ALCOAST 034/23 - JAN 2023 UPDATES TO POLICY FOR DIRECT COMMISSION OFFICERS

R 242055Z JAN 23 MID200080680485U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 034/23
SSIC 1000
SUBJ: UPDATES TO POLICY FOR DIRECT COMMISSION OFFICERS
A. Coast Guard Recruiting Manual, COMDTINST M1100.2G
B. 14 U.S.C. Section 3738
C. 10 U.S.C. Section 12203
D. 10 U.S.C. Section 716
1. This ALCOAST updates REF (A) to broaden Direct Commission
Officer (DCO) policies pursuant to REFs (B) - (D) and ensures that
the Coast Guard is able to recruit and access officers into grades
commensurate with their education, skills, and experience. This
ALCOAST does not change other workforce management tools.
2. Extended Active Duty (EAD) Agreements.
    a. The following language is added after the last sentence in the
main paragraph in Section 3.C.4 of REF (A): "Extended Active Duty
(EAD) agreements may be offered to DCOs for a period of
not less than one year and up to five years. The Service may offer
follow-on EAD agreements, including consecutive five year
contracts."
    b. This change will allow the Coast Guard to provide more
flexible agreements to officers with reserve commissions.
    c. The initial military service obligation for direct commission
officers remains eight years, but the Coast Guard will exercise
greater flexibility in considering the length of an officer's
initial EAD agreement, particularly if that officer possesses
critical skills or has a compelling reason for requesting a shorter
or longer EAD agreement.
3. Grade Selection Panels.
    a. The following sentence replaces the second to last sentence of
Section 7.B.4 in REF (A): "The selection panels determine the
appointment rank/grade - ensign (O-1), lieutenant junior grade
(O-2), lieutenant (O-3), lieutenant commander (O-4), or commander
(O-5) - of those applicants selected. In doing so, the panels will
apply eligibility requirements as of the selection panel convening
date, consider any appointment-grade minimum criteria found in
Tables 7-2 through 7-4 of this Manual, and evaluate each applicant's
overall qualifications."
     b. This change to Coast Guard policy will allow the Service to
access officers up to and including the grade of commander (O-5)
pursuant to REFs (B) - (D).
     c. Program offices that manage direct commission officer programs
shall evaluate the criteria of their programs and determine if
changes are necessary to maximize opportunities to access officers
with critical skills into competitive grades.
4. Sea Duty Readiness.
    a. The Licensed Officer of the Merchant Marine (LOMM) is
reinstated. All former requirements of the LOMM remain in effect as
described in REF (A).
     b. This change executes the Coast Guard's goal of providing
opportunities to access officers into the Service with demonstrated
proclivity and aptitude for service afloat.
     c. Sea duty readiness remains a critical concern, and we will
continue to explore all avenues to ensure an adequate cadre of
capable and willing officers are available for afloat assignment.
5. Prior Trained Military Officers.
    a. Page 7-15, Table 7-3 of REF (A): The "Prior-Trained Military
Officer (PTMO)" column is amended in the "Appointment Grade" row to
read "ensign (O-1), lieutenant junior grade (O-2), lieutenant (O-3),
lieutenant commander (O-4), or commander (O-5), subject to the
provisions of 10 USC 716 as applicable."
    b. This change will allow the Coast Guard to more easily
re-access prior military, including prior Coast Guard officers,
into grades that better account for education and experience gained
during time outside of the Service. Members currently serving in
another branch are subject to the interagency transfer rules
in REF (D).
6. These changes will be reflected in upcoming revisions of REF (A)
which will be released within the next year. All other policies
outlined in REF (A) not addressed remain unchanged.
7. This message will be cancelled on 23 JAN 2024.
8. POC: COMDT (CG-133) at: HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
9. RADM B. K. Penoyer, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
(CG-1), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.