ALCOAST 219/25 - MAY 2025 UPDATES TO POLICY TO ACCELERATE PROMOTION OF OFFICERS OF PARTICULAR MERIT

R 141203Z MAY 25   MID120001932720U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 219/25
SSIC 1000
SUBJ: UPDATES TO POLICY TO ACCELERATE PROMOTION OF OFFICERS OF
PARTICULAR MERIT
A. Officer Accessions, Evaluations, and Promotions,
COMDTINST M1000.3A
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 141201Z NOV 24/ALCOAST 430/24
1. This ALCOAST updates policy regarding accelerated promotions
of officers of particular merit and communications to the board.
It also eliminates the requirement for officers requesting to
opt out of promotion to have their requests reviewed by a panel
of officers in REF (B).
2. In-Zone Reordering.
    a. The following language replaces Section 3.A.4.e.(4) of
REF (A): "Reordering. Promotion boards are required to employ
in-zone reordering to the maximum extent authorized in law for
those officers of particular merit. Officers above zone, in zone,
and below zone are all eligible for reordering if selected for
promotion."
3. Below Zone Selection.
    a. The following language replaces Section 6.B.1.f.(3) to
REF (A): "However, if such percentage is a number less than one,
the board may recommend one officer for promotion (14 U.S.C. §
2116). Promotion boards are highly encouraged, but not required, to
consider accelerating the promotion of officers of particular
merit using Below-Zone selection."
4. Option to Opt-Out of Promotion Selection. The following
section replaces paragraph 2.e. of REF (B): "Staffing and Review.
Officer requests shall be reviewed by PSC. The Commandant delegated
authority to PSC to determine whether the member requesting to opt
out is experiencing a qualifying personal or professional
circumstance as indicated in 14 U.S.C. § 2113 , and whether the
member's exclusion is in the best interest of the Coast Guard.
PSC may approve eligible personnel from each paygrade (O-2, O-3,
O-4, and O-5) to opt-out for promotion board in accordance with
the applicable Officer Corps Management Plan. PSC should consider
the officer's service record and potential to provide future
benefits to the Coast Guard. Officers will be notified in writing
via email of approval or disapproval of their request no later
than 45 calendar days before the proposed convening date of the
first promotion year promotion selection board (PSB). Officers
selected for promotion in subsequent years after deferring PSB
consideration will be placed into a new promotion year group
based on their resulting date of rank. The records of officers
with approved deferrals of promotion consideration will not be
identified or made known to any PSB."
5. Communicating with the Selection Board.
    a. The following language replaces Section 3.A.4.f.(1) of
REF (A): "Background and Authority. Each officer eligible for
consideration by a selection board may communicate with the
board through the officer's chain of command by letter, inviting
attention to any matter in their Coast Guard record that will be
before the selection board. A letter sent under this paragraph
may not criticize any officer or reflect on any officer's
character, conduct, or motive. (See 14 U.S.C. § 2108(b).) The
letter must arrive prior to the commencement of the board.
Comments are subject to the same restrictions as Officer
Evaluation Report Prohibited Comments outlined in Section 5.I.
of this Instruction."
    b. The following language replaces Section 3.B.3.c.(1) of
REF (A): "General. Individuals eligible for consideration by a
selection board may communicate directly with the board by
letter arriving by the date the board convenes, inviting
attention to any matter in their Armed Forces record. A letter
sent under this paragraph may not criticize any officer or
reflect on any officer's character, conduct, or motive (10
U.S.C. § 573(f)). Comments are subject to the same restrictions
as Officer Evaluation Report Prohibited Comments outline in
Section 5.I. of this Instruction."
6. These changes will be reflected in the upcoming revision of
REF (A). All other policies outlined in REF (A) not addressed
remain unchanged.
7. This message will be cancelled on 01 MAY 2026.
8. Policy questions may be directed to COMDT (CG-1M1) at:
HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil
9. CAPT R. P. Matson, Acting Assistant Commandant for Military
Personnel (CG-1M), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.