ACN 105/21 - OCT 2021 FY22 MILITARY WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS – NAVAL ENGINEERING OFFICER INTERVENTIONS

united states coast guard

R 191719Z OCT 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 105/21
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: FY22 MILITARY WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS - NAVAL
ENGINEERING OFFICER INTERVENTIONS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 071435Z OCT 21/ALCOAST 371/21
B. Military Bonus Programs, COMDTINST M7220.2 (series)
C. 37 U.S.C. - Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
D. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1 (series)
E. Coast Guard Weight and Body Fat Standards Program Manual,
COMDTINST M1020.8 (series)
1. OVERVIEW: The FY22 Military Workforce Planning Team (MWPT)
convened in May 2021 to develop and recommend workforce policy
interventions. This ACN announces the approved FY22 Naval
Engineering officer interventions. Per REF (A), the MWPT
identified strategies for specialties and programs deemed to
have personnel shortages that could negatively influence mission
execution. The following interventions are necessary to support
Coast Guard missions to fill critical assignments and optimize
Coast Guard Naval Engineering workforce readiness.
a. OFFICER MONETARY INTERVENTION BONUSES. This ACN authorizes
two Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) offers under Chapter 3
of REF (B) and Section 355 of REF (C) for eligible active duty
officers with designated critical military skills and is in addition
to any other pay and allowances to which a member is entitled.
Bonus payments after 31 Dec 2021 will be contingent on extension of
the bonus authority in Section 355(h) of REF (C).
b. The bonuses are authorized for eligible active duty officers
(see paragraph 4 of this ACN) who submit completed bonus agreements
obligating the new active duty service commitment (ADSC) during
FY22. The ADSC is the number of years a Service member agrees to
obligate service on the Bonus Agreement.
c. The bonus offerings in this ACN are for FY22 (beginning 01 Oct
2021) and are anticipated to remain in effect until the end of FY22
(30 Sep 2022). Monetary interventions may be adjusted or terminated
not less than 30 days in advance by announcement via ACN.
2. ELIGIBILITY: These bonuses are a special incentive pay to retain
active duty Naval Engineers filling essential roles to include
Engineer Officer (EO) afloat. IAW REFs (B) and (C), qualified active
duty officers are eligible for bonus payment if selected to one of
the following interventions:
a. Naval Engineering 2-4-2 Program. A $100,000 CSRB is authorized
for active duty officers who apply for and are selected to the AY22
Naval Engineering 2-4-2 Program. Selectees will receive a program
acceptance memo and bonus agreement detailing the requirement to
enter into eight (8) years of active duty service obligation.
Additional details and application timelines for the Naval
Engineering 2-4-2 Program will be released in a separate
solicitation message. Eligibility criteria for selection
consideration under the 2-4-2 program are as follows:
(1) LT/O3 with Date of Rank on or after 01 Jan 2019 or in-zone
for LT/O3 in PY22. LT/O3 with Date of Rank before 01 Jan 2019 may
apply but will not normally be considered primary candidates;
(2) Designated as a Naval Engineer (CG-NEN-10) or achieve
designation by 30 Sep 2022;
(3) Retain a Naval Engineer (CG-NEN-10) qualification for the
time period in which this bonus is paid;
(4) Maintain physical and medical standards for continuous
retention IAW REF (D);
(5) Be fully vaccinated, or have an approved religious
accommodation or medical exemption from vaccination against COVID-19,
IAW ALCOASTs 305/21 and 315/21. Commanding Officers must verify
vaccination status prior to approving a bonus agreement;
(6) Maintain weight and body fat standards IAW REF (E);
(7) Years of total combined active duty or active duty
commissioned service in a reserve component cannot exceed 17 years
as of the effective date of the bonus agreement;
(8) Have no current obligated active duty service, as defined
in Paragraph 3.d of this ACN, beyond 30 Sep 2022;
(9) Have no more than 25 years of total active duty service at
the completion of the bonus agreement term; and
(10) Are not in a retired recall status.
b. LCDR/O4 Engineer Officer Afloat. A $60,000 CSRB is authorized
for active duty officers who are assigned to an EO afloat position
designated for the O4 paygrade in AY22 and enter into six (6) years
of active duty service obligation. The remaining service obligation
following the EO afloat assignment does not require assignment to a
Naval Engineering (CG-NEN-10) coded position to maintain eligibility
nor is there an expectation that members will remain in Naval
Engineering coded positions for the duration of the service
obligation.
(1) Agree and accept assignment to an O4 EO afloat billet
during the AY22 assignment process;
(2) Designated as a Naval Engineer (CG-NEN-10) or achieve
designation by 30 Sep 2022. Failure to obtain Naval Engineer
(CG-NEN-10) designation by 30 Sep 2022 will result in termination
of the Bonus Agreement;
(3) Maintain a Naval Engineer (CG-NEN-10) qualification for
the time period in which this bonus is paid;
(4) Maintain physical and medical standards for continuous
retention IAW REF (D);
(5) Be fully vaccinated, or have an approved religious
accommodation of medical exemption from vaccination against
COVID-19, in accordance with ALCOASTs 305/21 and 315/21. Commanding
Officers must verify vaccination status prior to approving a bonus
agreement;
(6) Maintain weight and body fat standards IAW REF (E);
(7) Years of total combined commissioned active duty or
combined active duty commissioned service in a reserve component
cannot exceed 19 years as of the effective date of the bonus
agreement;
(8) Have no current obligated active duty service, as defined
in Paragraph 3.d of this ACN, beyond 30 Sep 2022;
(9) Have no more than 25 years of total active duty service at
the completion of the bonus agreement term; and
(10) Are not in a retired recall status.
3. DEFINITIONS:
a. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE COMMITMENT (ADSC): The ADSC is the number
of years an officer agrees to obligate commissioned service under a
Bonus Agreement. The ADSC is calculated by adding the number of
years obligated to the effective date of the Bonus Agreement, as
defined in 3.e. of this ACN. Likewise, the ADSC commences from the
effective date of a Bonus Agreement.
b. BONUS AGREEMENT: Naval Engineer (CG-NEN-10) Officer Bonus: A
written contractual agreement between a Service member and the Coast
Guard in which the Service member agrees to remain on active duty
for a specific period of time. In return, the Service member
receives the bonus contingent upon abiding by all eligibility and
retention conditions of the agreement throughout the entire
contractual term. The only approved Bonus Agreement to be used per
this ACN is CG Form 5305A (revised on Oct 2021 or later), "Naval
Engineer Officer (CG-NEN-10) Bonus Agreement" found on the
COMDT (CG-612) Directives and Publications, CG Authorized Forms
Portal site at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/forms

c. BONUS AGREEMENT SUBMISSION DATE: For management, assignment
and oversight purposes, Bonus Agreements must be signed by the
officer’s Commanding Officer no later than 01 Dec 2021. Extension of
the application deadline will not normally be allowed. Officers with
exceptional circumstances may request a waiver for submission of
their agreements past the due date from COMDT (CG-133) thru
COMDT (CG-45) and CG PSC-OPM-2.
d. CURRENT OBLIGATED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE: Current obligated
active duty service period includes:
(1) All service obligations for initial entry into the Coast
Guard. NOTE: members with obligated service for initial entry beyond
30 Sep 2022 and which will be completed no later than 01 Jul 2023,
and who are otherwise eligible or would become eligible for a bonus
authorized by this ACN during FY22, are authorized to receive such
bonus, prorated based upon newly obligated service;
(2) Obligated service under an existing bonus agreement or
obligated service incurred by a monetary payment;
(3) Obligated service for receipt of graduate/advanced
education or training greater than 20 weeks NOTE: members with
obligated service beyond 30 Sep 2022 for Naval Engineering-specific
graduate/advanced education or training, and who are otherwise
eligible or would become eligible during FY22 for a bonus authorized
by this ACN, are authorized to receive such bonus, prorated based
upon newly obligated service;
(4) Current obligated active duty service does not include
obligated service for promotion, advancement, permanent change of
station (PCS), BRS continuation pay, or service obligation as
directed by the Coast Guard. These service obligations will run
concurrently to a bonus service obligation.
e. EFFECTIVE DATE OF BONUS AGREEMENT: The Bonus Agreement will be
effective the date upon which a Service member is fully qualified
for the bonus, which includes: having a Commanding Officer approved
Bonus Agreement; meeting all eligibility requirements; having
completed any current obligated active duty service (unless ADSC is
specifically authorized to run concurrently with existing current
obligated active duty service, with proration of the bonus amount);
and having reported to the assigned Naval Engineering billet,
whichever is later, but not later than 30 Sep 2022.
4. POLICY: To receive the bonus, Service members must abide by and
continuously maintain the eligibility criteria of this ACN for the
entirety of the obligated ADSC.
a. A Service member paid a bonus under this ACN during the
period of ADSC covered by the signed Bonus Agreement and who fails
to maintain any eligibility criteria in paragraph 2 of this ACN, or
is subject to termination of the bonus under paragraph 6 of this
ACN, must be subject to repayment for any and all unearned portion
of the bonus under provisions of Section 373 of REF (C).
b. If an officer loses qualification, or is no longer qualified
for those assignments in paragraph 2 of this ACN due to any fault of
the individual, any unearned portion of the bonus payment as of the
date of removal from eligibility will be repaid.
(1) Entitlement to this bonus will not be restored when loss
of qualification was due to personal fault and the member later
re-qualifies during the original ADSC.
(2) The Bonus Agreement is not a guarantee a member will
remain on active duty for the entirety of the ADSC if earlier
administrative separation, retirement or, involuntary separation for
cause is awarded, or appropriate.
c. Bonus Agreement limits and payment of bonus. The bonus will be
paid in lump sum subject to 22% federal, and applicable state income
tax withholdings that are not contributed to a tax-deferred Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP) account. Members desiring to contribute bonus
monies to a TSP account must consider the TSP Elective Deferral
limit and confirm election not less than 30 days prior to receipt
of bonus.
(1) The lump sum payment will normally be paid within 2-4 pay
cycles of an actionable PPC Customer Care ticket submission,
provided it's after the effective date of bonus agreement, as
defined in 3.e. of this ACN.
(2) Once a Bonus Agreement is signed by the member's
Commanding Officer, it will remain in effect until the agreement
expires or is otherwise terminated. Members may request a new
agreement upon expiration of their existing agreement, provided a
bonus is being offered and the members meet the eligibility
requirements of the bonus program then in effect.
(3) IAW Section 371 of REF (C), a member is prohibited from
receiving a bonus payment pursuant to Subchapters I and II of Title
37, U.S.C., for the same activity, skill, or period of service.
(4) It is prohibited for a member to receive multiple bonus
payments for the same period of service.
d. ADSC Adjustments and Bonus Agreement non-compliance.
(1) When a bonus for a member is suspended or terminated as
described in this ACN, CG PSC-OPM will not automatically adjust the
ADSC for the member. A Naval Engineer whose bonus eligibility ends
may submit a request, with supporting material, to change the ADSC
to CG PSC-OPM, who will consider the request and supporting material
in making a determination as to whether or not to change the ADSC.
(2) An ADSC does not guarantee a member will remain on active
duty if earlier administrative separation is appropriate.
(3) The Coast Guard can also initiate involuntary separation
under Military Separations, COMDTINST M1000.4 (series), earlier than
the ADSC date.
e. Repayment of Unearned Bonus Amounts. Per Section 373 of
REF (C), unearned bonuses must be repaid, unless collection is
excepted under authorized conditions.
(1) Except under conditions described in Paragraph 4.f. below,
the Coast Guard will demand repayment of any unearned bonus
commensurate with time remaining on the member's active duty
obligation when discharged, released from active duty, or the date
the member has been determined to no longer be in compliance with
the Bonus Agreement.
(2) CG PSC-OPM will include a statement on the separation
authorization for any member with remaining obligated service from a
bonus agreement and any unearned bonus must be repaid by the member.
These separation authorization statements must include the reason
for demanding repayment and advise the member of the opportunity to
apply for an exception to repayment along with the procedures on how
to submit the request.
f. Authorized exceptions to repayment of unearned bonuses will be
determined in accordance with law and DHS policy, and will be cited
by CG PSC in separation authorizations or other documentation.
5. BONUS APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
a. Applicant Responsibilities. Review the contents of this ACN
prior to signing a Bonus Agreement. Candidates for the Naval
Engineering 2-4-2 Program will receive Bonus Agreements upon
selection to the Program, applicants should not initiate Bonus
Agreements prior to selection. Candidates for the LCDR/O4 Engineer
Officer Afloat Bonus shall submit Bonus Agreements in accordance
with the below instructions.
(1) Complete, sign, date and forward the Bonus Agreement and
supporting documents to the designated command representative in a
timely manner to ensure approval by the Commanding Officer by
01 Dec 2021.
(2) Keep a copy of the signed agreement for record purposes.
b. Command Responsibilities. Designate a command representative
who will counsel all bonus eligible Naval Engineers assigned to the
unit. The initial counseling session should be a one-on-one meeting
between each eligible member and the designated command
representative that outlines the needs of the Coast Guard, how a
bonus fits into the overall Naval Engineer retention effort, and
the Service member's eligibility. The command must:
(1) Verify all qualifying eligibility requirements listed
within Naval Engineer Certificate (CG-3500). This document must be
signed by the Service member's CO; "By Direction" or "Acting"
signature authority is prohibited.
(2) Verify eligibility is met as outlined in paragraph 2.
(3) Ensure eligible Naval Engineers are aware of the bonus
offering submission deadline (i.e. 01 Dec 2021), eligibility window,
payment authorization, and the ADSC associated with accepting the
bonus offer.
(4) Ensure each Naval Engineer fully understands the
implications of the agreement and eligibility requirements as per
Paragraph 2 of this ACN.
(5) Explain that any unearned portions of the bonus will be
repaid on a pro-rata basis for all conditions listed in this ACN.
(6) Explain that eligible Naval Engineers with an approved
date of separation (DOS) must request withdrawal of the DOS prior
to or upon submission of their bonus application. Naval Engineers
will not receive bonus payments if the DOS withdrawal request is
disapproved.
(7) Submit signed/endorsed agreements to the unit's Servicing
Personnel Office (SPO) not later than 08 Dec 2021, and copy CG
PSC-OPM-2 and the Program Manager POCs identified below.
(8) Commands that are not staffed to effectively conduct this
counseling session should coordinate counseling with COMDT (CG-452).
c. P&A/SPO Responsibilities to process the bonus contract.
(1) Ensure the Bonus Agreement has been properly completed,
and that the member has reported to the assigned Naval Engineering
billet.
(2) Ensure the applicant and his/her Commanding Officer sign,
initial and date the Bonus Agreement as appropriate. Incomplete
forms cannot be processed by PPC-MAS delaying bonus payment.
(3) Place a copy of the Bonus Agreement in the member's PDR
and submit a copy along with associated documentation of ADSC
obligation to PPC-MAS via a PPC Customer Care Trouble Ticket for
processing within five working days of the effective date of bonus
agreement, as defined in 3.e. of this ACN.
d. Eligible members in TDY or PCS Status: There will be some
instances when eligible members may not be available for bonus
counseling due to TDY or PCS. The length of the absence should
determine the action.
(1) TDY: If the expected TDY length will prevent completion of
the agreement by 01 Dec 2021, then the designated command
representative should counsel the Service member by whatever means
available, and forward the Bonus Agreement and a copy of this ACN to
the deployed supervisor of the applicant so he/she can document
bonus acceptance/declination. The agreement should be signed by the
applicant and witnessed by the deployed supervisor and then returned
to the permanent duty station for Commanding Officer approval and
distribution.
(2) PCS: Departing commands should make every effort to
contact eligible members if they have not left the immediate area
and provide the necessary counseling. If the member has departed and
was not counseled, notify the receiving command of the departing
command's recommendation for approval or disapproval. The receiving
designated command representative will complete the counseling
process and the receiving Commanding Officer will normally approve
or disapprove the Bonus Agreement based on the previous Commanding
Officer recommendation. The receiving command is responsible for
distributing the Bonus Agreement per Paragraph 5.b.
6. DISAPPROVING BONUS AGREEMENTS.
a. Notification of disapprovals will be made to CG PSC-OPM and
the Program Manager listed below. Commanding Officers shall
disapprove Bonus Agreements for officers who:
(1) Are awaiting a disqualification resulting from an
Evaluation Board;
(2) Are awaiting involuntary separation;
(3) Are awaiting or undergoing investigation into military or
civilian offenses which could result in a documented record of
substantiated misconduct or substandard duty performance;
(4) Have a documented record of substandard performance or
conduct which render them poor candidates for retention under the
terms of a Bonus Agreement;
(5) Received a Mark of three (3) or lower on any OER metric
and/or received less than a "Promote" rating on the most recent OER;
(6) Have a documented record of skills and officer performance
that makes them ineffective for rated duty;
(7) Have an approved separation on file;
(8) Are not fully vaccinated, and do not have an approved
exemption from vaccination, against COVID-19; or
(9) Are not in compliance with weight and body fat standards
IAW REF (E).
b. If any of the above listed conditions change before the Bonus
Agreement submission date in Paragraph 3.c above, the member may
reapply for the bonus within the explicit time limits of this ACN.
7. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION OF BONUS.
a. The bonus payments must terminate when a Naval Engineer:
(1) Is dismissed or discharged for cause or loss of
confidence;
(2) Is separated from service as a result of a court-martial,
or is administratively separated;
(3) Is relieved for cause;
(4) Fails to maintain qualification IAW Cutter Organization
Manual for the entirety of the assignment.
(5) Separates after declining selective continuation;
(6) Voluntarily retires or separates before finishing the
ADSC;
(7) Is disqualified for Naval Engineer service;
(8) Receives a Mark of three (3) on any OER metric or lower
and/or receives less than a "Promote" rating on an OER during the
timeline of the bonus agreement;
(9) Separates after being passed over for promotion or selected
by a reduction in force (RIF) board; or
(10) Fails to maintain weight and body fat standards IAW
REF (E).
b. Suspend bonus payments when a member under a Bonus Agreement:
(1) Is suspended from Naval Engineer service;
(2) Is medically disqualified for Naval Engineer service; or
(3) Is under investigation or against whom proceedings of a
court-martial or a board of officers are pending.
c. A bonus paid to a member who had an approved religious
accommodation or medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination
mandate is subject to repayment where that member fails to become
fully vaccinated within two months after the expiration of the
religious accommodation or medical exemption.
8. This message will be cancelled on 18 OCT 2022.
9. Questions regarding the Naval Engineering program should be
addressed to the COMDT (CG-452) Workforce and Policy Manager,
LCDR N. P. Dufresne at Nathaniel.P.Dufresne@uscg.mil or
(202) 475-5719, or the COMDT (CG-452) Workforce and Policy
Management Portal site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/communities/naval-engineering-career-
info/SitePages/Home.aspx

10. Questions regarding the assignment process should be directed to
OPM-2 and the Engineering, Logistics, and Intel Assignment Officers,
CDR J. L. Dubinsky at Jayme.L.Dubinsky@uscg.mil or LCDR M. K. N.
Wheeler at MaryKatherine.N.Wheeler@uscg.mil.
11. Questions from individuals concerning the execution of this
policy should be addressed to their designated command
representatives. Questions from designated command representatives
for policies regarding bonuses or other human resource management
matters may be directed to Office of Military Personnel (CG-133)
at: HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
12. Released by Dr. D. M. Navarro, Acting Assistant Commandant for
Human Resources (CG-1).
13. Internet release is authorized.