ALCOAST 011/21 - JAN 2021 MARITIME ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST RATING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (ME RAP) IMPLEMENTATION ANNOUNCEMENT

united states coast guard

R 111845Z JAN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 011/21
SSIC 1000
SUBJ:  MARITIME ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST RATING APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM (ME RAP) IMPLEMENTATION ANNOUNCEMENT
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST
M1000.8 (series)
B. https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-epm/SitePages/
Non-Rates.aspx
1. Situation: The FY21 Enlisted Training and Accessions
Plan identified a need for more ME3s than our existing
capacity at ME A-school. The Rating Training and Advisory
Council (RTAC) was tasked to develop a solution to meet
the demand for new ME3s, leading to the creation of the
ME RAP. The ME RAP is a shorter alternative to the existing
10 week A-school for members meeting all prerequisites.
2. Benefits: Implementing the ME RAP allows the Maritime
Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) to meet the current and
future forecasted need for new ME3s. It gives credit for
hard earned qualifications by offering a shorter A-school
to qualifying members while also increasing student
throughput.
3. Action: This ALCOAST solicits enlisted members interested
in entering the Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating.
Eligible non-rated enlisted members or Petty Officers meeting
prerequisites must apply to the 7.5 week A-school. The inaugural
ME RAP course convening will commence on 30 April 2021. Members
who are on the A-school list with a signature date before
December 1, 2020 and meet the requirements listed in paragraph 4
will be automatically enrolled into a future ME RAP course
convening.
4. Requirements:
    a. Hold a current Boarding Team Member (BTM) competency.
    b. Meet all the requirements for ME A-school found at REF (B).
    c. Commands are responsible for verifying the BTM competency
prior to putting a members name on the 7.5 week A-school list.
5. Process: New A-school request and switching to ME RAP for
signature dates of December XX (will be message release date),
2020 and after:
    a. Commands of new prospective applicants who meet the
requirements of paragraph 4 must submit an A-school request
form with the appropriate ME RAP endorsement.
    b. Commands of applicants needing to switch to, or be
removed from the ME RAP list must submit a ME RAP A-school
supplemental request form located at REF (B).
        1) Members who switch between lists will maintain their
original signature date.
        2) Members will not be switched from the standard A-school
list to ME RAP within 10 weeks of the members projected course
attendance date.
6. For additional information, a Frequently Asked Questions Page
is located at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/me/SitePages/Home.aspx.
7. I commend the work of the RTAC and MLEA for taking this
important first step toward a modernized ready learning system.
8. Points of contact:
    a. EPM-2 Non-rate Assignments: CS1 Jason Banks,
Jason.W.Banks@uscg.mil or (202) 795-6661.
    b. ME RFMC: MECM Daniel Morales, Daniel.J.Morales@uscg.mil
or (202) 372-1319.
    c. ME A School Chief: MECM Neena Cicinelli,
Neena.S.Cicinelli@uscg.mil or (843) 746-7935.
9. Dr. Gladys Brignoni, Director, Force Readiness Command
(FC-C), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.