ALCOAST 327/08 COMDTNOTE 1321 SUBJ: UPDATE TO POLICY GOVERNING SELECTION FOR 2009-2010 SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOLS (SSS), AND CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS (CNO) AND CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AIR FORCE (CSAF) STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUPS A. TRAINING AND EDUCATION MANUAL, COMDINST M1500.10(SERIES). 1. IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE COAST GUARDS SELECTION PROCESS AND SATISFY THE SERVICES NEED TO SELECT THE MOST COMPETITIVE CANDIDATES FOR THESE HIGH PROFILE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, THIS YEARS PROCESS FOR SELECTION FOR SSS, CNO AND CSAF WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM PAST YEARS. THE GUIDANCE PROVIDED IN THIS MESSAGE SUPERCEDES EXISTING POLICY AND THESE CHANGES WILL BE INCORPORATED IN A FUTURE REVISION OF REFERENCE A. STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURES FOR THE NEW PROCESS WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA SEPCOR. 2. EACH YEAR THE COAST GUARD SELECTS OFFICERS IN THE GRADE OF O- 5/O-6 AND TWO CIVILIANS TO ATTEND SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOLS (SSS), AND THE CNO AND CSAF STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUPS (SSG). THE SSS/SSG SELECTION PANEL: A. MAY SELECT ONE PRIMARY AND ONE ALTERNATE OFFICER EACH FOR THE ARMY, AIR AND MARINE CORPS WAR COLLEGES, THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (CSIS), THE HARVARD NATIONAL SECURITY FELLOWSHIP, AND THE RAND MILITARY FELLOWSHIP. B. MAY SELECT TWO PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE OFFICERS FOR THE NATIONAL AND NAVAL WAR COLLEGES AND FOR THE INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE OF THE ARMED FORCES (ICAF). ONE OF THESE ICAF CANDIDATES WILL ATTEND THE SENIOR ACQUISITIONS COURSE. C. WILL SELECT ONE PRIMARY AND TWO ALTERNATE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES FOR ICAF AND ONE PRIMARY AND TWO ALTERNATE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES FOR THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE. D. WILL SELECT ONE PRIMARY AND ONE ALTERNATE OFFICER FOR THE CNO SSG AND ALSO FOR THE CSAF SSG. E. THIS YEARS SSS/SSG SELECTION PANEL WILL CONVENE ON 26 AUG 08. THE NAMES OF SELECTEES AND ALTERNATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN AN ALCOAST FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE SSS/SSG SELECTION PANEL. 3. THE COAST GUARD USES THE TERM "SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOLS" TO COLLECTIVELY DESCRIBE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE, INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE OF THE ARMED FORCES (ICAF), ARMY, NAVAL, AIR, AND MARINE CORPS WAR COLLEGES, RAND MILITARY FELLOWSHIP, HARVARD NATIONAL SECURITY FELLOWSHIP, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (CSIS) FELLOWSHIP, AND THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION FEDERAL EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING SENIOR LEADERS WITH THE STRATEGIC THINKING AND PLANNING SKILLS NEEDED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF OUR PRESENT MISSIONS AND TO PREPARE THE COAST GUARD FOR THE FUTURE, TO PROVIDE SUPERIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ACROSS ALL MISSIONS, TO FORM EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE SERVICE, AND TO SUPPORT THE INNOVATIONS NEEDED TO MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY MANAGE COAST GUARD RESOURCES. NEARLY TWO THIRDS OF THE ACTIVE FLAG OFFICER CORPS ARE SSS ALUMNI. ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THE SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOL INFORMATION PAGE ON THE CGPC-OPM ADVANCED EDUCATION WEB SITE AT HYPERLINK "http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgpc/opm/Opm1/ADVED/advedmain.htm". 4. THIS YEAR, OFFICERS IN YEAR GROUPS 87-91 WHO WILL BE TOUR COMPLETE IN 2009, PLUS ALL OTHER OFFICERS IN YEAR GROUPS 87-89 WHO WERE NOT CONSIDERED LAST YEAR, ARE ELIGIBLE AND WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE SSS SELECTION PANEL. OFFICERS NOT AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TOUR COMPLETE IN 2009 AND WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED BY THIS YEARS PANEL MAY REQUEST CONSIDERATION. PROCEDURES WILL BE PROMULGATED VIA SEPCOR. SELECTION TO THE AIR WAR COLLEGE IS OPEN TO ALL OFFICER SPECIALITIES. CGPC-OPM WILL GENERATE A LIST OF OFFICERS ELIGIBLE FOR SELECTION IN LATE JULY. THESE NAMES WILL BE RELEASED VIA ALCGOFF MESSAGE. OFFICERS ON THE LIST WHO DO NOT DESIRE CONSIDERATION MAY REQUEST TO BE PULLED FROM THE LIST. OFFICERS WHO DO NOT APPEAR ON THE LIST MAY REQUEST TO BE ADDED TO THE POOL. 5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CNO AND CSAF SSGS: A. SINCE 1991 THE CNO HAS INVITED THE COMMANDANT TO NOMINATE AN O- 6/O-6 SELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN HIS STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUP. B. IN 2007, THE CSAF INSTITUTED A SIMILAR INVITATION FOR A HIGH PERFORMING COAST GUARD O-6/O-6 SELECT TO PARTICIPATE IN HIS SSG. C. THESE STUDIES GROUPS PROVIDE A SELECT GROUP OF SENIOR OFFICERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THEIR PROFESSIONAL HORIZONS THROUGH IN- DEPTH STUDY OF A TOPIC OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO THE CNO AND THE CSAF. IN PAST YEARS, THESE GROUPS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL-MILITARY STRATEGIC CONCEPTS, ENHANCED TACTICAL DOCTRINE, AND STIMULATED STRATEGIC DISCUSSIONS AND THOUGHT. D. SELECTION FOR THE 2009-2010 SSG OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE MADE FROM OFFICERS IN YEAR GROUPS 83-87, WHO HAVE COMMAND EXPERIENCE, AND WHO EITHER: (1) HAVE GRADUATED FROM A SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOL, THE SLOAN FELLOWS PROGRAM OR ONE OF THE SERVICE COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGES, OR (2) HAVE SUBMITTED AN E-RESUME REQUESTING ASSIGNMENT TO THE SSG. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION INCLUDE A SOLID OPERATIONAL BACKGROUND AND A DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL GROWTH OUTSIDE OF SPECIALTY. ONE PRIMARY AND ONE ALTERNATE WILL BE SELECTED FOR EACH SSG. 6. THE PANEL WILL SOLICIT BY TELEPHONE FOR ACCEPTANCE FROM BOTH THE PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE OFFICER SELECTEES FOR THE SSS AND SSG PROGRAMS PRIOR TO FINALIZING THEIR RESULTS. ACCEPTANCE BY THE PRIMARY SELECTEE WILL PRECLUDE THAT OFFICER FROM SCREENING FOR COMMAND THIS YEAR. THIS RESTRICTION DOES NOT APPLY TO ALTERNATE SELECTEES, WHO WILL BE ALLOWED TO SCREEN FOR COMMAND. OFFICERS ATTENDING SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOLS INCUR A MINIMUM ACTIVE DUTY OBLIGATION OF THREE MONTHS FOR EACH MONTH OF EDUCATION IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER OBLIGATED SERVICE THE OFFICER MAY HAVE INCURRED. THE OFFICER SELECTED FOR THE CNO AND CSAF SSGS INCURS NO ADDITIONAL OBLIGATED SERVICE. FOLLOW-ON ASSIGNMENTS SUBSEQUENT TO ATTENDANCE AT SENIOR SERVICE SCHOOL PROGRAMS WILL BUILD ON THE ADVANCED EDUCATION AND CAREER BROADENING EXPERIENCES. AFTER GRADUATION FROM THE PROGRAMS, OFFICERS SHOULD HAVE EVERY EXPECTATION OF BEING PLACED IN BILLETS THAT TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. FOR THE ICAF ACQUISITION TRACK, THE SELECTEE SHOULD EXPECT TO BE ASSIGNED AS A PROJECT MANAGER IN THE ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE. 7. ALL OFFICERS EXPECTING TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE SSS/SSG PANEL SHOULD ACT NOW TO ENSURE THEIR CGPC-PDR IS COMPLETE (E.G., OERS, RECORD OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CG-4082), AND ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS). RECENT PERFORMANCE IS A MAJOR CONSIDERATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS. THEREFORE, OFFICERS SHOULD NOT DELAY THEIR REGULAR OER SUBMISSIONS. 8. THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR ALL OFFICERS ATTENDING SSS AND SSG PROGRAMS IS THE OFFICE OF STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, COMDT (CG-511). COMDT (CG-511) POC IS LCDR JOHN PRUITT AT (202) 372-2694. 9. GUIDANCE SPECIFIC TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVILIANS: A. COAST GUARD CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES MAY COMPETE TO ATTEND THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE AT EITHER THE COLLEGE OF NAVAL WARFARE (SENIOR LEVEL COURSE) OR THE COLLEGE OF NAVAL COMMAND AND STAFF (INTERMEDIATE LEVEL COURSE). THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE IS AN ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION INSTITUTION THAT PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN SENIOR AND INTERMEDIATE LEVEL U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL MILITARY LEADERS AND DISTINGUISHED INTERAGENCY COLLEAGUES IN AN INTENSIVE, TEN-MONTH PROGRAM OF NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES IN NEWPORT, RI. EACH YEAR, OVER TWENTY AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS UNIQUE ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE THEIR MOST PROMISING SENIOR CIVILIAN EXECUTIVES. STUDENTS IN THE SENIOR LEVEL COURSE PURSUE STUDIES IN EACH OF THREE CORE SUBJECT AREAS: NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION MAKING, POLICY AND STRATEGY, AND JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS. STUDENTS IN THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL COURSE HAVE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME CURRICULUM AS THE SENIOR LEVEL COURSE, BUT IS TAILORED TO THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL AND CAREER NEEDS OF MID-CAREER EMPLOYEES. A MASTERS DEGREE WILL BE AWARDED TO STUDENTS WHO SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE ALL REQUIREMENTS OF THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE PROGRAM. B. ALL CIVILIAN CANDIDATES MUST HAVE SECURITY POLICY DECISION- MAKING EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE CG OR DHS AND SHOULD BE FUTURE AGENCY LEADERS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM A RIGOROUS PROFESSIONAL MILITARY GRADUATE LEVEL ACADEMIC PROGRAM TO HELP HONE THEIR CRITICAL ANALYTIC SKILLS FOR SENIOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN NATIONAL SECURITY. COLLEGE OF NAVAL WARFARE CANDIDATES MUST BE SENIOR PROFESSIONALS WITH APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND SERVING IN THE GRADE OF GS/GM 14 OR 15 (HIGH POTENTIAL GS/GM 13 WILL BE CONSIDERED). COLLEGE OF NAVAL COMMAND AND STAFF CANDIDATES MUST BE MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS WITH APPROXIMATELY NINE YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND SERVING IN THE GRADE OF GS/GM 11- 13. FOR EACH PROGRAM, A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE, STRONG COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, A SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE AND A WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE COLLEAGUES IN CRITICAL DEBATE IN A GLOBAL CLASSROOM ARE REQUIRED. C.CIVILIAN APPLICATION PACKAGES FOR THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1). A STUDENT BIOGRAPHY TO INCLUDE EDUCATION, CAREER HISTORY AND POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUED ADVANCEMENT. (2). COPY OF A FINAL SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE THAT INCLUDES ADJUDICATION DATE. (3) SUPERVISORS STATEMENT OF NO MORE THAN TWO PAGES ON THE APPLICANTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUED ADVANCEMENT. (4). A LETTER OF NOMINATION, IN CG MEMO FORMAT, FROM THE FIRST FLAG OFFICER OR SES IN THE APPLICANTS CHAIN OF COMMAND. D. COAST GUARD CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES CAN COMPETE FOR ONE SPACE TO ATTEND THE INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE OF THE ARMED FORCES (ICAF) ACADEMIC PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON, DC. THIS TEN-MONTH RESIDENT PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO BROADEN THEIR PERSPECTIVES, ENHANCE THEIR ANALYTICAL DECISION MAKING SKILLS, DEVELOP GREATER APPRECIATION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND ENHANCE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT. THE ICAF CURRICULUM PROVIDES A BROAD EDUCATION IN NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY AND NATIONAL MILITARY STRATEGY WITH THE MAJOR EMPHASIS ON RESOURCES MANAGEMENT. THE ICAF CURRICULUM INCLUDES A CRISIS DECISION EXERCISE, A RESEARCH AND WRITING PROGRAM, EXECUTIVE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, AND RESOURCING NATIONAL STRATEGY. AN ICAF SELECTEE CAN CHOOSE THE INFORMATION STRATEGIES CONCENTRATION PROGRAM (ISCP) AS AN ELECTIVE. THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES A TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION CLEARANCE. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. ISCP COMPLEMENTS THE CORE ICAF CURRICULUM AND ALLOWS THE SELECTED CIVILIAN STUDENT TO CONCENTRATE ON AN INFORMATION COMPONENT OF NATIONAL STRATEGY THROUGH ELECTIVES AND FIELD STUDIES. A MASTERS DEGREE WILL BE AWARDED TO STUDENTS WHO SATISFACTORILY COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ICAF PROGRAM. E. COAST GUARD CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES GRADES GS/GM-14/15 AND NON- APPROPRIATED FUND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES (NF-5) ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROGRAM. ICAF CANDIDATES MUST HAVE AT LEAST A BACHELORS DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED UNIVERSITY AND PREFERABLY HOLD A MASTERS DEGREE. CANDIDATES SHOULD HAVE A FINAL SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE. A TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN ELECTIVES AND BRIEFINGS. ICAF CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A SECURITY CLEARANCE SHOULD APPLY FOR THEIR CLEARANCE PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS. F. CIVILIAN APPLICATION PACKAGES FOR ICAF MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1). COMPLETED COPY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY (NDU) STUDENT NOMINATION FORM. (2). AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT (HIGHEST DEGREE EARNED). (3). ONE-PAGE STUDENT BIOGRAPHY OR RESUME TO INCLUDE EDUCATION AND CAREER HISTORY. (4). TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. (5). COMPLETED COPY OF NDU STUDENT WORLDWIDE TRAVEL FORM. (6). STUDENTS STATEMENT OF NO MORE THAN TWO PAGES AS TO THEIR CAREER ASPIRATIONS, GOALS, AND SUITABILITY FOR THE PROGRAM. (7). A LETTER OF NOMINATION, IN CG MEMO FORMAT, FROM THE FIRST FLAG OFFICER OR SES IN THE APPLICANTS CHAIN OF COMMAND. (8). COPY OF A FINAL SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE THAT INCLUDES ADJUDICATION DATE. G. ALL CIVILIAN APPLICATION PACKAGES (INCLUDING FLAG NOMINATIONS) FOR BOTH THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE AND ICAF MUST BE RECEIVED IN CGPC- OPM-2 NLT 25 JULY 08. PACKAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO: COMMANDER (SSS/SSG COORDINATOR), COAST GUARD PERSONNEL COMMAND, OFFICER PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT DIVISION (CGPC-OPM-2), 4200 WILSON BLVD, SUITE 1100, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1804. H. COMDT (CG-133) IS THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR ALL CIVILIAN COAST GUARD EMPLOYEES ATTENDING SSS PROGRAMS. ICAF APPLICATION FORMS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MS. ALICE FLEMING AT 202-475-5513. 10. RELEASED BY RADM B. M. SALERNO, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR MARINE SAFETY, SECURITY AND STEWARDSHIP. 11.INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.