R 251856Z SEP 12

ALCOAST 427/12
COMDTNOTE 16672
SUBJ: COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM
A. COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER EXAMINATION PROGRAM, COMDTINST
16672.5 (SERIES)
1. REF A REQUIRES A PROSPECTIVE CO, XO, OINC, XPO, OPERATIONS OFFICER
AND OPERATIONS PETTY OFFICER OF AN AFLOAT UNIT TO PASS THE APPLICABLE
DWO EXAM (INITIAL OR RENEWAL) NO MORE THAN ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE
EXECUTION OF PCS ORDERS. THIS STANDARD APPLIES EVEN IF THE MEMBER IS
CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO A CUTTER AND/OR POSSESSES VALID MERCHANT
LICENSES OR CREDENTIALS.
2. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT:
     A. MEMBERS IN THE CANDIDATE POOL FOR AN AFLOAT COMMAND CADRE OR
PERSONAL ALLOWANCE LIST (PAL) DESIGNATED OPERATIONS OFFICER OR
OPERATIONS PETTY OFFICER IN FY13 ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO PREPARE
EARLY AND TAKE THE EXAM ASAP PREFERABLY PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE
PROSPECTIVE CO/XO/OIC/XPO AFLOAT COURSE (340380), PROSPECTIVE
OPERATIONS OFFICER COURSE (501080) OR CUTTER OPS-BRM COURSE (500686).
NOTE: THE OCT-DEC TIME FRAME IS WITHIN THE ONE-YEAR REQUIREMENT OF
THE TYPICAL SUMMER PCS SEASON.  PRIOR TO ORDERS, THE TEST MAY BE
TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT REPERCUSSION. ONCE ORDERS ARE ISSUED,
THE MEMBER MUST PASS THE TEST WITHIN TWO ATTEMPTS.  FAILURE TO PASS
THE DWO EXAM WITHIN TWO ATTEMPTS WILL RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF
PCS ORDERS FOR THE MEMBER.  COMMANDS AND MEMBERS SHALL IMMEDIATELY
NOTIFY COMMANDANT (CG-751) WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS.
     B. MEMBERS SHALL PROVIDE PROOF OF DWO COMPLETION (IF RECENTLY
COMPLETED BEFORE PCO/PXO/POPS/CUTTER OPS-BRM ATTENDANCE) UPON ARRIVAL
AT THE COMMAND AND OPERATIONS SCHOOL. COMMANDANT (CG-751), IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMMAND AND OPS SCHOOL, WILL REVIEW CLASS
ROSTERS AND INDIVIDUAL TRAINING RECORDS TO CONFIRM COMPLIANCE WITH
REF A.
     C. A SOLID GRASP OF RULES OF THE ROAD FUNDAMENTALS IS ESSENTIAL
TO MAXIMIZING YOUR EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT YOUR TIME AT THESE COURSES.
PASSING THE EXAM PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE DEMONSTRATES A WORKING KNOWLEDGE
OF THE RULES OF THE ROAD AND PROVIDES EXPANDED OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN SEMINAR AND SIMULATOR USE. WHILE NOT
CURRENTLY A COURSE PREREQUISITE, ALL ATTENDEES SHOULD SCHEDULE AND
PASS THE DWO EXAM PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE. IF MEMBERS ARE UNABLE TO TAKE
THE DWO EXAM PRIOR TO ATTENDING THESE COURSES OR FAILED THE FIRST
ATTEMPT PRIOR TO ATTENDANCE, MEMBERS SHALL BE PREPARED TO TAKE THE
DWO EXAM DURING THE FIRST DAY OF THE COURSE. THE COMMAND AND
OPERATIONS SCHOOL STANDS READY TO ASSIST IN SCHEDULING AND PROCTORING
THE EXAM.  CONTACT EITHER CDR VINCIGUERRA OR BMCM GRIFFIN FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION.
3. IN PAST TRANSFER SEASONS, PROCRASTINATION HAS LED TO FAILURE
RESULTING IN SHORT-FUSED RE-TESTS, DELAYED REPORTING DATES AND
CANCELLED ORDERS.  DELAYED TESTS (WHETHER DUE TO MEMBER OR EVEN AN
UNEXPECTED EXAM COMPROMISE AND RE-WRITE) AND FAILURES ULTIMATELY
IMPACT CUTTER READINESS AND DISRUPT OPERATIONS, WHILE FURTHER
AFFECTING CAREERS AND MEMBERS FAMILIES.
4. MEMBERS ARE REMINDED OF THE TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAY WAITING
PERIOD BETWEEN TAKING END OF COURSE TESTS. THE DWO EXAM FALLS UNDER
THESE GUIDELINES. INDIVIDUALS SHOULD TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN
PLANNING PIPELINE TRAINING AND OTHER EVENTS INVOLVING PCS AND
CO/XO/OPS RELIEFS. A FIRST EXAM FAILURE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY DISRUPT THE
REST OF YOUR SCHEDULE.
5. MEMBERS REQUESTING A WAIVER FOR THE MANDATORY ATTENDANCE OF THE
PCO/PXO AFLOAT COURSE, THE POPS COURSE OR THE CUTTER OPS-BRM COURSE
SHALL PROVIDE PROOF OF DWO EXAM COMPLETION TO COMMANDANT
(CG-751) BEFORE THE WAIVER IS CONSIDERED.
6. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL MEMBERS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THESE
POSITIONS TO MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS.
7. DWO POLICY ALSO STATES THAT COMMANDS SHALL ENSURE THE DEPARTING
MEMBER COMPLIES WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS BEFORE AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF PCS ORDERS.
8. COMMANDANT (CG-751) POC IS DENNIS THORSETH AT (202) 372-2335 OR
DENNIS.C.THORSETH(AT)USCG.MIL.
9. RDML M. E. BUTT, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR CAPABILITY,
SENDS.
10. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.