ALCOAST 324/18 - SEP 2018 PROSPECTIVE COMMANDING OFFICER/OFFICER IN CHARGE FAMILIARIZATION TRAINING (500271)

R 241130 SEP 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N03502//
ALCOAST 324/18
COMDTNOTE 3502
SUBJ:  PROSPECTIVE COMMANDING OFFICER/OFFICER IN CHARGE FAMILIARIZATION
TRAINING (500271)
A. Cutter Training and Qualification Manual, COMDTINST M3502.4 (series)
1. REF (A), Paragraph 7.D., requires Prospective Commanding Officers (PCOs)/
Prospective Officers in Charge (POICs) to spend a period of underway
familiarization on a cutter of the same class as their prospective command
but not on the same cutter. This requirement was issued as a result of the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations following the
collisions and loss of life onboard CGC BLACKTHORN and CGC CUYAHOGA.
2. The Education and Training Quota Management Command (ETQC) is responsible
for assigning PCO Familiarization (FAM) quotas to PCOs/POICs each year.
PCOs/POICs shall contact ETQC as soon as they receive PCS orders to arrange
for this mandated training. A period of 2-5 days is typically authorized not
to exceed 800 dollars per quota.
3. Individuals exempt from this requirement include members who have previously
served on the same class of cutter as CO, XO, OIC or XPO. For single cutter
classes (CGC HEALY, CGC MACKINAW, CGC ALEX HALEY, for example), a PCO FAM ride
on a WAGB, WLB, WMEC, respectively, or similar cutter is authorized.
4. Typically only 60-70 percent of the available PCO FAM quotas are used annually
due to the exemption policy previously discussed. This is a prime opportunity
(and requirement) for eligible PCOs/POICs to observe underway operations, drills
and exercises and gain insight into the physical characteristics and handling of
their future afloat commands.
5. PCO FAM rides are not meant to be Area of Responsibility (AOR) FAM rides and
are to be conducted on board the closest available cutter to a member's current
duty assignment.
6. Though PCOs/POICs have priority, there is a limited opportunity for first-time
Prospective Executive Officers (PXOs)/Prospective Executive Petty Officers (PXPOs)
to complete FAM rides on a first-come, first-serve basis. The eligibility,
exemption criteria and quota cost limitations also apply. Interested individuals/
units should contact ETQC to check the availability of FAM ride quotas.
7. PCO FAM ride waiver requests should be sent via AOIX and addressed to
CMD-SMB-COMDT-CG7, copy to CMD-SMB-CG-ETQC, CMD-SMB-CG-FORCECOM, CGD-SMB-CG-PSC,
Operational Commanders and all affected commands. Waiver requests will only be
considered when endorsed by a member's future operational commander.
8. COMDT (CG-751) POC is Dennis Thorseth at (202) 372-2335 or dennis.c.thorseth@uscg.mil.
9. RDML Michael P. Ryan, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
10. Internet release authorized.