Dec. 18, 2025 —
About the Course
The New Leader Program (NLP) is a six-month program designed to prepare employees at GS 7-11 levels for management and leadership positions. The program theme is "Leading Self." The program objectives are to give motivated individuals the confidence and training they need to set and meet personal and professional goals, expand their network, and broaden their experience.
The curriculum is focused on the Office of Personnel and Management’s Executive Core Qualifications framework and addresses 22 of the 28 competencies. Training consists of three one-week, sessions over a six-month period. All sessions are virtual.
Program components include individual development, experiential learning, and assessments. Some of the competencies addressed during the trainings include teambuilding, communication, conflict management, decision making and problem solving.
Program components include:
- Experiential Learning
- Participants engage in activities inside and outside of class designed to develop core competencies.
- Program requirements:
- Personal Development Action Plan
- Organizational Perspective
- Team Presentation
- One four-week Developmental Assignment
- Senior Leadership Interviews
- Shadow Assignment
- Leadership Book Reviews
- Team Leader Report
- Individual Development
- During the three training sessions, participants receive instructions focused on 22 of the 28 competencies of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) framework.
- Classes include lessons on, but not limited to, Leadership in the 21st Century, Courageous Conversations, and Decision Making and Problem Solving.
- During training, participants continue to build a network of peers across agencies, challenge one another, and expand their resume of accomplishments.
Program Duration
August 10, 2026 - February 26, 2027
Session Dates
August 10 - 14, 2026
November 16 - 20, 2026
February 22 - 26, 2027
Eligibility
GS 7-11, Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) NF 3-4, and equivalent wage grade levels (WG 10-15, WL 6-14, WS 8-13)
Deadline
Applications must be received by the Coast Guard no later than 28 Feb 2026.
Application Procedures
- Coordinate with your Training Officer or ESO to submit an Electronic Training Request (ETR) using Direct Access. Course code: 500917.
- Submit a current resume, or equivalent documentation, signed and dated by the applicant showing a current home address. Resumes or equivalent documentation shall not exceed one page.
- Include a letter of nomination in CG memo format from the commanding officer at field units or appropriate office/division chief for HQ, Area, District or Sector staffs. The letter of the nomination should contain the following information:
- Please state how participation in the New Leader Program will support the member's career goal.
- Address the applicant's potential performance.
- How the member will apply what they have learned in their current and future federal government positions.
- Address the applicant's potential as a leader.
- Scan the documents (in paragraphs 2-4 above) into one PDF and send as an email attachment HQS-SMB-OfficeofLeadership@uscg.mil. The subject line for the email must be formatted as follows: Applicant_Course Number_First Name_Last.
- Once the student is selected by the CG, a program manager will contact the student to complete an online Graduate School Application Form.
NAF employees interested in attending leadership courses or programs should email completed packages no later 31 Jan 2026 to Ms. Victoria Council at Victoria.Council@cgexchange.org, 757-842-4790, copying Forcecom’s Leadership Development Branch: mailto:HQS-SMB-OfficeofLeadership@uscg.mil
NOTE: DO NOT submit application directly to Graduate School, USA prior to being notified.
Selection Procedures
1. A selection panel will review the documents of all eligible applicants.
2. Selected individuals will be notified by record message traffic of their selection.
3. Alternates will be selected and will attend the program in the event a primary candidate cannot attend.
4. Selected individuals will be directed to submit a completed SF182, including the signed Continued Service Agreement (pages 4-5 of the SF182).
More Information
For more information about the Graduate School USA Program Higher Reach Student Information System (SIS), click here.
School Information
Program Manager
Mr. Kin Szeto, phone 571-607-6039, email Kin.P.Szeto2@uscg.mil