ACN 031/18 - MAR 2018 ENLISTED RATING ADVANCEMENT TRAINING SYSTEM (ERATS) WINTER 2018 UPDATE

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE            CANCEL DATE  14 MAR 2019

R 151424 MAR 18
FM COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA//FC-C//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01430//
ACN 031/18
SUBJ:  ENLISTED RATING ADVANCEMENT TRAINING SYSTEM (ERATS) WINTER 2018 UPDATE 
A. Performance, Training, and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10 (series)
1. Per REF (A), this ACN promulgates updated advancement policy and procedures related to
the Enlisted Ratings Advancement Training System (ERATS) and provides updates to the
Occupational Analysis (OA) schedule.
2. ERATS Policy and Procedure:
   a. All Rating Advancement Tests (RAT) and Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME)
Advancement Qualification Exams (AQE) remain suspended. All other advancement requirements,
including completion of the Rating Performance Qualifications (RPQ) and EPME Performance
Qualifications (EPQ) remain in effect. Command Cadre and Professional Development Coaches (PDC)
are critical to ensuring the integrity of RPQ/EPQ sign-offs. PDCs remain responsible for
ensuring performance standards are being met or exceeded when carrying out their role as
signatories for RPQ/EPQs.
   b. A Rating Competency Code is required for all grades. Members who previously earned a
Rating Competency Code need not recertify unless required to do so as stated in the rating-
specific guidance memo. Review Section I: Record of Changes while preparing for the
Servicewide Exam to ensure you are using the most up-to-date references. 
3. Rating Specific Notes. Specific changes and instructions for EPQs and RPQs are now captured
in a semi-annual memo approved by FORCECOM Training Division. The approved memo is available
on the ERATS SharePoint site located at http://cglink.uscg.mil/320dcb99.
4. Occupational Analyses (OA).
   a. OA Process: Consists of a periodic review of all ranks of a specific rating. The process
includes a rating-wide survey that is used to make critical decisions related to advancement
and training requirements. Maximizing participation in the survey is critical to ensuring the
real-time world of work for a rating is accurately captured. 
   b. OA Schedule for 2018. YN - January 2018; SK - March 2018; BM - May 2018; ET - July 2018;
PA - September 2018; IS - November 2018. These timeframes are subject to change.
5. These changes will be reflected in the next revision of REF (A), which will be released
within one year of this ACN.
6. Points of Contact:
   a. OA POC: CWO Tim Lacey, Timothy.J.Lacey@uscg.mil
   b. ERATS POCs: LCDR Chris Brunclik, Christopher.D.Brunclik@uscg.mil or MCPO Mike O’Berry,
Eugene.M.Oberry@uscg.mil. 
   c. Rating specific advancement requirements should be directed to the respective Rating
Force Master Chief or PPC Customer Care at PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil.
7. Released by RDML K. M. Smith, Commander, Force Readiness Command.
8. Internet release authorized.