ALCOAST 179/19 - MAY 2019 ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES POST-GRADUATE PROGRAM SOLICITATION

R 241014 MAY 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5R//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N01524//
ALCOAST 179/19
COMDTNOTE 1524
SUBJ:  ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES POST-GRADUATE PROGRAM SOLICITATION
A. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 081002 APR 19/ALCOAST 114/19
1. This ALCOAST solicits applicants for postgraduate opportunities at the Department of
Defense's Advanced Military and Warfighting programs.
2. Overview. The US Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) and the US Marine Corps
School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW) are Advanced Intermediate JPME programs for officers
who have excelled in resident or non-resident JPME-I courses. These programs were established
in the 1980s to develop officers with the problem solving and critical thinking skills to
address DOD’s most complex and ambiguous problem sets. Completion of SAMS and SAW provides
the body of knowledge to enhance performance of duties consistent with Military and Joint
Matters and in the context of defense operations and joint functions (command and control,
intelligence, fires, movement and maneuver, protection and sustainment). Moreover, the
advanced study of military history develops the analytic mind of an officer, enhances the
understanding of military issues, and facilitates the officer’s future decision-making
efforts. These academic programs are extremely competitive and unique to any other civilian
or military course, providing select Coast Guard officers with the rare tools to perform in
the most challenging positions of the organization. More information is available at:
https://usacac.army.mil/organizations/cace/cgsc/sams and at:
https://grc-usmcu.libguides.com/mcu/saw.
3. Eligibility. This program is open to all operational specialties. Ideal candidates are
those officers just completing an operational tour. This program offers opportunities in the
Defense Operations career field (OAR-12), which values officers able to maintain an
operational career path. Attending a SAMS or SAW directly from an operational tour allows
officers enough time to complete both a degree and payback tour and not miss important
windows for future assignments. In addition to the application guidelines set forth in
REF (A), applicants must:
   a. Be in the grade of 0-4.  Senior 0-4s in zone for promotion year 2020 (summer 2019) are also
encouraged to apply.
   b. Possess the requisite academic aptitude to earn a Master's degree. If selected,
students will complete all of the requirements to earn a Master's degree. (Standardized
tests are NOT required for this program).
   c. Possess JPME-1 certification (not waiverable).
4. Follow on Tours. Graduates of SAMS and SAW can expect follow on assignments in locations
that involve execution of the Defense Readiness mission, to include: Headquarters Office of
Counterterrorism and Defense Operations Policy (CG-ODO), Area Staffs, various liaison and
staff positions in the Pentagon, liaison assignments with the Navy, and assignments to
Combatant Commands. Tour lengths range from two to four years.
5. Additional information is available on school websites. Students do not apply directly to
the school and should not contact them for application information or instructions. For
additional information, prospective students are encouraged to contact LCDR Michael Bell at:
Michael.S.Bell@uscg.mil or (202) 372-2049.
6. RDML Anthony J. Vogt, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.