ALCOAST 346/19 - NOV 2019 BOATSWAIN’S MATE RATING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (BM RAP) IMPLEMENTATION ANNOUNCEMENT

R 081055 NOV 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7/FC-C//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01000//
ALCOAST 346/19
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ:  BOATSWAIN’S MATE RATING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (BM RAP) IMPLEMENTATION ANNOUNCEMENT
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8 (series)
B. https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-epm/SitePages/Non-Rates.aspx
1. Situation: The FY20 Enlisted Training and Accessions Plan identified a need for more
BM3s than our existing capacity at BM A School. The Rating Training and Advisory Council
(RTAC) was tasked to develop a solution to meet the demand for new BM3s, leading to the
creation of the BM RAP. The BM RAP is a shorter alternative to the existing 14 week “A”
School for members meeting all prerequisites.
2. Benefits: Implementing the BM RAP allows TRACEN Yorktown to meet the current and future
forecasted needs for new BM3s. It gives credit for hard earned qualifications by offering
a shorter A School to qualifying members while also increasing student throughput.
3. Action: This ALCOAST solicits enlisted members interested in entering the Boatswain’s
Mate (BM) rating. Eligible non-rated enlisted members or Petty Officers meeting prerequisites
shall apply to the 6 week A School. The inaugural BM RAP course convening will commence on
06 January 2020. Members who are on the A-school list with a signature date before
September 1, 2019 and meet the requirements listed in paragraph 3 will be automatically
enrolled into a future BM RAP course convening.
4. Requirements:
    a. Hold a current Boat Crew Members (BCM) competency for any shore based standard boat
with the exception of punts, skiffs, and ice rescue boats. Long Range Interceptor (LRI)
and Over-The-Horizon (OTH) cutter boats also serve to meet the BCM competency requirement.
    b. Must have completed the 1-Day Boat Forces Underwater Egress Training
(Course Code: 100144).
    c. Meet all the requirements for BM A School found at REF (B).
    d. Commands are responsible for verifying BCM competency prior to putting a members
name on the 6 week A school list.
5. Process: New A-school request and switching to BM RAP for signatures dates of September 1,
2019 and after:
    a. Commands of new prospective applicants who meet the requirements of paragraph 3 shall
submit an A-school request form with the appropriate BM RAP endorsement.
    b. Commands of applicants needing to switch to, or be removed from the BM RAP list shall
submit a BM RAP A-school supplemental request form located at REF (B).
 1. Members who switch between lists will maintain their original signature date.
 2. Members will not be switched from the standard A-school list to BM RAP within 10
weeks of the members projected course attendance date.
6. For additional information: A Frequently Asked Questions Page is located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/bfco/SitePages/Boatswain%27s%20Mate%20School.aspx.
7. I commend the work of the RTAC and TRACEN Yorktown for taking this important
first step toward a modernized ready learning system.
8. Points of contact:
    a. EPM-2 Non-rate Assignments: OS1 Colin Reinert, Colin.J.Reinert@uscg.mil or (202)795-6605.
    b. BM RFMC: BMCM Michael Ellis, Michael.J.Ellis@uscg.mil or (202) 372-2296.
    c. BM A School Chief: BMCS Joseph Damelio, Joseph.F.Damelio@uscg.mil or (757) 856-2233.
    d. COMDT (CG-731): CDR Michael Keane, Michael.A.Keane@uscg.mil or (202) 372-2453.
    e. COMDT (CG-751): CDR Jonathan Carter, Jonathan.A.Carter@uscg.mil or (202) 372-2203.
9. RDML M. W. Sibley, Assistant Commandant for Capability and RDML B. K. Penoyer, Commander,
Force Readiness Command, sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.