ALCOAST 057/20 - FEB 2020 PERSONNEL READINESS TASK FORCE YEAR PROGRESS REPORT

R 241535 FEB 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//VCG//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N01321//
ALCOAST 057/20
COMDTNOTE 1321
SUBJ:  PERSONNEL READINESS TASK FORCE YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
1. In January 2019, the Personnel Readiness Task Force (PRTF) formed at USCG Headquarters.
Consistent with the Commandant’s Strategic Intent to “Maximize Readiness Today and Tomorrow,”
the PRTF's role is to support ongoing efforts to recruit, train, and retain a Mission Ready
Total Workforce that reflects the diversity and best talents of our Nation. Chartered by the
Vice Commandant, this nine-member team first set focus on the issues and recommendations
raised in the RAND Women's Retention Study and Holistic Analysis (WRSHA). Input from Coast
Guard members who participated in RAND-led focus groups proved instrumental in ensuring
accurate and impactful recommendations would lead to real change in the Coast Guard.
In fact, because the study recommendations were so enlightening, the Defense Council on
Women in the Services (DACOWITS) recommended the Secretary of Defense direct the military
services to reviews the WRSHA and implement the relevant findings to improve female
retention in their respective service. From the WRSHA study, the PRTF developed a worklist
of forward-leaning policy changes that put our USCG members first. As the team completes
its first year, this ALCOAST highlights policy and program changes made thus far.
2. Implementation Actions. The PRTF teamed with a variety of USCG Headquarters programs
to help develop or message the following initiatives:
    a. The Body Composition Pilot Program provides additional opportunities to demonstrate
compliance with USCG standards including a new abdominal circumference measurement, fitness
testing, and a better connection to medical professionals for health assessments. More
information can be found at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/military/Body-Composition-Program/.
    b. The Parent Guide contains policies and resources designed to ensure the health and
well-being of expectant and new parents as they navigate pregnancy and parenting. The
guide can be found at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/worklife/Parent-Resources/.
    c. Surge Staffing for Parental Leave is a centrally funded program, supporting members
on parental leave by backfilling their positions with a reserve member, allowing members
bonding time without the stress of worrying about work. This program has successfully
supported over 100 members since March 2019. More information can be found at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/library/generalmessages/General%20Messages/GENMSG2019/ALCOAST/
124-19_ALCOAST.txt.
    d. The In-Home Child Care initiative expansion allows members interested in the Family
Child Care (FCC) Program to request USCG-owned family housing that exceeds their actual
bedroom qualification to facilitate FCC participation. Additionally, the CG Foundation
may cover many startup expenses through a grant. Detailed information about FCC can be
found at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-
Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/child-care/.
    e. CG Mutual Assistance seeks to support nursing mothers and may provide reimbursement
of breast milk shipment costs for active duty members, reservists (even on ADOS), spouses
of active duty and reservists (shipping milk while traveling for their job), and USCG
Civilian employees while TDY, underway, or traveling on government business. More
information can be found at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-
Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-
Life-CG-111/Breast-Milk-Shipment/.
    f. License and Certification Reimbursement provides spouses up to $1000 for their
required re-licensing and re-certification fees to continue working in their field after
relocating to another state in support of their military spouse. More information can be
found at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-
Resources-CG-1/Reserve-and-Military-Personnel-CG-13/Military-Personnel/Spouse-License-
Reimbursement/.
    g. The Tattoo Policy was modernized by expanding the location of authorized tattoos
to ensure uniformed USCG members present a sharp military appearance while more closely
reflecting current societal trends, thereby continuing to make the USCG a more inclusive,
service of choice. More information can be found at: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Tattoo/.
    h. The Uniform Board Membership was updated to further diversify its representation.
The new board will be chartered in support of Uniform Board 49.
    i. The PRTF delivered the inaugural “Personnel Readiness Expo" at Base Portsmouth, VA
on November 13, 2019. The expo gathered information, speakers, and presenters covering a
wide array of personnel readiness topics to over 400 active, reserve, civilian,
auxiliary, and family members of Team Coast Guard in the Tidewater area. Information was
provided via 30 booths, six different break-out sessions/panel discussions, and remarks
from senior leaders. The PRTF is designing an exportable tool kit that can be used by
district and sector commands interested in holding future expos. For more information,
visit the PRTF Portal page at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/PRTF/SitePages/Home.aspx/.
    j. Physical Health Assessment (PHA) policy changes now allow qualified USCG
Independent Duty Health Services Technicians (IDHS) to perform PHAs for USCG personnel.
The intent of this change is to improve medical readiness, provide USCG personnel
flexibility in how and when they obtain PHAs, and to free up USCG Medical Officers for
clinical appointments. Additionally, USCG IDHS Technicians will be authorized to travel
to TRICARE Prime Remote units and to Selected Reserve units to conduct group PHA events.
During such events, additional Individual Medical Readiness services will also be offered.
More information can be found at: https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/library/generalmessages/
General%20Messages/GENMSG2019/ALCOAST%20COMDT%20NOTICE%20(ACN)/129-19_ACN.txt.
3. Future Plans. The PRTF continues to strive to enhance personnel readiness by
identifying barriers to inclusion and diversity that impact retaining our valued members.
The team has been extended until the summer of 2021 to take action on findings from the
RAND Holistic Study and Analysis on the Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented
Minorities in the USCG and to support ongoing inclusion and diversity initiatives.
4. POC: Direct questions about the PRTF can be sent to: PRTF-Invitations@uscg.mil
5. ADM Charles W. Ray, Vice Commandant, sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.