ALCGPSC 061/24-AY25 OLMSTED SCHOLARSHIP SOLICITATION

ALCGPSC 061/24
SUBJ: AY25 OLMSTED SCHOLARSHIP SOLICITATION
A.ALCGPSC 054/24 OFFICER POSTGRADUATE AND ADVANCED EDUCATION APPLICATION
PROCESS FOR ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2025 (AY25)
1.This solicitation is for the Olmsted Scholar program. Top candidates
who are considered for selection are some of the highest performing
active-duty junior officers in our service. The program is three years
in duration, namely one year of extensive language training followed
by two years of a masters-level liberal arts education at a university
abroad.
2.Overview. The United States of America is a key leader and participant
in today's global community. As a result, U.S. leaders come into
contact with citizens and leaders of many nations. Relationships between
nations require a unique consideration of many factors including
political, economic, and military, among others. The solutions to
difficulties that arise between nations require a deep understanding and
knowledge of the particular nations involved. The Olmsted Scholar Program
provides officers a unique opportunity to acquire those skills required
of today’s leaders.
3.The Olmsted Foundation's mission is "To provide young military leaders
an unsurpassed opportunity to achieve fluency in a foreign language,
pursue graduate study at an overseas university, and acquire an in-depth
understanding of foreign cultures, thereby further equipping them to
serve in positions of great responsibility as senior leaders in the
United States Armed Forces." Officers with demonstrated leadership and
scholastic abilities who strive to become senior leaders in the Coast Guard
and beyond are sought to apply.
4.Commands are strongly encouraged to consider this program for their
highest performing junior officers and assist in publicizing this exclusive
and prestigious opportunity. Officers do not have to be familiar with the
country's language to be eligible for study in that country.
5.The program is named after Major General George H. Olmsted and his wife
Carol Olmsted. To read Major General Olmsted's biography and for additional
information on the Olmsted Scholar Program and its goals, please go to the
Olmsted Foundation's website located at: http://www.olmstedfoundation.org.
6.Timing:
a.In AY24, the Coast Guard and Olmsted Foundation adjusted the notification
of selection of the Coast Guard Scholar from Spring to Fall. This allows
the Finalists who are not selected to become an Olmsted Scholar to remain
competitive and eligible for selection to other Coast Guard post-graduate
programs, special assignments, command opportunities, and high-impact
staff assignments.
b.If a member is selected as both a finalist for the Olmsted Scholar
Program and a primary or alternate candidate for one or more PG programs,
the member will remain in consideration for all programs. If the member
is selected by the Olmsted Foundation as the next Coast Guard Olmsted
Scholar, the member must accept selection as an Olmsted Scholar and decline
all other PG programs.
c.Members desiring consideration for the Olmsted Scholar program do not
have to be tour complete but must have completed at least one year in the
member’s currently assigned billet by the time the panel convenes. For
instance, a member will be considered eligible to apply if they reported
to their current billet in AY23. Tour completion waivers, which are normally
required for competition in PG/Adv Ed, will not be required.
7.Scholarship Location:
a.Once the Coast Guard Olmsted Scholar is selected by the Olmsted Foundation
Panel, the Foundation will determine the scholar’s city and country where
they will study. While the Coast Guard Olmsted Scholar will be notified of
selection in mid-October 2024, the identification of university location
is expected to be made in mid-March 2025.
b.Scholars will attend extensive language beginning in the summer of 2025.
Training will be coordinated by the Coast Guard once the language determination
has been made by the Foundation.
c.Following successful completion of language training, Scholars will be
assigned as detached duty from COMDT (CG-DCO-I) to their international
university. Duty at the international university will be approximately
24 months. It is the responsibility of the Scholar to select the university
based on the city assignment and any other requirements of the Olmsted
Foundation. The USCG expects Scholars to achieve a graduate level degree
or certificate during this period in a field of the Scholars’ choosing.
8.Eligibility. Active-duty officers with the following qualifications may
apply for this program:
a.Eligible officers must be designated, or progressing toward designation,
and remain promotable under one of the following specialties: Operations
Afloat (CG-OAF10), Response (CG-OAR10), Aviation (CG-AVI10), Prevention
(CG-OAP10), Cyberspace (CG-CYB10), and Intelligence (CG-INT10). This is
an Olmsted Foundation requirement and waivers will not be considered.
b.Consistent superior performance.
c.At least three years of commissioned service, but not more than 11 years
of total active federal service as of 01 Apr 2024 (no waivers will be granted).
d.Demonstrated scholastic achievement as captured, at a minimum, in an official
undergraduate transcript for a Bachelor’s degree.
e.Strong desire and aptitude to learn a foreign language and study in an
international setting.
f.Willingness to commit to the Foundation’s goals.
(See Foundation’s website above for more insight.)
g.Tour complete or have completed at least one year in currently assigned
billet as referenced in paragraph 6.c. of this message.
9.Obligations Incurred:
a.Scholars will incur three months of obligated service for every one month
(3 to 1) of education/training OCONUS. Obligated service for 24 months
OCONUS would therefore be 6 years following program completion.
b.There are no designated follow-on assignments within this period of obligated
service. Scholars will be considered for a career-enhancing operational
assignment at the discretion of OPM, which could include an operational
assignment in the scholar’s primary specialty or staff tour depending on
timing and career progression.
10.Application Procedures:
a.Direct Access applications are due by 20 May 2024 using DA Code: OLMSTD in
the “My Panel Submission” feature.
b.Command Endorsement in DA is required.
c.The Coast Guard panel will select 3-5 finalists from the pool of applicants.
Those officers selected as finalists by the panel will then be required to
submit a more robust application package which will be due to the Olmsted
Scholar Program Manager by 22 July 2024.
d.Details of the full application package will be transmitted to the selected
finalists, but will include a personal statement, letters of recommendation,
and Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) and Graduate Record Exam results
among other requirements.
11.Language Requirement: Applicants are required to take the DLAB ahead of
the Coast Guard panel and must be entered into DA no later than 24 May 2024
to be considered by the panel.
a.The DLAB tests a person’s ability to learn a foreign language and may be
scheduled through an Educational Services Officer (ESO). While studying is
not expected nor required for the DLAB, those who want to prepare for the
DLAB should ensure they have a solid grasp of English grammar before taking
the test.
b.There is no minimum score required. The panel will consider the score
among the applicant’s entire application.
12.OER Submission: Applicants intending to submit an annual or semi-annual
OER ahead of the panel shall review paragraph ref (a) and adhere to the
OER submission deadline of 19 May 2024. LCDR applicants must submit their
annual OER with an End of Period (EOP) of 30 April 2024. The OER should
arrive to OPM-3 no later than 19 May 2024. LT Applicants are authorized
an adjusted EOP of 30 April 2024 for the annual OER with delivery to OPM-3
no later than 19 May 2024. LTJG applicants are authorized a Boards and Panels
OER with an EOP no earlier than 03 May 2024 with delivery to OPM-3 no later
than 19 May 2024.
13.For questions regarding this message, contact the Coast Guard Olmsted
Scholar Program Manager Mr. Jessie Phillips, COMDT (CG-DCO-I),
at Jessie.W.Phillips@uscg.mil.
14.For questions regarding the application process, please contact the
PG email inbox, at HQS-SMB-CGPSC-opm-1-PGPanels@uscg.mil
and visit the OPM-1 PG/Adv Ed Sharepoint site
at: https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/psc_spo/psc-opm/1/a/SitePages/Post-Grad.aspx
15.SES Holly A. Haverstick, Director, International Affairs and
Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commandant, endorses.
RDML R.E. Dash, Commander, Personnel Service Center, sends.
16.Internet release is authorized.