ALCOAST 049/26 - FEB 2026 SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (SE) PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION STANDARDS (PQS) FOR SE OPERATORS

R 091301Z FEB 26   MID320018527120U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 049/26
SSIC 11260
SUBJ: SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (SE) PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
(PQS) FOR SE OPERATORS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 031500Z MAR 25/ALCOAST 097/25
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 041754Z SEP 24/ALCOAST 346/24
C. U.S. Coast Guard Support Equipment - Weight and Material Handling
Program Policy, COMDTINST 11260.1
1. This ALCOAST is to announce the release of the Support Equipment
(SE) program Performance Qualification Standards (PQS) version two.
The SE PQS version one, to include the PQS Handbook, PQS Signoff
Guide (PSOG), and PQS Evaluator (PQS-E) Handbook, is hereby
rescinded.
2. The SE PQS is the SE program's standardized method for qualifying
personnel for specific crew positions to perform SE operations. In
accordance with REF (A), effective immediately, all units operating
SE shall use the SE PQS to qualify personnel as SE crew members. The
SE PQS is available for access and download on the COMDT (CG-SID-41)
SE Program Training SharePoint site at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg4/SEProgram/SitePages/
Training.aspx

3. Units shall review and implement the SE PQS immediately. Units
have 90 days for PQS completion. Waivers beyond 90 days shall be
requested through the Support Equipment Product Line (SEPL) at
SMB-ALC-SETraining@uscg.mil. Unit members who are currently
qualified or previously qualified in an SE crew position through
local Job Qualification Requirements (JQR) are required to
re-qualify using the SE PQS material and guidance for their
respective positions. Units will issue a revised certification
letter upon completion of the SE program PQS. Personnel qualified
as Signalperson using PQS version one are not required to requalify
using PQS version two. All other local JQRs for assets not covered
in version two remain authorized for use until those assets are
covered in the PQS.
4. Civilian personnel who are already qualified/certified operators
under unit guidelines will have one year to complete the SE PQS. Any
Performance Criteria that was signed off by a previous local JQR can
be signed off as complete by the evaluator.
5. The SE PQS is supplemented by an Evaluator to provide the
Candidate supervised support throughout the learning objectives
which build upon previous SE crew positions. The SE PQS employs
on-the-job training (OJT), demonstrations by competent personnel,
and mentorship in conjunction with study materials, practical skill
execution, and knowledge-based performance criteria to qualify SE
crew positions to a prescribed performance level.
6. The SE PQS version two is a consolidated document separated into
four parts; Part 1-SE PQS Implementation, Part 2-SE Performance
Signoff Guide (PSOG), Part 3-SE Crew Position Task Accomplishment
Record (TAR), and Part 4-SE Candidate Study Guide (CSG).
     a. Part 1-SE PQS Implementation provides information on the
qualification and certification processes. It describes individual
roles and responsibilities, each PQS component, directions for use,
and guidance to qualify and certify personnel.
     b. Part 2-SE PSOG contains the signoff tasks required for each
SE Crew Position. Tasks include specific performance criteria,
references, standards, and conditions under which the task must be
completed. After Candidates meet performance criteria, the PQS-E
documents completion of each criterion within the PSOG and in the
Candidate's TAR.
     c. Part 3-SE Crew Position TAR is the official documentation of
a Candidate's qualification status for an SE Crew Position.
It tracks the successful completion of all required tasks from the
PSOG and reflects the Candidate's progression through the
qualification process. A PQS-E shall initial each task entry on the
TAR upon verifying the Candidate's knowledge and task proficiency
via the PSOG.
     d. Part 4-SE CSG is a structured tool designed to help Candidates
understand, review, and retain subject material by providing reading
assignments and targeted references for each performance criteria.
The Candidate should complete the assigned reading and answer the
related questions prior to beginning training in each new task. This
guide allows the Candidate to record and validate learning progress
but is not a part of the formal training record and is not required
for qualification. Some activities will require internet access.
7. For initial qualifications, units conducting SE operations shall
designate a unit Evaluator to facilitate SE PQS completion. Unit
Evaluators shall meet the requirements and be appointed as a
competent person as defined in REF (B).
     a. When assigning an Evaluator, CO/OICs must review personnel
qualifications and prerequisites to assess the candidate's
competence and suitability for the role. It is important for CO/OICs
to consider personnel proficiency, knowledge of evaluation criteria,
training and instruction skills, performance evaluation expertise,
commitment to safety, documentation and reporting skills, as well as
any continuous improvement and professional development.
     b. The formal certification as an Evaluator is confirmed through
a memorandum, which clearly defines their responsibilities and
emphasizes their role in upholding the unit's safety and training
standards. Example certification memorandums can be found on the
COMDT (CG-SID-41) SE Program Training SharePoint site at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg4/SEProgram/SitePages/
Training.aspx

8. Units will obtain authorization for new local JQRs from the SE
program until a program-approved PQS version for that crew position
has been promulgated. Unit JQRs for SE operations will be rescinded
immediately upon release of the PQS version containing the
applicable crew position/asset type. The guidance outlined in the
SE PQS will take precedence over local JQRs.
9. Feedback is critical to enhancing the quality of PQS
products. Please submit comments, feedback, or questions to the SEPL
at SMB-ALC-SETraining@uscg.mil.
10. POC: SEPL Training Specialist, Dr. Brian D. Barker, at
Brian.D.Barker@uscg.mil and SE Program Manager (CG-SID-41),
Ms. Jennifer D. Ozley, at Jennifer.D.Ozley@uscg.mil.
11. Mr. James L. Knight, Deputy Director of Systems Integration
(CG-SI-D), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.