ALCOAST 344/17 - NOV 2017 COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM

R 210854 NOV 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC //CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N16672//
ALCOAST 344/17
COMDTNOTE 16672
SUBJ: COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM
A. Coast Guard Deck Watch Officer Examination Program, COMDTINST 16672.5 (series)
B. Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook, August 2014 ed.
C. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10 (series)
1. Members in receipt of orders to the following assignments are required to
have passed the applicable DWO exam (DWOINTO or DWINTR) within one year prior
to executing orders:
   A. CO/OIC afloat, station CO/OIC, Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) OIC
   B. XO/XPO afloat, station XO/XPO, ANT XPO
   C. Operations officer afloat
   D. PAL-designated Operations Petty Officer afloat
2. Members discussed in paragraph 1 shall:
   A. If in receipt of orders to an afloat unit, make a reasonable effort to pass
the applicable DWO exam prior to attending Prospective CO/XO/OIC/XPO Afloat
Course (340380), Prospective Operations Officer Course (501080), or Cutter
OPS BRM (500686). 
   B. If in receipt of orders to an ANT or station, make a reasonable effort to
pass the applicable DWO exam prior to attending the Boat Forces Command Cadre
Course (230277) if course attendance occurs before or in conjunction with PCS
transfer.
3. Prior to receiving official orders, members may take the applicable DWO exam
multiple times without repercussion, subject to the provision in Paragraph
10.a(2)(b) of REF (A).  IAW REF (C), members are reminded of the 21 calendar
day waiting period between taking end of course tests. The DWO exam is subject to
this policy.
   A. Once official orders are issued, members must pass the applicable DWO exam
within two attempts if they have not passed it within a year of the date the orders
will be executed; failure to do so will result in the cancellation of orders.
If a member fails to meet this requirement, commands shall immediately notify
COMDT (CG-751) or COMDT (CG-731).
   B. If a member passes the applicable DWO exam as outlined in Paragraph 1 and it
is not reflected in the member’s Direct Access profile prior to attending a course
listed in Paragraph 2.A. or 2.B. of this message, the member must provide proof of
completion on the first day of that course. 
   C. A solid grasp of REF (B) is essential to maximizing your experience throughout
your time at these courses. Passing the applicable DWO exam prior to attendance
demonstrates a working knowledge of the Navigation Rules and provides expanded
opportunity to explore the practical application in seminar and simulator use.
Members who do not meet the requirement in Paragraph 1 prior to attending a course
in Paragraph 2.A. or 2.B. of this message shall contact the Command and Operations
School to coordinate the scheduling and proctoring of the applicable DWO exam.
Contact CAPT Mark Walsh at 860-701-6675 or BMCM David Riser at 860-701-6476 or
David.J.Riser@uscg.mil for further information.
4. Members requesting a waiver from attending a course in Paragraph 2 shall provide
proof that they have met the requirements in Paragraph 1 to COMDT (CG-751) for
those with orders to afloat units or COMDT (CG-731) for those with orders to an
ANT or station.  Waiver requests submitted without proof of meeting the requirements
in Paragraph 1 will be denied.
5. COMDT (CG-751) POC: Mr. Dennis Thorseth at 202-372-2335 or
Dennis.C.Thorseth@uscg.mil.
6. COMDT (CG-731) POC is CDR Michael Keane at 202-372-2453 or
Michael.A.Keane@uscg.mil.
7. RDML Michael P. Ryan, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
8. Internet release authorized.