ACN 104/20 - SEP 2020 FY21 WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS – CYB10/CYBER OFFICER INTERVENTIONS

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                                             CANCEL DATE 09 SEP 2021

R 101330 SEP 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N07220//
ACN 104/20
SUBJ: FY21 WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS – CYB10/CYBER OFFICER INTERVENTIONS
A. 37 U.S. Code – Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
B. Military Bonus Programs, COMDTINST M7220.2 (series)
C. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1 (series)
D. Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards Program Manual, COMDTINST M1020.8 (series)
E. 10 U.S. Code – Armed Forces
F. Coast Guard Pay Manual, COMDTINST M7220.29 (series)
1. OVERVIEW: This ACN announces two bonus offers under Section 332 of REF (A)
for eligible active duty officers to remain as designated CYB10 or Cyberspace
Operations Officers. This retention offer is exclusive to the newly approved
CYB10 Officer Specialty Code (OSC) and CYB11, CYB12, CYB13, and CYB14
subspecialties, and forms the basis for this incentive. Officers must execute
a contractual agreement to obligate active commissioned service and assignment
to a Cyber coded billet or billet identified by OPM and the Program in support
of Cyberspace Operations. Bonus pay is supplemental to any other pay and
allowances to which a Service member is entitled.
    a. This ACN authorizes two interventions recommended by the FY21 Officer
Workforce Planning Team (OWPT). This is necessary to support Coast Guard
missions to fill critical assignments and optimize CYB10/Cyber workforce readiness.
    b. The bonuses are authorized for eligible active duty officers who submit
completed written agreements of newly obligated service as defined in Chapter
3.A.2.f. of REF (B). The new Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) is the number
of years a Service member agrees to obligate service on the Bonus Agreement.
    c. The bonus offerings in this ACN begin in FY21 (01 Oct 2020 and not before)
and are anticipated to remain in effect until the end of FY21 (30 Sep 2021 and
not after) contingent upon Congress extending the authority to make payments.
Monetary interventions may be adjusted or terminated not less than 30 days in
advance.
2. ELIGIBILITY: These bonuses are a special incentive pay to retain active duty
Cyber officers possessing essential qualifications. IAW REFs (A) and (B), the
bonuses apply exclusively to fully-qualified active duty officers as follows:
    a. General Eligibility:
        (1) LT/O3 and LCDR/O4, and not on a continuation contract following
non-selection for promotion or above the PY21 CDR/O5 promotion zone;
        (2) Have no current obligated active commissioned service, as defined
in Paragraph 3.d. of this ACN, beyond 30 Sep 2021.
        (3) Willing to accept assignment to an eligible CYB10/Cyber or Defensive
Cyberspace Operations position during the AY21 process for the entirety of
the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders issued; or if currently assigned,
remain assigned to an eligible CYB10/Cyber or DCO position for the entirety
of the ADSC assigned under the Bonus Agreement.
        (4) Possess both an undergraduate and graduate degree with at least
one within one of the fields of study listed below, or a closely related
field of study as determined by COMDT (CG-791):
              (a) Electrical/Electronics Engineering
              (b) Information Technology/Resource Management
              (c) Telecommunications
              (d) Information Assurance
              (e) Cybersecurity
              (f) Computer Science
              (g) Computer Engineering
              (h) Systems Engineering
        (5) Meet DOD 8570 requirements for IAM Level III;
        (6) Possess a Contracting Officer’s Representative Level II
certification, a DHS Project Management Level I certification or a Project
Management Professional certification;
        (7) Possess and maintain a final adjudicated SECRET security clearance:
        (8) Remain qualified under the stipulations of this ACN for which the
bonus is paid;
        (9) Maintain physical and medical standards for continuous retention
IAW REF (C);
        (10) Maintain compliance with weight and body fat standards IAW
REF (D); and
        (11) Not in a retired recall status.
    b. A $60,000 CYB10/Cyber OSC bonus is authorized for:
        (1) LT/O3 or LCDR/O4 who agrees to obligate a four (4) year ADSC
and meet the following additional specific criteria:
              (a) Must have the CYB10 OSC or other Cyber OSC approved by COMDT (CG-791);
              (b) LT/O3 officers must have two (2) years of experience in a Cyber coded
position as of the effective date of the bonus agreement.
              (c) LCDR/O4 and LCDR/O4 (select) officers must have at
least four (4) years of experience in a Cyber coded position as of the
effective date of the bonus agreement.
              (d) Completed at least four (4) but not more than 15 years
00 months and 00 days of active duty commissioned service and will have no
more than 25 years, 00 months, and 00 days total active duty commissioned
service at the completion of the bonus contract term.
    c. A $35,000 Cyber Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) bonus per annum
is authorized for:
        (1) LT/O3 or LCDR/O4 who agrees to obligate a minimum of one
(1) year and up to four (4) years of ADSC. The bonus payments are paid in
annual installments beginning on the effective date of the CYB10-CYBER
Officer Bonus Agreement and on each subsequent anniversary date for the
duration of the agreement. Applicants must meet the following additional
specific criteria:
              (a) Must be assigned to an officer CYB10 position within
Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER), Coast Guard Cryptologic Group (CGCG),
or other position executing DCO. Individuals not assigned to CGCYBER or
CGCG who may be executing DCO missions may submit a waiver for the position
requirement to COMDT (CG-133) through COMDT (CG-791).
              (b) Completed at least four (4) years, 00 months, 00 days active
duty service and will have no more than 25 years, 00 months, and 00 days total
active duty commissioned service at the completion of the bonus contract term;
              (c) Have at least two (2) years in a Cyber coded position,
executing DCO at CGCYBER, CGCG, or other location identified by OPM and
COMDT (CG-791) as of the effective date of the agreement.
              (d) Possess and maintain a final adjudicated TS/SCI security
clearance and a favorable counter-intelligence polygraph.
              (e) Willing to accept assignment or remain assigned during
the entirety of the ADSC assigned under the Bonus Agreement.
3. DEFINITIONS.
    a. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE COMMITMENT (ADSC): The ADSC is the number of years
an officer agrees to obligate commissioned service under a Bonus Agreement.
The ADSC commences on the date after an officer completes any current obligated
service period or has met all eligibility requirements, whichever is later.
    b. BONUS AGREEMENT: A written contractual agreement between a Service member
and the Coast Guard in which the Service member agrees to remain on active duty
for a specific period of time. In return, the Service member receives the bonus
contingent upon compliance of all eligibility and retention conditions of the
agreement throughout the entire contractual term. The only approved Bonus
Agreement to be used per this ACN is the “C4IT/Cyber OFFICER Bonus Agreement.”
Once developed and approved, the Bonus Agreement form will be announced and
posted on a subsequent ALCOAST.
    c. BONUS AGREEMENT SUBMISSION DATE. For management, assignment and oversight
purposes, Bonus Agreements must be signed by the member’s CO no later than
01 Oct 2020. Extension of the application deadline will not normally be allowed.
Officers with exceptional circumstances may request a waiver for submission of
their agreements past the due date to COMDT (CG-133) thru CG-PSC-OPM-2.
    d. CURRENT OBLIGATED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE. Current obligated active
service includes:
        (1) All service obligations for initial entry into the Coast
Guard (Academy, OCS, DCO, etc.)
        (2) Obligated service under an existing agreement and obligated
service for receipt of training and education not associated with an
approved cyber specific graduate education.
        (3) Current obligated service does not include obligated service
for promotion, permanent change of station (PCS), Cyber specific graduate
education as determined by COMDT (CG-791), tuition assistance or
Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits transfer.
    e. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AGREEMENT:
        (1) The Effective date of the Bonus Agreement is the date upon
which the member signs and the Commanding Officer approves/signs the
agreement.
        (2) Members signing this bonus agreement will not be paid any
portion of the bonus until they meet the eligibility/qualification
criteria contained in paragraph 2 of this ACN and report to the
assigned CYB10 billet.
4. POLICY. Service members must abide by and continuously maintain
the eligibility criteria of this ACN for the entirety of the
obligated ADSC in the designated career field.
    a. A Service member paid a bonus under this offer during the
period of ADSC covered by the signed Bonus Agreement and who fails
any of the following eligibility criteria will be subject to repayment
for any and all unearned portion of the bonus under provisions
of Section 373 of REF (A).
    b. If an officer loses qualification, or is no longer qualified
for those assignments in paragraph 2.a. or 2.b. of this ACN due
to any individual fault, any unearned portion of as of the date
of removal will be repaid.
        (1) Entitlement to this bonus will not be restored when
loss of qualification was due to personal fault and the member
later re-qualifies during the original ADSC.
        (2) The Bonus Agreement does not guarantee a member will
remain on active duty for the entirety of the ADSC if earlier
administrative separation, retirement, or involuntary separation
for cause is awarded or appropriate.
    c. Bonus Agreement limits and payment of bonus. The bonus in
Paragraph 2.b will be paid in lump sum IAW REF (A). The bonus in
Paragraph 2.c. will be paid in annual installments on the anniversary
date of the date member met all eligibility requirements. All bonus
payments are subject to 22% federal, and applicable state income
tax withholdings that are not contributed to a tax-deferred Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP) account. Officers desiring to contribute bonus
monies to a TSP account must consider the TSP Elective Deferral
limit and confirm election not less than 30 days prior to receipt
of the bonus.
       (1) The bonus payment will normally be paid on the next pay
cycle after the day the member meets all eligibility requirements,
reports to the assigned billet, and a PPC Customer Care ticket has
been submitted. If the member does not meet the eligibility requirements
by 30 Sep 2021, member is ineligible for the bonus payment.
       (2) Once a Bonus Agreement is signed, it will remain in effect
until the agreement expires. Officers may request a new agreement upon
expiration of their existing agreement provided a bonus is being offered
and the officers meet the eligibility requirements of the bonus program
then in effect.
       (3) IAW Section 371 of REF (A), an officer is prohibited from
receiving a bonus payment pursuant to Subchapters I and II of Title 37,
U.S.C., for the same activity, skill, or period of service.
       (4) It is prohibited for an officer to receive multiple bonus
payments for the same period of service, unless specifically authorized
by the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources (CG-1).
    d. ADSC Adjustments and Bonus Agreement non-compliance.
       (1) When a bonus for an officer is suspended or terminated as
described in this ACN, CG PSC-OPM will not automatically adjust the
ADSC for the officer. An officer whose bonus eligibility ends may submit
a request, with supporting material, to change the ADSC to CG PSC-OPM,
who will consider the request and supporting material in making a
determination as to whether or not to change the ADSC
       (2) ADSC does not guarantee a member will remain on active duty
indefinitely if earlier administrative separation is appropriate.
       (3) The Coast Guard can also initiate involuntary separation under
Military Separations, COMDTINST M1000.4 (series), earlier than the ADSC date.
    e. Repayment of Unearned Bonus Amounts. Per Section 373 of REF (A),
unearned bonuses shall be repaid, unless collection is excepted under
authorized conditions.
       (1) Except under conditions described in Paragraph 4.i. below,
the Coast Guard will demand repayment of any unearned bonus commensurate
with time remaining on the officer’s active duty obligation when discharged,
released from active duty, or the date the officer has been determined to no
longer be in compliance with the Bonus Agreement.
       (2) CG PSC-OPM will include a statement on the separation authorization
for any officer with remaining obligated service from a bonus agreement and any
unearned bonus must be repaid by the officer. These separation authorization
statements must include the reason for demanding repayment and advise the
officer of the opportunity to apply for an exception to repayment along with
the procedures on how to submit the request.
    f. Authorized exceptions to repayment of unearned bonuses include the
situations listed below and shall be cited by CG PSC-OPM in separation
authorizations or other documentation:
       (1) Separated, retired, or lost bonus eligibility by reason of
combat-related physical disability, illness, or injury, and not
due to misconduct.
       (2) The term “combat-related” has the same meaning as in Section
1413a of REF (E) and further described in Section 16.D.6. of REF (F).
       (3) Combat-relatedness determinations will be made by CG PSC-PSD-MED.
       (4) In cases where an officer with a current Bonus Agreement
in effect 1) dies or 2) is retired or separated with a combat-related
disability, and the death or disability is not the result of the
officer’s misconduct, any bonus installment amount previously paid shall
not be recouped. Further, the full amount of the Bonus Agreement amount
not yet paid prior to the date of 1) death or 2) retirement or separation
due to combat-related disability but to which the officer was eligible
immediately before the death, retirement, or separation and would otherwise
be paid if not for the death, retirement, or separation shall be included as
a lump sum in the officer’s final settlement of pay and allowances. The lump
sum shall be equal to the full remaining amount specified in the agreement
as if the officer continued to be eligible for the remaining bonus payments.
This payment must be paid not later than 90 days following the officer’s
death, retirement, or separation.
       (5) Sole survivorship discharge.
       (6) When explicitly excepted from repayment by Coast Guard
personnel policy.
       (7) All other requests for exceptions to repayment of unearned
bonus amounts must be approved by COMDT (CG-8C). Consideration for
exception to repayment determinations will generally follow the standards
for remission of indebtedness as described in Section 11.G.5. of REF (F).
       (8) Unearned bonus calculations will be based on the Defense
Finance and Accounting Services accounting method described in REF (B).
5. BONUS APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
    a. Applicant Responsibilities. Review the contents of this ACN
prior to signing a Bonus Agreement.
        (1) Complete, sign, date and forward the Bonus Agreement to
the designated command representative for signature of the CO by 01 Oct 2020.
        (2) Follow the process guide/job aid posted on COMDT (CG-791) site:
http://cglink.uscg.mil/c49dfd4a and complete, sign, date and forward
with the Bonus Agreement along with necessary proof of eligibility to
the designated command representative to meet the timeline outlined in
paragraph 3.c.
        (3) Keep a copy of the signed agreement for record purposes.
    b. Command Responsibilities. Designate a command representative who
will counsel all bonus eligible officers assigned to the unit. The
initial counseling session should be a one-on-one meeting between each
eligible officer and the designated command representative that outlines
the needs of the Coast Guard, how a bonus fits into the overall CYB10
retention effort, and the Service member’s eligibility. The command shall:
        (1) Ensure eligible officers are aware of the bonus offering
submission deadline (i.e. 01 Oct 2020), eligibility window, payment
authorization, and the ADSC associated with accepting the bonus offer.
        (2) Ensure each officer fully understands the implications of
the agreement and meets all eligibility requirements.
        (3) Explain that any unearned portions of the bonus will be
repaid on a pro-rata basis for all conditions listed in this ACN.
        (4) Explain that eligible officers with an approved date of
separation (DOS) must request withdrawal of the DOS prior to or upon
submission of their bonus application. Officers will not receive bonus
payments if the DOS withdrawal request is disapproved.
        (5) Submit signed/endorsed agreements to the unit’s Servicing
Personnel Office (SPO) not later than 08 Oct 2020, and copy PSC-OPM-2
and the Program Manager POCs identified below.
        (6) Commands that are not staffed to effectively conduct this
counseling session should coordinate counseling with COMDT (CG-791).
    c. Commanding Officers shall disapprove Bonus Agreements for
officers who:
        (1) Are awaiting a disqualification resulting from an
Evaluation Board;
        (2) Are awaiting involuntary separation;
        (3) Are awaiting or undergoing investigation into military
or civilian offenses which could result in a documented record of
substantiated misconduct or substandard duty performance;
        (4) Have a documented record of substandard performance or
conduct which render them poor candidates for retention under the
terms of a Bonus Agreement;
        (5) Received a Mark of three (3) on any OER metric or lower
and/or received less than a "Promote" rating on the most recent
officer evaluation report.
        (6) Have a documented record of skills and officer
performance that makes them ineffective for rated duty;
        (7) Have an approved separation on file; or
        (8) Are not in compliance with weight and body fat
standards IAW REF (D).
    d. SPO Responsibilities to process the bonus agreement.
        (1) Ensure the Bonus Agreement has been properly completed.
        (2) Ensure the applicant and their CO sign, initial and
date the Bonus Agreement as appropriate. Incomplete forms cannot
be processed by PPC-MAS for bonus payment.
        (3) Place a copy of the Bonus Agreement in the officer’s PDR.
Submit a copy of agreement and any applicable waivers to PPC-MAS
via a PPC Customer Care Trouble Ticket for processing within five (5)
working days after receipt of the agreement from the eligible officer’s
CO and after any current obligated active duty service commitment is
completed. Submit a copy to PSC-OPM-2 and Program Manager POCs
listed below.
    e. Eligible officers in TDY or PCS Status: There will be some
instances when eligible officers may not be available for bonus
counseling due to TDY or PCS. The length of the absence should determine
the action.
        (1) TDY: If the expected TDY length will prevent completion of
the agreement by 01 Oct 2020, then the designated command representative
should counsel the Service member by whatever means available, and
forward the Bonus Agreement and a copy of this ACN to the deployed
supervisor of the applicant so they can document bonus acceptance.
The agreement should be signed by the applicant and witnessed by
the deployed supervisor and then returned to the permanent duty
station for CO approval and distribution.
        (2) PCS: Departing commands should make every effort to
contact eligible officers if they have not left the immediate
area and provide the necessary counseling. If the officer has
departed and was not counseled, notify the receiving command
of the departing command's recommendation for approval or
disapproval. The receiving designated command representative
will complete the counseling process and the receiving CO
will normally approve or disapprove the Bonus Agreement based
on the previous CO’s recommendation. The receiving command
is responsible for distributing the Bonus Agreement per
Paragraph 5.b.
    f. Notification of disapprovals will be made to CG PSC-OPM-2
and the Program Manager listed below.
    g. If any of the above listed conditions change before the
Bonus Agreement submission date in subparagraph 3.c above, the
officer may reapply for the bonus within the explicit time
limits of this ACN.
6. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF BONUS.
    a. The bonus payments shall terminate when an officer:
        (1) Is dismissed or discharged for cause or loss of confidence;
        (2) Is separated from service as a result of a court-martial,
or is administratively separated;
        (3) Separates after declining selective continuation;
        (4) Voluntarily retires or separates before finishing the ADSC;
        (5) Is disqualified from CYB10/Cyber service;
        (6) Receives a Mark of three (3) on any OER metric or lower
and/or receives less than a "Promote" rating on an officer evaluation
report during the timeline of the bonus agreement;
        (7) Fails to be placed in an eligible CYB10/Cyber or other DCO position;
        (8) Separates after being passed over for promotion or
selected by a reduction in force (RIF) board; or
        (9) Fails to maintain weight and body fat standards IAW REF (D).
    b. Suspend bonus payments when an officer under a Bonus Agreement:
        (1) Is suspended from CYB10/Cyber service;
        (2) Is the subject of an investigation; or
        (3) Is medically disqualified for CYB10/Cyber service.
7. These changes will be implemented into the next revision of REF (B),
which will be released within the next year.
8. Questions regarding the CYB10 program or this bonus should be addressed
to the COMDT (CG-791) Office of Cyberspace Forces, LCDR M. R. Vanderslice at
HQS-SMB-CG-791-CyberspaceForces@uscg.mil, or Matthew.R.Vanderslice@uscg.mil,
or the COMDT (CG-791) Office of Cyberspace Forces Portal site:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg791/SitePages/Home.aspx.
9. Questions regarding the assignment process should be directed to OPM-2;
the Engineering, Logistics, CYB10, Intel Assignment Officers:
LCDR E. A. Ledbetter at Elizabeth.A.Ledbetter@uscg.mil or
LCDR J. L. Dubinsky at Jayme.L.Dubinsky@uscg.mil.
10. Questions from individual officers concerning the execution
of this policy should be addressed to their designated command
representatives. Questions from designated command representatives for
policies regarding bonuses or other human resource management matters may be
directed to the Office of Military Personnel (CG-133) at:
HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
11. Released by RADM J. M. Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources.
12. Internet release is authorized.