RADM
Fred L. Ames, USCG
United States Coast Guard (G-W)
2100 2nd Street SW
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Dear
Admiral Ames:
The
Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association recently concluded our 70th
annual meeting. One of the many
agenda items discussed during this meeting was the shortage of personnel the
Coast Guard was experiencing and how the warrant officer corps could be used to
partially alleviate the shortage. Increasing
the opportunity for chief warrant officers to remain on active duty in excess of
30 years could result in a small reduction in the shortage of enlisted
personnel. Amending the USCG
Personnel Manual would allow for an immediate impact and changing 10
U.S.C.1305(c) would provide a larger long-term impact.
Prior
to 30 September 1985, retention of warrant officers beyond 30 years of total
service under Title 10 U.S.C. 1305(c) was a common administrative practice.
That practice was sharply curtailed in 1985 because the Coast Guard was
going through several years of reductions in personnel.
The limitations imposed in 1985 remain in effect today, even though the
Coast Guard has fewer personnel then needed.
This limitation could be removed by amending Article 12.C.6 (b)(3) to
reinstate the policy in effect prior to 30 September 1985 [See Enclosure (1)].
This would allow chief warrant officers who have completed 28 years of
service for retirement to request extensions of up to four years, stating that
they are willing to serve in any assignment/geographic area.
The decision on granting the extension would be based on the record of
the officer, chain of command recommendations and service needs, considering the
impact on enlisted to warrant officer appointments and the needs of the
particular specialty, on a case by case basis.
The
administrative action recommended above could have an immediate impact on the
Coast Guard personnel shortage. As
a longer-term solution we recommend a change to 10 U.S.C. 1305(a) to allow Coast
Guard chief warrant officers to serve for 30 years of active service as a warrant
officer. We would expect that
the Selective Early Retirement provisions of 10 U.S.C. 581 may need to be used
more frequently if chief warrant officers are allowed to continue on active duty
for 30 years of warrant officer service.
I
would like the opportunity to discuss your thoughts on this matter and offer the
Association’s assistance in preparing a proposal that invokes the
Commandant’s authority to allow the Coast Guard to resolve a work force
situation through the use of internal resources.
Sincerely,
Randy
J. Cornell
President
Provisions
of Article 12-C-6.b (3), USCG Personnel Manual
prior
to promulgation of CH-24 on 30 September 1985
(3)
The Commandant also may defer the retirement, in accordance with
subparagraph (1), of a commissioned warrant or warrant officer with his/her
consent and upon recommendation of a board of officers, but not later that 60
days after he/she becomes 62 years of age.
(10 USC 1305). Chief
warrant officers desiring to continue their active duty beyond 30 years may
apply to Commandant (G-PO-3), at any time after they have completed 28 years of
service for retirement. Requests
for extension shall be in a letter format and contain the following information:
(a)
reason for requesting the extension.
(b)
a statement by the requester indicating willingness to serve in any
assignment/geographic area.
(c)
desired length of extension. Extensions
may be granted for any period up to a maximum of 4 years for a single request.
Subsequent requests may be granted based on additional requests.
Chief warrant officers who are extended and are selected for promotion
will be required to serve 2 years in the new grade.
Consideration of requests for retention by chief warrant officers serving
as such shall be based on Service needs, considering the impact on enlisted to
warrant officer promotions and the needs of the particular specialty.
Consideration of requests for retention by chief warrant officers serving
in a higher temporary grade shall be based on Service needs taking into account
the impact on the officer corps. A
chief warrant officer serving on an extension is not precluded from applying for
voluntary retirement when he/she meets all eligibility requirements as set forth
in article 12-C-9.
(d)
a concise recommendation by member's commanding officer.
Provisions
of Article 12-C-6.b (3), USCG Personnel Manual
after
CH-24 is was promulgated on 30 September 1985
3. To
satisfy a specific Service need, the Commandant also may defer retirement under
subparagraph 1 above of a commissioned warrant officer with his/her consent and
if a board of officers so recommends for up to 60 days after the officer turns
62 years old (10 USC 1305). Routine management of billet structure and staffing
anticipates most Service needs. Only
in extremely unusual situations will a Service need arise which extending a
Chief warrant officer on active duty beyond the mandatory 30-year retirement
point can satisfy. Chief warrant
officers who want to continue on active duty beyond thirty years may apply to
Commander, (CGPC-opm-1) between nine and 12 months before the mandatory
retirement date. Extensions may be
granted for any period up to a maximum of four years for a single request. Subsequent extensions may be granted based on
additional requests. Chief
warrant officers so extended and selected for promotion are required to serve
two years in the new grade. A chief
warrant officer serving on an extension may apply for voluntary retirement when
he/she meets all eligibility requirements listed in Article 12.C.9. Extension requests will be kept on file pending the
identification of specific Service needs.
Whenever a need arises, a board of officers screens eligible applicants
and selects the best-qualified candidate. If
an extension is not approved by six
months before to the mandatory retirement date, the request will be removed from
the file and the member retires on the mandatory retirement date.
A member may withdraw a request from consideration at any time. Submit
extension requests in a letter format and contain the following information:
a.
The reason to request the extension.
b. The officer’s statement indicating he or she
is willing to serve in any assignment or geographic area.
c.
Desired length of extension.
d. A concise recommendation by the member’s chain of command.