Oct. 21, 2022 —
ALCOAST 404/22
R 211941Z OCT 22 MID200080385366U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 404/22
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: FY23 MILITARY WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS - CYBER
OFFICER INTERVENTIONS
A. Military Bonus Programs, COMDTINST M7220.2A
B. 37 U.S.C. - Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services
1. OVERVIEW: The FY23 Military Workforce Planning Team (MWPT)
convened in May 2022 to develop and recommend workforce policy
interventions. This ALCOAST announces the approved FY23 CYBER
officer interventions. The MWPT identified strategies for
specialties and programs deemed to have personnel shortages that
could negatively influence mission execution. The following
interventions are necessary to support Coast Guard missions to fill
critical assignments and optimize Coast Guard CYBER workforce
readiness.
a. OFFICER MONETARY INTERVENTION BONUSES. This ALCOAST
authorizes three Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) offers under
Chapter 3 of REF (A) and Section 355 of REF (B) for eligible active
duty officers with designated critical military skills and is in
addition to any other pay and allowances to which a member is
entitled. Bonus payments after 31 Dec 2022 will be contingent on
extension of the bonus authority in Section 355(h) of REF (B).
b. The bonuses are authorized for eligible active duty officers
(see paragraph 2 of this ALCOAST) who submit completed Bonus
Agreements obligating the new active duty service commitment (ADSC)
during FY23. The ADSC is the number of years a Service member agrees
to obligate service on the Bonus Agreement.
c. The bonus offerings in this ALCOAST are for FY23 (beginning
01 Oct 2022) and are anticipated to remain in effect until the end
of FY23 (30 Sep 2023). Monetary interventions may be adjusted or
terminated not less than 30 days in advance by announcement via
ALCOAST.
2. ELIGIBILITY: These bonuses are a special incentive pay to retain
active duty Cyber officers possessing essential qualifications. IAW
REFs (A) and (B), the bonuses apply exclusively to fully-qualified
active duty officers as follows:
a. General Eligibility:
(1) Have no current obligated active duty service, as defined
in Paragraph 3.c. of this ALCOAST, beyond 30 Sep 2023;
(2) Possess and maintain a final adjudicated SECRET security
clearance;
(3) Remain qualified under the stipulations of this ALCOAST
and REF (B);
(4) Be fully vaccinated, or have an approved religious
accommodation or medical exemption from vaccination against
COVID-19, in accordance with ALCOAST 270/22. Commanding
Officers must verify vaccination status prior to approving a bonus
agreement.
b. A $60,000 CSRB is authorized for active duty
officers meeting the criteria in paragraph 2.a. of this ALCOAST who
agree to obligate a four (4) year ADSC and meet the following
additional specific criteria:
(1) Must be in paygrade O3 or O4, and not on a continuation
contract following non-selection for promotion or above the PY23
CDR/O5 promotion zone;
(2) Must accept assignment to an eligible CYB10/Cyber
position during the Assignment Year 2023 (AY23) process for the
entirety of the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders issued; or
if currently assigned, remain assigned to an eligible CYB10/Cyber
position for the entirety of the ADSC assigned under the Bonus
Agreement;
(3) Possess both an undergraduate and graduate degree with at
least one within one of the fields of study listed below, or a
closely related field of study as determined by COMDT (CG-791):
(a) Electrical/Electronics Engineering;
(b) Information Technology/Resource Management;
(c) Telecommunications;
(d) Information Assurance;
(e) Cybersecurity;
(f) Computer Science;
(g) Computer Engineering; or
(h) Systems Engineering.
(4) Meet DOD 8570 requirements for IAM Level III;
(5) Possess a Contracting Officer's Representative Level II
certification, a DHS Project Management Level I certification or a
Project Management Professional certification;
(6) Must have the CYB10 Officer Specialty Code (OSC) or other
Cyber OSC approved by COMDT (CG-791);
(7) LT/O3 officers must have two (2) years of experience in a
Cyber coded position as of the effective date of the bonus
agreement;
(8) LCDR/O4 and LCDR/O4 (select) officers must have at
least four (4) years of experience in a Cyber coded position as of
the effective date of the Bonus Agreement;
(9) Completed at least four (4) years of active duty service
and will have no more than 25 years of total active duty
commissioned service at the completion of the bonus contract term.
c. A $35,000 per annum CSRB is authorized for active duty Cyber
Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) officers meeting the criteria
in paragraph 2.a. of this ALCOAST who agree to obligate a minimum of
two (2) years and up to four (4) years of ADSC. The bonus payments
are paid in annual installments beginning on the effective date of
the CYB10/CYBER Officer Bonus Agreement and on each subsequent
anniversary date for the duration of the agreement. Applicants must
meet the following additional specific criteria:
(1) Must be in paygrade O3 or O4, and not on a continuation
contract following non-selection for promotion or above the PY23
CDR/O5 promotion zone;
(2) Must accept assignment to an eligible DCO position
during the Assignment Year 2023 (AY23) process for the entirety
of the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders issued; or if
currently assigned, remain assigned to an eligible DCO
position for the entirety of the ADSC assigned under the Bonus
Agreement;
(3) Possess both an undergraduate and graduate degree with at
least one within one of the fields of study listed in Paragraph
2.b.3(a)-(h) above, or a closely related field of study as
determined by COMDT (CG-791);
(4) Meet DOD 8570 requirements for IAM Level III;
(5) Possess a Contracting Officer's Representative Level II
certification, a DHS Project Management Level I certification or a
Project Management Professional certification;
(6) Must be assigned to a CGCYB12 coded position within
Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER), Coast Guard Cryptologic Group
(CGCG), or other position executing DCO. Individuals not assigned to
CGCYBER or CGCG who may be executing DCO missions may submit a
waiver for the position requirement to COMDT (CG-133) through COMDT
(CG-791);
(7) Completed at least four (4) years of active duty service
and will have no more than 25 years of total active duty
commissioned service at the completion of the bonus contract term;
(8) Have at least two (2) years in a Cyber coded position,
executing DCO at CGCYBER, CGCG, or other location identified by PSC-
OPM-2 and COMDT (CG-791) as of the effective date of the agreement;
and
(9) Possess and maintain a final adjudicated TS/SCI security
clearance and a favorable counter-intelligence polygraph.
d. A $15,000 per annum CSRB is authorized for active duty Cyber
Operations Chief Warrant Officers (CWO) meeting the criteria
in paragraph 2.a. of this ALCOAST who agree to obligate a minimum of
two (2) years and up to four (4) years of ADSC. The bonus payments
are paid in annual installments beginning on the effective date of
the CYB10/CYBER Officer Bonus Agreement and on each subsequent
anniversary date for the duration of the agreement. Applicants must
meet the following additional specific criteria:
(1) Currently assigned to an eligible Cyberspace Operations
CWO position within CGCYBER or Cyber Program Office approved
cyberspace billet for the entirety of the ADSC assigned under the
Bonus Agreement;
(2) Possess at least Associate Degree in cyber related field
as mentioned in paragraph 2.b.(3) above;
(3) Completed cyber foundational training or equivalent such
as JCAC, ICC, CCTC;
(4) Meet DOD 8570 requirements for Information Assurance
Manager (IAM) Level III.
3. ADMINISTRATION:
a. BONUS AGREEMENT: CYB10/Cyber Officer Bonus:
The only approved Bonus Agreement to be used per this ALCOAST is CG
Form 5305D (revised on September 2022 or later), "CYB10/Cyber
Officer Bonus Agreement" found on the COMDT (CG-612) Directives
and Publications, CG Authorized Forms Portal site at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/forms
b. BONUS AGREEMENT SUBMISSION DATE: For management, assignment
and oversight purposes, Bonus Agreements must be signed by the
officer's Commanding Officer no later than 01 Dec 2022. Extension of
the application deadline will not normally be allowed. Officers with
exceptional circumstances may request a waiver for submission of
their agreements past the due date from COMDT (CG-133) thru COMDT
(CG-791) and PSC-OPM-2.
c. CURRENT OBLIGATED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE: Current obligated
active duty service is defined in REF (A). NOTE: members with
obligated service beyond 30 Sep 2023 for CGCYBER-specific graduate/
advanced education or training, and who are otherwise eligible or
would become eligible during FY23 for a bonus authorized by this
ALCOAST, are authorized to receive such bonus, prorated based
upon newly obligated service.
d. EFFECTIVE DATE OF BONUS AGREEMENT: The Bonus Agreement will
be effective the date upon which a Service member is fully qualified
for the bonus, which includes: having a Commanding Officer approved
Bonus Agreement; meeting all eligibility requirements; having
completed any current obligated active duty service (unless ADSC is
specifically authorized to run concurrently with existing current
obligated active duty service, with proration of the bonus amount);
and having reported to the assigned Cyber Officer billet. The
effective date will be whichever qualifying bonus requirement
occurs the latest during FY23.
4. POLICY: To receive the bonus, Service members must abide by and
continuously maintain the eligibility criteria in REF (A) and this
ALCOAST for the entirety of the obligated ADSC.
a. A Service member paid a bonus under this ALCOAST during the
period of ADSC covered by the signed Bonus Agreement and who fails
to maintain any eligibility criteria in paragraph 2 of this ALCOAST,
or REF (A) or is subject to termination of the bonus under
paragraph 7 of this ALCOAST, is required to repay any unearned
portion of the bonus under provisions of Section 373 of REF (B).
b. If an officer loses qualification, or is no longer qualified
for those assignments in paragraph 2 of this ALCOAST due to any
fault of the individual, such officer shall repay any unearned
portion of the bonus payment as of the date of removal from
eligibility. Entitlement to this bonus will not be restored when
loss of qualification was due to personal fault and the member later
re-qualifies during the original ADSC.
c. Bonus Agreement limits and payment of bonus. The bonus will
be paid in lump sum and IAW REF (A).
5. BONUS APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
a. Applicant Responsibilities. Review the contents of this
ALCOAST prior to signing a Bonus Agreement and follow the process
guide found on COMDT (CG-791)'s Portal Site at the following link:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg791/planningandresources/
Bonus/SitePages/Home.aspx
(1) Complete, sign, date and forward the Bonus Agreement and
supporting documents to the designated command representative in a
timely manner to ensure review by the Commanding Officer by
01 Dec 2022; and
(2) Keep a copy of the signed agreement for record purposes.
b. Command Representatives Responsibilities.
Command Representatives must:
(1) Adhere to the requirements in REF (A). Commands that
are not staffed to effectively conduct the counseling session
required in REF (A) should coordinate counseling with COMDT (CG-
791);
(2) Explain that eligible Cyber officers with an approved date
of separation (DOS) must request withdrawal of the DOS prior to or
upon submission of their bonus application. Cyber Officers will not
receive bonus payments if the DOS withdrawal request is disapproved;
and
(3) Submit signed/endorsed agreements to the unit's Servicing
Personnel Office (SPO) not later than 08 Dec 2022, and copy
PSC-OPM-2 and the Program Manager POCs identified below.
c. P&A/SPO Responsibilities to process the bonus contract.
P&A/SPO must:
(1) Adhere to the requirements in REF (A);
(2) Ensure the Bonus Agreement has been properly completed,
and that the member has reported to the assigned Cyber billet;
(3) Ensure the applicant and his/her Commanding Officer sign,
initial and date the Bonus Agreement as appropriate. Incomplete
forms cannot be processed by PPC-MAS delaying bonus payment; and
(4) Distribute the Bonus Agreement IAW Chapter 3 of
REF (A) within five working days of the effective date of Bonus
Agreement, as defined in paragraph 3.d. of this ALCOAST.
d. Eligible members in TDY or PCS Status: There will be some
instances when eligible members may not be available for bonus
counseling due to TDY or PCS. The length of the absence should
determine the action.
(1) TDY: If the expected TDY length will prevent completion of
the agreement by 01 Dec 2022, then the designated command
representative should counsel the Service member by whatever means
available, and forward the Bonus Agreement and a copy of this
ALCOAST to the deployed supervisor of the applicant so he/she can
document bonus acceptance/declination. The agreement should be
signed by the applicant and witnessed by the deployed supervisor and
then returned to the permanent duty station for Commanding Officer
approval or disapproval and distribution.
(2) PCS: Departing commands should make every effort to
contact eligible members if they have not left the immediate area
and provide the necessary counseling. If the member has departed and
was not counseled, notify the receiving command of the departing
command's recommendation for approval or disapproval. The receiving
designated command representative will complete the counseling
process and the receiving Commanding Officer will normally approve
or disapprove the Bonus Agreement based on the previous Commanding
Officer recommendation. The receiving command is responsible for
distributing the Bonus Agreement per REF (A).
6. DISAPPROVING BONUS AGREEMENTS.
a. Commanding Officers must submit notification of disapprovals
to PSC-OPM -2 and the Program Manager listed below. Commanding
Officers shall disapprove Bonus Agreements for officers who meet the
conditions in Chapter 3.D.3 of REF (A) or are not fully vaccinated,
and do not have an approved religious accommodation or medical
exemption from vaccination against COVID-19.
b. If any of the above listed conditions change before the Bonus
Agreement submission date in Paragraph 3.b above, the member may
reapply for the bonus within the explicit time limits of this
ALCOAST.
7. TERMINATION OF BONUS.
a. The bonus payments must terminate when a Cyber Officer:
(1) Is disqualified for Cyber service;
(2) Receives a Mark of three (3) or lower on any OER metric
or receives less than a "Promote" rating on an OER during the
timeline of the Bonus Agreement; or,
(3) For any additional reason as listed in REF (A).
b. Notification of bonus terminations must be made to the
Program Manager listed below and IAW REF (A).
c. A bonus paid to a member who had an approved religious
accommodation or medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination
mandate is subject to repayment where that member fails to become
fully vaccinated within two months after the expiration of the
religious accommodation or medical exemption.
8. This message will be canceled on 01 OCT 2023.
9. A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found at
COMDT (CG-791) Office of Cyberspace Forces CGPortal site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg791/planningandresources
/Bonus/SitePages/Home.aspx
Additional questions regarding the Officer Cyber program should be
addressed to COMDT (CG-791), LCDR M. R. Vanderslice at
HQS-SMB-CG-7911@uscg.mil or Matthew.R.Vanderslice@uscg.mil.
10. Questions regarding the assignment process should be directed to
PSC-OPM-2 and Cyberspace Assignment Officer, LCDR J. A. Pickard at
Jeremy.A.Pickard@uscg.mil.
11. Questions from individuals concerning the execution of this
policy should be addressed to their designated command
representatives. Questions from designated command representatives
for policies regarding bonuses or other human resource management
matters may be directed to Office of Military Personnel (CG-133) at:
HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
12. RADM B. K. Penoyer, Assistant Commandant for
Human Resources (CG-1), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.