ALCOAST 264/20 - JUL 2020 MARINE INDUSTRY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

united states coast guard

R 081300 JUL 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01520//
ALCOAST 264/20
COMDTNOTE 1520
SUBJ: MARINE INDUSTRY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
A. Marine Industry Training Program, COMDTINST 1500.4 (series)
B. OFFICER POSTGRADUATE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ASSIGNMENT
YEAR 2021 (AY21), ALCGPSC 061/20
C. ACTIVE DUTY OFFICER POSTGRADUATE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION APPLICATION PROCESS
GUIDE FOR ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2021
D. ACTIVE DUTY ENLISTED POSTGRADUATE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION APPLICATION PROCESS
GUIDE FOR ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2021
1. Eligible officers and Marine Science Technicians (MSTs) are strongly encouraged
to apply for the Marine Industry Training Program. This program is a specialized
training program outlined in REF (A) that allows Coast Guard members to conduct
internships with maritime industry organizations and associations, similar to
participation in a fast track junior executive training program. Marine Industry
Training Program selectees will be chosen this fall by a selection panel to
participate in one of five sub-programs: Merchant Marine Industry Training (MMIT),
Investigations Industry Training (IIT), Port Safety and Security Industry Training
(PSSIT), Marine Environmental Protection Industry Training (MEPIT), and Waterways
Management Industry Training (WWMIT).
2. Industry training is accomplished through short-term (4-6 months) or one-year
internships. Short-term internships are conducted during the April to September
timeframe in conjunction with the transfer season. One-year internships are
conducted from June to June. Operational demands, such as contingency operations
or individual circumstances, may make it difficult for some members to conduct
their industry training in the traditional timeframe. In such instances, requests
for alternative schedules may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Internships
are usually conducted in the region of the follow-on assignment and training plans
will directly support the stated objectives and current initiatives of the sub-program
assigned.
3. All candidates must be active duty officers in grades O2 through O4, or MSTs in
grades E5 above the cut for E6 through E7. Reservists on Extended Active Duty, as
detailed in paragraph 9 of REF (B), are also eligible to apply. All candidates must
be tour complete in Assignment Year 2021 (AY21). Due to the availability of staff
and field unit follow-on assignments, individuals presently at both field and staff
units may apply.
4. MMIT is available to experienced officers with vessel inspection competencies.
MMIT participants study the impacts of prevention policy and learn how to create
mutually beneficial solutions to Coast Guard and marine industry challenges. MMIT
participants have conducted their training with the following industry groups:
ocean shipping, offshore oil industry, Great Lakes shipping, inland and offshore
towing, shipyards, tank ship/barge operators, LNG and chemical transporters, small
passenger vessel operators, and cruise ship lines. Ideal MMIT applicants have at
least three years of Prevention Operations experience and have been assigned the
COMDT (CG-OAP11) Level III (Vessel Inspections) Officer Specialty Code (OSC). MMIT
selectees can anticipate a follow-on tour in the Office of Commercial Vessel
Compliance (CG-CVC), Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (NCOE), Cruise Ship
NCOE, Liquefied Gas Carrier NCOE, or the Outer Continental Shelf NCOE, as an
Inspections Division Chief, or Journeyman Marine Inspector.
5. IIT is available to experienced Investigating Officers. IIT participants broaden
their professional experience and knowledge through extensive insight and exposure
into the work of other investigative entities, as well as merchant vessel and marine
industry operations. IIT participants have participated in Ship-rider programs and
performed shore-side industry training with such organizations as the National
Transportation Safety Board, Department of Justice, State Pilot Associations, Port
Authorities, shipping companies, and marine insurers. IIT applicants are required
to have at least three years of Prevention Operations experience and have been
assigned the COMDT (CG-OAP12) Level I (Marine Investigations) OSC. IIT selectees
can anticipate a follow-on tour in the Office of Marine Casualties and Investigation
Analysis (CG-INV-1), Investigations National Center of Expertise (INCOE), Sector
Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) / Investigations Division Chief, or District (dpi).
6. PSSIT is available to officers and MSTs. PSSIT participants expand their knowledge
of commercial port and facility operations. PSSIT participants concentrate on port
safety and/or security issues such as the Maritime Transportation Security Act,
facility safety permitting and compliance, and containerized or explosive handling
operations. PSSIT participants have concentrated on liquefied natural gas facility
permitting and operations, safety and security at major Port Authorities and complexes,
cruise terminal security, and cyber security initiatives. Ideal officer PSSIT applicants
have at least three years of experience in Prevention Operations and experience working
with or overseeing facility and/or container inspections. Officer selectees can
anticipate assignments to COMDT (CG-FAC), District (dpi), Sector or MSU Inspections
Division Chief (CID) overseeing facility inspections or Waterways Management (WWM)
Division Chief overseeing facility inspections. Ideal enlisted PSSIT applicants have
at least six years of operational experience, have been assigned the Facility Inspector
competency, and are authorized to wear the temporary or permanent Marine Safety
Insignia. Enlisted selectees can anticipate assignment to an Inspections Division
position at a Sector, MSU, or MSD.
7. MEPIT is available to experienced officers and MSTs with marine environmental
response and protection backgrounds. MEPIT participants gain insight into domestic
and international pollution preparedness, response, and mitigation operations from
a federal, state, and industry perspective. MEPIT participants have focused their
industry training in oil spill removal, contingency planning, national-level
organizational policy making, and emergency management. Training opportunities have
included various oil spill removal organizations, the American Petroleum Institute,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement, and companies within the oil and salvage industries.
Ideal officer MEPIT applicants have at least three years of Response Operations
experience and have been assigned the COMDT (CG-OAR15) (Marine Environmental Response)
OSC. Ideal enlisted MEPIT applicants have at least six years of operational experience
and have been assigned either the Federal On-Scene Coordinator's Representative or
National Strike Force Response Supervisor competency. MEPIT selectees may anticipate
follow-on tours at the National Strike Force, District Response Advisory Teams (DRAT),
Marine Safety Units and Sectors within the Incident Management Division or Emergency
Management Force Readiness depending on available billets.
8. WWMIT is available to officers and MSTs. WWMIT participants expand their knowledge
of the Marine Transportation System, including waterways, ports, and intermodal
connections from an industry and port stakeholder perspective. WWMIT participants
are expected to network and cultivate partnerships to address WWM-related issues,
balance economic considerations with safe practices, and share opportunities and best
practices with public and private entities to create mutually beneficial solutions.
WWMIT participants can expect to conduct their training with Port Authorities, State
Pilot Associations, Marine Exchanges, energy/oil industries, towing vessel companies,
ferry vessel operators, major shipping companies, the Army Corps of Engineers, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement,
and local government offices. Ideal officer WWMIT applicants have at least three years
of Operations Ashore-Prevention experience or Operations Afloat-Prevention experience
(Aids to Navigation or Ice Operations). Ideal enlisted WWMIT applicants have at least
six years of operational experience, have been assigned the Waterways Management
Representative competency, and are authorized to wear the temporary or permanent Marine
Safety Insignia. Officers are likely to be assigned as a Sector or MSU WWM Division
Chief or an MSU Prevention Department Head or to a staff billet at a District (dpw)
or CGHQ COMDT (CG-WWM-1). Enlisted selectees can anticipate assignment to a WWM Division
at a Sector or MSU.
9. Selection to fill one-year and short-term internships will be made during the
selection panel. The breakdown of industry training quotas is as follows, with all
positions designated for officers unless otherwise stated:
    a. MMIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas.
    b. IIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas.
    c. PSSIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas (one officer, one enlisted).
    d. MEPIT: One 1-yr quota. Two short-term quotas (one officer, one enlisted).
    e. WWMIT: Two 1-yr quotas. Two short-term quotas (enlisted).
10. Officer applicants are required to submit a My Panel Submission in
Direct Access by following the guidance in REF (C) located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-opm/1/c/SitePages/Home.aspx. Of note, applying
for one or more Marine Industry Training Program does not count against the limit of
applying for up to three PG/ADV ED programs. Standardized test scores are not required.
11. Enlisted applicants for the MEPIT, PSSIT, and WWMIT programs are required to submit
a My Panel Submission in Direct Access by following the guidance in REF (D) located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-epm/SitePages/Panels.aspx. Standardized test
scores are not required.
12. Additional Marine Industry Training Program guidance and information can be found
on the Office of Shore Forces (CG-741) portal website, located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg741/Prevention/MIT/SitePages/Home.aspx. Applicants
should indicate the following information on their submission: Why the applicant would
like to be considered for the Marine Industry Training Program, whether or not they would
like to be considered for a one-year assignment (officers only), their specific industry
training sub-program of choice (MMIT, IIT, PSSIT, MEPIT, or WWMIT). MIT Applicant’s
e-resumes should reflect assignment priority with IT payback assignment types taken into
consideration and should be submitted NLT the e-resume submission deadline, 1 September.
After selection and announcement of Industry Training selectees, the selectee’s assignment
officer will make the final decision on the selectees follow on tour taking career
progression and other factors into account.
13. Commanding Officer endorsements are required and must contain a summary of the
applicants interests, ability, knowledge (including relevant education, training, and
competencies), and potential value to the service related to the requested industry
training sub-program. Endorsements must specify sub-program and training term (one-year
or short-term). Endorsements for short-term quotas should address the ability to gap
the applicant’s position for up to three months.
14. The deadline for completed My Panel Submissions is 4 September 2020.
15. Short-term industry training selectees will have PCS orders available in Direct Access
OOA 15 February 2021. One-year industry training selectees will have orders available
according to the standard timeline for a summer transfer.
16. Industry Training incurs obligated service of approximately 18 months for short-term
quotas and three years for one-year Training Allowance Billets.
17. After reviewing all references, any questions regarding the processing of Marine
Industry Training Program applications should be directed to
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-opm-1-PGPanels@uscg.mil for officers, or HQS-SMB-CGPSC-EPM-1-Panels@uscg.mil
for enlisted personnel.
18. General questions regarding the Marine Industry Training Program should be directed
to LCDR Daniel Parker at (202) 372-1192.
19. For sub-program specific questions, contact:
      a. MMIT: LT Sarah Reid (202) 372-1220
      b. IIT: LCDR Amanda Fahrig (202) 372-1032
      c. PSSIT: LCDR Kelley Edwards (202) 372-1147
      d. MEPIT: LT Omar Borges (202) 372-2260
      e. WWMIT: LCDR John Downing (202) 372-2259
20. Enlisted members may also contact the MST Rating Force Master Chief, MSTCM Michael
Brewer at (202) 372-1342 to discuss this program.
21. Ms. Lisa R. Schleder-Kirkpatrick, Acting Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
22. Internet release is authorized.