ACN 009/21 - JAN 2021 ENLISTED RATING ADVANCEMENT TRAINING SYSTEM (ERATS) WINTER 2021 UPDATE

united states coast guard

R 251533Z JAN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE

UNCLAS
ACN 009/21
SSIC 1430
SUBJ:  ENLISTED RATING ADVANCEMENT TRAINING SYSTEM (ERATS)
WINTER 2021 UPDATE
A. Performance, Training, and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10
(series)
1. This ACN announces an update to the advancement policy and
procedures related to the Enlisted Ratings Advancement Training
System (ERATS) and provides updates to the Occupational Analysis
(OA) process per REF (A).
2. ERATS Policy and Procedure:
   a. All other previously approved advancement requirements,
including completion of the Rating Performance Qualifications
(RPQ) and EPME Performance Qualifications (EPQ) remain in effect.
Command Cadre and Professional Development Coaches (PDC) are
critical to ensuring the integrity of RPQ/EPQ sign-offs. PDCs
remain responsible for ensuring performance standards are being
met or exceeded when carrying out their role as signatories for
RPQ/EPQs. 
   b. A Rating Competency Code is required for all grades. Members
who previously earned a Rating Competency Code need not recertify
unless required to do so as stated in the rating-specific guidance
memo available on the ERATS CGPortal page at the following URL:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/erats/ERATS%20ANNOUNCEMENTS
%20ARCHIVE/Forms/AllItems.aspx.
Review Section I: Record of Changes of each RPQ while preparing
for the Servicewide Exam to ensure you are using the most
up-to-date references.
   c. The Commanding Officer or RPQ/EPQ Reviewer must verify
a candidate has completed the RPQs and EPQs. EPQ/RPQ paygrade
completion must be entered directly into DA by the unit’s
Personnel and Administration (P&A) entity. A competency entry
process guide has been created and is located on the ERATS
CGPortal page at the following URL:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/erats/SitePages/Home.aspx.
3. RPQ/EPQ Repository. RPQs and EPQs are housed on the ERATS
CGPortal page.
4. Rating Specific Notes. Specific changes and instructions for
EPQs and RPQs are captured in a semi-annual memo approved by
FORCECOM Training Division. The approved memo is available on the
ERATS CGPortal page under the ERATS Announcements Archive folder.
5. Occupational Analyses (OA). The OA Process consists of a
periodic review of all ranks of a specific rating. The process
includes a rating-wide survey that is used to make critical
decisions related to advancement and training requirements.
Maximizing participation in the survey is critical to ensuring
the real-time world of work for a rating is accurately captured.
6. This message will be cancelled on 24 JAN 22.
7. Points of Contact:
   a. OA POC: Mr. Doug Craft, Douglas.M.Craft@uscg.mil
   b. ERATS POC: MCPO Anthony Matulonis,
Anthony.J.Matulonis@uscg.mil. 
   c. Rating specific advancement requirements should be directed
to the respective Rating Force Master Chief.
8. Released by Dr. Gladys Brignoni, Director, Force Readiness
Command (CG-FC).
9. Internet release is authorized.