ALCOAST 237/25 - MAY 2025 CEREMONIAL ADVANCEMENT

R 231103Z MAY 25   MID120001964677U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 237/25
SSIC 1220
SUBJ: CEREMONIAL ADVANCEMENT
A. Enlistments, Evaluations, and Advancements, COMDTINST 1000.2C
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 031743Z MAR 21/ACN 024/21
CEREMONIAL ADVANCEMENT [ARCHIVED]
1. OVERVIEW. This ALCOAST announces the Ceremonial Advancement
policy for REF (A) originally announced in REF (B). This policy
allows Coast Guard enlisted members the best opportunity to plan,
prepare, and execute meaningful advancement ceremonies to recognize
career milestones, while also considering unit operations and
Service needs. This policy allows for a larger planning window
for enlisted advancement ceremonies from the release of the monthly
Enlisted Personnel Advancement Authorization (EPAA) or Enlisted
Reserve Advancement Authorization (ERAA), on or around the 20th
of each month. This expanded window helps with the logistical
arrangements for family and friends to witness and participate
in the advancement ceremony.
2. POLICY/PROCEDURE. This policy established an option for
Coast Guard enlisted members to be ceremoniously advanced on a
date most conducive to the member's desires and the unit's
operational schedule. Prior to this change, members on the
Active Duty or Reserve Supplemental Advancement Eligibility
Lists were not afforded sufficient time to plan advancement
ceremonies because the supplemental advancement cycle did not
include an eligibility determination prior to release of the
monthly EPAA or ERAA.
3. The following paragraphs will be incorporated into Chapter 3
of REF (A) paragraph A.35: Ceremonial Advancements.
    a. General. A Ceremonial Advancement allows an enlisted
member above a published cut, on an active supplemental list,
or authorized advancement via A2P assignment, to be advanced
prior to their name appearing on an EPAA or ERAA. The
Ceremonial Advancement establishes an option for Coast Guard
enlisted members to be ceremoniously advanced on a date most
conducive to the member's desires and the unit's operational
schedule while providing flexibility in managing logistics to
plan an appropriate event.
    b. Authority. COs and OICs are authorized to conduct
Ceremonial Advancements at any point during, and 30 days prior
to, the lifecycle of the current advancement eligibility list
(SWE or MCAP), see 3.A.3.d of REF (A) for discussion regarding
the Terminal Eligibility Date (TED). COs/OICs do not need to
request authorization from or notify CG PSC prior to conducting
a Ceremonial Advancement but should consider a member's
relative placement on the list in scheduling an appropriate
date. Ceremonial Advancements are different than frocking and
thus are not specifically intended to establish a member's
stature nor change their primary duties, privileges, or
entitlements. COs/OICs shall consider the full implications for
the member and unit prior to conducting a Ceremonial
Advancement. Members and COs/OICs are reminded that members
must maintain their eligibility through the official
advancement date. If a member loses eligibility before this
date they must revert to their previously held pay grade.
    c. Entitlements.
        (1) Insignia. Ceremoniously advanced members are
authorized to assume the title and wear the insignia of the
rank to which ceremoniously advanced.
        (2) Housing. Ceremoniously advanced members are entitled
to housing commensurate with the lower permanent rate.
        (3) Armed Forces Identification Card. A new Armed Forces
Identification Card, DD Form 2 CG, will not be issued to
reflect the higher rate until the actual advancement date.
        (4) Pay, Allowances, and Travel Entitlements. Pay,
allowances, and travel entitlements will continue to accrue at
the lower permanent rate/pay grade. Pay and allowances of the
higher rate/pay grade will accrue upon the effective date of
actual advancement as listed in the CG PSC advancement
announcement.
        (5) Performance Evaluations. Enlisted performance
evaluations will continue to be submitted in the lower
permanent rate.
        (6) Authorities of Ceremoniously Advanced Pay Grade.
Ceremonial Advancement does not authorize increased
disciplinary powers under Article 15, UCMJ.
        (7) Time in Grade. Time in grade computation for
retirement and advancement is computed from the date of actual
advancement, not the date ceremoniously advanced.
        (8) Local entitlements, e.g., duty, berthing arrangements,
watch standing rotations, etc., are at the discretion of the
CO/OIC.
4. A ceremonial advancement certificate template can be found
at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-
for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Director-of-Military-Personnel-CG-13/
Military-Personnel-Policy-CG-133-/Military-Policy-Development-
Division-CG-1331/

5. Policies and standards in REF (A) not specifically addressed
by this ALCOAST remain unchanged; REF (A) is under revision to
include these policy changes. A new version will soon be
available from the Workstation Pixel Dashboard, CG Pubs
Library, Directives Drop Down.
6. Policy questions or changes may be directed to Office of
Military Personnel Policy COMDT (CG-1M1) at:
HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil
7. This message will be cancelled on 23 MAY 2026.
8. CAPT R.P. Matson, Acting Assistant Commandant for Military
Personnel (CG-1M), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.