ACN 062/20 - MAY 2020 PROMULGATION OF THE MILITARY TO MARINER VOLUNTARY CREDENTIALING PROGRAM

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                 CANCEL DATE  13 MAY 2021

R 141134 MAY 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//FC-C//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N01540//
ACN 062/20
SUBJ:  PROMULGATION OF THE MILITARY TO MARINER VOLUNTARY CREDENTIALING PROGRAM
A. Military to Mariner Voluntary Credentialing Program, COMDTINST 1540.2
B. Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program (VCP), COMDTINST 1540.10
C. United States, Executive Office of the President [Donald Trump]. Executive Order
13860: Supporting the Transition of Active Duty Service Members and Military Veterans
into the Merchant Marine. 4 Mar. 2019.
D. Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2015, PL 113-291, § 551, 128 Stat. 3292, 3376-3377 (2014)
E. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 011425 JUN 18/ALCOAST 214/18
F. The Coast Guard Strategic Plan 2018-2022
1. This ACN announces promulgation of REF (A) to establish policy on program operations for establishing professional credentialing equivalency for Coast Guard members seeking merchant mariner credentials, credentials covered, oversight mechanisms for the payment of expenses and benefits, as well as limitations, roles and responsibilities for implementing the Military to Mariner (M2M) Program as a subset of the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program (VCP), initiated by REF (B), and mandated by REF (C), and REF (D). Initiated by REF (E), the M2M Program as part of the VCP was identified as a Commandant's Early Action Item. Voluntary credentialing is a critical element supporting improved workforce career development as part of Priority 1 of REF (F).
2. M2M Program supports the Coast Guard workforce through core functions of providing
customer service and workforce outreach; and counseling and mentoring members in their pursuit of Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and merchant mariner credentials. M2M Program serves as single point of development, formalization, approval, and maintenance of Coast Guard training and experience maritime portfolios with National Maritime Center (NMC); utilizes Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (CG COOL) at: https://www.cool.osd.mil/; and provides approvals for Credentialing Assistance (CA) for reimbursement of eligible credentialing fees.
3. The Coast Guard will reimburse eligible personnel for voluntary credentialing expenses
for TWIC and merchant mariner credentials listed on CG COOL that are directly related to their ratings or service experience, including application fees, assessment fees,
examination fees, issuance fees, maintenance fees, and renewal fees. CA may not be used to pay the expenses of a member to obtain professional credentials that are a prerequisite for appointment in the armed forces or their specific job. Eligible members include enlisted personnel (AD and SELRES) in good standing, as identified in the instruction REF (B).
4. Questions should be directed to the M2M mailbox at: CGM2M@USCG.MIL.
5. Released by RDML B. K. Penoyer, Commander, Force Readiness Command.
6. Internet release is authorized.