ALCGOFF 025/18 - AY19 OLMSTED SCHOLARSHIP SOLICITATION

R 02 MAY 18

ALCGOFF 025/18
SUBJ: AY19 OLMSTED SCHOLARSHIP SOLICITATION
A. COMCOGARD PSC WASHINGTON DC 06 APR 18, ALCGPSC 057/18
B. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 241402Z FEB 18, ALCOAST 074/18
C. ACTIVE DUTY OFFICER POSTGRADUATE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION APPLICATION PROCESS GUIDE ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2019
1. This message solicits applicants for the Coast Guard’s premier post graduate opportunity for the highest 
performing active duty junior officers in our service.  The Olmsted Scholar Program is three years in duration, 
to include 12 months of extensive language training and two years of a masters level liberal arts education at 
a university abroad.
2.  Overview.  The United States is a key leader and participant in today’s global community. As a result, U.S. 
leaders come into contact with citizens and leaders of many nations.  Relationships between nations require a 
unique consideration of many factors including political, economic and military, among others. The solutions to 
difficulties that arise between nations require a depth of understanding and knowledge of the particular nations 
involved.  The Olmsted Scholar Program provides officers a unique opportunity to acquire those skills required 
of today’s leader.  The Olmsted Foundation's mission is "To provide future leaders an unsurpassed opportunity to 
achieve fluency in a foreign language, pursue graduate study at an overseas university, and acquire an in-depth 
understanding of foreign cultures, thereby further equipping them to serve in positions of great responsibility 
as senior leaders in the United States Armed Forces."  Officers with demonstrated leadership and scholastic abilities 
who strive to become senior leaders in the Coast Guard and beyond are sought to apply. Commands are encouraged to 
consider this program for their top-tier junior officers and assist in publicizing this unique and prestigious 
opportunity.  It is the Command’s responsibility to mentor potential applicants on the unique aspects of this program 
and seek out those who would likely succeed in it.  You do not have to be familiar with the country's language to 
be eligible for study in that country.  This program is named after MG George H. Olmsted and his wife Carol Olmsted. 
To read MG Olmsted's biography and for additional information on the Olmsted Scholar Program and its goals, please 
go to the Olmsted Foundation's website located at: http://www.olmstedfoundation.org .
3.  Scholarship Location. 
A.  Once selected by the Olmsted Foundation Panel, the Foundation will notify the scholar of their assigned city 
and country where they will study.
B.  Scholars will attend extensive language training at one of several locations: the Foreign Service Institute, 
in Arlington VA, or Defense Language Institute in Presidio of Monterey, CA or Washington, DC. Scholars will begin 
language training in the summer of 2019. Language training will be approximately 12 months. Language study locations 
will be determined and coordinated by the USCG based on the language requirement determined by the Olmsted Foundation, 
the scholar’s desires, and course availability.  
C.  Following successful completion of language training, scholars will be assigned as detached duty from COMDT DCO-I 
to their foreign university. Duty at foreign university will be approximately 24 months. It is the responsibility of 
the scholar to select the foreign university based on the city assignment and any other requirements of the Olmsted 
Foundation.  The USCG expects its Scholars to achieve a graduate level degree or certificate during this period.
4.  Eligibility.  Active duty officers with the following qualifications may apply for this program:
A. Superb performance.
B. At least 3 years of commissioned service but not more than 11 years of total active federal service as of 
1 April 2019 (Absolutely no waivers will be granted for this).
C. Demonstrated scholastic achievement as captured, at a minimum, in an official undergraduate transcript for a 
Bachelor’s-level degree.
D. Strong desire and aptitude to learn a foreign language and study at a foreign university.
E. Willingness to commit to the Foundation’s goals. (see Foundation’s website above for more insight)
5.  Obligated Service. Scholars incur a five year service obligation upon graduating this program.
6. Payback tours. There are no designated payback tours. Follow-on assignments for participants will be career-enhancing 
opportunities designed to further develop future leaders. 
7.  Application Procedures: Applications will require the following to be emailed to PG/ADV Ed email at 
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-opm-1-PGPanels@uscg.mil with subject “Olmsted Application.” All attachments should be PDF files, and 
named “LAST, FIRST MI_OLMSTED APP.” See example US Army application for reference.
A. Official Photo: A full length front profile color photo in tropical blue long uniform, uncovered.
B. Complete the Olmsted Application PDF Form for the following, available at http://cglink.uscg.mil/9b484703
i. Personal Data
ii. Academic Data
iii. Language Background
iv. Scholarship Education Preferences: List, in order of preference, each university and their associated city and 
country where you wish to study. See “Olmsted Candidate Study Options” for further direction.
C. One-page statement on why you want to be an Olmsted Scholar.
D. Statement of extracurricular activities since beginning of undergraduate studies
E. List of duty positions held (dates, job title, unit name, and location)
F. No more than or less than three Letters of Recommendation: one must be from member’s Commanding Officer
G. Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) results
H. Transcripts of all courses at colleges and universities attended (including undergraduate, post graduate, and 
DOD Command and Staff courses)
I. GRE results
Note: While it is required to submit G through I in application for future forwarding to the Olmsted Foundation 
Panel, it is highly recommended these are also included in EI-PDR.
8. Language Requirement: Applicants are required to take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) no later than 
10 SEP in order to be considered by the Coast Guard Panel. (If DLAB scores need to be submitted separate from the 
application, send them to HQS-SMB-CGPSC-opm-1-PGPanels@uscg.mil with subject “LAST, FIRST MI_DLAB FOR OLMSTED APP”.) 
The DLAB tests a person’s ability to learn a foreign language, and may be scheduled through an Educational Services 
Officer (ESO). USCG ESO’s normally schedule these at the nearest DOD base.
A. There are no commercial study guides available for the DLAB. While studying is not expected nor required, those 
that want to prepare for the DLAB should ensure they have a solid grasp of English grammar before taking the test.
B. There is no minimum score required. The Olmsted Panel will consider the score among the applicant’s entire application.
9. For questions regarding this message, contact USCG Olmsted Scholar Program Manager: LCDR Kristen Hahn, COMDT (CG-DCO-I), 
202-372-4464 or Kristen.A.Hahn(AT)uscg.mil.
10. CAPT C. J. Glander, Chief, PSC-OPM, sends.
11. Internet release authorized.