ALCOAST 170/24 - APR 2024 MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY SERVICE UPDATE

R 151226Z APR 24   MID120001025192U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 170/24
SSIC 6110
SUBJ: MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY SERVICE UPDATE
A. Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment,
Enlistment, or Induction, DoDI 6130.03, Vol. 1
B. Medical Standards for Military Service: Retention,
DoDI 6130.03, Vol. 2
C. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST 6000.1F
D. Military Separations, COMDTINST 1000.4B
E. Disability Evaluation System (DES), DoDI 1332.18
1. This ALCOAST announces an update to the Coast Guard's medical
standards for military service. Effective immediately, Sections of
REF (C) that relate to Medical Standards for appointment, enlistment
or induction, including, without limitation, Chapter 3, Section D,
or that are otherwise covered by and contrary to REF (A), are
replaced with REF (A) and all references to such Sections within
REF (C) shall be read to refer to REF (A).
2. Sections of REF (C) that relate to Medical Standards for
retention, including, without limitation, Chapter 3, Section F,
or that are otherwise covered by and contrary to REF (B), are
replaced with REF (B) and all references to such Sections within
REF (C) shall be read to refer to REF (B).
3. This change ensures parity with the Department of Defense
services and will allow the Coast Guard to access and retain the
maximum number of Coast Guard personnel who are able to perform
the duties of their office, grade, rank, or rating.
4. The Coast Guard will use the standards specified in REFs (A)
and (B) when processing or adjudicating accession and retention
waiver dispositions or Medical Evaluation Boards (MEBs).
5. Per Paragraph 2.6 of REF (B), the Commandant is responsible for
providing guidance necessary to implement Service-specific medical
standards, as required to refer Service members to the Disability
Evaluation System or administrative separation, as appropriate.
6. Paragraph 1.2.d of REF (B) authorizes the Services to establish
more selective medical standards for military retention based on
the Service member's office, grade, rank, or rating as defined in
REF (E), as long as such standards are objectively applied
and are not inconsistent with applicable policies.
7. Normal color vision is required for accession into the CG for
programs leading to a commission. Normal color vision requires
that the member pass 10/14 Pseudoisochromatic Plates (PIP I),
the Optec-900 test, Rabin Cone Contrast Test (RCCT), or
Waggoner CCVT (W-CCVT). Waiver Authorities may consider waivers on a
case-by-case basis. For commissioned officers, Waiver Authorities
other than PSC-OPM shall coordinate waiver decisions with PSC-OPM
for PSC-OPM's awareness. Adoption of different color vision
standards for different officer specialties are still under review.
8. Retention standards, as found in REF (B), as well as the
standards promulgated in this policy, shall be applied to:
     a. CG military personnel who are currently serving, active or
reserve, or who have had a break in service of less than 24 months
and are pursuing a CG warrant or commission.
     b. Current Uniformed Service personnel undergoing an interservice
transfer to the CG, including those pursuing a CG warrant or
commission.
     c. Former Uniformed Service personnel seeking accession into the
CG after a break in service of less than 24 months, including those
who are pursuing a CG warrant or commission.
9. These changes will be incorporated into the next version of
REF (C), which will be released within the year.
10. This ALCOAST will be cancelled on 14 APR 2025.
11. POC: CDR Deborah Belsky, Chief, Force Health Protection, COMDT
(CG-1K21), (202) 494-0877, Deborah.Belsky@uscg.mil.
12. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Assistant Commandant of Health, Safety
and Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.