ALCOAST 116/09
COMDTNOTE 1040
SUBJ: CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR (CDA) PROGRAM
A. CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR (CDA) PROGRAM, COMDTINST
1040.4(SERIES)
1. THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR (CDA) PROGRAM PROMOTES POLICIES,
PROGRAMS, AND INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO RETAIN A HIGHLY CAPABLE,
FLEXIBLE AND DIVERSE WORKFORCE THROUGH TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. FROM ACCESSION THROUGH SEPARATION, THE
COAST GUARD CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVERY
MEMBERS CAREER. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO ENSURE EVERY MEMBER IS
PROVIDED INFORMATION, IN A TIMELY MANNER, TO ALLOW FOR SOUND CAREER
DECISIONS.
2. PARA 5. OF REF A OUTLINES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE CDA PROGRAM
AND DETAILS DUTIES, PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION, SELECTION,
ASSIGNMENT AND UTILIZATION OF CDAS. CDAS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
COMMUNICATING VITAL INFORMATION RELATED TO CAREER GOAL SETTING,
LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS TO COAST GUARD
MEMBERS. THE FOCUS OF THE CDA PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST PERSONNEL IN
MAXIMIZING THEIR CAREER POTENTIAL BY DEVELOPING, COORDINATING, AND
IMPLEMENTING A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. CDAS ASSIST AND ADVISE
UNIT COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE WITH ORGANIZING,
PREPARING, AND IMPLEMENTING A LOCAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR
ALL.
3. MODERNIZATION IMPACTS: INTEGRATED SUPPORT COMMANDS (ISCS)
AND THE HEADQUARTERS SUPPORT COMMAND (HSC) WILL BE REDESIGNATED AS
PERSONNEL SERVICES AND SUPPORT UNITS (PSSU). EACH CDA WILL FALL
UNDER THE PSSU WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TRAINING CENTER CAPE MAY.
4. CDAS ARE CONSIDERED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE
IN THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
 A. GOAL SETTING: S.M.A.R.T. MODEL AND INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
PLANS.
 B. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CAREER PATH, ENLISTED ADVANCEMENTS,
ENLISTED TO OFFICER PROGRAMS AND OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
 C. FINANCIAL AWARENESS: BUDGETING, DEBT MANAGEMENT, MILITARY
COMPENSATION, MILITARY RETIREMENT AND THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN.
 D. VOLUNTARY EDUCATION: COAST GUARD INSTITUTE SERVICES, DANTES,
TUITION ASSISTANCE, SOC AND SOCCOAST, MONTGOMERY GI BILL AND POST
9/11 GI BILL.
 E. CDAS IN YOUR AREA CAN BE FOUND AT THE LEADERSHIP WEB-SITE:
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/LEADERSHIP/CDA/DIRECTORY.ASP.
5. QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO
THE CDA PROGRAM MANAGER, CWO JOHNNY GARCIA, THE OFFICE OF
LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COMDT (CG-133) AND CAN BE
REACHED AT (202) 475-5518 OR E-MAIL JOHNNY.L.GARCIA(AT)USCG.MIL.
6. RDML D. R. MAY, DIRECTOR OF RESERVE AND TRAINING, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.