ALCOAST 239/18 - JUN 2018 MARINE INDUSTRY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

united states coast guard

R 290721 JUN 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01520//
ALCOAST 239/18
COMDTNOTE 1520
SUBJ: MARINE INDUSTRY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
A. MARINE INDUSTRY TRAINING PROGRAM, COMDTINST 1500.4 (series)
B. ALCGPSC 057/18
C. ACTIVE DUTY OFFICER POSTGRADUATE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION APPLICATION PROCESS
GUIDE FOR ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2019
D. ACTIVE DUTY ENLISTED POSTGRADUATE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION APPLICATION PROCESS
GUIDE FOR ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2019
1. Eligible officers and Marine Science Technicians (MSTs) are strongly encouraged to
apply for the Marine Industry Training Program. This program is a specialized training
program outlined in REF (A) that allows Coast Guard members to conduct internships with
maritime industry organizations and associations, similar to participation in a fast track
junior executive training program. Marine Industry Training Program selectees will be
chosen this Fall by a selection panel to participate in one of five sub-programs:
Merchant Marine Industry Training (MMIT), Investigations Industry Training (IIT), Port
Safety and Security Industry Training (PSSIT), Marine Environmental Protection Industry
Training (MEPIT), and Waterways Management Industry Training (WWMIT).
2. Industry training is accomplished through short-term (4-6 months) or one-year
internships. Short-term internships are conducted during the April to September timeframe
in conjunction with the transfer season. One-year internships are conducted from June to
June. Operational demands, such as contingency operations or individual circumstances,
may make it difficult for some members to conduct their industry training in the
traditional timeframe. In such instances, requests for alternative schedules may be
considered on a case-by-case basis. Internships are usually conducted in the region of
the follow-on assignment and will directly support the stated objectives of the
sub-program assigned.
3. All candidates must be active duty (O2-O4 and MSTs E5 above the cut for E6, E6, and E7),
or reservists on Extended Active Duty as detailed in paragraph 11 of REF (B). All
candidates must be tour complete in Assignment Year 2019 (AY19). Due to the availability
of staff and field unit follow-on assignments, individuals presently at both field and
staff units may apply.
4. MMIT is available to experienced officers with vessel inspection competencies. MMIT
participants study the impacts of prevention policy and learn how to create mutually
beneficial solutions to Coast Guard and marine industry challenges. MMIT participants have
conducted their training with the following industry groups: ocean shipping, offshore oil
industry, Great Lakes shipping, inland and offshore towing, shipyards, tank ship/barge
operators, LNG and chemical transporters, small passenger vessel operators, and cruise ship
lines. Ideal MMIT applicants have at least three years of Prevention Operations experience
and have been assigned the CG-OAP11 (Vessel Inspections) Officer Specialty Code (OSC).
Specific interest in all areas of vessel inspection for the offshore oil industry, new
technologies affecting energy exploration, and vessel propulsion systems will be the
preferred areas when evaluating applicants for training during this MMIT cycle.
5. IIT is available to experienced Investigating Officers. IIT participants broaden their
professional experience and knowledge through extensive insight and exposure into the work
of other investigative entities, as well as merchant vessel and marine industry operations.
IIT participants have participated in ship rider programs and performed shoreside industry
training with such organizations as the National Transportation Safety Board, Department of
Justice, State Pilot Associations, Port Authorities, shipping companies, admiralty law firms,
and marine insurers. Ideal IIT applicants have at least three years of Prevention Operations
experience and have been assigned the CG-OAP12 (Marine Investigations) OSC.
6. PSSIT is available to officers and MSTs. PSSIT participants expand their knowledge of
commercial port operations. PSSIT participants concentrate on port safety and/or security
issues such as the Maritime Transportation Security Act, or the Transportation Worker
Identification Credential program implementation and compliance, facility safety compliance,
and containerized or explosive handling operations. PSSIT participants have concentrated on
liquefied natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas facility permitting and operations, safety
and security challenges at major Port Authorities, cyber security initiatives, and the
petrochemical supply chain. Ideal officer PSSIT applicants have at least three years of
Prevention Operations experience and have been assigned the Facility Inspector competency.
Ideal enlisted PSSIT applicants have at least six years of operational experience, have been
assigned the Facility Inspector and Container Inspector competencies, and are authorized to
wear the temporary or permanent Marine Safety Insignia.
7. MEPIT is available to experienced officers and MSTs with marine environmental response
and protection backgrounds. MEPIT participants gain insight into domestic and international
pollution preparedness, response, and mitigation operations from a federal, state, and
industry perspective. MEPIT participants have focused their industry training in oil spill
removal, contingency planning, national-level organizational policy making, and emergency
management. Training opportunities have included various oil spill removal organizations,
the American Petroleum Institute, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and companies within the oil and salvage
industries. Ideal officer MEPIT applicants have at least three years of Response Operations
experience and have been assigned the CG-OAR15 (Marine Environmental Response) OSC. Ideal
enlisted MEPIT applicants have at least six years of operational experience and have been
assigned either the Federal On-Scene Coordinator's Representative or National Strike Force
Response Supervisor competency.
8. WWMIT is available to officers and MSTs. WWMIT participants expand their knowledge of the
Marine Transportation System, including waterways, ports, and intermodal connections from an
industry and port stakeholder perspective. WWMIT participants are expected to network and
cultivate partnerships to address WWM-related issues, balance economic considerations with
safe practices, and share opportunities and best practices with public and private entities
to create mutually beneficial solutions. WWMIT participants can expect to conduct their
training with Port Authorities, State Pilot Associations, Marine Exchanges, energy/oil
industries, towing vessel companies, ferry vessel operators, major shipping companies, the
Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement, and local government offices. Ideal officer WWMIT applicants have
at least three years of Operations Ashore-Prevention experience or Operations Afloat-
Prevention experience (Aids to Navigation or Ice Operations). Ideal enlisted WWMIT
applicants have at least six years of operational experience, have been assigned the
Waterways Management Representative competency, and are authorized to wear the temporary or
permanent Marine Safety Insignia.
9. Selection to fill one-year and short-term internships will be made during the selection
panel. The breakdown of industry training quotas is as follows, with all positions
designated for officers unless otherwise stated:
     a. MMIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas.
     b. IIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas.
     c. PSSIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas (one officer, one enlisted).
     d. MEPIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas (one officer, one enlisted).
     e. WWMIT: Four short-term quotas (two officer, two enlisted).
10. Officer applicants are required to submit a My Panel Submission in Direct Access by
following the guidance in REF (C) located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-opm/1/c/SitePages/Home.aspx. Of note, applying for
one or more Marine Industry Training Program does not count against the limit of applying
for up to three PG/ADV ED programs. Standardized test scores are not required.
11. Enlisted applicants for the MEPIT and PSSIT programs are required to submit a My Panel
Submission in Direct Access by following the guidance in REF (D) located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-epm/SitePages/Panels.aspx. Standardized test
scores are not required.
12. Additional Marine Industry Training Program guidance and the list of follow-on
assignments (field and staff) can be found on the Office of Shore Forces (CG-741) portal
website, located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg741/Prevention/MIT/SitePages/Home.aspx.
Applicants should indicate the following information on their submission: Why the applicant
would like to be considered for the Marine Industry Training Program, whether or not they
would like to be considered for a one-year assignment (officers only), their specific
industry training sub-program of choice (MMIT, IIT, PSSIT, MEPIT, or WWMIT), and rank order
their desired follow-on assignments from the list of pre-designated industry training
follow-on billets.
13. Commanding Officer endorsements are required and shall contain a summary of the
applicants interests, ability, knowledge (including relevant education, training, and
competencies), and potential value to the service related to the requested industry training
sub-program. Endorsements must specify sub-program and training term (one-year or
short-term). Endorsements for short-term quotas should address the ability to gap the
applicant’s position for up to three months.
14. The deadline for completed My Panel Submissions is 17 August 2018.
15. All O2/O3 applicants should note the requirement outlined in REF (B) that they must
conduct career counseling with OPM-4 prior to applying.
16. Short-term industry training selectees will have PCS orders available in Direct Access
by 15 February 2019. One-year industry training selectees will have orders available
according to the standard timeline for a summer transfer.
17. Industry Training incurs obligated service of approximately 18 months for short-term
quotas and three years for one-year Training Allowance Billets.
18. After reviewing all references, any questions regarding the processing of Marine
Industry Training Program applications should be directed to:
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-opm-1-PGPanels@uscg.mil for officers and Ms. Ada Harris at (202) 795-6563 or
LT Nicholas Martin at (202) 795-6594 for enlisted personnel.
19. General questions regarding the Marine Industry Training Program should be directed to
LCDR Sean Morrison at (202) 372-2576.
20. For sub-program specific questions, contact:
      a. MMIT: LCDR Joe Hart, COMDT (CG-CVC-2) (202) 372-1236
      b. IIT: LCDR Baxter Smoak, COMDT (CG-INV-2) (202) 372-1040
      c. PSSIT: LCDR Dan McQuate, COMDT (CG-FAC-2) (202) 372-1130
      d. MEPIT: LT Meagan Bowis, COMDT (CG-MER-1) (202) 372-2260
      e. WWMIT: LCDR William Albright, COMDT (CG-WWM-1) (202) 372-1568
21. Enlisted members may also contact the MST Rating Force Master Chief, MSTCM Michael
Brewer at (202) 372-1342 to discuss this program.
22. RDML Michael P. Ryan, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
23. Internet release authorized.