ACN 012/20 - JAN 2020 ENLISTED RATING ADVANCEMENT TRAINING SYSTEM (ERATS) WINTER 2020 UPDATE

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                           CANCEL DATE  22 JAN 2021

R 231450 JAN 20
FM COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA//FC-C//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01430//
ACN 012/20
SUBJ:  ENLISTED RATING ADVANCEMENT TRAINING SYSTEM (ERATS) WINTER 2020 UPDATE
A. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10 (series)
1. Per REF (A), this ACN promulgates updated advancement policy and procedures related
to the Enlisted Ratings Advancement Training System (ERATS) and provides updates to the
Occupational Analysis (OA) schedule.
2. ERATS Policy and Procedure:
    a. All Rating Advancement Tests (RAT) and Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME)
Advancement Qualification Exams (AQE) are permanently cancelled. All other advancement
requirements, including completion of the Rating Performance Qualifications (RPQ) and
EPME Performance Qualifications (EPQ) remain in effect. Command Cadre and Professional
Development Coaches (PDC) are critical to ensuring the integrity of RPQ/EPQ sign-offs.
PDCs remain responsible for ensuring performance standards are being met or exceeded when
carrying out their role as signatories for RPQ/EPQs.
    b. A Rating Competency Code is required for all grades. Members who previously earned a
Rating Competency Code need not recertify unless required to do so as stated in the
rating-specific guidance memo available on the ERATS CGPortal page at the following URL:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/erats/ERATS%20ANNOUNCEMENTS%20ARCHIVE/Forms/AllItems.aspx. Review Section I: Record of Changes of each RPQ while preparing for the Service wide Exam to ensure you are using the most up-to-date references.
    c. The Commanding Officer or RPQ/EPQ Reviewer shall verify a candidate has completed
the RPQs and EPQs. EPQ/RPQ paygrade completion shall be entered directly into DA by the
unit’s Personnel and Administration (P&A) entity. A competency entry process guide has been
created and is located on the ERATS CGPortal page at the following URL:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/erats/SitePages/Home.aspx.
3. RPQ/EPQ Repository. RPQs and EPQs are housed on the ERATS CGPortal page.
4. Rating Specific Notes. Specific changes and instructions for EPQs and RPQs are captured
in a semi-annual memo approved by FORCECOM Training Division. The approved memo is available on the ERATS CGPortal page under the ERATS Announcements Archive folder.
5. Occupational Analyses (OA).
    a. OA Process: Consists of a periodic review of all ranks of a specific rating.
The process includes a rating-wide survey that is used to make critical decisions related
to advancement and training requirements. Maximizing participation in the survey is critical
to ensuring the real-time world of work for a rating is accurately captured. 
    b. OA Upcoming Schedule. OS - March 2020; EM - September 2020.
These timeframes are subject to change.
6. Points of Contact:
    a. OA POC: CWO Jennifer Riedel, Jennifer.L.Riedel@uscg.mil
    b. ERATS POC: MCPO Anthony Matulonis, Anthony.J.Matulonis@uscg.mil. 
    c. Rating specific advancement requirements should be directed to the respective
Rating Force Master Chief.
7. Released by RDML B. Penoyer, Commander, Force Readiness Command.
8. Internet release is authorized.