ALCOAST 074/21 - FEB 2021 ADJUSTMENT TO ROM POLICY FOR TRACEN STUDENTS

R 262024Z FEB 21
FM COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 074/21
SSIC 6200
SUBJ:  ADJUSTMENT TO ROM POLICY FOR TRACEN STUDENTS
A. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 091540 NOV 20/ALCOAST 408/20
B. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 200952 MAY 20/ALCOAST 180/20
C. COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA 232031 MAR 20/ALCOAST 101/20
D. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 061306 MAR 20/ALCOAST 071/20
E. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 181744Z FEB 21/ALCOAST 059/21
F. FORCECOM “CONTINUITY OF TRAINING AND READINESS SYSTEM” MEMO 1000
OF 20 MAR 2020
G. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 171929 APR 20/ALCOAST 144/20
H. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Planning Order (series)
1. This ALCOAST implements the policy for vaccinated and
unvaccinated students attending Coast Guard-provided “A” and “C”
school training. The procedures discussed below will apply to Coast
Guard provided training only; ROM requirements found in REF (A) for
courses provided either by DOD and DHS partners or onboard their
facilities, remain in effect.
2. FORCECOM’s training centers have been successful in implementing
numerous ROM strategies to increase student throughput, lessen time
away from operational units, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Vaccination efforts currently underway will further prevent the
spread of COVID-19 throughout our workforce and help mitigate the
risk of a large scale infection event onboard a training center.
FORCECOM remains committed to implementing common sense solutions as
scientific advances are made to minimize the burden on our
personnel, while protecting the health and readiness of the service.
3. This ALCOAST refers to members in two categories, vaccinated
members and unvaccinated members. These definitions may change based
on the introduction of single dose vaccines to the current
vaccination effort. The current definitions for each category are as
follows:
   a. Vaccinated Members: Individuals fully vaccinated (received
both doses) more than 14 days prior to commencing Coast Guard
training.
   b. Unvaccinated Members: Unvaccinated individuals or individuals
who have NOT received the second dose of the vaccine at least 14
days prior to commencing Coast Guard training.
   c. In some instances, unvaccinated members may reach a fully
vaccinated status (14 days after the second dose) during training;
these members will then fall under the policies for vaccinated
members.
4. Updated ROM Policy: Effective 01 March 21, all Coast Guard “A”
and “C” school courses requiring a ROM period will commence a
transition to HT-ROM procedures as outlined in the FORCECOM Home
ROM for Training (HT-ROM) Guide. Students currently in receipt of
orders will be contacted by the training center to discuss the
transition status of the respective course. Vaccinated members will
no longer be required to complete a ROM procedures prior to
commencing training but shall continue to adhere to current
COVID-19 CDC precautions such as wearing a mask, social distancing,
frequent handwashing etc. Unvaccinated members will be required to
follow all HT-ROM procedures prior to arrival to the Coast Guard
training facility. If a member is unable to conduct a HT-ROM due
to unique challenges such as living onboard cutters or barracks
with shared facilities, they must reach out to the appropriate
training center to obtain onsite berthing to conduct an onsite
ROM prior to training. Commands of unvaccinated members must ensure
personnel adherence to the guidance in FORCECOM’s HT-ROM Guide
found at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/forcecom/ETQC/SitePages/Home.aspx.
5. Schools with T-ROM components: Some Coast Guard “A” and “C”
school courses have incorporated a T-ROM period in which students
complete online training while conducting ROM. All members will
conduct the online training component at their home unit similar to
other virtual training opportunities in accordance with guidance
for vaccinated/unvaccinated members contained in paragraph 3.
While executing the online training component at their home unit,
the member is to be considered TDY, must not be tasked with
collateral duties and additional work outside training, and must
be allocated time and computer resources to complete training
during work hours. If a home unit is unable to provide a dedicated
computer for a member to complete the online training component,
the command must reach out to the appropriate TRACEN to obtain
onsite berthing; however, the vaccinated member will not be required
to conduct the same onsite ROM procedures as an unvaccinated member.
6. Virtual Training: All Coast Guard virtual training will continue
to be delivered online regardless of vaccination status.
7. Accessions Training: All current ROM procedures for new recruits
will remain in effect for Training Center Cape May. Until vaccine
supplies allow vaccination of all recruits during training at Cape
May, graduating recruits heading directly to “A” school will
continue to conduct ROM aboard the respective training center.
Vaccinated/Unvaccinated member policies contained in this ALCOAST
will apply to Coast Guard members attending Officer Candidate School
and Direct Commission Officer Schools hosted at the Leadership
Development Center.
8. On Base Procedures: Students are encouraged to plan ahead prior
to departing for training. Students shall not arrive to a training
center with one shot, expecting the second to be delivered by the
training center. Students should bring necessary sundries and
supplies to include prescriptions, as local conditions may make it
necessary for students to remain onboard the training center for the
duration of training. In the event local conditions are appropriate
to allow students to leave the training center for liberty,
vaccinated students will be provided this opportunity. A POC from
the training center will contact incoming members two weeks prior to
arrival for a course to confirm transportation arrangements/airport
pickup and provide a welcome aboard package of information on safety
precautions, other requirements and general expectations. If
unvaccinated students are required to use commercial meals/
commercial per diem, the training center will provide specific
instructions for doing so.
9. Audits, Inspections and Assessments (AIAs): All AIAs currently
being delivered as a remote third-party assessment will continue to
do so regardless of vaccination status. AIA activities may be
conducted in-person if the assessed unit approves visitor
attendance. One way travel can be conducted through ground
transport and ROM procedures are followed by unvaccinated members
prior to departure IAW REF (A). Vaccinated members are not required
to ROM.
10. Travel to Coast Guard Training Facilities: Vaccinated members
can conduct travel via commercial air without the use of an N95
mask, but must still abide by all Coast Guard polices relating to
travel and face mask usage included in REF (E). Unvaccinated
members will adhere to the travel requirements found in the HT-ROM
guide.
11. Points of Contact:
    a. ETQC Customer Service Phone Number: (757) 366-6583.
    b. ETQC POC: LT Erica Linnemann, Erica.L.Linnemann@uscg.mil or
YNCS Richard Bullard, Richard.P.Bullard@uscg.mil.
    c. FC-T POC: CDR Matthew Chong, Matthew.M.Chong@uscg.mil.
    d. FC-A POC: CDR Marcus Ivery, Marcus.A.Ivery@uscg.mil.
12. Dr. G. Brignoni, Director, Force Readiness Command (FC-C),
sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.