ALCOAST 391/22 - OCT 2022 COAST GUARD CREDENTIALING ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM PHASE 2

R 142000Z OCT 22 MID200080357213U
FM COMCOGARD FORCECOM NORFOLK VA
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 391/22
SSIC 1540
SUBJ: COAST GUARD CREDENTIALING ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM PHASE 2
A. DOD Credentialing Programs, DODI 1322.33
B. Program to Assist Members in Obtaining Professional Credentials,
10 U.S. CODE 2015
C. Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program (VCP),
COMDTINST 1540.10
D. Military to Mariner Voluntary Credentialing Program,
COMDTINST 1540.2
E. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 111514Z MAY 22/ALCOAST 177/22
1. This ALCOAST announces the start of Phase 2 of the Credentialing
Assistance (CA) Pilot Program. Phase 1 went into effect on
10 May 2022 and allows eligible Coast Guard active duty and reserve
members to use CA to fund approved training courses which lead to a
merchant mariner credential (MMC) supported by the Military to
Mariner (M2M) program. The pilot program is supported by DOD
instruction and U.S. Code (REFs (A) and (B)).
2. Effective immediately, FORCECOM is launching Phase 2 by expanding
CA to pay for approved training courses which lead to a credential
listed on the Coast Guard Credentialing Opportunities On-Line
(CG COOL) website. The annual cap for CA is $4,500 per fiscal year
and can be used to fund approved training courses, books, study
guides, exam preparation materials, exams, maintenance fees, renewal
fees, and membership dues (when applicable). This is in addition to
the $4,500 annual cap for Tuition Assistance (TA). Eligible members
may participate in the TA and CA programs simultaneously.
3. Because of the positive impact of TA and CA on Coast Guard
recruiting, retention, and readiness, we highly encourage all hands
to help raise awareness of this new CA benefit, with the goal of CA
becoming synonymous with TA relative to professional development and
lifelong learning. Future modifications to VCP policy may be
implemented based on usage, lessons learned, and feedback from
participants during the pilot.
4. Eligible Coast Guard active duty and reserve members will be able
to use CA to fund training courses that lead to a credential,
certification, or license listed on the CG COOL website. CG COOL is
the online tool to find information on credentials, certifications,
and licenses related to military occupations and duties. This
website identifies occupation related credentials, highlights
potential knowledge gaps between military training and civilian
credentialing requirements, and provides guidance to assist in
filling those gaps. The website also outlines the process for
requesting CA.
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.cool.osd.mil/uscg/index.html

5. Vetting of training providers is crucial to a successful CA pilot
program. Participants in the CA pilot are required to use training
providers that have been vetted and approved by Veterans Affairs
(VA) at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://inquiry.vba.va.gov/weamspub/buildSearchInstitution
Criteria.do

or Department of Labor (DOL) at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/EmploymentAndTraining
/find-WIOA-training-programs.aspx

To further protect members against predatory and substandard
training providers, FORCECOM reserves the right to implement vetting
requirements above and beyond what is currently in place with the VA
and DOL. A process will be established in the near future that
allows CA pilot participants to submit a request to add a training
provider that is not currently on the VA or DOL approved lists.
Consideration will be given to training providers that are highly
reputable, cost effective, and meet all vetting requirements.
6. Participants in the CA pilot (active duty and reserve) must meet
eligibility requirements in REF (C). CA criteria, coverage, and
limitations listed in REF (C), paragraphs 11.b(1), 11.b(4), and
11.c(6) are waived for eligible members. Because VCP is for
voluntary certifications and licenses, training course participation
shall occur off-duty. Training courses and exams for credentials
that are required for the member's job are not authorized to be
reimbursed under this program. CA will not cover travel or lodging
costs related to training courses. This waiver is in place until
REF (C) is updated to reflect these changes.
7. Participants seeking to use CA are responsible for the following:
a. Participants are highly recommended to conduct a MilGears
session with their Education Services Officer (ESO). The MilGears
website is located at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://milgears.osd.mil/

b. For requests for training courses, submit the name of the
training provider, cost, and date of the course through MyCGEd. ESOs
and ETQC will confirm that the training provider is approved by VA
or DOL. This confirmation is needed prior to submitting a CA
application.
c. Submit CA application through MyCGEd no earlier than 90 days
prior and no later than 14 days prior to the start date of the
training course or date of credentialing exam. Separate CA
applications are required for training courses and exam-related
expenses (exam, renewal, or application fees). CA application should
include all applicable information and endorsements. The application
must also identify whether CA will be used for a training course or
exam-related expenses.
d. CA application must be approved prior to participant paying
for CA-related items (to include registration). Items paid prior to
approval are not eligible for CA reimbursement.
e. After CA application is approved, participant is cleared to
pay for the training course or exam-related expenses. To receive
reimbursement, electronically endorse and submit Official Form for
Miscellaneous Reimbursement (OF-1164) with valid receipts to ETQC
within 30 days of paying for CA-related expenses.
f. Once training course is completed, participant has 30 days to
submit a legible copy of training completion, and 60 days to take
the corresponding exam. This requirement does not apply to merchant
mariner credentials (MMCs). Participants should plan ahead to ensure
compliance with CA application deadlines.
g. Once exam is completed, participant has 30 days to submit a
legible copy of credential attainment to ETQC for entry into Direct
Access and Joint Services Transcript. Failure to provide documents
may result in recoupment.
h. Participants provide feedback on their CA pilot program
experience through the CA Feedback Form. Participants are encouraged
to submit recommendations for program improvements and to comment on
the quality of training providers, training courses, CA application
process, MilGears, and support received.
8. Although there is no obligated service for participating in the
pilot program, participants must have at least six months remaining
on their service obligation in order to submit a CA application.
This helps ensure adequate time for approval, processing, and
reimbursement of funds.
9. The Military to Mariner (M2M) program provides counseling to
those seeking MMCs and assistance with the application process.
Questions regarding MMCs may be directed to the CG M2M mailbox at:
CGM2M@uscg.mil.
10. FORCECOM Career Investment Division (FC-CI) is currently working
on CA for CG civilians, with the intent of closely resembling
Phase 2 of the CA pilot program.
11. Questions regarding this ALCOAST may be directed to the CG COOL
mailbox at: CGCOOL@uscg.mil.
12. The field should direct CA questions to local ESOs. Unit ESOs
shall direct questions to: ETQC at ETQC-SMB-CGCOOL@uscg.mil.
13. CAPT A.L. West, Acting Commander, Force Readiness Command
(FC-C), sends.
14. Internet release is authorized.