ALCOAST 313/24 - AUG 2024 UPDATE TO AIR OPERATIONS MANUAL APPENDIX (B) FITNESS OF AIRCREW PERSONNEL SEEKING STRESS MANAGEMENT RESOURCES NOT AFFECTING FLIGHT STATUS

R 151535Z AUG 24 MID120001345243U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 313/24
SSIC 3710
SUBJ: UPDATE TO AIR OPERATIONS MANUAL APPENDIX (B) FITNESS
OF AIRCREW PERSONNEL SEEKING STRESS MANAGEMENT RESOURCES NOT
AFFECTING FLIGHT STATUS
A. Coast Guard Air Operations Manual, COMDTINST M3710.1I
1. This ALCOAST provides interim changes to the requirements
outlined in REF (A), for aviation personnel seeking professional
counseling when dealing with life-stressors. These changes
have been reviewed by COMDT (CG-1K) who concurs.
2. The Coast Guard recognizes the critical importance of all forms
of healthcare and encourages proactive counseling for work-life
stressors to sustain the wellness of personnel. We must break any
stigma associated with seeking counseling and support. We operate
in high stress environments; seeking supportive counseling is highly
encouraged to maximize performance. It is important to understand
that not all counseling is automatically grounding in nature.
Members seeking supportive care in dealing with life stressors are
encouraged to seek counseling through CG sponsored employee
assistance programs, such as CG-SUPRT, or other community resources.
Doing so itself does not constitute a reason for grounding the
member. It remains the professional responsibility of the service
member to perform ongoing self-monitoring and to self-ground and
seek the advice of their Flight Surgeon/Aviation Physician
Assistant (FS/APA/AMO) if they suspect or have been told by a
counselor that these stressors will affect flight performance or
safety of flight. The sooner a conversation is initiated with an
aviation medical provider, the sooner they can ensure you receive
the appropriate care to meet your personal and professional goals.
3. Replace paragraph A.4 in Appendix B of REF (A) with:
    "4. Individual Responsibility. It is the professional
responsibility of the service member to perform ongoing
self-monitoring and to self-ground and seek the advice
of their Flight Surgeon/Aviation Physician Assistant
(FS/APA) for any change in status that they suspect will affect
their flight performance or safety of flight.
    4.a. Counseling Services and Performance Optimization.
Seeking proactive counseling for work/life stressors before they
affect an aviation professional's flight or ground duties is
expected and highly encouraged. Resources can include, but are
not limited to, CG-SUPRT, the Vet Center, or other community
counseling services. Seeking these services by itself does not
constitute a reason for grounding. However, not all organizations
or individuals offering supportive care may be appropriate to meet
a member's needs; if you are not satisfied with available resources,
it is important to consult your FS/APA/AMO to ensure the care you
receive is appropriate to meet your personal and professional goals.
When consulted, FS/APAs/AMOs shall not recommend grounding members
solely on the basis of their seeking counseling and are expected to
make every reasonable effort to safely keep a member flying.
The unit Commanding Officer, as always, is the final decision
authority for flight status.
    4.b. All other care not addressed in 4.a. Personnel
receiving care from any source outside of their designated aviation
medicine provider without that providers knowledge, are
automatically grounded and prohibited from participation in all
flight, ground, or maintenance related activities. To resume flight
duties, personnel shall report to their aviation medicine provider
for clearance."
4. Replace paragraph B.9 in Appendix B of REF (A) with:
    "9. Physical, Mental, or Emotional Distress: The safe and
effective operation of aircraft requires close attention, the
ability to manage distractions, and a high degree of emotional
control. Inflight emergencies often demand rapid, accurate decisions
and skillful actions. An aircrew member experiencing functional or
occupational impairment due to any of the identified reasons should
not fly and should inform their chain of command and FS/APA/AMO for
an evaluation. All persons in positions of authority must be
constantly alert for signs of mental and emotional distress among
aviation personnel, ensure members are aware of services available
to them, and that those services are accessible in a timely manner."
5. In REF (A), Appendix B, the following sections are reorganized:
    a. Move paragraph B.8 (Minor Illness) to become A.6.
    b. Move paragraph A.5 (Sleep and Rest) to become A.7.
    c. Move paragraph B.9 (Physical, Mental, or Emotional Distress),
as modified by this ALCOAST, to become A.5.
    d. Move paragraph B.2 (Diet) to become A.8.
    e. Move paragraph B.3 (Exercise) to become A.9.
    f. Move paragraph B.4 (Alcohol) to become A.10.
    g. Move paragraph B.5 (Tobacco) to become A.11.
    h. Move paragraph B.6 (Caffeine) to become A.12.
    i. Move paragraph B.7 (Drugs, Medications, and Nutritional
Supplements) to become A.13.
    j. Move paragraph B.10 (Simulator Sickness) to become A.14.
6. These changes will be made to the next revision of REF (A),
which will be released within the next year.
7. This message will be cancelled 14 AUG 2025.
8. COMDTs (CG-711), (CG-1K3), (CG-ATC), HSWL and (CG-PSC)
shall collaborate to review the work of the DoDs Warrior Mental
Health working group, and the FAA, and stand up a Coast Guard
working group to develop comprehensive changes to REF (A),
as well as other COMDT Policy manuals or instructions which may
also need revision to align with the recommended changes. The
recommended changes should balance risk to safety and mission
with the risk to members not seeking help due to their desire
to remain SEMPER PARATUS.
9. POC: COMDT (CG-711) at: HQS-DG-LST-CG-711@uscg.mil.
10. RADM S. N. Gilreath, Assistant Commandant for Capability
(CG-7), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.