ACN 063/21 - JUN 2021 CHANGE TO THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL SECURITY INVESTIGATION (OS PSI) POLICY

R 281541Z JUN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 063/21
SSIC 16790
SUBJ: CHANGE TO THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
PERSONNEL SECURITY INVESTIGATION (OS PSI) POLICY
A. Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790.1G
1. Purpose. This ACN announces an update to REF (A) to formalize
the initial and annual OS PSI background check processes needed to
enroll and maintain membership in the Auxiliary. This update
reflects current Auxiliary enrollment and annual background
check policy as developed by the Office of Security Policy
and Management (CG-DCMS-34) and the Office of Auxiliary and
Boating Safety (CG-BSX).
2. Background. Newly enrolled Auxiliarists started undergoing
OS PSI background checks based on a Special Agreement Check
(SAC) in 2003. The SAC process proved unnecessarily long and
prevented newly enrolled Auxiliarists from quickly and fully
integrating into Auxiliary service. COMDT (CG-DCMS-34) in
conjunction with COMDT (CG-BSX) identified a more efficient and
timely OS PSI process by adopting the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) National Crime Information Center Interstate
Identification Index (NCIC-III) check as the vetting standard.
This process provides proper background checks for Auxiliarists
to enroll, serve, and access Coast Guard facilities without
undue delay.
3. Policy. The following changes to REF (A) are in immediate
effect:
    a. Section 3.C.2. Types and Durations of Personnel Security
Investigations (PSI):
There are three types of Auxiliary PSIs:
        (1) Operational Support (OS). Applicable for entry level
membership and most activities. Must be completed with a Favorable
determination prior to enrollment or re-enrollment, regardless if
the applicant possesses a current Favorable PSI from any federal
agency, as well as on an annual basis thereafter.
        (2) Direct Informational (DI). Applicable for Auxiliarists who
require logical access to Coast Guard Standard Work Stations (SWS)
and/or networks (i.e., the dot mil domain) due to the nature of the
support that they provide to a Coast Guard unit.
        (3) Direct Operational (DO). Applicable for more advanced and
mission sensitive activities that require an Auxiliarist to hold a
security clearance or be security clearance-ready.
Favorable OS, DI, and DO PSI determinations reflect an individual's
suitability for different types of service in the Auxiliary as
defined in sections C.2.a, C.2.b, and C.2.c of this chapter.
At a minimum, applicants for enrollment and re-enrollment must
submit to and undergo an OS PSI which is a Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) National Crime Information Center Interstate
Identification Index (NCIC-III) check. Appropriate paperwork to
properly conduct the OS PSI must be included as part of any
enrollment and re-enrollment package submission. A DI PSI package
requires submission of fingerprints in addition to an SF-85
(Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) package to complete its
Tier 1-level PSI (i.e. old National Agency Check and Inquiries
(NACI)). A DO PSI package requires submission of fingerprints in
addition to an SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions)
to complete its Tier 3-level PSI (i.e. old National Agency Check
with Law and Credit (NACLC)). If an applicant or member has
undergone a previous DI or DO PSI performed by a federal agency,
is still within its effective period, and can provide appropriate
source documentation, then the applicant or member must include a
copy of such documentation for Coast Guard Security Center (SECCEN)
validation in lieu of standard PSI documents in order to avoid
having to undergo an entirely new DI or DO PSI process. Favorable
DI and DO PSI determinations reflect readiness for the granting of
more extensive access within Coast Guard information systems and to
classified information, respectively. Favorable DI and DO PSI
determinations do not have an expiration date unless the
Auxiliarist is granted a security clearance in which case
applicable security clearance renewal and associated PSI update
requirements apply. An Auxiliarist with a Favorable DI or DO PSI
may otherwise retain that PSI status indefinitely without further
review unless otherwise directed by the Coast Guard. Auxiliarists
with a Favorable DI or a DO PSI must still participate in the
annual NCIC-III check.
    b. Section 3.C.2.a. Operational Support (OS):
Operational Support (OS) is defined as all Auxiliarists who are not
designated as Direct Informational (DI) or Direct Operational (DO)
in terms of a PSI. The FBI NCIC-III check is the vetting standard
for all new enrollees, re-enrollees, and subsequent annual
Auxiliary OS PSI background checks. A Director or Coast Guard
command may also authorize the conduct of an OS PSI as part of a
disciplinary investigation or as precursor to potential
disciplinary investigation. The NCIC-III check will:
        (1) Identify criminal convictions or other issues that would
result in an Unfavorable (UNFAV) PSI determination.
        (2) Conduct a wants/warrants check.
        (3) Conduct a sex offender check.
        (4) Look at the Terrorist Watch List.
        (5) Conduct a Foreign Fugitive File Check.
        (6) Assist DIRAUX offices in determining suitability for
Auxiliary Service and physical access to Coast Guard
facilities and installations. (Note: Suitability
determinations are based off of the results of the NCIC-III
check. Results from the check will be compared to the
"Criteria for Denying Unescorted Access" document found on the
CG-DCMS-341 Coast Guard Portal page which is classified as For
Official Use Only (FOUO).) Essential elements of an OS PSI are:
the Auxiliary Enrollment Application (ANSC 7001) with Full Name
(first, middle, and last), Social Security Number, Date of Birth;
a signed consent to release information for the purpose of a
background check (NCIC-III Check); and acceptable form(s) for
proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship as per page 4
(Lists of Acceptable Documents) of the USCIS Form I-9, Employment
Eligibility Verification, Department of Homeland Security, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services.
    c. Section 3.C.2.a.(1). Verification of U.S. Citizenship:
The only Auxiliarists who may verify an applicant's status as a
national of the United States are those who have qualified as an
Auxiliary Fingerprint Technician (FT) or Citizenship Verifier (CV).
Such verification may also be performed by Coast Guard or federal,
state, or local law enforcement personnel who are authorized to
perform such functions. Such verification must be noted in the
appropriate section of the Auxiliary Enrollment Application
(ANSC 7001). An Auxiliarist must have at least a Favorable OS PSI in
order to qualify as a Fingerprint Technician (FT) or Citizenship
Verifier (CV). Qualification is based on successful completion of
the FT/CV training programs available through the Auxiliary Human
Resources Directorate web site at:
(Copy and Paste Below URL into Browser)

http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=H-DEPT&category=
resource-toolkit

The CV qualification is a sub-element of the FT qualification.
There is no FT or CV currency maintenance requirement once
qualified.
    d. Section 3.C.2.a.(2). OS PSI Results:
Results of the OS PSI process will be entered into AUXDATA II by
DIRAUX personnel. Visibility will normally be limited to DHS, USCG,
and the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on a
need-to-know basis only. However, all information is eligible for
official sharing to other federal agencies for official purposes on
a need-to-know basis. Auxiliarists shall only know that the
results were FAV or UNFAV. No specific or personal data shall be
disclosed to other Auxiliarists.
4. These changes will be incorporated into the next revision of
REF (A), which will be released within the next year.
5. This message will be canceled on 28 JUN 2022.
6. POC: General policy questions may be directed to
COMDT (CG-BSX-1), at: USCGAUX@uscg.mil.
7. Released by RDML J. W. Mauger, Assistant Commandant for
Prevention Policy (CG-5P).
8. Internet release is authorized.