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Coast Guard Personnel Command

Officer Personnel Management Division

Officer Career Management Branch (CG PC-opm-4)

OPM-4 Mission Statement

To provide dedicated career management counseling to officers of all grades; with special emphasis on individual competitiveness, future career decisions, and officer career management analysis while serving as a resource in responding to other staff actions concerning officer career management. 

Also, upon request, to counsel officers concerning competitiveness and failure of selection for Post-Graduate and promotion for grades CWO3 thru O-6. 

OPM-4 targets junior officers (O3 & below) since their careers are typically less defined than more senior officers. Consequently, they tend to have more questions about how different assignment scenarios could impact future career aspirations.  Nonetheless, any officer who desires to discuss aspects of their career will be given ample opportunity and have the ability to benefit from OPM-4 services.

Career Guidelines:

Developing a Career as a CG Officer

OPM-4 Services Survey:

If you have already had a counseling session with OPM-4, we'd appreciate hearing from you!  If you could please take a minute to fill out a short survey regarding your session, it would help us better serve you and others in the future.  Please click on  OPM-4 Survey to provide your feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is OPM-4?

The Officer Career Management Branch (OPM-4) is a new branch within the Coast Guard Personnel Command that provides officer career management information that revolves around three basic themes:

How do I schedule an appointment? 

Send an email to LCDR Warren Judge at ARL-PF-CGPC-OPM-4.  

Were you on my Promotion Board and/or PG Selection Panel?

No. I think it is important to note "up front" that I was not a member of your PG selection panel or promotion board. Every panel/board takes an oath not to reveal the deliberations that went into the selection of candidates to attend PG school.

Though as a former Assignment Officer, I have had the opportunity to sit on literally dozens of selection panels for varying purposes and have read many OER's. Since I didn't participate in your Panel/Board, I can review your record and provide more cogent and direct advice on what may make your application stronger in future years.
 

How is your counsel different than an Assignment Officer's?

I can help with evaluating different career alternatives which you may be considering, what I can't do is to talk you about a specific position at a specific location and how competitive you may be for that position. Assignment officers are a better resource for that type of information. 

What will we talk about?  

Typical subjects include how to develop a realistic e-resume, which types of jobs should one be considering at a particular point in their career, PG/Senior Service School selection, and a variety of CGPC related functions. 

Essentially, my job is to help you with career management.  That may involve answering specific questions that you don't want to ask an Assignment Officer or in further describing aspects of the assignment process.  There is a "firewall" between myself and the AO, so you can ask questions without wondering if the questions you ask will somehow impact your assignment.  I have no slate to fill or agenda other than to provide you with information that enables you to make the most of your Coast Guard career.

What should I do to prepare? 

Write a list of questions or topics you would like to talk about.  The less productive conversations are ones that start off with "how am I doing?" or "anything missing from my OER?"  I can talk in a general nature about your record but I won't know that a particular award or academic transcript      is missing. 

How long will we talk? 

Appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes.  Prior to your appointment I'll review your Service record; focusing on your OERs and overall professional development.  I'll also be looking at Direct Access to see what types of positions you have sought in the past and what competencies you have listed.  My review of your record typically takes from 30 - 45 minutes, before I even speak with you.  Based on that review, I'll take a few notes so that I can use them as discussion points when we speak later.

Who can use OPM-4 services? 

Any Coast Guard Officer. 

 Can I still talk to my Assignment Officer? 

Yes.  One of the prime differences between me and an AO is that I'm   available year-round where assignment officers typically are more engaged with officers who are tour complete in that particular year, various Program Managers, and Commands.  We know many of you have questions throughout the year, not just when the AO's are available to speak with you.

 How do I know my record is ready for a board? 

The promotion system provides a competitive process whereby Coast Guard Officers within each grade compete for promotion to the next grade. The basic goal is to advance the Best and fully qualified Officers to higher grades.  Your record is your personal representation at all selection boards for promotion, command and school.

The board does not see you. They only see your record. It is important that you fully understand all the parts of your record and know how to keep it updated. As we review records during counseling, we routinely come across poorly managed records. We find records not updated with important items such as education transcripts, form CG-4082's or qualifications, and awards. Failure to have all your information in your record may present a limited picture of your performance and potential. Ensuring your record is current and complete is your responsibility.  It is neither difficult nor time consuming to ensure you have a current and updated record. Don't procrastinate and wait until the last minute. We recommend you order and review your record one year prior to consideration by a board.

How do I request a copy of my official record?

Contact the Records Branch at CG PC.

OER correction questions?

Contact the Officer Evaluations Branch at CG PC.

Last Modified 7/22/2008