Condition of employemnt Part II

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Hot off the presses.......

All, Please give widest distribution, Internet posting is authorized.

Whenever I ask people what we can do to improve our service, 9 times out of 10, “more leadership training for our junior people” is what I hear. I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment. To address this challenge, I want to establish a tiered, progressive leadership training program. The concept is to provide baseline leadership training for our junior personnel that would be mandatory for everyone advancing to

E-5. Developing this program will take a significant amount of time, resources and financial support.

Currently, the only available enlisted leadership training we have, that is fully funded and fully staffed, is the Chief Petty Officer’s Academy at Training Center Petaluma. Unfortunately, it is not being used to its capacity; there are empty seats in every class. Before I can ask for additional money to establish leadership training at the E4/E5 level, we need to completely utilize our current program. Therefore, I am asking every Chief, Senior Chief and Master Chief who has not already attended our CPO Academy, or one of the DOD senior enlisted leadership academies, to request a set of orders to attend.

The precedent has already been set for SCPOs and MCPOs to attend the Chief’s Academy. Policy regarding attendance at the CPO Academy has changed over the years regarding who was required to attend resulting in a Chief’s Corps with many senior members, without the training. I believe the professional development received at the Chief’s Academy is invaluable, and to achieve a baseline leadership readiness at our senior enlisted levels every Chief must attend. If you advanced to SCPO or MCPO without the benefit or advantage of having attended the CPO Academy, I am asking you now, to take the time to attend and contribute your experiences, to your fellow Chiefs.

The Pacific Area Commander has already approved a “People Plan” that mandates attendance to the Chief’s Academy or one of the DOD senior enlisted leadership academies for all Chief, Senior Chief and Master Chief Petty Officers, who have not already done so. This plan is being considered for future implementation by the Atlantic Area Commander and the Coast Guard Chief of Staff. I fully support this effort and am working on a recommended change to policy that would require all Chief’s to attend the Chief’s Academy prior to advancement to either E8/9 (already required), Chief Warrant Officer, or even continuation of service beyond a reasonable amount of time needed to attend after being advanced to E7.

At 33 days, our CPO Academy is the shortest of any of the senior service academies. I know you are busy – we are all busy – but leadership training has to be a priority. This is the perfect opportunity to “Lead by Example”. I am asking each of you, who have not already attended, to step up and take the opportunity, to lead from the front.

Good leadership develops through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, experience and observation - it is all about learning. As a Chief, Senior Chief, or Master Chief, it is important that you impress upon those that work for and with you, the future leaders that you are guiding and mentoring, that self-improvement is an essential part of leadership.

The Chief’s Academy - it’s our school – let’s use it.

Again, coming straight from the top. Those who haven't been, .....are you all applying now ? And for those that complain about not having it start at lower levels,..... we're being told that it has to start with us. We have to fill the seats in the classes we already have..........

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

I like how the word is being spread quickly. Our mess just received the email, not to bad. Master Chief is asking now for the E8 & E9's to attend. Do you think the asking will stop and the directing will begin? Interesting.

CS

[SKC Danny Davirro]

There is another CPO in my office and he is finally going to go because of that statement from the MCPOCG and pressures from others. I recently returned from Class 136. It was good stuff and it was well worth the time spent. I feel it is our duty to attend. It's OUR academy and that's the way they make you feel. It's truly a class act.

-Danny

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Chris, the message says PACAREA is already mandating it. I think that they're saying it's either time for you to go.......or time for you to go......

[BMCS Dave Considine]

I fully support this effort and am working on a recommended change to policy that would require all Chief’s to attend the Chief’s Academy prior to advancement to either E8/9 (already required), Chief Warrant Officer, or even continuation of service beyond a reasonable amount of time needed to attend after being advanced to E7.


The highlighted part is what I consider the key part. It is great to see this change coming through.

I never saw this, just like the other message that couldn't be put on the internet, there has to be a way that a global bang list for all Chiefs can be made. Otherwise some people won't ever see it. I know an ALCOAST does the same thing, but I like getting the e-mail's straight from the Secretary of DHS, ADM Allen, why not a bang list for all Chiefs?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

OUTSTANDING!

What a great message. This is the reason that I'm excited about the next few years...I think we are all in store for some great changes and much needed re-direction.

Let's all take an ACTIVE role in this.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

I read the e-mail from the MCPOCG, then read it again when the d7 CMC resent it to all Chiefs... and then read it here again...

And it wasn't until I see Senior Chief Considine highlight that passage that I actually saw it. Maybe I need new eyes...

Hot damn! I hope he is able to ramrod that through!!

Silly question, though: How the heck is PACAREA able to mandate something that isn't in the Personnel Manual? Now, I happen to agree with this edict but what if AREA wants to mandate something strange like a mandatory cutter tour to make First Class for ALL ratings? How can they mandate a YN1 attend the CPOA to make warrant when all Firsts in LANTAREA are denied access to the academy until after they put on the Anchors or they are within a couple months of making it (and frocking them)? And what the heck is "reasonable" for time?? If the Coast Guard allows Master Chief Slesh to stay in until he hits 30 because he was grandfathered, how the heck can AREA tell him to get the hell out??

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I would have to look at what PACAREA put together to tell you for sure, but a couple of things do come to mind. They could say that anyone who hasn't been thru the CPOA isn't going to get any command recommendations, ..... for advancement , assignments, other schools....... They could start marking people for setting a poor example and not following and supporting command policies. Once someone shows those substandard marks, they could start the wheels in motion to process them out.
Where there's a will.......

The only thing that I see a problem with is those E-6s going Warrant. But there's an easy fix for that also. If you're above the cut for E-7 they can frock you to send you to the CPOA. Simply extend that to include E-6s who are above the cut to make Warrant. The Cut comes out and gives people almost a year to attend prior to ascending. If you haven't found the time to attend, give it to the next person who's fully qualified.
And on a side note....... once they've been frocked and have gone thru the CPOA, they could go through the CCTI and strengthen the Mess/CG as per the last message we got.

And it would seem that the grandfather clause is being revisited. PACAREA is saying that it's time to step up to the plate, LANTAREA and COS are about to follow suit........ The word I'm hearing is that you were allowed to advance to this point without the benefits of the CPOA, but now its time to see what you missed. And even if it doesn't help you, you can help the others with the experiences that you bring. Lead from the front is changing to Lead from the front, or get out of the way.........

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Here is a thought. What if they held some classes that were full of grand fathered Chiefs? Would more folks be willing to go? The experience level in that class would be off the chart!

On the other hand, mixing it up would also be an interesting class! Just thinking aloud.

I know when I was privileged to go through, it seemed like the majority of the class had less than 15 YOS. A few with less than 10.

It also seemed like my elders :D were not as engaged :( Like they were there because they had to be. I truly enjoyed my time with the Chiefs that had a lot more than me!

At any rate, I like the direction it is going.

CS

[CMC Isherwood]

I will be able to answer the earlier posted question, “How can PACAREA mandate something that is not in the PERSMAN?” As you all know, COMDT policy sets the minimum requirements and a unit has the authority to impose more restrictive lawful orders, never less.

In PACAREA alone, we have more than 600 Active Duty and Reserve Chiefs (7, 8, 9) that have not attended the CPO Academy. The CPO Academy is one of the few fully funded, fully staffed, under utilized programs in the CG. Instead of continuing to waste quotas with empty seats, the PACAREA command master chiefs collectively decided to proactively engage these Chiefs. So, we crafted the current Pacific Theater People Plan which was promulgated nearly 18 months ago under VADM Johnson’s signature.

The Pacific Theater People Plan (PACAREAINST 5357.2) specifically states the following;

“The Unit Command Chief (CC, CSC, CMC) will monitor and ensure all Chiefs at their respective unit attend the CPO Academy or DOD senior enlisted leadership academy. Deployable units shall make every effort to allow Chiefs to attend the CPO Academy during a portion of an underway period to minimize the days away from home port, for the member.”

We are in the re-write phase of the People Plan now. By the continuing low attendance numbers, it is obvious that too many Sea Lawyers have interpreted that this mandate did not apply to them. Below is the proposed verbiage to shore up the perceived loop hole.

“The Unit Command Chief will monitor and ensure that ALL Chiefs at their respective unit attend the Coast Guard CPO Academy or DoD senior enlisted leadership academy equivalent. Active duty or reserve Chief, Senior Chief, or Master Chief Petty Officers with an approved retirement letter on file are exempt. All other Chiefs shall submit the required short term training request (STTR) to attend one of the approved senior enlisted leader ship academies. Deployable units shall make every effort to allow Chiefs to attend the CPO Academy during a portion of an underway period to minimize the days away from home port, for the member. Once orders are issued, cancellations require first Flag Officer in the chain of command’s approval.”

To ensure that everyone is clear, PACAREA nor any Unit has the authority to mandate that a member must retire, that decision is made at the COMDT level. However, PACAREA or any Unit can mandate that ANYONE within their scope of responsibility must attend training. It's really quite simple, they are called orders! What would your Chiefs Mess' do if a non-rate refused to attend a LAMs training....? We ALL must follow lawful orders, nothing says that you have like 'em, you just have to do 'em. Again, no one is saying that a member must retire, but they do have to go to the CPO Academy.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Service and Support,
Kevin Isherwood, Command Master Chief
Pacific Area
Coast Guard Island (Bldg 51-6)
Alameda, CA 94501-5100
Office (510)437-3070
Cell (510)219-1714
"Shipmates rarely fail alone…. Unless left alone"
http://cgweb.pacarea.uscg.mil/pcmc/

[DCCS Brett Wickett]

I for one am glad to see this coming. Maybe it will hit the left coast also. There are always a couple that flat refuse to attend. At least comming from the top will take care of that.

On another note, this is just another message from the top that I stumbled onto while reading on here. It may be hard to get the word out that change is coming, if we can't even get the word out. Again, thanks to this site for providing some good information. I sure thought that the gold badges had a list of the silvers under their AOR for a bang list. Guess not.

[CMC Isherwood]

DCC,
Remarkably, the LANTAREA side has had a pretty similar instruction for about a year. Currently, LANT, PAC and CCS command master chiefs are crafting "one" People Plan for the CG, to be signed independently by our respective bosses.

As far as I know, every Gold Badge has a Silver Badge list for their AOR where they pass on pertinent information to the field. Sometimes, I think stuff does not always get out, because many folks are sensitive to overwhelming your in-boxes. Personally, I think we (GBs) should pass on everything and let the end user open or close the information faucet to meet their individual needs. I know when I was coming up, I consumed the information at a greater pace than what flowed. Today, there is way more information available than is manageable by most members. Heck, I have trouble keeping up with it, let alone passing it on.

By the way, you are always welcome to peruse the PACAREA CMC website for the latest information at http://cgweb.pacarea.uscg.mil/pcmc/ (http://cgweb.pacarea.uscg.mil/pcmc/ )

[DCCS Brett Wickett]

MC Isherwood, I use your website quite frequently, and appreciate all the info you post on there. I guess as long as the info flows to this board sooner or later we will see it. I don't know that I want or need my GB to send me everything that comes down, I can read the message board also. But things like this and the last item form the MCPOCG would be nice. They were not messages, and one was not even internet releasable. That is the information that needs to be passed.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

And MasterChief, I, for one, appreciate the first hand clarification on the policy that you put in place......

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

I agree with Senior Chief Considine about the Chief e mail list it just makes sense with the current trends. It still shocks me when I see Allen, Thad ADM in my in box but it makes it feel it bit more personnel then an ALLCOAST.

Second - Attending the CPOA should be mandatory pipeline training from one unit to the next since most of us transfer after advancing to chief. The earlier someone can attend the class the better, so that the can truely understand the role of the Chief. I know that my command allowed me to leave early so that I could attend enroute to my new unit and I was thankful to the for it. Operations consistantly drive our ability to attend traing both junior and senior alike, and if direction from the District, Area or the Commandant puts it out there that Chiefs shall go, it will make the commands that are hessitant to let the chiefs go, attend.

If we as the Chief Corp support our own class then we will all have a stronger leg to stand on when requesting better training for the junior members of the Coast Guard.

If you know a chief that has not attended the CPOA encourage them to go as soon as possible.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Mark, we had mentioned making it part of pipeline training last time we talked to D7. The big thing down here is the tour length on the Cutters and with unaccompanied personnel. Unaccompanied OCONUS and the WPBs are two year tours, and the Commands have heartburn giving someone up for a month. Pipeline training for those that haven't already attended seems the perfect fit for me.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

Since I was the one to raise the question about Left and Right Coast policy and CG requirements, I would also like to express my thanks to Master Chief Isherwood for explaining that.

And let me continue by saying, "WOO HOO!" Ahem... "Ummmm, yeahhh. I think that might work for me. Yeahhhh." *

(*with apologies to Office Space) :D

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

Master Chief,

I was in Hawaii when Master Chief Isherwood was the D14 CMC and with his support the chiefs on the WPB's went to the CPOA. It should be automatic for any chief transfering, just like OIC/XPO scholl is required for us BM types. Point being there is always an excuse not to go, make the trip and just do it.

Also on this and I don't want to ruffle any feathers but here I go. If attending the CPOA is a requirement for advancement to E8, and I know that some were grandfathered in before the requirement was put into place, but should those member that have not attended the CPOA be eligible for E9, just like our pracs, you have to go back and complete them once your at a unit when tehy can be done. I know this will rasie some serious discussion.

Mark

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

And I think that's one of the things that's being looked into. It used to be that you needed the Academy to make E-9. Those that advanced to E-7 prior to Jan 99 were told that they were "grandfathered" in and wouldn't have to attend. They still have three or four seats set aside each class for those that have advanced without attending. And there are still billets that required you to graduate prior to your assignment. But the message that's being sent out now says that it's time for everyone to step up to the plate.

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

A quick and easy question that I'm hoping I don't get slammed for but if so then oh well. I do want to go to the CPOA Academy. I'm one of the few folks I know that like the area and I have quite a few friends out there anyway so it would be a great opportunity to take a week of fun time after the academy and visit.
My question is I'm not in a big hurry to make 8 and want to get more comfortable or should I say more experienced in my current role. Like I said I do want to go but why should I rush and get out there? The last four years haven't been easy on the family with a 378, followed by a move from San Diego to Maine, ten months latter a transfer to here and then five months ago a new baby. I'm sure thirty people can come up with more stressful periods in their careers and that's fine I'm not complaining but I just want to stay put and be a family for a little while longer.
Yes I know it's not a six month deployment but a month is a month. I think one 210 and three 378's gives me a little right to want to enjoy being home for a regular basis for a while and wait untill maybe 08 which is what I have tentatively planned on. Thoughts?

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Pat, if you're asking if you should wait for more experience in your current job or as a Chief, I'd say don't put it off. You already meet all the requirements to attend. And the Academy bills itself as the place to go and learn the tools that you'll need.
If you're looking at it from a personal stand point, I would agree that you should go when it best meets your families needs. Purely selfish, but if I were you I'd go as soon as possible after Feb 07. If you don't want to take the May SWE, I wouldn't take a seat away from someone who might. But the older your kid gets the harder it is to leave them for any amount of time. And once they can talk and tell you don't leave me ..........

[BMC Ralph Williams]

I plan on going in Feb 07. I had orders for the Sep/Oct 05 class but Hurricane Rita went through my back yard and messed it all up and then a PCS move.

Pat try to go in Feb, be nice to go with someone I know.

Ralph

[DCCS Keith Wilbee]

MC Isherwood,
I can not tell you how long I have watched this site, waiting for a GB to step in and tell us how it is suppose to be. I am thankful that you have arrived to this website. I have mentioned this site to other GB's to no avail. It seems like that this can be an invaluable tool for passing info for some reason. The networking on here is outstanding. Thanks for pulling a chair up at our table.

DCC Keith Wilbee

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Keith,

He is not the only one out here -- MCPO-CG Bowen has posted as well as MCPO James.

I hope all the GB's take the time to view, post and clarify

[CMC Isherwood]

I am pretty sure that the vast majority of GBs review this board. But in many many cases we just do not have the time to respond. Heck I just got back from CM with no real conectivity (treo only) for the past 6 days and my inbox over flowith!!!

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

See but I think that's typical of you. I don't know you personally, but I've known of you for some time.

I'm a betting man. I'll bet you responded to the people that needed responses and still found the time sign on here.

You're not the typical GB by any measure. First of all you don't have a District, you have several. I'll bet that many of the e-mails that you responded to didn't come from the West Coast. Along the lines of over flowith,....... your web site over flowith with all the links that many of us useith all the time.

How about your commitment to the other CPOA, ( with the A for Association) ? Question for the gallery.....Who was the last person who made Gold lifetime Member ? The name escapes me..... someone check the Chiefs magazine.
And where were you for the last six days......... I'm betting it wasnt on leave.

People find the time to particate in the things that matter to them. I'm glad that we get to hear from you. I'll make the time to read anything you write.

[CMC Isherwood]

Although I am very committed to the CPOA, the Isherwood listed as a GLM is my father Dave. An MKCM by trade, a committed CPOA member for more than 25 years and a proud graduate of Class I of the CPO Academy. Can you tell that I am VERY proud of him!!!!!

Please do not bag on the GBs because they do not post here. My money is on the fact, that they respond directly to the individuals.

Truthfully...I usually only respond once the emails in my inbox start to match the topics here. Kind of a way to kill two birds with one stone.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I'm not trying to bag on them, but I can't let them off the hook either. We have lots of people who read these threads, and a very vocal few who give them something to read. This site offers that avenue to kill many birds. We're glad that we can get people like you to still throw the stones. Those other can join in, and I would hope that they would, if they could shed insight into why or how something is done.

I had to throw the GLM into the mix to demonstarte the history and level of commitment. I could have asked who recruits more new members than anyone over the past several years running,........ but the other route offered quick, tangible evidence.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Since Kevin chose not to embleish on his personal CPOA(ssociation) accomplishments, I'll toss some out. He was the 10,000th member of the association and currently the chairman of the membership committee. And working very hard to get the association's membership numbers back up.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Is there a pass or fail for this school or is it something you go to, do your time and leave with a peice of paper stating that you attended? I am just wondering cause I think if people are going to be forced to go to a course they dont want to attend, you will end up with minimum participation. I rank this decision up there with the one about making it mandatory to participate in the mess. I wasnt interested in having chiefs show up who were only there cause they had to be there.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Is there a pass or fail for this school or is it something you go to, do your time and leave with a peice of paper stating that you attended? I am just wondering cause I think if people are going to be forced to go to a course they dont want to attend, you will end up with minimum participation. I rank this decision up there with the one about making it mandatory to participate in the mess. I wasnt interested in having chiefs show up who were only there cause they had to be there.

This is why it needs to be mandatory. We need to hold ourselves accountable first.

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

Hello Darrel it’s been awhile since you posted and your post implies that you haven’t attended yet. It wasn’t graded but it was the pass fail type, and there was no such thing as fail you did it over and over again until you got it right. There were also topics that required you to participate. Each member of your group had to do a part of the task and if you didn’t your class liaison stepped in and if that didn’t work you would have to go chat with the Master Chief. People are held accountable to do there part. But like everything else in life you get out of it what you put into it. Everyone takes a different level of knowledge with them when they leave.
I still think it should be mandatory for ALL E-7 to E-10 with no grandfathering

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

I fail to understand why so many CG Chief's have not attended. I attended the Academy back in 1986 when you had to compete to get in. I was excited about the opportunity then, and I tell all the young First Class that work for me from time to time that it's a great course and tehy need to go as soon as they can.

Anyone who "wiggles-out" is definately missing the boat. I did know a couple of E-8's that didn't compete for E-9 for a few years because the ACademy was a pre-req. They compete once that pre-req was deleted. Too bad, tehy missed an awesome experience.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Hey Art, I havent posted cause I been busy enjoying retirement. Retired in Aug. Bought a small farm in SW Oklahoma, had a new house built, and started a new career 9 days after retiring.

The academy is a non-issue for me now but no, I chose not to go while I was in. I had several reasons but two of the main ones were, it wasnt mandatory and too many good Chiefs before me never went and they turned out to be fine leaders. The way I see it, its a punch card. Spending 33 days at Two Rock will not dictate whether or not you will be a good Chief. The Chiefs you encountered thru out your career set the example for you. If your a young one, odds may be that those Chiefs went to the CPOA. But for us who have been around for awhile, our Chiefs who set the bar didnt attend.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Darrell, I would say that there is no pass/fail in place, but there are requirements that you have to meet. The staff has the most positive, professional, committed instructors I have ever been priviledges to share a room with. If they can't convince someone to participate, the Chief's Mess that makes up the class could guilt the person into pulling their own weight.
My class has a bunch of people the told us on day three that they were there to puch their ticket. There wasn't one of them that thought they merely punched their ticket 33 days later.

Forget the classroom stuff, and the staff that I will continue to praise every chance I get.......
Our class had 47 Chiefs, 1 Senior Chief, me, 4 members of the Air Force, and 1 St Lucian Police inspector. We had geographic coverage from Alaska to Arizona, Maine to St Lucian, California to Germany. We ranged in age form 27 to 55(?). We has 17 of the 18 enlisted ratings in the Class. We also had public affairs training some Steve could be replaced at anytime.
My point is, that for 33 days, you're given the opportunity to truely see what the rest of the CG is doing. There are more opportunities to learn than the stuff you would read if you had a copy of the schedule.
It going to be mandatory. But after you attend, you'll wonder why it needed to be. The best analogy that I can use is, That its like walking past money in the street. It's laying there waiting for someone to pick it up. If you don't have the time,......... keep walking, the next guy will get richer.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Stu,

IAW with the PA Manual (COMDTINST M5728.2C) Public Affairs is a Command Responsibility. You guys in the fieldhave much better stories to tell than me sitting in my office.

I'd rather take the timeto train you guys to speak on camera and make you look good!

No one is irreplaceable!

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Steve, don't kid yourself,......you're irreplaceable, ...that's why I said some Steve. Not you, some "other" Steve.

And I found your name on the wall there under the flagn in room 232. But couldn't put a face to it.........