R 201122Z SEP 10

ALCOAST 459/10
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 OR XPO 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 A VALID MERCHANT LICENSE.
2. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT:
   A. MEMBERS IN THE CANDIDATE POOL FOR AN AFLOAT COMMAND CADRE
POSITION IN FY11 ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO PREPARE EARLY AND TAKE
THE EXAM ASAP PREFERABLY PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE PROSPECTIVE
CO/XO/OIC/XPO AFLOAT COURSE (340380).  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
PCO/PXOS.  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 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 PCO/PXO SCHOOL.
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 THE PCO/PXO COURSE 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 GIFFIN 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
RELIEFS. A FIRST EXAM FAILURE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY DISRUPT THE REST OF
YOUR SCHEDULE.
5. MEMBERS REQUESTING A WAIVER TO ATTEND THE PCO/PXO AFLOAT COURSE
SHALL PROVIDE PROOF OF DWO EXAM COMPLETION BEFORE THE WAIVER IS
CONSIDERED.
6. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL MEMBERS BEING CONSIDERED FOR
AFLOAT COMMAND CADRE POSITIONS TO MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS.
7. DWO POLICY ALSO STATES THAT COMMANDS SHALL ENSURE THAT 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 VINCENT B. ATKINS, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR CAPABILITY,
SENDS.
10. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.