ALCOAST 429/08 COMDTNOTE 12410 SUBJ: 2009 NEW LEADER AND ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAMS 1. THIS MESSAGE SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2009 NEW LEADER AND ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAMS. THESE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) GRADUATE SCHOOL. 2. NEW LEADER PROGRAM: THERE ARE TEN QUOTAS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROGRAM TARGETED TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES GS 07-11 AND EQUIVALENT WAGE GRADE LEVELS (WG 10-15/WL 6-14/WS 8-13). THE NEW LEADER PROGRAM DEVELOPS FUTURE PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERS BY PROVIDING A SOLID FOUNDATION OF LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING SKILLS WHICH ARE ENHANCED BY AGENCY DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCES. THE PROGRAM REQUIRES PARTICIPANTS TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR JOB FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 DAYS OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD. A. FULL-TIME PERMANENT EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE JUST ENTERED LEADERSHIP POSITIONS OR HAVE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS SUCH AS FIRST-LINE SUPERVISORS, TEAM LEADERS, PROJECT MANAGERS, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, AND MEMBERS OF SELF-DIRECTED WORK TEAMS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. B. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE COMPETENCIES OF LEADERSHIP, TEAM BUILDING, CUSTOMER SERVICE, PROBLEM SOLVING, SELF-DIRECTION, FLEXIBILITY, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, DECISIVENESS, WRITTEN COMMUNICATION, ORAL COMMUNICATION AND VALUING DIVERSITY. C. THE CLASSROOM CURRICULUM IS DIVIDED INTO THREE, 5-DAY RESIDENTIAL SEMINARS LOCATED WITHIN A 200-MILE RADIUS OF THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA. D. DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) A 30-DAY DEVELOPMENTAL ASSIGNMENT WITHIN THE COAST GUARD BUT OUTSIDE THE PARTICIPANTS POSITION OF RECORD, (2) A 1-WEEK SHADOWING ASSIGNMENT WITH A FEDERAL MANAGER, (3) A TEAM PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES A MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION, (4) AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT, (5) FORMULATION OF A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN, (6) INTERVIEWS WITH FEDERAL MANAGERS, AND (7) A WRITTEN REVIEW OF TWO BOOKS ON MANAGEMENT ISSUES. E. THERE ARE TWO SESSIONS: (1) 22 MAR - 25 SEP 2009 (SUBMIT ETR BY 12 DEC 2008.) (2) 2 AUG 2009 - 5 FEB 2010 (SUBMIT ETR BY 15 MAY 2009) 3. ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAM: THERE ARE SIX QUOTAS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROGRAM TARGETED TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES GS 05-07 AND EQUIVALENT WAGE GRADE LEVELS (WG 5-11/WL 1-14/WS 1-8). THE ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAM IS A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT PREPARES PARTICIPANTS FOR POSITIONS AS TEAM LEADERS, SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS. THE PROGRAM REQUIRES PARTICIPANTS TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR JOB FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 DAYS OVER A 3-MONTH PERIOD. A. FULL-TIME PERMANENT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE MOTIVATED SELF-STARTERS AND DESIRE TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO WORK WELL IN A TEAM ENVIRONMENT ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. B. THE PROGRAM STRENGTHENS BASIC COMPETENCIES IN MANAGERIAL SKILLS SUCH AS: ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS, PROBLEM SOLVING, LEADERSHIP, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, SELF-DIRECTION, FLEXIBILITY, CUSTOMER SERVICE, DECISIVENESS AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCE. C. THE CLASSROOM CURRICULUM IS DIVIDED INTO THREE, 5-DAY RESIDENTIAL SEMINARS THAT ARE HELD IN WASHINGTON DC. D. THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE: (1) A TEAM PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES A MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION, (2) AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT, (3) FORMULATION OF A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN, (4) A 1-WEEK ASSIGNMENT SHADOWING A FEDERAL MANAGER, (5) INTERVIEWING FEDERAL MANAGERS, AND (6) A WRITTEN REVIEW OF TWO BOOKS ON MANAGEMENT ISSUES. E. THERE ARE TWO SESSIONS: (1) 13 APR 2009 - 12 JUN 2009 (SUBMIT ETR BY 9 JAN 09.) (2) 24 AUG 2009 - 30 OCT 2009 (SUBMIT ETR BY 8 MAY 09.) 4. TO APPLY FOR EITHER PROGRAM: A. COORDINATE WITH YOUR TRAINING OFFICER/ESO TO SUBMIT AN ELECTRONIC TRAINING REQUEST (ETR) UTILIZING DIRECT ACCESS (THE COURSE CODES ARE NEW LEADER: 500917, ASPIRING LEADER: 500926). HISTORICALLY, DEMAND HAS BEEN HIGH AND WILL LIKELY EXCEED SEATS AVAILABLE FOR EACH SESSION. ALL ETRS IN THE SYSTEM INCLUDING THOSE ON THE WAIT LIST WILL BE CONSIDERED THROUGH A PROGRAM MANAGER SELECTION PROCESS. B. COMPLETE A USDA GRAD SCHOOL PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM, WHICH INCLUDES STATEMENTS FROM THE APPLICANT AND THEIR SUPERVISOR. THE APPLICATION FORM FOR THE NEW LEADER PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE AT: HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/LEADERSHIP/TRAINING/TRN002.ASP THE APPLICATION FORM FOR THE ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE AT: HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/LEADERSHIP/TRAINING/TRN001.ASP C. SUBMIT A CURRENT OF-612, RESUME, OR EQUIVALENT DOCUMENTATION SIGNED AND DATED BY THE APPLICANT SHOWING CURRENT HOME ADDRESS. D. INCLUDE A LETTER OF NOMINATION IN CG MEMO FORMAT FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER AT FIELD UNITS OR APPROPRIATE OFFICE/DIVISION CHIEF FOR HQ, AREA, MLC OR DISTRICT STAFFS. 5. SCAN THE DOCUMENTS (4.B-D) ABOVE INTO A PDF FILE AND FORWARD TO COMDT (CG-133) AS AN E-MAIL ATTACHMENT TO CG133TRAININGCOURSES(AT) USCG.MIL. INCLUDE COURSE TITLE AND SESSION DATE WITHIN THE SUBJECT LINE. 6. THE COAST GUARD IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS TO THIS TRAINING FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU NEED REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE INCLUDE REQUEST WITH YOUR PACKAGE. 7. DETAILED COURSE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.GRAD.USDA.GOV BY FOLLOWING THE LINK TO COURSES PROGRAMS AND THEN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. BOTH COURSES ARE INCLUDED IN REF A, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CG PERSONNEL TO GAIN AND DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN THE 28 LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES. 8. QUESTIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO DARLENE MURPHY AT 202-475-5520 OR E-MAIL: CG133TRAININGCOURSES(AT)USCG.MIL. 9. RDML D. R. MAY, DIRECTOR OF RESERVE AND TRAINING, SENDS. 10.INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.