R 261552Z DEC 07 ZUI ASN-A00360000003
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-13//
TO ALCOAST
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UNCLAS //N12410//
ALCOAST 584/07
COMDTNOTE 12410
SUBJ:  2008 NEW LEADER AND ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAMS
A. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK, COMDTINST M5351.3
1. THIS MESSAGE SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2008 NEW LEADER AND
ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAMS. THESE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
ARE OFFERED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
GRADUATE SCHOOL.
2. NEW LEADER PROGRAM: THERE ARE SIX QUOTAS AVAILABLE FOR THIS
PROGRAM TARGETED TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES GS 07-11 AND EQUIVALENT WAGE
GRADE LEVELS (WG 10-15/WL 6-14/WS 8-13). THE NEW LEADER PROGRAM
DEVELOPS FUTURE PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERS BY PROVIDING A SOLID
FOUNDATION OF LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING SKILLS WHICH ARE
ENHANCED BY AGENCY DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCES. THE PROGRAM REQUIRES
PARTICIPANTS TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR JOB FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 DAYS
OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD.
 A. FULL-TIME PERMANENT EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE JUST ENTERED LEADERSHIP
POSITIONS OR HAVE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS SUCH AS
FIRST-LINE SUPERVISORS, TEAM LEADERS, PROJECT MANAGERS,
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, AND MEMBERS OF SELF-DIRECTED WORK TEAMS ARE
ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
 B. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE COMPETENCIES OF LEADERSHIP, TEAM
BUILDING, CUSTOMER SERVICE, PROBLEM SOLVING, SELF-DIRECTION,
FLEXIBILITY, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, CONFLICT MANAGEMENT,
DECISIVENESS, WRITTEN COMMUNICATION, ORAL COMMUNICATION AND VALUING
DIVERSITY.
 C. THE CLASSROOM CURRICULUM IS DIVIDED INTO THREE, 5-DAY
RESIDENTIAL SEMINARS LOCATED WITHIN A 200-MILE RADIUS OF THE
WASHINGTON, DC AREA.
 D. DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
    (1) A 30-DAY DEVELOPMENTAL ASSIGNMENT WITHIN THE COAST GUARD
        BUT OUTSIDE THE PARTICIPANTS POSITION OF RECORD,
    (2) A 1-WEEK SHADOWING ASSIGNMENT WITH A FEDERAL MANAGER,
    (3) A TEAM PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES A MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION,
    (4) AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT,
    (5) FORMULATION OF A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN,
    (6) INTERVIEWS WITH FEDERAL MANAGERS, AND
    (7) A WRITTEN REVIEW OF TWO BOOKS ON MANAGEMENT ISSUES.
 E. THE PROGRAM STARTS 23 MARCH 2008. (ETR SUBMISSION WILL CLOSE 28
JAN 08.)
3. ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAM: THERE ARE SIX QUOTAS AVAILABLE FOR
THIS PROGRAM TARGETED TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES GS 05-07 AND EQUIVALENT
WAGE GRADE LEVELS (WG 5-11/WL 1-14/WS 1-8). THE ASPIRING LEADER
PROGRAM IS A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT PREPARES
PARTICIPANTS FOR POSITIONS AS TEAM LEADERS, SUPERVISORS AND
MANAGERS. THE PROGRAM REQUIRES PARTICIPANTS TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR
JOB FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 DAYS OVER A 3-MONTH PERIOD.
 A. FULL-TIME PERMANENT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE MOTIVATED SELF-STARTERS
AND DESIRE TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO WORK WELL IN A TEAM
ENVIRONMENT ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
 B. THE PROGRAM STRENGTHENS BASIC COMPETENCIES IN MANAGERIAL SKILLS
SUCH AS: ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS, PROBLEM SOLVING,
LEADERSHIP, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, SELF-DIRECTION, FLEXIBILITY,
CUSTOMER SERVICE, DECISIVENESS AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCE.
 C. THE CLASSROOM CURRICULUM IS DIVIDED INTO THREE, 5-DAY
RESIDENTIAL SEMINARS THAT ARE HELD IN WASHINGTON DC.
 D. THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE:
    (1) A TEAM PROJECT WHICH INCLUDES A MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION,
    (2) AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT,
    (3) FORMULATION OF A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN,
    (4) A 1-WEEK ASSIGNMENT SHADOWING A FEDERAL MANAGER,
    (5) INTERVIEWING FEDERAL MANAGERS, AND
    (6) A WRITTEN REVIEW OF TWO BOOKS ON MANAGEMENT ISSUES.
 E. THE PROGRAM STARTS 21 APRIL 2008. (ETR SUBMISSION WILL CLOSE
25 FEB 08.)
4. TO APPLY FOR EITHER PROGRAM:
 A. COORDINATE WITH YOUR TRAINING OFFICER/ESO TO SUBMIT AN
ELECTRONIC TRAINING REQUEST (ETR) UTILIZING DIRECT ACCESS (COURSE
CODES ARE NEW LEADER: 500917, ASPIRING LEADER: 500926).
HISTORICALLY, DEMAND HAS BEEN HIGH AND WILL LIKELY EXCEED SEATS
AVAILABLE FOR EACH SESSION. ALL ETRS IN THE SYSTEM INCLUDING THOSE
ON THE WAIT LIST WILL BE CONSIDERED THROUGH A PROGRAM MANAGER
SELECTION PROCESS.
 B. COMPLETE A USDA GRAD SCHOOL PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM, WHICH
INCLUDES STATEMENTS FROM THE APPLICANT AND THEIR SUPERVISOR.  THE
APPLICATION FORM FOR THE NEW LEADER PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE AT:
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/LEADERSHIP/TRAINING/TRN002.HTM. THE APPLICATION
FORM FOR THE ASPIRING LEADER PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE AT:
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/LEADERSHIP/TRAINING/TRN001.HTM.
 C. SUBMIT A CURRENT OF-612, RESUME, OR EQUIVALENT DOCUMENTATION
SIGNED AND DATED BY THE APPLICANT SHOWING CURRENT HOME ADDRESS.
 D. INCLUDE A LETTER OF NOMINATION IN CG MEMO FORMAT FROM THE
COMMANDING OFFICER AT FIELD UNITS OR APPROPRIATE OFFICE/DIVISION
CHIEF FOR HQ, AREA, MLC OR DISTRICT STAFFS.
5. SCAN THE DOCUMENTS (4.B-D) ABOVE INTO A PDF FILE AND FORWARD TO
COMDT (CG-133) AS AN E-MAIL ATTACHMENT TO CG133TRAININGCOURSES(AT)
USCG.MIL.  ENSURE COURSE TITLE IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE SUBJECT LINE.
6. THE COAST GUARD IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS TO THIS
TRAINING FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU NEED
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE INCLUDE REQUEST WITH YOUR
PACKAGE.
7. DETAILED COURSE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.GRAD.USDA.GOV BY
FOLLOWING THE LINK TO COURSES PROGRAMS AND THEN LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. BOTH COURSES ARE INCLUDED IN REF A, WHICH
HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CG
PERSONNEL TO GAIN AND DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN THE 28 LEADERSHIP
COMPETENCIES.
8. QUESTIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO DARLENE MURPHY AT 202-475-5515 OR
E-MAIL: CG133TRAININGCOURSES(AT)USCG.MIL.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
10. RDML CYNTHIA A. COOGAN, DIRECTOR OF RESERVE AND TRAINING,
SENDS.
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