CONSIDERING THE TOTAL SCORE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN FIRST AND THIRD PLACE WAS ONLY ONE POINT.
4. THE COAST GUARD CULINARY TEAM, BY VIRTUE OF WINNING THE STUDENT
SKILLS COMPETITION, HAS BEEN INVITED TO COMPETE IN A REGIONAL
CULINARY COMPETITION SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN CULINARY FEDERATION.
5. THIS YEARS COMPETITORS WERE:
A. FS1 JASON STAGNITTO, D7 SCA
B. FS1 EDWARD FUCHS, DHS SEC MESS
C. FS1 SCOTT MANFRE, D5 SCA
D. FS1 STEPHEN BISHOP, COMDT (CG-00) SCA
E. FS2 KATIE HEITMAN, DHS SEC MESS
F. FS2 CLARK LAUER, CGC BONITO
G. FS2 OSCAR OBSUNA, CGC SENECA
H. FS2 THOMAS HUNTER, BSU SAN PEDRO
I. FS2 KIRSTEN LORDITCH, CGC THETIS
J. FS2 LARON JONES, DHS SEC MESS
K. FS3 JASON ROHRS, CGC EAGLE
6. THE CGCT REPRESENTED THE COAST GUARD WELL AND HAS BROUGHT CREDIT
TO THEMSELVES AND THE FOOD SERVICE RATING. BRAVO ZULU.
7. RADM MARK TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORKLIFE, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASED AUTHORIZED.
BT
NNNN
The second item we recently generated was the FS Advanced Education (AE) Program. This AE
Program is designed to provide FS’s the opportunity to acquire superior culinary skills development.
Additionally, the exposure to industry practices and standards that students of this program are exposed to will be invaluable to their professional and personal development. The intent of the program is also to assign the graduate student to strategic positions that will have the most impact to the Coast Guard and FS rating.
I have had lots of questions so I put them all together and sent the whole thing to our FS SMS at

TC Petaluma, FSC Gabe Cox , to put up on his web site.
He did and here is the link (will only open up if you are using a CG workstation): http://cgweb.tcpet.uscg.mil/T_Div/SMS/tpf/fssms/fssms.htm
After sending this out, I got more questions, here they are:
What pay grades are eligible for applying for this program?
Answer: ELIGIBILITY FOR FSCA: SENIOR PETTY OFFICERS E-6 THROUGH E-8.
MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF SIX YEARS TOTAL TIME IN SERVICE AS OF 01 JUN 11
(AT LEAST TWO YEARS MUST BE COAST GUARD SERVICE) IN THE FS RATING".
Does this program result in a commission or warrant officer assignment like many of the other Advanced Education programs?
No. There is no commission or advancement opportunity associated with the AE Program.
Is the school/university selection process the same as the other Advanced Education programs?
Answer: See this information listed below.
If I am an E5, but above the cut for advancement to E6, would I be considered for the
program?
Answer: Yes, you would be eligible to apply since you are ABOVE the cut.
Other than my Basic Pay, what other benefits will I receive in my paycheck while attending school?
Answer: The standard BAH, Housing Allowance, Uniform Allowance, etc. Also, you are getting a free education while you are on Active Duty.
Is there a minimum SAT/ACT score required to be considered for the Advanced Education
Program?
Answer: Depending on the college, there may or may not be. The higher your SAT, the more competitive you become for this process, but there are a lot of factors that go into the formula for being selected.
How old can my SAT scores be:
Answer: Not older than 5 years, this is not negotiable.
A COPY OF MBRS LATEST SAT OR
ACT SCORES. SCORES MUST BE LESS THAN FIVE YEARS OLD. IF THE APPLICANT
DOES NOT HAVE THE SAT/ACT SCORES BEFORE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE,
THEY MAY SUBMIT THE SCORES PRIOR TO THE PANEL. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT
BE FORWARDED TO THE PANEL WITHOUT THE SAT/ACT SCORES. TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT THE SAT/ACT, MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THEIR
UNIT ESO.

Who pays for my books? What about parking?
Answer: The CG will pay for your books and other mandated items the institution requires you to have. Parking, Health Insurance, etc, are not authorized expenses and will NOT be paid for by the CG. (For the health insurance issue, the other RFMC’s with AE Programs have told me they send a letter to the school explaining your medical coverage and the issue is usually resolved with that).
Is there any affect on my GI Bill with the FS AE Program?
Answer: No connection between them at all. Good question though, thanks!
I am enrolled in the Special Needs Program. How does this affect my ability to compete for this program?
Answer: .
I am enrolled with the Special Needs Program. What does that mean for my eligibility?
Answer: Your ability to compete is the same as any other member, providing you meet the criteria listed in the message listed below.
In plain speak terms; the Special Needs Program is designed to enable members to be deployable
24/7/365. I (as the FS RFMC) should not know about your enrollment into the Special
Needs Program. That is a matter between the Command, Member, AO and Office of
Work Life. It is not that I do not care about it, it is none of my business and does not factor into the decision to determine if you are the best qualified candidate for the position in that particular year.
If the program is making you deployable 24/7/365, it stands to reason that it can also make you have the time to attend college as your primary duty assignment for 2 years as well.
Just to be clear, if you are enrolled in the Special Needs Program, it has no bearing on your selection as a candidate.
For those of you that prefer to just look below, you can see what he posted listed below:
Chief Cox-
Could you post this on your website to ensure the widest possible visibility for our folks?
Thanks in advance.
It is a huge step forward for our rating and I am proud we could get this done prior to my retirement in
August. I will be putting more information out in my upcoming FS Force Notes.
I have attached a copy of the message as a reference for you.
Here are your questions:
Can I still compete/advance with the SWE?
Answer: Yes, of course. You are eligible to compete in all SWE's while you are attending school as part of the
Program.

Are SAT scores a required part of the package if we can show ample college transfer credit?
Answer: You must have SAT scores, this is not negotiable. I know it has been a long time for all of us since we last took the SATs. This is a standard CG requirement that speaks to your potential for success. I get that you may be enrolled in a JC or on-line program, it doesn’t matter. Simply put, you need to have your SAT's to compete. I would not put in a package without them included. The message below has some information you will find helpful about your SAT's.
Are there any drawbacks to attending the school:
Answer: Not that I see. You are being paid your full salary to go to school each day and get your Associates or Bachelors degree. I cannot see one single drawback to this.
Is this a part time school:
Answer: No, it is full time. You are required to graduate within 24 months or sooner. You are being paid to go to school full time at the expense of the government, just like the other enlisted (and officer) advanced education programs. You still have to weigh in, be evaluated (your grades at school), etc. When you are selected, all of this will be explained in detail.
Is this a an online program:
Answer: No. You need to be in school each day school is in session. If your assignment requires you to perform some of your school work from your personal computer at home, so be it. You are not enrolling in a distance based learning system/center. You are enrolling in a traditional student in a seat with a teacher lecturing type environment.
How many slots do we (FS's) have for the Advanced Education Program?
Answer: We get one (1) slot per year. So, for the first year, we will have one (1) person attending school.
The second year, the first person is still in school, but we get to pick the second person to attend. This means we will always pick one (1) person per year to enter the program. After 2012, we will have two (2) FS's in school on a full time basis.
When does my school start:
Answer: You will be competing to get a spot that will start attending school in the 4th quarter of FY 2012
(August-September time frame).
Do I have to be tour complete:
Answer: No. See Section F: MBRS DO NOT HAVE TO BE TOUR COMPLETE TO APPLY FOR
ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, THE MBRS TOUR COMPLETION DATE WILL
BE USED AS ONE OF THE DISCRIMINATORS FOR SELECTION.
What schools can I go to:
Answer: The list of approved schools is located at the American Culinary Federation webpage. Look in the
SCHOOLS section, open it up and click on Postsecondary Programs. You will find schools listed for every state. The only approved schools are those that are non profit, i.e., a state funded school. Any for-profit site/institution is not authorized. A for-profit site is something like the Art Institute at Fort Lauderdale or
Seattle, etc. Here is the link: http://www.acfchefs.org/Source/Schools/Postsecondary.cfm
Do I have to move to go to a school?
Answer: The goal of the program is to try to move you only once. That move typically will be to assign you to your next duty station/pay back tour. For example, if you are stationed at San Pedro, CA, you would most likely have the best chance to compete for a spot in the Advanced Education program if you picked a school from the list that is located in southern California (that way you don’t have to move to go to school). Your move would be upon completion of the course and then you would compete for one of the positions listed below.

Where is my pay back tour assignment going to be?
Answer: Your pay back tour is located at HQ (FS Professional Development Specialist) FSAT (now located in
Petaluma), FS Subject Matter Specialist (Petaluma) or FS A/C School Instructor (Petaluma) or Fort Lee
(Advanced Culinary Skills Development Course). You will not be going to some DF to work upon completing the course. We want your skill and expertise that we paid to get teaching and developing our FS's and helping shape the future of the FS rating. There is no better place to have the exposure to the FS rating than at the
Training Center, especially since our FSAT's are now there.
How long is my pay back obligation in terms of service:
Answer: Per the message below, 3 months of service for each month of school for the first year, 1 month of service for each month of school for each year after that.
I already have a non culinary degree. Can I still compete?
Answer: Yes, you may still submit your request for consideration.
What if I am already stationed at TC Petaluma? Will I be eligible to compete for a spot?
Answer: Yes, you are eligible to compete for a spot. There will be several factors that will be considered which include your career path, potential for success, operational duty stations you have served at, the amount of sea time you have, etc. The fact that you are already assigned to Petaluma does not improve your chance of being selected.
I have been serving out of rating for 6 years. I want to compete for the program. What are my chances?
Answer: Like all FS's, you are eligible to compete for a spot. On a case by case basis, your chance to attend will be decided based on the needs of the service and several other factors. If you are selected to attend, you will not be eligible to serve out of the FS rating until your pay back tour is complete. The length of time you owe back is listed in the message below.
Can my wife come with me?
Answer: I assume you mean if you PCS upon completion of the program.....then yes, she is your dependent and authorized to accompany you on your next tour.
UNCLAS //N01500//
ALCOAST 190/11
COMDTNOTE 1500
SUBJ: NEW ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FS RATING 1. I AM PLEASED TO
ANNOUNCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOOD SERVICE/CULINARY ARTS (FSCA)
ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAM.
2. THE FSCA PROGRAM IS A 24 MONTH PROGRAM LEADING TO AN ASSOCIATES OR
BACHELORS DEGREE IN FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT OR CULINARY ARTS.
GRADUATES WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE ASSIGNMENT TO POSITIONS OF
INCREASING RESPONSIBILITY SUCH AS A MEMBER OF THE FOOD SERVICE ASSISTANCE
AND TRAINING TEAM (FSAT) AND FS A AND C SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR STAFF.
3. THIS SOLICITATION IS FOR ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS ONLY. TITLE 10 RESERVISTS,
EXTENDED ACTIVE DUTY RESERVISTS AND RETIRED RECALL MEMBERS ARE NOT
ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM. PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE CAREFULLY TO ENSURE
YOUR APPLICATION IS COMPLETED PROPERLY AND SUBMITTED BY THE SPECIFIED
DEADLINE.
4. THE FOLLOWING GENERAL GUIDELINES APPLY FOR ALL ADVANCED EDUCATION
PROGRAMS:
A. CGPC-EPM-1 WILL SERVE AS THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT DURING THE
APPLICATION PROCESS. QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS SHOULD BE

EMAILED TO ARL-PF-CGPSC-EPM-1-PANELS(AT)USCG.MIL.
B. APPLICATION PACKAGE DEADLINE FOR THE FSCA ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAM
IS 19 JUL 11. WAIVERS OF THIS DEADLINE WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A CASE-BY-
CASE BASIS PROVIDED OPERATIONAL COMMITMENTS PRECLUDED THE CANDIDATE FROM
SUBMITTING THE PACKAGE BY THE DEADLINE. NO PACKAGES WILL BE RETURNED
FOLLOWING THE PANEL. THE FSCA EDUCATION PANEL WILL MEET ON 09 AUG 11.
PANEL RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED BY MESSAGE.
C. OBLIGATED SERVICE FOR ENLISTED ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS IS THREE
MONTHS PER MONTH OF INSTRUCTION FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS AND ONE MONTH PER
MONTH OF INSTRUCTION THEREAFTER. MBRS FAILING TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE
COURSE OF STUDY WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO OBLIGATE SERVICE FOR EACH MONTH
OF EDUCATION THEY COMPLETE.
D. EACH APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT A COVER MEMO TO CGPC-EPM-1 VIA THEIR
COMMAND. THE MEMO SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE PAGE AND MUST ADDRESS THEIR
INTERESTS IN PURSUING THIS ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAM.
E. COMMANDS MUST PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIVE ENDORSEMENT THAT INCLUDES A
STATEMENT CERTIFYING THE MEMBER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH COAST GUARD WEIGHT
STANDARDS. IN ADDITION, COMMANDING OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS MUST ADDRESS
THE MEMBERS ABILITY TO COMPLETE THE COURSE OF STUDY, REPRESENT THE COAST
GUARD, AND THEIR FUTURE POTENTIAL. REFERENCE LETTERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED
AND SHALL NOT BE INCLUDED.
F. MBRS DO NOT HAVE TO BE TOUR COMPLETE TO APPLY FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION
PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, THE MBRS TOUR COMPLETION DATE WILL BE USED AS ONE OF
THE DISCRIMINATORS FOR SELECTION.
G. MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THEIR APPLICATION PACKAGE
ARRIVES AT PSC-EPM-1 BEFORE THE REQUIRED DEADLINE. THE PREFERRED METHOD OF
SUBMISSION FOR ALL APPLICATIONS IS VIA E-MAIL (I.E., APPLICATION PACKAGE
SCANNED AND ATTACHED TO EMAIL) TO ARL-PF-CGPSC-EPM-1-PANELS(AT)USCG.MIL.
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT IT VIA
REGULAR U.S. MAIL TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: COMMANDER, PERSONNEL SERVICE
CENTER, CG
PSC-EPM-1 MAIL STOP 7200, 4200 WILSON BLVD, SUITE 1100, ARLINGTON, VA
20598-7200. NOTE THAT ALL INCOMING MAIL MUST BE PROCESSED THROUGH AN
OFFSITE, EXTERNAL MAIL SECURITY PROCESSING CENTER WHICH ADDS AN ADDITIONAL
TWO WEEKS FOR MAIL DELIVERY, SO SUBMISSION BY E-MAIL IS STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED TO ENSURE THE APPLICATION ARRIVES AT PSC-EPM-1 BEFORE THE
REQUIRED DEADLINE. REGARDLESS OF THE SUBMISSION METHOD, MEMBERS WILL
RECEIVE AN E-MAIL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CONFIRMING POSITIVE RECEIPT OF THE
APPLICATION PACKAGE. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THIS CONFIRMATION WITHIN ONE
WEEK OF SUBMITTING YOUR PACKAGE, CONTACT CG
PSC-EPM-1 AT 202-493-1724.
5. LISTED BELOW ARE THE SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL
GUIDELINES FOR THE FSCA PROGRAM:
A. ELIGIBILITY FOR FSCA: SENIOR PETTY OFFICERS E-6 THROUGH E-8 MUST
HAVE A MINIMUM OF SIX YEARS TOTAL TIME IN SERVICE AS OF 01 JUN
11 (AT LEAST TWO YEARS MUST BE COAST GUARD SERVICE) IN THE FS RATING.
B. APPLICATION GUIDELINES: APPLICANT SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
ENCLOSURES WITH THEIR APPLICATION:
(1) A STANDARD RESUME, WHICH INCLUDES CURRENT UNIT, ROTATION DATE,
ASSIGNMENT HISTORY WITH ASSIGNED DUTIES, EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND PERSONAL
AWARDS.
(2) A COPY OF MBRS LATEST SAT OR ACT SCORES. SCORES MUST BE LESS THAN
FIVE YEARS OLD. IF THE APPLICANT DOES NOT HAVE THE SAT/ACT SCORES BEFORE
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE, THEY MAY SUBMIT THE SCORES PRIOR TO THE PANEL.

APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE FORWARDED TO THE PANEL WITHOUT THE SAT/ACT
SCORES. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SAT/ACT, MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT
THEIR UNIT ESO.
(3) COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: IF MBR HAS ATTENDED COLLEGE, A COPY OF
TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. STUDENT COPIES
ARE ACCEPTABLE.
(4) COPIES OF ANY PERSONAL AWARD CITATIONS.
(5) APPLICANT COVER MEMO.
(6) COMMAND ENDORSEMENT.
6. THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR IS MS. MARY FUATA. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING
SPECIFIC FSCA PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, CAREER IMPACTS, AND FOLLOW-ON
ASSIGNMENTS, CONTACT THE FS RATING FORCE MASTER CHIEF, FSCM GARRETT, (202)
475-5150/EMAIL PHILIP.A.GARRETT(AT)USCG.MIL.
7. R. T. HEWITT, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
S
ITEMS OF INTEREST
(Thanks to YNCM Emily Jennings for the information below WRT to the CRSP process!)
- CGPSC-epm-1 has published Career Retention Screening Panel (CRSP) FAQs for members eligible for review by the 2011 CRSP Panel. Please have this information readily available for your people and also, impress upon members how it important it is for them to review their PDR. http://www.uscg.mil/PSC/epm/docs/2011_CRSP_FAQs.pdf
DCMS Information
Greetings!
As a means of keeping everyone informed of ongoing mission support efforts, I would like to share the recently signed Mission Support Strategic Blueprint. The Blueprint plots a path to sustainable and affordable readiness by identifying strategic goals and objectives for the Mission
Support organization. It will be implemented through a series of near-term initiatives, which are detailed in Appendix A of the Blueprint. These initiatives provide insight into major crosscutting projects currently underway in the Mission Support organization. The Blueprint is available for download at: http://www.uscg.mil/missionsupport/blueprint.pdf
.
If you have any questions or want more information about the Blueprint, you’re more than welcome to contact me.
V/r,
Jeanine Shipley
Strategic Planner
Mission Support Policy, Plans and Doctrine (DCMS-55)

The RFMC’s met with MCPO Leavitt several weeks ago. During that meeting, we had a great exchange of information. We asked the MCPO-CG about the impact of enlisted service members serving out of rating- specifically with the Recruiting and Company Commander communities.
MCPO Leavitt was very clear on his feeling with regard to the personal responsibility each member has for charting their own career. His feeling with regard to these particular communities was that he supports (as all RFMC’s do) a diverse and broad assignment history for all enlisted members of the Coast Guard. Balance is critical in terms of choosing an assignment path that will provide you with different experiences and perspectives.
In my personal and professional opinion, spending 5 tours in the Special Assignments community as an E-6 is not at all providing you or the CG with anything close to a diverse assignment background. This is not intended to be at all critical of someone in this situation.
The issue is to NOT get into this situation which makes you less than competitive for advancing and stepping up into senior leadership roles which the organization expects you to do.
I (1000%) support all FS’s serving a tour or two as either a Chief Petty Officer Academy
Instructor, Recruit Company Commander or as a Recruiter. I believe that these three communities have the greatest impact to our service and our future workforce. Having worked directly with the Command’s and Senior Enlisted leaders at all three of these communities for several years, I cannot overstate the personal and professional satisfaction that comes with developing our current and future leaders of the enlisted workforce.
Additionally, what you bring back to the FS rating and Coast Guard after satisfactorily completing a tour or two in Special Assignments is really invaluable. This is especially true if you desire to become a RFMC, Gold Badge-CMC or work within the Silver Badge community.
You are 100% responsible for the career path you are taking or have taken. I highly recommend that you indentify a responsible role model for you to work with as a mentor to help you stay on the path to success. Your mentor doesn’t have to be any rating in particular or enlisted for that matter.
The key is to know where you want to end up and development your plan to get there by being realistic, broadening your assignment background and doing what needs to be done (getting your
Sea Time for example).
Special Duty Assignment Pay
I will be going before the SDAP Panel for the final time on Wednesday, May 11 th
, 2011 to once again lobby for the Independent Duty Food Service Officers assigned to Patrol Boats to continue to receive their SDAP, Level 2 authorization.
We have worked very hard to “fix” the PB account in terms of the significantly high number of failures we had experienced over the years.
I believe there are several key factors in how we turned this account around and made it

“healthy”:

The creation of the resident based course of instruction (19 training days) at
TRACEN Petaluma.
(We had that gross, lame, non-resident based Paperwork
Management School that was virtually useless in preparing anyone for a FSO assignment, much less a brand new FS2 for their first Independent Duty assignment aboard a Patrol
Boat!)

The critical and careful assignment process executed by the FS Assignment Officers.

The authorization to receive Special Duty Assignment Pay starting in FY 2009.
Hopefully the panel will look favorably upon our request to continue our Level 2 authorization.
Station Indian River Inlet
Some time ago, I was engaged by LTjg Jessica Thornton from Sector Delaware Bay WRT assisting her figuring out how to get the Dining Facility at Station Indian River Inlet (STIR) opened and staffed with a FS2.
I visited the Station during the first week of March 2011. The Station had a DF back in the mid
‘90’s but had it closed down. The footprint of the space is still there as is the biggest single piece of stainless steel counter I have ever seen in my life.
We were able to find them a FS2 (reprogramming a Special Command Aide position) to staff the
DF. The 5 th
District Commander, RDML Lee, has committed his resources to getting the DF up and running and producing food within the next two years. In the meantime, the FS2 position will work at the TRACEN Petaluma Dining Facility as a member of the production staff and
NOT as an Instructor.
We are anticipating a fall of 2013 opening of the DF at STIR.
Changes In Rate Request Information/Restoration In Rate
Greetings,
My name is Sid Eagerton and I am the Career Retentions Section Team Leader for the
Advancements and Separations Branch (PSC-epm-1) of the Coast Guard Personnel Service
Center’s Enlisted Personnel Management Division. I have been asked to provide a summary on how a Change in Rate (CIR) request should be submitted to PSC-epm-1 for consideration and how it is processed.
Article 5.C.11.d of the Personnel Manual is the CG's policy for a CIR. CIRs are basically geared at individuals with 5 years or less of Coast Guard Time in Service (TIS). PSC-epm-1 will look at a request from an individual exceeding the 5 years of CG TIS to determine if there is indeed a service need. However the request must contain a statement from the member requesting a waiver to the 5 year TIS limit and why he or she feels this waiver is in the best interest of the
CG.
There are many factors that go into the decision of a request.
When PSC-epm-1 receives a CIR request, the request is reviewed by a number of offices which does include the Rating Force Master Chiefs (RFMC's) and Assignment Officers (AO's) for both

the loosing and gaining rating. There are many factors they must consider when evaluating a
CIR request and some of them are:
How much total active service does the member have?
If member has over 5 years of active service; has member requested a waiver?
Is this CIR in the best interest of the service?
Has the member provided his or her reasons for this CIR?
Is the CIR the result of a medical issue or the result of the findings of a MED Board?
Is the CIR the result of the loss of a security clearance which is required by the current rate?
Does the member still have any Class “A” School obligated service remaining?
Did the member receive a bonus to affiliate with their current rating?
What is member’s present and past performance record?
What is the health of member's current rating?
What is the health of the rating the member desires to change to?
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Although these are not all the factors to be considered but they are very important ones which must be considered in order for a fair and accurate decision to be made.
If the member is requesting a basic CIR from example, ME to SK via Class "A" School, the member need only submit a memo request to PSC-epm-1 with very well thought out reason or reasons why he or she wants this CIR and how it will benefit the CG as a whole. This memo then must receive a command endorsement before it is forwarded to this office. A command endorsement with substance goes further than merely a signature endorsement.
If the member is requesting a lateral CIR for example, ME2 to SK2, the member needs to submit a memo request to PSC-epm-1 with a very well thought out reason or reasons why he or she wants this lateral CIR and how it will benefit the CG as a whole. In addition, the member must provide supporting documentation to show he or she qualifies for this action by having the necessary competencies such as; QUAL codes, EPQS (in this case – SK3 & SK2), E-PME,
EOCT (in this case – SK3 & SK2), and any other documentation he or she feels will support their request for a lateral CIR. A command endorsement with substance is a must for a lateral
CIR than merely a signature endorsement. The reviewers need the command’s perspective on the member’s request and an overview on the steps the member has taken to obtain the necessary competencies to be considered for a lateral in lieu of completion of the appropriate Class “A”
School.
Once the CIR request, including a lateral CIR with supporting documentation, has been completed and the command endorses the request, it can be scanned and sent directly to me via e-mail at sidney.e.eagerton@uscg.mil. In regards to the scanned copy, please ensure that all the information is legible before it is sent. There is no need to send the original via U. S. Mail when the requests are sent electronically. The scanned copy is all that is needed for processing the request. Once PSC-epm-1 receives the CIR request, it will then be placed into the decision process. This decision process can take anywhere from three to six weeks from start to finish.
We are working to lessen the time frame but in some cases, additional information from the reviewers has to be obtained from the member or the member’s chain of command. If a CIR is

denied, the member should not resubmit another CIR for the same rating previously denied, for at least six months from the date of the denial.
If you have any questions or concerns on the CIR process which I may have not covered in the above information, please feel free to give me a call at (202) 493-1296 or drop me an e-mail.
S. E. Eagerton (MCPO-Ret)
Greetings,
My name is Sid Eagerton and I am the Career Retentions Section Team Leader for the
Advancements and Separations Branch (PSC-epm-1) of the Coast Guard Personnel Service
Center’s Enlisted Personnel Management Division. I have been asked to provide a summary on how a Restoration in Rate (RIR) request should be submitted by the Commanding Officer to
PSC-epm-1 for consideration and how it is processed.
Some of the following information is taken directly from Article 5.C.33.b of the Personnel
Manual; the CG’s policy on advancement after reduction, commonly referred to as Restoration in
Rate (RIR). Members reduced in rate are subject to the normal advancement system. However, a
Commanding Officer (CO) may consider an enlisted member who was previous reduce in rate, resulting from a disciplinary action, to be deserving of restoration to their formerly held rate.
One thing to keep in mind is that the recommendation for RIR has to come from a Commanding
Officer (commission officer). If the request is from an Officer in Charge (OIC), it is submitted to the next level of that OIC’s chain of command, a commission officer, for the RIR recommendation, before submitting to CG PSC-epm-1 for a decision. The limitations of an OIC regarding enlisted advancements is set forth in USCG Regulations, Chapter 4.3.3.A.(2), and the
Personnel Manual, Chapter 5.C.33.b.
When a CO makes such a RIR recommendation, the recommendation shall set forth in detail a full justification for the RIR based upon of at least 5, not more than 36, months of observation of the member’s performance since member’s reduction in rate. This observation period need not be totally at the present unit, but must take place within member’s same period of enlistment.
Members who have been reduced from E-7 and above, to E-5 or below, may be recommended for RIR up to E-6. However to advance to E-7 or above, a member must re-compete in a SWE when they are fully qualified in accordance with CG policy.
Restorations are not retroactive nor are they guaranteed. When PSC-epm-1 receives a RIR request, the request is reviewed by a number of offices within epm. They include epm-1’s
Enlisted Manpower & Statistics’ office, epm-1’s Branch Chief, member’s assignment officer
(AO) in epm-2, the assignment officer’s central assignment coordinator (CAC) in epm-2, epm-
2’s Branch Chief, and the Chief of epm, who makes the final decision.

When a RIR request is received, there are a number of factors that are looked at as it goes thru the decision process. Some of those factors are:

Is this RIR in the best interest of the service?
 Has the member received a CO’s recommendation for advancement on their last EER in
Direct Access? Note: If not, member is not eligible for restoration.
 What is member’s past performance record?
 Is the CO’s justification for RIR reflected in the member’s last EER in Direct Access?
 What effect would member’s restoration have on others on the advancement list?
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What is the health of member's rating?
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What was the severity of the offense that resulted in the disciplinary action and subsequent reduction?
 Was member’s reduction in rate suspended for a number of months but subsequently vacated due to another disciplinary incident within the suspended months?
 What was the total period of observation since member’s reduction in rate?
Although these are not all the factors to be considered, they are very important ones that must be considered. PSC-epm-1’s process is a thorough process that requires significant vetting before a decision is achieved.
Once the Commanding Officer decides a member is deserving of RIR and all of the conditions above are met, the request, including any supporting documentation, can be scanned and sent directly to me via e-mail at sidney.e.eagerton@uscg.mil. In regards to the scanned copy, please ensure that all the information is legible before it is sent. There is no need to send the original via U. S. Mail when the requests are sent electronically. The scanned copy is all that is needed for processing the request. Once PSC-epm-1 receives the RIR request, it will then be placed into the decision process. This decision process can take anywhere from two to three weeks from start to finish. We are working to lessen the time frame but in some cases, additional information from the reviewers has to be obtained from the member’s command.
If you have any questions or concerns on the RIR process which I may have not covered in the above information, please feel free to give me a call at (202) 493-1296 or drop me an e-mail.
S. E. Eagerton (MCPO-Ret)
My Replacement
FSCM Bob Stage (Former FS A School Instructor/Deputy School Chief and FSAT Leader) has been chosen to take over for me in September of 2011. I am confident that he will continue to be a great leader and take over some of the things we are still working on and of course start a bunch of new things that are important to him and the FS Rating.
I look forward to our transition and ultimately to insuring that he is ready to hit the deck running.