ALCOAST 153/08 COMDTNOTE 1500 SUBJ: ADVANCED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS, COMDT (CG-ACO) A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 052252Z MAR 08/ALCOAST 119/08 1. THIS MESSAGE PROVIDES FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE ADVANCED EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORED BY COMDT (CG-ACO) INCLUDING: A. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING B. MARINE ENGINEERING C. MARINE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY D. FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING E. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT F. TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT G. MARINE AFFAIRS/LIVING MARINE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT H. MARINE SCIENCE (FORMERLY OCEANOGRAPHY) I. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (MPA) J. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS K. NAVAL/USMC COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGES L. JOINT ADVANCED WARFARE SCHOOL (JAWS) 2. MEMBERS DESIRING A CHALLENGING AND REWARDING CAREER WITH A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES IN POSITIONS OF INCREASING RESPONSIBILITY ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. GRADUATES WILL BE PLACED IN POSITIONS OF SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT SERVICE ABILITY TO EXECUTE MISSIONS. THESE POSITIONS DEMAND SIGNIFICANT TECHNICAL EXPERTISE TO FACILITATE INTERACTION WITH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL SHIPPING COMMUNITIES, INDUSTRIES, RESPECTIVE REGULATORY BODIES, INTERNATIONAL PARTNER NATIONS, OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE OTHER MILITARY SERVICES. 3. PAST PERFORMANCE OF DUTY, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND CURRENT APTITUDE TEST SCORES ARE CONSIDERED DURING THE SELECTION PROCESS. SELECTED MEMBERS WILL BEGIN THEIR STUDIES IN ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2009. THE LISTED PROGRAM MANAGERS CAN PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND CAREER IMPACT, INCLUDING FOLLOW-ON TOURS. 4. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING: JUNIOR OFFICERS WITH SCIENTIFIC OR ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR A 24- MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM LEADING TO A MASTERS DEGREE (MS) IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. PROGRAM GRADUATES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO EITHER COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS OFFICE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL STANDARDS, COMDT (CG-5223), OR THE MARINE SAFETY CENTER. DUTIES WILL INCLUDE EVALUATION OF SAFETY ASPECTS FOR TRANSPORTING BULK LIQUID AND SOLID HAZARDOUS MATERIAL BY SEA, DESIGN REVIEW OF VESSEL AND FACILITY VAPOR CONTROL SYSTEMS AND MANY OTHER ISSUES DEALING WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IN AN EFFORT TO BOLSTER THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION. GRADUATES WILL ALSO WORK WITH COAST GUARD FIELD UNITS AS WELL AS A BROAD SPECTRUM OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY. PAST GRADUATES OF THIS PROGRAM HAVE ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. 5. MARINE ENGINEERING: JUNIOR OFFICERS WITH A BACHELORS OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THIS 24-MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM LEADING TO A MASTERS OF SCIENCE OR ENGINEERING DEGREE IN NAVAL ARCHITECTURE, MARINE ENGINEERING OR OTHER CLOSELY RELATED DISCIPLINES SUCH AS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, OCEAN ENGINEERING AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING. SELECTED OFFICERS TYPICALLY ATTEND GRADUATE PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, THE NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, THE VIRGINIA POLYTECHNICAL INSTITUTE, AND THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. PROGRAM GRADUATES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO EITHER COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS STANDARDS DIRECTORATE, COMDT (CG- 52), OR THE MARINE SAFETY CENTER WHERE THEY WILL BE PLACED IN POSITIONS OF SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE COAST GUARDS ABILITY TO PROPERLY EXECUTE ITS MARINE SAFETY, SECURITY AND STEWARDSHIP MISSIONS. THESE POSITIONS DEMAND SIGNIFICANT TECHNICAL INTERACTION WITH THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL SHIPPING INDUSTRIES AND RESPECTIVE REGULATORY BODIES. 6. MARINE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES JUNIOR OFFICERS AND WARRANT OFFICERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF MARINE ENGINEERING RELATED DISCIPLINES. OFFICERS WHO HAVE A BACHELORS DEGREE ARE PROHIBITED FROM APPLYING TO THIS PROGRAM. GRADUATES OF THIS PROGRAM HAVE ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY AND OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY. PROGRAM GRADUATES WILL LIKELY BE ASSIGNED TO EITHER COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS STANDARDS DIRECTORATE, COMDT (CG-52), OR THE MARINE SAFETY CENTER WHERE THEY WILL PROVIDE VITAL TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND PRACTICAL FIELD EXPERIENCE TO ADVANCE THE COAST GUARDS MARINE SAFETY, SECURITY AND STEWARDSHIP MISSIONS. THESE POSITIONS DEMAND SIGNIFICANT TECHNICAL INTERACTION WITH THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL SHIPPING INDUSTRIES AND RESPECTIVE REGULATORY BODIES. 7. FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING: JUNIOR OFFICERS WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THIS 24-MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM LEADING TO A MASTERS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING. SELECTED OFFICERS WILL ATTEND THE WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE OR THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND. PROGRAM GRADUATES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO EITHER COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS STANDARDS DIRECTORATE, COMDT (CG-52), OR THE MARINE SAFETY CENTER WHERE THEY WILL BE PLACED IN POSITIONS OF SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE COAST GUARDS ABILITY TO PROPERLY EXECUTE ITS MARINE SAFETY, SECURITY AND STEWARDSHIP MISSIONS. THESE POSITIONS DEMAND SIGNIFICANT TECHNICAL INTERACTION WITH THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL SHIPPING INDUSTRIES AND RESPECTIVE REGULATORY BODIES. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: JUNIOR OFFICERS WITH A BACHELORS DEGREE ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THIS 18-24 MONTH GRADUATE PROGRAM, WHICH ADDRESSES ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS, LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN DEVELOPMENT. PROGRAM GRADUATES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS IN THE OFFICE OF RESPONSE POLICY, COMDT (CG-53), WHERE THEY WILL BE INVOLVED IN RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS POLICY AND CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT, JOINT CONTINGENCY PLANNING, NATIONAL EXERCISE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, AND INTERAGENCY COORDINATION AT THE STATE, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS. 9. TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT: EQUIPS HIGH PERFORMING OFFICERS WITH A PUBLIC POLICY AND MARINE TRANSPORTATION DEGREE. DISCIPLINES INCLUDE ALL LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY, AND POLICY ISSUES RELATED TO THE MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (MTS). THE NATION IS EXPERIENCING UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH OF ITS PORTS AND WATERWAYS, AND WITH THIS GROWTH COME GREAT CHALLENGES. THE COAST GUARD HAS A NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR SAFETY, SECURITY AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE MTS, AND THIS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE SELECTED OFFICERS WITH THE TOOLS TO LEAD THESE EFFORTS AT THE CENTER OF AN EXCITING NATIONAL POLICY ARENA. PROGRAM GRADUATES WILL NORMALLY BE ASSIGNED TO COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS IN THE OFFICE OF WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT, OCEANS AND TRANSPORTATION DIVISION, COMDT (CG-5412), WHERE THEY WILL LEAD EFFORTS TO OVERSEE AND IMPLEMENT CG POLICIES AND INITIATIVES WHICH ENHANCE THE MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. THIS WILL INVOLVE FREQUENT INTERACTION WITH NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY MAKING BODIES SUCH AS THE CABINET LEVEL COMMITTEE ON THE MTS, ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NATIONAL DREDGING TEAM, NATIONAL HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE, AND NUMEROUS OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES. GRADUATES WILL ALSO WORK WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE MTS NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL, NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD. MEMBERS WILL BE WELL PREPARED FOR FOLLOW ON TOURS IN SECTOR LEADERSHIP, A BROAD RANGE OF STAFF ASSIGNMENTS THAT IMPACT NATIONAL WATERWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION POLICY, AND KEY LIAISON BILLETS. THE STRONG POLICY FOCUS WILL ALSO PREPARE GRADUATES FOR SENIOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ACROSS THE RANGE OF CG MISSIONS. JUNIOR OFFICERS WITH A BACHELORS DEGREE AND OPERATIONAL BACKGROUNDS IN RESPONSE AND/OR PREVENTION MISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THIS 18-24 MONTH PROGRAM. EXPERIENCE IN WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT, ATON, AND EXPOSURE TO COMMERCIAL SHIPPING ARE DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED. HISTORICALLY, MEMBERS HAVE ATTENDED THE SCHOOL OF MARINE AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON IN SEATTLE, THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, AND MIT, BUT SCHOOL SELECTION MAY BE FLEXIBLE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL DESIRES, AVAILABLE CURRICULUM, AND NEEDS OF THE SERVICE. 10. MARINE AFFAIRS/LIVING MARINE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: THE MARINE AFFAIRS PROGRAM TARGETS HIGH PERFORMING OFFICERS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM WHICH LEADS TO A MASTER OF MARINE AFFAIRS DEGREE. COURSES FOCUS ON PUBLIC POLICY, FISHERIES MANAGEMENT, OCEAN AND NATURAL RESOURCE LAW AND ECONOMICS, OCEANOGRAPHY, AND POLITICAL SCIENCE RELATED TO THE NATIONS LIVING MARINE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION. LMR SUSTAINABILITY HAS BECOME OF VASTLY GREATER STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE, COMPLEXITY, AND VISIBILITY BOTH ON A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCALE, WITH THE CG PLAYING A PROMINENT LEADERSHIP ROLE AT ALL LEVELS. GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE ACADEMICALLY WELL PREPARED FOR THE VARIOUS LEADERSHIP ROLES IN LMR MISSION PLANNING AND OPERATIONS. THESE INCLUDE PARTNERING WITH FISHERIES MANAGEMENT COUNCILS, NMFS/NOAA, REGIONAL FISHERIES ORGANIZATIONS AND THE FISHING INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS FURTHERING U.S. AND CG INTERESTS IN VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES ORGANIZATIONS. THE PRIMARY INSTITUTIONS FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND (URI) OR THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (UW). THIS PROGRAM IS NORMALLY COMPLETED IN 10 MONTHS BY OFFICERS AT URI (URI REQUIRES AT LEAST FOUR TO FIVE YEARS WORK EXPERIENCE IN A RELATED FIELD OR ANOTHER MASTERS DEGREE TO QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION) AND IN 22 MONTHS FOR OFFICERS AT UW. SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THE CG FISHERIES ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM IN THE COAST GUARD AND THE MARINE AFFAIRS POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM CAN BE FOUND ON LINE AT: HTTP://CGWEB.COMDT.USCG.MIL/G-OPL/LMR-MPS/LMR-MPS.HTM. CLICK ON MARINE AFFAIRS POSTGRADUATE PROGRAM TAB FOR LINKS TO THE PROGRAMS AT THE TWO PRIMARY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. THE PROGRAM TARGETS O3 AND O4 OFFICERS WITH A STRONG OPERATIONAL BACKGROUND, PREFERABLY WITH FISHERIES LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE: A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE, MINIMUM UNDERGRADUATE GPA OF 2.5 BASED ON A 4.0 SCALE, AND COMPLETION OF GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE) WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WHILE ALL OFFICERS WITH AN INTEREST ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY, THIS PROGRAM DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE OPERATIONAL LMR AND MARINE PROTECTED SPECIES (MPS) ENFORCEMENT MISSIONS OF THE CG. APPLICANT EXPECTATIONS AND CAREER PATH DESIRES SHOULD REFLECT THIS FOCUS. APPROPRIATE FOLLOW- ON ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE: CG LIAISON OFFICER BILLETS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF MARINE CONSERVATION OR THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE OFFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, FISHERIES AND MARINE PROTECTED SPECIES (MPS) ENFORCEMENT STAFF POSITIONS AT DISTRICTS, AREAS OR HEADQUARTERS, OR COMMAND CADRE AT REGIONAL FISHERIES TRAINING CENTERS. 11. MARINE SCIENCE (FORMERLY OCEANOGRAPHY) POSTGRADUATE (PG) PROGRAM. APPLICANTS IN THE GRADES O-2/O-3 WHO WILL BE TOUR COMPLETE OR HAVE AT LEAST 2 YEARS AT THEIR CURRENT ASSIGNMENT BY THE CLASS CONVENING DATE IN THE SUMMER OF 2009 ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. THE PROGRAM IS A 2-YEAR COURSE OF INSTRUCTION THAT WILL PREPARE THE MEMBER FOR FUTURE ASSIGNMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL, USCGC HEALY (WITH PRIOR DWO EXPERIENCE), OR THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY AS AN INSTRUCTOR OF MARINE SCIENCE. THIS PG PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY, MARINE METEOROLOGY, AND THE INTERACTIONS OF MARINE BIOLOGY, GEOLOGY, AND CHEMISTRY IN A PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. ELECTIVES REGARDING POLAR REGIONS, REMOTE SENSING, AND OCEAN POLICY ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. THE INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM CONSISTS OF CLASS WORK AND A MASTERS THESIS ON A COAST GUARD RELATED TOPIC APPROVED BY THE MARINE SCIENCE PG PROGRAM MANAGER. THE PROGRAM SHOULD LEAD TO A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY OR, IF THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES MARINE METEOROLOGY, TO A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN METEOROLOGY. COMPETITIVE APPLICANTS WILL HAVE STRONG BACKGROUNDS IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE. NO PRIMARY SCHOOL IS MANDATED. CHOICE OF INSTITUTION IS NEGOTIABLE BETWEEN THE PROGRAM MANAGER AND THE SELECTEE AND IS DEPENDENT ON ACCEPTANCE, QUALITY OF THE PROGRAM, ASSOCIATED TUITION AND TRANSFER COSTS, AND NEEDS OF THE COAST GUARD PG PROGRAM. IF AN EXPENSIVE SCHOOL IS CHOSEN, THE SELECTEE MAY BE REQUIRED TO SHARE TUITION EXPENSES. RECENT STUDENTS HAVE ATTENDED NAVAL PG SCHOOL MONTEREY, THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, AND FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY. 12. MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (MPA): THE MPA PROGRAM OFFERS AN OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR OFFICERS INTERESTED IN SERVING IN CHALLENGING STRATEGIC, POLICY, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AT THE O-4 AND O-5 LEVEL. PAYBACK TOURS WILL BE CHALLENGING. ASSIGNMENTS FOR MPA GRADUATES INCLUDE PROGRAM ANALYST POSITIONS IN COMDT (CG-512), OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT AND COMDT (CG-513), OFFICE OF POLICY INTEGRATION, AND PROGRAM REVIEWER POSITIONS IN COMDT (CG-82), OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAMS. THE MPA DEGREE IS THE PUBLIC SECTOR EQUIVALENT OF A MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA) DEGREE. SOME UNIVERSITIES MAY LIST THE SAME OR SIMILAR DEGREE AS A MASTERS IN PUBLIC POLICY (MPP) WHILE SOME SCHOOLS OFFER BOTH. STUDENTS SHOULD EXPECT COURSE WORK IN POLICY ANALYSIS, PROGRAM EVALUATION, PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT, STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, CAPITAL PLANNING, PUBLIC FINANCE AND BUDGETING, AND BOTH QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYTICAL METHODS. CURRENTLY, THE COAST GUARD SENDS STUDENTS TO FOUR MAIN PROGRAMS: A. HARVARD (KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT) MID-CAREER MPA PROGRAM (12 MONTHS) B. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY (WOODROW WILSON SCHOOL) MASTER IN PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM (12 MONTHS) C. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (MAXWELL SCHOOL) MPA PROGRAM (12 MONTHS) D. THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY MPA AND MPP PROGRAMS (18 MONTHS). ALL ELIGIBLE O-3 AND O-4 CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. THIS PROGRAM TARGETS PROMOTION YEAR GROUPS 2000 AND EARLIER. THE MPA PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE FEW GRADUATE PROGRAMS OPEN TO AVIATORS. HOWEVER, OFFICERS FROM ALL COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ANY POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO THEIR QUALIFICATION CURRENCY (I.E. FLIGHT OR AFLOAT WINDOWS) WILL BE CONSIDERED AS A NEGATIVE FACTOR FOR SELECTION. SINCE THE COMBINED SCHOOL/PAYBACK LENGTH WILL RANGE FROM 3-5 YEARS, IT IS BEST FOR CANDIDATES TO APPLY FROM OPERATIONAL FIELD UNITS SO THEY CAN COMPLETE THEIR PAYBACK TOURS IN TIME TO RETURN TO THEIR FIELD WITHIN THE APPLICABLE WINDOW. OFFICERS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO THEIR PRIMARY SPECIALTY SHOULD CONTACT THEIR ASSIGNMENT OFFICERS AND/OR THE MPA PROGRAM COORDINATOR. THIS YEAR SEVEN NEW STUDENTS WILL BEGIN STUDIES IN THE SUMMER/FALL OF 2009. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE COMPLETED IAW REF A AND MUST INCLUDE GRE TEST SCORES. 13. THE COAST GUARD INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM IS OFFERING AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY FOR A HIGH-PERFORMING O-4 OR SENIOR O-3 TO EARN A MASTERS DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. THE PG SCHOOL OF CHOICE IS THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PAUL H. NITZE SCHOOL OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON D.C., THOUGH OTHER SCHOOLS OFFERING INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DEGREES MAY BE CONSIDERED. THE ONE-YEAR PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A CHALLENGING ACADEMIC SETTING. UPON COMPLETION OF THE PG PROGRAM, THE SELECTEE SHOULD EXPECT TO BE ASSIGNED TO AN O-4 OR O-5 BILLET TO: DEVELOP AND COORDINATE USCG INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND STRATEGY WITHIN THE U.S. INTERAGENCY AND INTERNATIONAL ARENA, COORDINATE FLAG/SES LEVEL DIALOGUE WITH FOREIGN AND U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PROFESSIONALS, EXECUTE DOD SECURITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROJECTS WITH FOREIGN NATIONS, FACILITATE FOREIGN MILITARY SALES, PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND SUPPORT THE TRAINING OF INTERNATIONAL PERSONNEL. BILLET POSSIBILITIES EXIST AT CGHQ, AREAS, U.S. EMBASSIES, COMBATANT COMMANDS, THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING DIVISION AND OTHER U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICES. THE OFFICER SELECTED FOR THE PG PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS WILL BE DESIGNATED IN THE SUMMER OF 2008, COMMENCE STUDIES IN THE FALL OF 2009, AND CAN EXPECT TO FILL A BILLET ISO THE DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMENCING IN 2010. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON USCG INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, COMDT (CG- ACO-I), CAN BE LOCATED IN THE USCG INTERNET SITE. 14. THE 10 MONTH RESIDENT COMMAND AND STAFF COURSES AT THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, MARINE CORPS UNIVERSITY, AND THE JOINT ADVANCED WARFIGHTING SCHOOL OFFER OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A CHALLENGING POSTGRADUATE ACADEMIC SETTING. ALL GRADUATES EARN A MASTERS DEGREE AND JOINT PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (JPME) LEVEL I CREDIT. PAYBACK TOURS WILL PLACE OFFICERS IN OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEVEL POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE MILITARY. THESE MIGHT INCLUDE ASSIGNMENTS TO COMDT (CG-532) OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND DEFENSE OPERATIONS POLICY, AREA STAFFS, COMBATANT COMMANDERS, PENTAGON, AND NAVY STAFFS. A. THE U.S. NAVAL WAR COLLEGE (NWC), NEWPORT, RI, IS THE OLDEST SUCH INSTITUTION IN CONTINUOUS EXISTENCE IN THE WORLD. FOUNDED IN 1884, IT WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE MILITARY OFFICERS WITH A CHANCE TO STUDY THEIR PROFESSION IN MID-CAREER. THE MISSION OF THE NWC IS TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITIES OF ITS STUDENTS TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS IN COMMAND, STAFF, AND MANAGEMENT POSITIONS IN NAVAL, JOINT, AND COMBINED ENVIRONMENTS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A SOUND UNDERSTANDING OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND MILITARY STRATEGIES, AND TO INSTILL IN THEM JOINT ATTITUDES AND PERSPECTIVES. THE NWC COLLEGE OF NAVAL COMMAND AND STAFF CURRICULUM IS A GRADUATE-LEVEL EDUCATION PROGRAM BASED UPON THREE CORE COURSES OF STUDY: STRATEGY AND POLICY, NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION MAKING, AND JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS. THOSE MEETING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ARE AWARDED A MASTER OF ARTS IN NATIONAL SECURITY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES DEGREE. FIVE QUOTAS WILL BE FILLED. B. THE U.S. MARINE CORPS COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE, QUANTICO, VA, OFFERS A GRADUATE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PREPARE OFFICERS TO SUCCESSFULLY LEAD THE U.S. ARMED FORCES. INFORMED BY THE STUDY OF HISTORY, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, CSC EDUCATES AND TRAINS JOINT, MULTINATIONAL, AND INTERAGENCY MID-CAREER PROFESSIONALS IN ORDER TO PRODUCE SKILLED WARFIGHTING LEADERS ABLE TO OVERCOME DIVERSE 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES. THOSE MEETING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ARE AWARDED A MASTER OF STRATEGIC STUDIES (MSS) DEGREE. ONE QUOTA WILL BE FILLED. C. THE JOINT ADVANCED WARFIGHTING SCHOOL (JAWS), JOINT FORCES STAFF COLLEGE, NORFOLK, VA, EDUCATES STUDENTS IN THE ART AND SCIENCE OF JOINT, INTERAGENCY AND MULTINATIONAL PLANNING AND WARFIGHTING AT THE STRATEGIC-OPERATIONAL LEVEL OF WAR. THE JAWS MISSION IS TO PRODUCE GRADUATES THAT CAN CREATE CAMPAIGN-QUALITY CONCEPTS, EMPLOY ALL ELEMENTS OF NATIONAL POWER, ACCELERATE TRANSFORMATION, SUCCEED AS JOINT FORCE PLANNERS AND COMMANDERS, AND BE CREATIVE, CONCEPTUAL, ADAPTIVE AND INNOVATIVE. THOSE GRADUATES ARE AWARDED A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN JOINT CAMPAIGN PLANNING AND STRATEGY, AS WELL AS SINGLE PHASE JPME I & II CREDIT. ONE QUOTA WILL BE FILLED. D. CHOICE OF INSTITUTIONS FOR THESE ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, ARE FLEXIBLE AND WILL DEPEND ON THE QUALITY OF PROGRAM, ITS FIT TO THE NEEDS OF SERVICE, AND INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS CAN BE FOUND IN CG CENTRAL UNDER LEARNING - CG ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS. APPLICANTS FOR THE COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGES SHALL BE 0-4, 0-4 SELECT OR 0-5 SELECT BY THE SUMMER 2009 COMMENCEMENT DATES. THIS MEANS INTERESTED SENIOR LTS AND LCDRS IN ZONE FOR SELECTION BY THE PROMOTION YR 2009 SELECTION BOARD (CONVENING SUMMER OF 2008) MAY APPLY. COMPLETION OF STANDARDIZED TESTS (E.G., GRE, GMAT, ETC.) IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM. 15. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 25MAY08. REVIEW REF A FOR GUIDANCE ON QUALIFICATIONS AND FORWARDING OF TRANSCRIPTS. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW SUBMITTED VIA E-RESUME. COMPLETED E-RESUMES WITH THE COMMANDING OFFICERS ENDORSEMENT/E-INTERVIEW MUST BE RECEIVED BY 25 MAY 08. AN EMAIL ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE E-RESUME WILL SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION THAT YOUR SUBMISSION HAS BEEN RECEIVED. APPLICATION PROCEDURES ARE PROVIDED IN REF A. 16. POCS: A. CG-741 AE PROGRAM MANAGERS (ALL AE PROGRAMS DISCUSSED IN THIS MESSAGE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE SPECIFIED BELOW) - CONTACT LCDR SAM GOSWELLEN AT (202) 372-1338 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL) OR LT LOAN OBRIEN AT (202)372-1339 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). B. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - CONTACT CDR RICHARD RAKSNIS AT (202) 372-1420 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). C. MARINE ENGINEERING, MARINE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, AND FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING - CONTACT LCDR BEN HAWKINS AT (202)372- 1355 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). D. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - CONTACT LT KIM WHEATLEY AT (202)372-2235 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). E. TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT - CONTACT COMDT (CG-54121) LCDR BO STOCKLIN AT (202)372-1568 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). F. MARINE AFFAIRS/LIVING MARINE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MANAGER IS LCDR CHRIS BARROWS AT 202-372-2187 OR BY EMAIL (GLOBAL) OR LCDR DANIEL SCHAEFFER AT 202-647-3177 OR BY EMAIL (GLOBAL). G. MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAM MANAGER IS THE OCEAN AND TRANSPORTATION POLICY DIVISION COMDT (CG-54121) DR. JONATHAN BERKSON AT 202-372- 1534 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). H. MPA PROGRAM COORDINATOR IS LCDR JAMES HOUCK, COMDT (CG-512), 202-372-2585 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). THE ASSISTANT MPA PROGRAM COORDINATOR IS LCDR DAVID COOPER, COMDT (CG-512), 202-372-2588 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). I. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COORDINATOR IS LCDR MATT MEILSTRUP, COMDT (CG-ACO-I), 202-372-4464 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). J. NAVAL/USMC COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGES AND THE JOINT ADVANCED WARFARE SCHOOL (JAWS)- CONTACT CDR JON TOTTE (202) 372-2104 OR BY EMAIL (ON GLOBAL). 17. RADM DAVID P. PEKOSKE, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS, SENDS. 18. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.