R 032020Z AUG 23 MID120000346223U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 281/23
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: UPDATE 5 – FY23 WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS – ENLISTED
MONETARY INTERVENTIONS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 211940Z OCT 22/ALCOAST 403/22
B. Military Bonus and Incentive Programs, COMDTINST 7220.2A
C. 37 U.S.C. – Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
D. Performance, Training and Education (PTEM) Manual, COMDTINST 1500.10D
E. Enlistments, Evaluations, and Advancements, COMDTINST M1000.2C
F. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1F
1. This ALCOAST announces an update to the results of the FY2023 Military Workforce Planning Team (MWPT). Specifically, this ALCOAST authorizes additional Enlistment Bonuses (EB) and Critical Skills Training Bonuses (CSTB) and increases authorized bonus amounts for specified rates.
2. These policy interventions are applicable to eligible candidates and enlisted active duty members. The bonus offerings in this ALCOAST are for FY2023, effective immediately. All authorized FY2023 interventions terminate on 30 Sep 2023. The EB and CSTB maximum amounts listed in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this ALCOAST supersede their respective maximum EB and CSTB amount listed in REF (A).
3. ENLISTMENT BONUS (EB). An EB is authorized for new recruits enlisting in the Coast Guard for the first time. Each EB is mutually exclusive and cannot be combined with any other EB.
a. Guaranteed A School Enlistment Bonus (GA-EB). A GA-EB is authorized for new recruits, for their first career enlistment, that sign an agreement to attend one of the following critical rating Class A-Schools immediately upon graduation from boot camp. Prior service applicants are not authorized a GA-EB. Applicants agree to enlist and satisfactorily complete a minimum of four years of Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) and abide by all requirements and eligibility qualifications of REF (B) and Section 331 of REF (C) to earn a GA-EB entitlement.
(1) Operations Specialist (OS). A $40,000 EB is authorized for OS applicants to enlist.
(2) Electricians Mate (EM). A $20,000 EB is authorized for EM applicants to enlist.
(3) Electronics Technician (ET). A $65,000 EB is authorized for ET applicants to enlist.
(4) Gunners Mate (GM). A $20,000 EB is authorized for GM applicants to enlist.
(5) Machinery Technician (MK). A $20,000 EB is authorized for MK applicants to enlist.
(6) Damage Controlman (DC). A $20,000 EB is authorized for DC applicants to enlist.
(7) Culinary Specialist (CS): A $65,000 is authorized for CS applicants without a degree or certificate to enlist.
(8) Culinary Specialist (CS): A $70,000 EB is authorized for CS applicants with a qualifying culinary certificate to enlist as an E-3.
i. A qualifying culinary certificate is defined as a culinary arts certification from an institution accredited by the American Culinary Federation.
ii. The culinary certificate must be verified by the CS RFMC.
iii. CS members who acquire a culinary certificate after completion of CS Class A-School and members in the Regular Coast Guard who acquire or hold a culinary certificate are ineligible.
(9) Culinary Specialist (CS): A $75,000 EB is authorized for CS applicants with a qualifying culinary degree to enlist as an E-3.
i. A qualifying culinary degree is defined as an Associate of Arts (AA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in culinary arts from an accredited academic or culinary institution.
ii. The culinary degree must be verified by the CS Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC).
iii. CS members who acquire a culinary degree after completion of CS Class A-School and members in the Regular Coast Guard who acquire or hold a culinary
degree are ineligible.
4. CRITICAL SKILLS TRAINING BONUS (CSTB). A CSTB is authorized for current active duty enlisted personnel who agree to attend and complete Class A-Schools below in subparagraphs (b) – (h), or in the BM Rating Apprenticeship Program (RAP), and agree to extend their enlistment upon graduation to meet obligated service IAW
REF (D).
a. General eligibility requirements:
(1) All CSTBs incur a four (4) year Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) from date of Class A-School graduation, advancement to pay grade E-4 through the BM RAP, or receipt of designator, whichever is later. Applicable contract extensions must be executed upon graduation of Class A-School, advancement to E-4 through BM-RAP, or receipt of designator to meet the minimum obligated service requirement;
(2) Members must abide by all requirements and eligibility qualifications IAW REF (B).
(3) Members may not receive a CSTB if they have signed a contract (annex) to receive a GA-EB for the same rate;
(4) Members who qualify for a CSTB, but received an EB, will receive the computed difference between the CSTB and EB;
(5) Members must continuously meet all performance and conduct
standards including additional reenlistment criteria as outlined in REF (E). Members who are eligible to extend are eligible to receive a CSTB; and
(6) Members must apply for the bonus by completing and submitting the Bonus Agreement listed in Paragraph 5.a. of this ALCOAST.
b. A $65,000 CSTB is authorized for CS Class A-School.
c. A $20,000 CSTB is authorized for DC Class A-School.
d. A $20,000 CSTB is authorized for MK Class A-School.
e. A $65,000 CSTB is authorized for ET Class A-School.
f. A $20,000 CSTB is authorized for GM Class A-School.
g. A $40,000 CSTB is authorized for OS Class A-School.
h. A $20,000 CSTB is authorized for EM Class A-School.
i. A $40,000 CSTB is authorized for BM RAP. To be eligible, a member must hold a current Boat Crew certification on any platform (except punts, skiffs, and ice rescue boats). Commands of new prospective applicants who meet the requirements must submit an A-school request form selecting BM RAP.
5. ADMINISTRATION.
The only approved Bonus Agreements to be used per this ALCOAST are as follows:
a. GA-EB: CG Form 7220A (revised Jun 2022 or later).
b. CSTB: CG Form 7220D (revised Aug 2022 or later), “Critical Skills Training Bonus.”
c. CSTB BM RAP: CG Form 5305G (revised Sep 2022 or later), “Enlistment Bonus: Boatswain Mate Rating Apprenticeship Program.”
d. All authorized forms are located at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/pd/forms/
e. Members must maintain physical and medical standards for continuous retention IAW REF (F).
f. Members considering appointment to the warrant or officer corps may still enlist, re-enlist, or extend their contract in one of the above mentioned ratings without electing to receive a bonus.
g. The Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) receives a high volume of bonus questions and submissions. Unanswered questions must be routed through the member’s SPO before engaging PPC. Payments may take up to two (2) months from the date a member’s SPO has submitted a trouble ticket to PPC. Refrain from contacting PPC
about a bonus until two (2) months have elapsed from a trouble ticket’s submission date. If it is not known whether a ticket has been submitted, designated yeoman should contact PPC Customer Care for investigation. If no ticket is active, submit a trouble ticket with appropriate bonus documentation.
h. COs and OICs are reminded that all members who agree to obligate service and are within the FY of their end of enlistment, or within the FY of their six (6) and ten (10)
year active duty anniversary date will: (1) be counseled on their SRB eligibility; (2) have the opportunity to read REF (B) in its entirety; and (3) sign the appropriate Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307, for their record.
i. Eligible members are reminded that they ultimately decide the length of contractual obligation and actual date of reenlistment. A reenlistment requires the member’s signature acknowledging they have read and understood the terms of the contract and have had all questions answered to their satisfaction.
j. Members who previously signed contracts IAW REF (D) are prohibited from canceling their existing contract to sign a new contract to meet the requirements of this ALCOAST.
k. Members who were counseled about their SRB eligibility and signed an Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307, entry IAW REF (D), but have not signed a reenlistment contract, are eligible to receive a bonus in accordance with this message. Members must still meet the remaining requirements of this ALCOAST and REF (B).
l. For questions, members should contact their unit counselors (typically the Command YN/CMC/SCPO/MCPO) well in advance of their reenlistment or extension date. Additional sources of information include servicing personnel officers, work-life staff, and senior Yeoman. For questions that cannot be answered after exhausting all of the above resources, the designated administrative support representative for that specific unit may contact COMDT (CG-133) at: HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
m. Special Assignment Considerations: Members in critical ratings are encouraged to apply for special assignment opportunities; PSC-EPM will work within each rating to ensure a proper balance is achieved between special assignments and rating needs.
6. Questions regarding this ALCOAST may be directed to Office of Military Personnel Policy (CG-133) at: HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
7. This message will be cancelled on 01 OCT 2023.
8. RADM M. W. Raymond, Assistant Commandant for Military Personnel
(CG-1M), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized. |
Wow! I sure didn’t realize our enlistment numbers and ratings were in this kind of shape. More power to those who can earn the bonus’s though. It does make you wonder about how committed they are to attend these schools in the first place but if there are empty billets, I can certainly see why CG HQ is offering the bonus money. Back when I joined in ’87, the BM A school waitlist was so long, I ended up striking BM on the Gallatin and waiting for the service wide results.
Today’s world is different. Some would argue worse and some better, but either way, time moves forward. I enjoy keeping up with what our current Coastie’s are doing and thanks to Chuck for assisting with that.
when i enlisted in cg after a navy tour as an en2, 85, i had to drop two paygrades as snipes weren’t really needed. even after re-enlisting multiple times a bonus was never a thought. now even a brand new snipe after a-school can get a bonus. $ 20.000, cooks $65,000. things have certainly changed.
and some of the new snipes that reported to me after a-school weren’t mechanical geniuses.
On facebook this post prompted the following comment,
““We are having difficulty finding skinny/fit cooks.”
“How much difficulty?
“$70,000”
That may make a good point, if we are letting cooks go because they are overweight.
Maybe what we should do is allow those we don’t need to deploy and do strenuous work to continue to serve even if out of shape but pay bonuses to those that stay in shape and are deployable.
Excellent idea. Will be cheaper in long run and motivates those we have to stay in shape.
That said, we also need to look at what an E-4/E-5 CS with A-school and several years practical experience would be able to make in the civilian world. That factor may be playing a part too.
Operating engineers are more vital to operations than Cooks. If the ship cannot perform, Noone eats….
I wonder how much of a role consolidation/elimination of ratings plays into this as well?
Looks like we may have found a new source for cooks.
https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3488379/us-coast-guard-royal-new-zealand-navy-sign-moa-enhancing-joint-objectives/
Aug. 9, 2023
U.S. Coast Guard, Royal New Zealand Navy sign MOA enhancing joint objectives
ALAMEDA, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard and Royal New Zealand Navy signed a memorandum of agreement, May 2023, detailing processes that enable the exchange of military personnel to enhance joint service objectives.
These professional exchanges will allow both nations to share experiences and knowledge, enhancing international partnerships as the two countries develop shared practices and doctrine in the maritime domain.
Two Royal New Zealand Navy chefs deployed aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) during the ship’s recent Western Pacific patrol. They enhanced the Stratton’s galley services by providing daily meals to 150 crew.
“We were excited to have Leading Chef Monique Manuel and Able Chef Alice Wyatt become a part of the Stratton’s crew,” said Capt. Brian Krautler, commanding officer of the Stratton. “The crew was able to learn about their customs and courtesies as well as New Zealand traditions, plus we were able to enhance their experience while underway on an American ship.”
For Commander Costa Papadopoulos, Director of Strategic Engagement for the Royal New Zealand Navy, the opportunity for personnel to deploy for an extended period of time with the U.S. Coast Guard is an incredibly valuable learning experience.
“Sailors join the navy to go to sea, to experience new things outside their shore-based environment and to contribute to mission success,” said Papadopoulos. “The strength of this military exchange is that it exposes our people to different perspectives and broadens their horizons. I’m sure they’ll return to us with new-found knowledge, confidence and skills.”
The two countries are developing plans for additional personnel exchanges.