ACN 107/21 - OCT 2021 FY22 MILITARY WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS - CGCYBER OFFICER INTERVENTIONS

R 191740Z OCT 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 107/21
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: FY22 MILITARY WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS - CGCYBER
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 CGCYBER 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 CYBER 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 Cyber officers possessing essential qualifications. IAW
REFs (A) and (B), the bonuses apply exclusively to fully-qualified
active duty officers as follows:
a. General Eligibility:
(1) Officers in paygrade O3 and O4, and not on a continuation
contract following non-selection for promotion or above the PY22
CDR/O5 promotion zone;
(2) Have no current obligated active duty service, as defined
in Paragraph 3.d. of this ACN, beyond 30 Sep 2022.
(3) Accept assignment to an eligible CYB10/Cyber or
Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) position during the Assignment
Year 2022 (AY22) process for the entirety of the Permanent Change of
Station (PCS) orders issued; or if currently assigned, remain
assigned to an eligible CYB10/Cyber or DCO position for the entirety
of the ADSC assigned under the Bonus Agreement.
(4) Possess both an undergraduate and graduate degree with at
least one within one of the fields of study listed below, or a
closely related field of study as determined by COMDT (CG-791):
(a) Electrical/Electronics Engineering;
(b) Information Technology/Resource Management;
(c) Telecommunications;
(d) Information Assurance;
(e) Cybersecurity;
(f) Computer Science;
(g) Computer Engineering; or
(h) Systems Engineering.
(5) Meet DOD 8570 requirements for IAM Level III;
(6) Possess a Contracting Officer's Representative Level II
certification, a DHS Project Management Level I certification or a
Project Management Professional certification;
(7) Possess and maintain a final adjudicated SECRET security
clearance;
(8) Remain qualified under the stipulations of this ACN for
which the bonus is paid;
(9) Maintain physical and medical standards for continuous
retention IAW REF (D);
(10) Be fully vaccinated, or have an approved religious
accommodation or 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;
(11) Maintain compliance with weight and body fat standards
IAW REF (E); and
(12) Are not in a retired recall status.
b. A $60,000 CSRB is authorized is authorized for active duty
officers meeting the criteria in paragraph 2.a. of this ACN who
agree to obligate a four (4) year ADSC and meet the following
additional specific criteria:
(1) Must have the CYB10 Officer Specialty Code (OSC) or other
Cyber OSC approved by COMDT (CG-791);
(2) LT/O3 officers must have two (2) years of experience in a
Cyber coded position as of the effective date of the bonus
agreement.
(3) LCDR/O4 and LCDR/O4 (select) officers must have at
least four (4) years of experience in a Cyber coded position as of
the effective date of the bonus agreement.
(4) Completed at least four (4) years of active duty service
and will have no more than 25 years of total active duty
commissioned service at the completion of the bonus contract term.
c. A $35,000 per annum CSRB is authorized for active duty Cyber
Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) officers meeting the criteria
in paragraph 2.a. of this ACN who agree to obligate a minimum of
two (2) years and up to four (4) years of ADSC. The bonus payments
are paid in annual installments beginning on the effective date of
the CYB10/CYBER Officer Bonus Agreement and on each subsequent
anniversary date for the duration of the agreement. Applicants must
meet the following additional specific criteria:
(1) Must be assigned to an officer CYB10 coded position within
Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER), Coast Guard Cryptologic Group
(CGCG), or other position executing DCO. Individuals not assigned to
CGCYBER or CGCG who may be executing DCO missions may submit a
waiver for the position requirement to COMDT (CG-133) through COMDT
(CG-791);
(2) Completed at least four (4) years of active duty service
and will have no more than 25 years of total active duty
commissioned service at the completion of the bonus contract term;
(3) Have at least two (2) years in a Cyber coded position,
executing DCO at CGCYBER, CGCG, or other location identified by OPM
and COMDT (CG-791) as of the effective date of the agreement;
(4) Possess and maintain a final adjudicated TS/SCI security
clearance and a favorable counter-intelligence polygraph;
(5) Accept assignment or remain assigned during
the entirety of the ADSC assigned under the Bonus Agreement.
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: CYB10/Cyber 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
5305D (revised on Oct 2021 or later), "CYB10/Cyber Officer 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-791) 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;
(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 CGCYBER-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 Cyber Officer 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 Cyber officer 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
(B), 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 and follow the process guide
found on COMDT (CG-791)'s Portal Site at the following link:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg791/SitePages/Home.aspx

(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 Cyber officers 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 CGCYBER retention effort, and the
Service member's eligibility. The command must:
(1) Verify eligibility is met as outlined in paragraph 2.
(2) Ensure eligible Cyber officers 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.
(3) Ensure each Cyber officer fully understands the
implications of the agreement and eligibility requirements as per
Paragraph 2 of this ACN.
(4) Explain that any unearned portions of the bonus will
be repaid on a pro-rata basis for all conditions listed in this ACN.
(5) Explain that eligible Cyber officers with an approved date
of separation (DOS) must request withdrawal of the DOS prior to or
upon submission of their bonus application. Cyber Officers will not
receive bonus payments if the DOS withdrawal request is disapproved.
(6) 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.
(7) Commands that are not staffed to effectively conduct this
counseling session should coordinate counseling with COMDT (CG-791).
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 Cyber 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) on any OER metric or lower
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
religious accommodation or medical exemption from vaccination
against COVID-19; or
(9) Are not in compliance with weight and body fat standards
IAW REF (E).
b. Notification of disapprovals will be made to CG PSC-EPM.
c. 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 Cyber Officer:
(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) Separates after declining selective continuation;
(5) Voluntarily retires or separates before finishing the
ADSC;
(6) Is disqualified for Cyber service;
(7) 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;
(8) Separates after being passed over for promotion or
selected by a reduction in force (RIF) board; or
(9) 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 Cyber service;
(2) Is medically disqualified for Cyber 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. A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found at
COMDT (CG-791) Office of Cyberspace Forces CGPortal site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg791/SitePages/Home.aspx

Additional questions regarding the Officer Cyber program should be
addressed to COMDT (CG-791), LCDR M. R. Vanderslice at
HQS-SMB-CG-791-CyberspaceForces@uscg.mil or
Matthew.R.Vanderslice@uscg.mil.
10. Questions regarding the assignment process should be directed to
OPM-2 and Cyberspace Assignment Officer, LCDR J. A. Pickard at
Jeremy.A.Pickard@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.