ALCOAST 153/21 - APR 2021 COAST GUARD MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL PATHWAY BY MILITARY TO MARINER (M2M) PROGRAM

R 191812Z APR 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 153/21
SSIC 1540
SUBJ: COAST GUARD MERCHANT MARINER CREDENTIAL PATHWAY BY MILITARY
TO MARINER (M2M) PROGRAM
A. United States, Executive Office of the President. Executive Order
13860: Supporting the Transition of Active Duty Service Members and
Military Veterans into the Merchant Marine. 4 Mar. 2019
B. Military to Mariner Voluntary Credentialing Program, COMDTINST
1540.2 (series)
C. Office of Cutter Forces Deck Watchstation Qualification Standard
Addendum, Feb 2021
1. This ALCOAST announces multiple credentialing pathways for Coast
Guard members seeking certain deck merchant mariner credentials
issued by the National Maritime Center (NMC), initiated by REF (A),
supported by REF (B), and outlined in REF (C). The Military to
Mariner (M2M) Program with Cutter Forces (CG-751) has established
pathways to deck rated endorsements and officer licenses that are
most attainable by the workforce, including Lifeboatman Limited,
Able Seaman, Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels, and Master
or Mate licenses less than 200 Tons.
2. As a part of Coast Guard’s commitment to REF (A), M2M Program
designed four (4) NMC approved courses that leverage Coast Guard
training, experience and qualifications to meet credentialing
requirements for the above listed deck rated endorsements and
officer licenses. Upon completion of one of these courses by Coast
Guard members, M2M Program will issue a course completion
certificate that members can submit to NMC for credit as part of
their merchant mariner credential application. This removes the
hurdle for members to take examinations at a Regional Exam Center
and to seek outside training courses in order to earn a merchant
mariner credential. Participation in M2M Program courses is strictly
voluntary for Coast Guard members; units must not make completion
of M2M Program courses a requirement for any reason. More
information on how to participate and complete requirements can be
found at:
     a. https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/forcecom/VCP/SitePages/
Military%20to%20Mariner%20(M2M).aspx
     b. https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg751/IQP/WQS%20Addendum%20
for%20Mariner%20Licensing/Forms/AllItems.aspx
3. Established by REF (B), M2M Program supports the Coast Guard
workforce through core functions of providing customer service and
workforce outreach; and counseling and mentoring members in their
pursuit of Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
and merchant mariner credentials. M2M Program serves as the single
point of development, formalization, approval, and maintenance of
Coast Guard credential pathways.
4. M2M Program is currently working on credentialing pathways for
engineering merchant mariner credentials; information will be
released upon further developments.
5. M2M Program designed one (1) NMC approved course satisfying the
combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting requirements needed for
engineering credentials and upper level licenses.
6. Questions concerning this topic should be directed to
CDR Jennifer Wescott at the M2M mailbox: CGM2M@USCG.MIL.
7. Dr. G. Brignoni, Director, Force Readiness Command (FC-C), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.