ALCOAST 150/25 - MAR 2025 INCENTIVIZING THE OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) BOARD CANDIDATE PARTICIPATION FOR THE ACTIVE DUTY BOATSWAIN MATE (BM) RATING - BM1 AND BMC

R 281945Z MAR 25 MID120001823633U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 150/25
SSIC 1220
SUBJ: INCENTIVIZING THE OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) BOARD CANDIDATE
PARTICIPATION FOR THE ACTIVE DUTY BOATSWAIN MATE (BM)
RATING - BM1 AND BMC
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST 1000.8A
B. Officer In Charge Review Board, COMDTINST 1410.3
C. Enlistments, Evaluations, and Advancements, COMDTINST 1000.2C
1. This ALCOAST announces a temporary incentive for Active Duty
Boatswain's Mates (BM) to earn Officer in Charge (OIC)
certification. Those with OIC certificates will receive twenty
(20) Servicewide points for the 2026 and 2027 BM Servicewide
Exam (SWE). This is considered a beta test impacting the 2026 and
2027 OIC Boards. This beta test impacts REFs (A) through (C) and
is intended to reinforce the importance of OIC Board Candidate
participation and expectations for BM1s and BMCs.
2. The BM rating is unique. A BM has the opportunity to serve as an
OIC at one of 251 Coast Guard stations, aids to navigation teams,
and cutters throughout all nine districts. Unfortunately, a steady
decline in OIC Review Board candidates has led to a significant
increase in difficulty filling OIC and other senior enlisted
assignment vacancies. In Assignment Year (AY) 2025 there were 28 OIC
and senior BM assignments unfilled after the slate was completed.
It is the Service expectation for BMs to aspire to hold OIC command
positions and to participate in the OIC Review Board process as a
necessary step.
3. Effective only for the 2026 and 2027 Active Duty SWEs and AYs
2027 and 2028, all BM1s participating in the BMC SWE who hold at
least one OIC certification described in REF (B) will receive 20
additional SWE incentive points. These points shall be entered into
Direct Access via the incentive points module by unit administrative
personnel. All entries must be dated on or after 1MAY2025 and
entered prior to the PDE correction deadline.
4. This beta test will not prevent BM1s without OIC certifications
from advancing to BMC, however, their placement on the advancement
list may be below those BM1s who hold an OIC certification.
5. This policy does not apply to Reserve members and does not impact
Reserve SWEs or Reserve assignments.
6. Upon conclusion of AY2028, COMDT (CG-1M) will evaluate the
efficacy of this beta test and determine whether a permanent policy
change is warranted.
7. All eligible BMs that have earned a recommendation to participate
in the OIC Review Boards are highly encouraged to pursue
this career-defining certification.
8. The BM Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC) is the POC for all
questions pertaining to OIC certification and this beta test at:
Grant.D.Heffner@uscg.mil
9. Policy questions or changes may be directed to Office of
Military Personnel Policy COMDT (CG-1M1) at:
HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
10. This message will be cancelled on 27 MAR 2026.
11. CAPT R.P. Matson, Acting Assistant Commandant for Military
Personnel (CG-1M), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.