R 201215Z OCT 09

ALCOAST 604/09
COMDTNOTE 3502
SUBJ: PROSPECTIVE COMMANDING OFFICER FAMILIARIZATION TRAINING
A. CUTTER TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION MANUAL, COMDTINST M3502.4
(SERIES)
1. REF A, PARA 7.D, REQUIRES PROSPECTIVE COMMANDING
OFFICERS/OFFICERS IN CHARGE TO SPEND A PERIOD OF UNDERWAY
FAMILIARIZATION ON A CUTTER OF THE SAME CLASS AS THEIR NEW COMMAND,
BUT NOT ON THE SAME CUTTER. THIS REQUIREMENT WAS ISSUED AS A RESULT
OF THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD (NTSB) RECOMMENDATIONS
FOLLOWING THE COLLISIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE ONBOARD CGC BLACKTHORN
AND CGC CUYAHOGA.
2. THE TRAINING QUOTA MANAGEMENT CENTER (TQC), CHESAPEAKE, VA IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSIGNING COST AND NO-COST PCO FAM QUOTAS TO
PCOS/OICS EACH YEAR.  PCOS/OICS SHALL CONTACT TQC AS SOON AS THEY
RECEIVE PCS ORDERS TO ARRANGE FOR THIS MANDATED TRAINING.  A PERIOD
OF 2-5 DAYS IS TRADITIONALLY AUTHORIZED NOT TO EXCEED 500 DOLLARS
PER QUOTA.
3. INDIVIDUALS EXEMPT FROM THIS REQUIREMENT INCLUDE MEMBERS WHO
HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THE SAME CLASS OF CUTTER AS CO, XO, OIC
OR XPO.  FOR SINGLE CUTTER CLASSES (CGC HEALY, CGC MACKINAW, CGC
ACUSHNET, FOR EXAMPLE), A FAM RIDE ON A WAGB, WLB, WMEC OR SIMILAR
CUTTER IS AUTHORIZED.
4. TYPICALLY, ONLY 60-70 PERCENT OF THE AVAILABLE PCO FAM QUOTAS
ARE USED ANNUALLY. THIS IS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY (AND REQUIREMENT)
FOR ELIGIBLE PCOS/OICS TO OBSERVE U/W OPERATIONS, DRILLS AND
EXERCISES AND GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND
HANDLING OF THEIR FUTURE AFLOAT COMMAND.
5. THOUGH PCO/POICS HAVE PRIORITY, THERE IS A LIMITED OPPORTUNITY
FOR FIRST-TIME PXO/PXPOS TO COMPLETE FAM RIDES ON A FIRST-COME,
FIRST-SERVE BASIS.  THE ELIGIBILITY, EXEMPTION CRITERIA AND QUOTA
COST LIMITATIONS ALSO APPLY.  INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS/UNITS SHOULD
SUBMIT ETRS IAW CURRENT TQC GUIDELINES.
6. PCO/POIC WAIVER REQUEST MESSAGES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO COMDT
(CG-751), INFO TQC AND ALL AFFECTED COMMANDS.
7. COMDT (CG-751) POC IS DENNIS THORSETH AT (202) 372-2335 OR
DENNIS.C.THORSETH (AT) USCG.MIL.
8. CAPT PAUL E. WIEDENHOEFT, ACTING ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR
CAPABILITY, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.