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EPME Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Enlisted Professional Military Education?
- When did EPME go into effect?
- I am an "A" school student. Will the EPME requirements impact me?
- I use the Supplemental List. How will the EPME requirements impact me?
- I am taking the Nov 05 SWE. How will the EPME requirements impact me?
- How will EPME affect me?
- How will EPME work?
- Why was EPME created?
- What happened to the old MRN courses?
- How will EPME be distributed?
- What makes EPME better than the old system?
What is Enlisted Professional Military Education?
Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) is a continuum of leadership training that provides enlisted members with a solid foundation for a successful Coast Guard career. This education is separate from a member's particular specialty or expertise, e.g., electrician, mechanic, etc. Specifically, the EPME is geared more toward leadership and management development and less toward technical aspects of an enlisted member's world of work.
The EPME has three parts:- Performance requirements (sign-off sheets) -- included in COMDTINST M1510.2, Enlisted Professional Military Education
- An end-of-course test (EOCT)
- An online study guide that prepares members for the performance requirements and EOCT as well as the servicewide exam (to get a CD or hard copy of the EPME study guide, contact your unit's Education Services Officer (ESO) for ordering instructions)
Emphasis is placed on developing leadership capabilities and preparing members for increased responsibility. EPME is part of the enlisted advancement process.
EPME topics include leadership, management, administration, Coast Guard history, enlisted heritage, organizational structure and management, personal development, training, education, wellness, etc.
The EPME performance requirements replace the old military requirements (MRN). The EPME study guide replaces the three now-defunct MRN courses (for petty officers, senior petty officers, and chief petty officers).
The EPME went into effect on 1 November 2004. The first SWE that reflected EPME requirements was May 2005.
I am an "A" School student. Will the EPME requirements impact me?
Yes. Beginning 1 May 05, EPME performance requirements are included in "A" School curriculum and applicable rates will have an EOCT.
I use the Supplemental List. How will the EPME requirements impact me?
Beginning 1 May 05, you must complete EPME performance requirements for the next higher paygrade and any applicable EOCT;
I am taking the Nov 05 SWE. How will the EPME requirements impact me?
Beginning 1 May 05, you must complete EPME performance requirements for the next higher paygrade and for E-4, E-6, or E-8 you must complete an EOCT;
The EPME includes performance requirements that will be performed by enlisted members and witnessed by supervisors in order to be qualified for advancement. Also, there will be three EPME end-of-course tests developed at separate pay grade levels that members will need to pass in order to take the servicewide exam. Both the performance requirements and the tests will ensure that only those ready for advancement will take the servicewide exam. This is similar to the rating courses and old MRN.
The study guide will be available in three formats (paper-based, CD-ROM, and Web-based). The Web and CD-ROM versions will have interactive lessons separated by pay grade levels. These lessons will prepare members for either a performance to be witnessed by their supervisor or for the end-of-course test or servicewide exam. While not interactive, the paper-based version will contain all necessary information and aids for the same purposes (performance and studying).
Workforce studies performed during the last 10 years, such as the Nonrate Work Force Structure Study, the Chief Petty Officer Needs Assessment, the Petty Officer Development Initiative, and the Senior Enlisted Needs Assessment, are largely the basis for the new EPME.
What happened to the old MRN courses?
The old MRN courses (for petty officers, senior petty officers, and chief petty officers) were not kept up to date. The MRN qualifications were also limited in their ability to meet all the training and educational needs of Coast Guard personnel throughout their career.
After final approval, we will send out an ALCOAST message giving the link to the Web version of the study guide, and we will publish the new performance requirements. The Coast Guard Institute will print the paper-based versions of the course and create copies of the CD-ROM version. All units will receive copies of the CD-ROM version. It will take the Institute approximately 60 days to have everything ready for shipping after final approval.
What makes EPME better than the old system?
First, it is comprehensive and based on workforce studies and input from all the rating review processes. This makes for a more prepared and better-trained service member for Coast Guard mission performance. Second, it gives members a one-source document for qualification and studying for both the EPME end-of-course test and the servicewide exam. The current system gives members a list of dozens of hard-to-find references for study. Third, updates and changes will be more timely and accurate.
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