ACN 099/19 - SEP 2019 FY20 WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS – CGCYBER ENLISTED INTERVENTIONS

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                                CANCEL DATE 05 SEP 2020


R 061421 SEP 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N07220//
ACN 099/19
SUBJ: FY20 WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS – CGCYBER ENLISTED INTERVENTIONS
A. Military Bonus Programs, COMDTINST M7220.2 (series)
B. 37 U.S.C. – Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
C. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1 (series)
D. Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards Program Manual, COMDTINST M1020.8 (series)
E. 10 U.S.C. – Armed Forces
F. Coast Guard Pay Manual, COMDTINST M7220.29 (series)
G. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10 (series)
H. Enlisted Accessions, Evaluations, and Advancements, COMDTINST M1000.2 (series)
1. Overview: This ACN announces two Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) offers
under Chapter 3 of REF (A) and Section 355 of REF (B) for eligible active duty enlisted
members in designated critical military skills and is in addition to any other pay and
allowances to which a member is entitled.
    a. This ACN authorizes two interventions recommended by the FY20 Enlisted Workforce
Planning Team (EWPT). This is necessary to support Coast Guard missions to fill critical
assignments and optimize Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER) workforce readiness.
    b. The bonuses are authorized for eligible active duty members (see 4.a-e) who submit
completed written agreements of newly obligated service as defined in REF (A) Chapter 3.A.2.f.
during FY20. The new active duty service commitment (ADSC) is the number of years a Service
member agrees to obligate service on the Bonus Agreement.
    c. The bonus offerings in this ACN begin in FY20 (01 Oct 2019 and not before) and are
anticipated to remain in effect until the end of FY20 (30 Sep 2020 and not after) contingent
upon Congress extending the authority to make payments. Monetary interventions may be adjusted
or terminated not less than 30 days in advance.
2. BACKGROUND: These bonuses are a special incentive pay to retain active duty CGCYBER
members filling essential CGCYBER roles. IAW REFs (A and B), the bonuses apply exclusively to
fully qualified active duty enlisted personnel as follows:
    a. A $100,000 CSRB is authorized for enlisted members who possess specialized Defense
Cyberspace Operations (DCO) qualifications and experience, and who reenlist for an additional
four years of active service obligation. Members must agree to remain in a DCO related position
for the entire four years of active service obligation. This includes positions within CGCYBER
and Computer Network Operations (CNO) positions within the Coast Guard Cryptologic Group (CGCG).
Eligible members must abide by the following fully-qualified criteria during the entirety of the ADSC:
       (1) Assignment of Enlisted members to CGCYBER Network Operations & Security Center (NOSC)
Cybersecurity Operations Center (CSOC), Cyber Protection Team (CPT), Cybersecurity &
Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) DET, Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) DET, CGCYBER
Blue Team, or CGCG CNO positions;
       (2) Possess and maintain a final, adjudicated TS/SCI security clearance and favorable
Counter-Intelligence (CI) Polygraph;
       (3) Successful completion of Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) or equivalent six-month course;
       (4) Successful completion of Cybersecurity Service Provider (CSSP) Analysis Infrastructure
Support, Incident Responder, Auditor, or Manager Certification, DoD 8570.01-M;
       (5) Successful completion of Joint Qualification Requirements (JQR) and board process for
CGCYBER watch positions of CSOC Watch Supervisor or Intelligence Watch Officer; completed
Cyber Protection Team (CPT) training pipeline requirements, or National Security Agency (NSA)
CNO JQR and all NSA-mandated training requirements; and
       (6) Commands must verify all qualifying eligibility requirements listed on a completed
Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307 (BON-10). This document must be signed by the member's
CO; "By Direction" signature authority is prohibited. Questions should be directed to:
PPC-SMB-MAS-Bonus@uscg.mil.
       (7) Eligible members not currently filling an approved CGCYBER billet may enter into this
agreement if they meet the requirements set forth in 4.d. and 4.e. of this ACN.
    b. A $50,000 CSRB is authorized for enlisted members who possess specialized Department of Defense Information Network Operations (DODIN OPS) qualifications and experience, and who reenlist for an additional four years of active service obligation. Members must agree to remain in a CGCYBER position for the entire four years of active service obligation. Eligible members must abide by the following fully qualified criteria during the entirety of the ADSC:
       (1) Enlisted members assigned to CGCYBER Technical Management Team (TMT), Enterprise Operations Center, or Centralized Service Desk positions;
       (2) Possess and maintain a final, adjudicated SECRET security clearance;
       (3) Successful completion of 12 months of duty within a CGCYBER Technical Management Team (TMT);
       (4) Successful completion of IAT Level II Certification, DoD 8570.01-M; and
       (5) Successful completion of one of the groups of industry certifications and trainings below.
In the event of a name change, reorganization, new release, or other event that renders the listed
classes obsolete, a waiver shall be requested to confirm a satisfactory replacement course is acceptable.
            (a) Virtualization: VMware Certified Professional 7 - Desktop and Mobility and VMware
Certified Professional 2019 – Data Center Virtualization;
             (b) Server: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2016 and Server
Virtualization with Windows Server Hyper-V and System Center;
             (c) Collaboration: Administering Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 (20345-1) and Microsoft 365
Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate;
             (d) Identity Management: Identity with Windows Server 2016;
             (e) Network: CompTIA Network+, Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT), and
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA);
             (f) Content Delivery: Administering System Center Configuration Manager (20703-1); and
             (g) Security Software: DISA HBSS Admin 201 Course, DISA HBSS Advanced 301 Course, and
McAfee Enterprise Security Manager for Engineers.
       (6) Commands must verify all qualifying eligibility requirements listed on a completed
Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307 (BON-10). This document must be signed by the member's
CO; "By Direction" signature authority is prohibited. Questions should be
directed to: PPC-SMB-MAS-Bonus@uscg.mil.
       (7) Eligible members not currently filling an approved CGCYBER billet may enter into this
agreement if they meet the requirements set forth in 4.d. and 4.e. of this ACN.
3. DEFINITIONS:
    a. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE COMMITMENT (ADSC): The ADSC is the number of years a member
agrees to obligate service under a Bonus Agreement. The ADSC is calculated by adding the number of
years obligated to the effective date of the Bonus Agreement or the date after the member completes any current obligated service period and has met all other eligibility requirements, whichever is later.
    b. BONUS AGREEMENT: CGCYBER Enlisted Bonus: A written contractual agreement between a
Service member and the Coast Guard in which the Service member agrees to remain on active duty for a
specific period of time. In return, the Service member receives the bonus contingent upon abiding by all
eligibility and retention conditions of the agreement throughout the entire contractual term. The only
approved Bonus Agreement to be used per this ACN is the “CGCYBER Enlisted Bonus Agreement” form found on the COMDT (CG-612) Directives and Publications, CG Authorized Forms Portal site
<https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/forms/>.
    c. BONUS AGREEMENT SUBMISSION DATE: For management, assignment and oversight
purposes, Bonus Agreements must be submitted to Commanding Officers no later than 31 Oct 2019.
Extension of the application deadline will not normally be allowed. Members with exceptional
circumstances may request a waiver for submission of their agreements past the due date from COMDT
(CG-133) thru CG PSC-EPM-2.
    d. CURRENT OBLIGATED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE: Current obligated active service period
includes:
       (1) All service obligations for initial entry into the Coast Guard.
       (2) Obligated service under an existing agreement, reenlistment contract, extension contract, and
obligated service for receipt of training and education.
       (3) Current obligated service does not include obligated service for advancement, tuition
assistance, or Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits transfer.
    e. EFFECTIVE DATE OF BONUS AGREEMENT: The Bonus Agreement will be effective the date a fully
qualified Service member’s Commanding Officer approves the agreement or, for those members not fully
qualified by the Commanding Officer’s approval date, the date the member meets all eligibility
requirements after the approval date, whichever is later, but not later than 30 Sep 2020.
4. POLICY: To receive the bonus, Service members must abide by and continuously maintain the
eligibility criteria of this ACN for the entirety of the obligated ADSC in the designated career field.
    a. A Service member paid a bonus under this offer during the period of ADSC covered by the signed
Bonus Agreement and who fails any of the following eligibility criteria shall be subject to repayment
for any and all unearned portion of the bonus under provisions of Section 373 of REF (B). General
eligibility criteria are:
       (1) Remain qualified under the stipulations of this ACN for which the bonus is paid;
       (2) Remain assigned to an approved CGCYBER position under the Bonus Agreement;
       (3) Maintain physical and medical standards for continuous retention IAW REF (C); and
       (4) Maintain weight and body fat standards IAW REF (D).
    b. If a member loses qualification, or is no longer qualified for those assignments in 2.a. or 2.b.
of this ACN due to any individual fault, any unearned portion of the bonus payment shall be repaid as
of the date of removal.
       (1) Entitlement to this bonus will not be restored when loss of qualification was due to personal
fault and the member later re-qualifies during the original ADSC.
       (2) The Bonus Agreement is not a guarantee a member will remain on active duty for the entirety of
the ADSC if earlier administrative separation, retirement or, involuntary separation for cause is
awarded, or appropriate.
    c. Years of total combined active duty and combined active duty service in a reserve component
cannot exceed 15 Years, 00 Months and, 00 Days nor be less than 04 Years, 00 Months and 00 Days as
of the effective date of the bonus contract.
    d. Eligible members may apply for a bonus if:
       (1) Their current obligated active duty service/end of enlistment (EOE) expires on or before
30 Sep 2020;
       (2) They are tour complete in AY2020 if not currently filling a CGCYBER position; and
       (3) They apply for the bonus by completing and submitting the Bonus Agreement by the date in
subparagraph 3.c. of this ACN.
    e. Determining eligibility.
       (1) Have no current obligated active service, as defined in Paragraph 3.d. of this ACN, beyond
30 Sep 2020.
       (2) Meet all of the requirements set forth in 2.a. or 2.b. by 30 Sep 2020. (Note: Failure to
obtain the requirements by 30 Sep 2020 will result in termination of the Bonus Agreement and repayment of all unearned bonus funds paid).
       (3) Accept assignment to a CGCYBER position during the AY2020 process if not currently assigned
to one.
       (4) Have no more than 25 years, 00 months, and 00 days total active duty service at the completion
of the bonus contract term.
       (5) May not have an existing Bonus Agreement.
       (6) The effective date of Bonus Agreement will be in compliance with Paragraph 3.e. For those
members failing to meet the eligibility requirements before 30 Sep 2020, the bonus agreement will not
become effective.
       (7) Members serving in a retired recall status are ineligible to apply.
    f. Bonus Agreement limits and payment of bonus. Eligible members must reenlist prior to receipt of
bonus payment. The bonus will be paid in lump sum IAW REF (B) subject to 22% federal, and
applicable state income tax withholdings that are not contributed to a tax-deferred Thrift Savings
Plan (TSP) account. Members desiring to contribute bonus monies to a TSP account must consider the TSP Elective Deferral limit and confirm election not less than 30 days prior to receipt of bonus.
       (1) The lump sum payment will normally be paid on the next pay cycle after the effective date
of the reenlistment contract or, if the member has not met all eligibility requirements as of the Bonus
Agreement, the date the member meets all eligibility requirements after the effective date of the
reenlistment contract, whichever is later, but not later than 30 Sep 2020.
       (2) Once a Bonus Agreement is signed, it will remain in effect until the agreement expires.
Members may request a new agreement upon expiration of their existing agreement provided a bonus is
being offered and the members meet the eligibility requirements of the bonus program then in effect.
       (3) IAW Section 371 of REF (B), a member is prohibited from receiving a bonus payment pursuant
to Subchapters I and II of Title 37, U.S.C., for the same activity, skill, or period of service.
       (4) It is prohibited for a member to receive multiple bonus payments for the same period of
service, unless specifically authorized by the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources (CG-1).
    g. ADSC Adjustments and Bonus Agreement non-compliance.
       (1) When a bonus for a member is suspended or terminated as described in this ACN, CG PSC-EPM
will not automatically adjust the ADSC for the member. A member whose bonus eligibility ends may
submit a request, with supporting material, to change the ADSC to CG PSC-EPM, who will consider the
request and supporting material in making a determination as to whether or not to change the ADSC.
       (2) An ADSC does not guarantee a member will remain on active duty indefinitely if earlier
administrative separation is appropriate.
       (3) The Coast Guard can also initiate involuntary separation under Military Separations,
COMDTINST M1000.4 (series), earlier than the ADSC date.
    h. Repayment of Unearned Bonus Amounts. Per Section 373 of REF (B), unearned bonuses shall be
repaid, unless collection is excepted under authorized conditions.
       (1) Except under conditions described in Paragraph 4.i. below, the Coast Guard will demand
repayment of any unearned bonus commensurate with time remaining on the member’s active duty
obligation when discharged, released from active duty, or the date the member has been determined to
no longer be in compliance with the Bonus Agreement.
       (2) CG PSC-EPM will include a statement on the separation authorization for any member with
remaining obligated service from a bonus agreement and any unearned bonus must be repaid by the
member. These separation authorization statements must include the reason for demanding repayment
and advise the member of the opportunity to apply for an exception to repayment along with the
procedures on how to submit the request.
    i. Authorized exceptions to repayment of unearned bonuses include the situations listed below and
shall be cited by CG PSC-EPM in separation authorizations or other documentation:
       (1) Separated, retired, or loss of bonus eligibility by reason of combat-related physical disability,
illness, or injury, and not due to misconduct.
            (a) The term “combat-related” has the same meaning as in Section 1413a of REF (E) and further
described in Section 16.D.6. of REF (F).
            (b) Combat-relatedness determinations will be made by CG PSC-PSD-MED.
            (c) In cases where a member with a current Bonus Agreement in effect 1) dies or 2) is retired
or separated with a combat-related disability, and the death or disability is not the result of the
member’s misconduct, any bonus installment amount previously paid shall not be recouped. Further, the
full amount of the Bonus Agreement amount not yet paid prior to the date of 1) death or 2) retirement or
separation due to combat-related disability but to which the member was eligible immediately before the
death, retirement, or separation and would otherwise be paid if not for the death, retirement, or
separation shall be included as a lump sum in the member’s final settlement of pay and allowances. The
lump sum shall be equal to the full remaining amount specified in the agreement as if the member
continued to be eligible for the remaining bonus payments. This payment must be paid not later than 90
days following the member’s death, retirement, or separation.
       (2) Sole survivorship discharge.
       (3) When explicitly excepted from repayment by Coast Guard personnel policy.
       (4) All other requests for exceptions to repayment of unearned bonus amounts must be approved by COMDT (CG-8C). Consideration for exception to repayment determinations will generally follow the
standards for remission of indebtedness as described in Section 11.G.5. of REF (F).
       (5) Unearned bonus calculations will be based on the Defense Finance and Accounting Services
accounting method described in REF (A).
    j. COMDT (CG-791) will review separate assignments from those duty locations to determine the
assignment eligibility requirement in Paragraph 2.a. and 2.b. of this ACN for CSRB eligibility.
    k. Any bonus paid to a member who completes a full tour in a duty location approved by COMDT
(CG-791) and subsequently receives Permanent Change of Station (PCS) transfer from CGPSC-EPM-2 may be eligible to retain any unearned portion of their bonus while still under the ADSC. Members must remain fully qualified and eligible for reassignment to those duty locations throughout the ADSC.
    l. Members who previously signed contracts under REFs (G) and (H), are prohibited from cancelling
their existing contract to sign a new contract to meet the requirements of this ACN.
    m. Extensions and re-extensions previously executed by members may be canceled prior to their
operative date for the purpose of executing a longer reenlistment contract IAW REF (H) Chapter 1.
5. BONUS APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
    a. Applicant Responsibilities. Review the contents of this ACN prior to signing a Bonus
Agreement.
       (1) Complete, sign, date and forward the Bonus Agreement and Administrative Remarks, Form CG
3307 (BON-10) to the designated command representative in a timely manner.
       (2) Keep a copy of the signed agreement for record purposes.
    b. Command Responsibilities. Designate a command representative who will counsel all bonus
eligible members assigned to the unit. The initial counseling session should be a one-on-one meeting
between each eligible member and the designated command representative that outlines the needs of the Coast Guard, how a bonus fits into the overall CGCYBER retention effort, and the Service member’s
eligibility. The command shall:
       (1) Ensure eligible members are aware of the bonus offering submission deadline of 31 Oct 2019,
eligibility window, payment authorization, and the ADSC associated with accepting the bonus offer.
       (2) Ensure each member fully understands the implications of the agreement and meets all eligibility requirements.
       (3) Explain that any unearned portions of bonus will be recouped on a pro-rata basis for all
conditions listed in this ACN.
       (4) Explain that eligible members with an approved date of separation (DOS) must request
withdrawal of the DOS prior to or upon submission of their bonus application. Members will not receive
bonus payments if the DOS withdrawal request is disapproved.
       (5) Submit signed/endorsed agreements and Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307 (BON-10) to
the unit’s Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) not later than 07 Nov 2019.
    c. SPO Responsibilities to process the bonus contract.
       (1) Ensure the Bonus Agreement and BON-10 has been properly completed.
       (2) Ensure the applicant and his/her Commanding Officer sign, initial and date the Bonus
Agreement as appropriate. Incomplete forms cannot be processed by PPC-MAS delaying bonus payment.
       (3) Place a copy of the Bonus Agreement, BON-10, and reenlistment contract in the member’s PDR
and submit these copies to PPC-MAS via a PPC Customer Care Trouble Ticket for processing within five
working days of member’s reenlistment date or upon becoming fully qualified, whichever is later.
       (4) Send a copy of initial contracts and changes to existing agreements to CG PSC-EPM-2
within five working days after receipt of the agreement from the member’s Commanding Officer.
    d. Eligible officers in TDY or PCS Status: There will be some instances when eligible members may
not be available for bonus counseling due to TDY or PCS. The length of the absence should determine
the action.
       (1) TDY: If the expected TDY length will prevent completion of the agreement by 31 Oct 2019,
then the designated command representative should counsel the Service member by whatever means available, and forward the Bonus Agreement and a copy of this ACN to the deployed supervisor of the applicant so he/she can document bonus acceptance/declination. The agreement should be signed by the applicant and witnessed by the deployed supervisor and then returned to the permanent duty station for Commanding Officer approval and distribution.
       (2) PCS: Departing commands should make every effort to contact eligible members if they have not left the immediate area and provide the necessary counseling. If the member has departed and was not counseled, notify the receiving command of the departing command's recommendation for approval or disapproval. The receiving designated command representative will complete the counseling process and the receiving Commanding Officer will normally approve or disapprove the Bonus Agreement based on the previous Commanding Officer recommendation. The receiving command is responsible for distributing the Bonus Agreement per Paragraph 5.b.
6. DISAPPROVING BONUS AGREEMENTS.
    a. Commanding Officers shall disapprove Bonus Agreements for members who:
       (1) Are awaiting a disqualification resulting from an Evaluation Board;
       (2) Are awaiting involuntary separation;
       (3) Are awaiting or undergoing investigation into military or civilian offenses which could result
in a documented record of substantiated misconduct or substandard duty performance;
       (4) Have a documented record of substandard performance or conduct which render them poor candidates for retention under the terms of a Bonus Agreement;
       (5) Have a documented record of CGCYBER skills and performance that makes them ineffective for
rated duty; or
       (6) Have an approved separation on file.
    b. Notification of disapprovals will be made to CG PSC-EPM.
    c. If any of the above listed conditions change before the Bonus Agreement submission date in
subparagraph 3.c above, the member may reapply for the bonus within the explicit time limits of this ACN.
7. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF BONUS.
    a. The bonus payments shall terminate when a member:
       (1) Is discharged or dismissed as a result of a court-martial, or is administratively separated;
       (2) Separates after declining selective continuation;
       (3) Voluntarily retires or separates before finishing the ADSC;
       (4) Is disqualified for CGCYBER service;
       (5) Fails to be placed in a CGCYBER position; or
       (6) Separates after being selected by a reduction in force (RIF) board.
    b. Suspend bonus payments when a member under a Bonus Agreement:
       (1) Is suspended from CGCYBER service;
       (2) Is medically disqualified for CGCYBER service; or
       (3) Loses eligibility for a CGCYBER assignment.
8. These changes will be implemented into the next revision of REF (A), which will be released within
the next year.
9. Questions regarding the CGCYBER program should be addressed to the COMDT (CG-791) Office of
Cyberspace Forces CDR Jamie Embry at: Jamie.M.Embry@uscg.mil or (202) 795-2534, or the COMDT (CG-791) Office of Cyberspace Forces Portal site: https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg791/SitePages/Home.aspx.
10. Questions regarding the assignment process should be directed to EPM-2 at:
ARL-SMB-CGPSCEPM-2-Admin@uscg.mil.
11. Questions from individuals concerning the execution of this policy should be addressed to
their designated command representatives. Questions from designated command representatives for
policies regarding bonuses or other human resource management matters may be directed to Office of
Military Personnel (CG-133) at: HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
12. Released by RADM J. M. Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources.
13. Internet release is authorized.