R 282132Z OCT 09

ALCOAST 619/09
COMDTNOTE 7220
SUBJ: CRITICAL SKILLS TRAINING BONUS (CSTB) PROGRAM
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC R121124Z JUN 09/ALCOAST 352/09
B. PERSONNEL MANUAL, COMDTINST M1000.6 (SERIES)
1. THIS ALCOAST ANNOUNCES MODIFICATION OF THE CSTB PROGRAM
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED IN REF A.  A BONUS PANEL WAS CONVENED ON 15
OCT 2009 TO EVALUATE RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT DATA OF EACH RATING.
DUE TO RECORD HIGH RETENTION RATES, CSTBS ANNOUNCED IN REF A ARE
MODIFIED EFFECTIVE 01 NOV 2009.
2. EFFECTIVE 01 NOV 2009, NEW CSTBS ARE ONLY AUTHORIZED FOR OS A-
SCHOOL CANDIDATES.
3. IN ORDER FOR QUALIFIED NON-RATED MEMBERS IN THE FIELD TO QUALIFY
FOR THE CSTB, A MEMBER MUST:
 A. GRADUATE FROM OS A-SCHOOL.
 B. AGREE TO OBLIGATE A MINIMUM OF FOUR YEARS ACTIVE SERVICE UPON
GRADUATION.
4. THE AUTHORIZED MAXIMUM BONUS AMOUNT FOR THE OS RATING IS 6,000
DOLLARS, PAYABLE IN LUMP SUM UPON GRADUATION FROM OS A-SCHOOL.
5. CSTBS WILL BE PAID IN ACCORDANCE WITH REF A TO THOSE MEMBERS WHO
ARE ENROLLED, AND GRADUATE FROM, EM A SCHOOL SESSION 40 WITH A
CLASS CONVENING DATE OF 26 OCT 09 OR ET A SCHOOL SESSION 130 WITH A
CLASS CONVENING DATE OF 16 NOV 09 OR, IF STRIKING EM, HAVE A SIGNED
CSTB AGREEMENT PROPERLY EXECUTED PRIOR TO 01 NOV 2009.
6. POLICY CONCERNING CSTBS, INCLUDING THE CSTB AGREEMENT FORM THAT
MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PARTICIPATING MEMBER, CAN BE FOUND IN CHAPTER
THREE OF REF B. FOR QUESTIONS, A DESIGNATED ADMIN SUPPORT
REPRESENTATIVE FOR EACH UNIT MAY CONTACT COMDT (CG-1221) AT
202-475-5382 OR 202-475-5375.
7. COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS IN CHARGE WILL BRING THE
CONTENTS OF THIS ALCOAST TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL PERSONNEL.  A BLOG
ENTRY FROM MCPO-CG BOWEN AND AN INTERNAL COMMS BULLETIN (TO VARIOUS
DISTRIBUTION LISTS) ON THIS TOPIC WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY.
8. RELEASED BY RADM RONALD T. HEWITT, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR
HUMAN RESOURCES.
9. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.