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24 August 2020
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Enclosure (1) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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Everyone Is A Recruiter Incentive Program User Guide
A. General:
The Everyone Is A Recruiter (EIAR) Incentive Program encourages Coast Guard personnel,
including active duty, reserve, auxiliary, CG civilians and retirees, to support recruiting
efforts and critical recruiting needs, and provides recognition, awards, and incentives based
on the significance of the contribution.
B. Definition of Recruiters:
Coast Guard Recruiters are active duty and reserve Coast Guard men and women serving on a
special duty recruiting assignment. There are approximately 315 Recruiters serving at 56
Recruiting Offices across the nation. The 56 Recruiting Offices report directly to the Coast
Guard Recruiting Command (CG RC). Recruiters convey opportunities, the Coast Guard
ethos, missions, values, traditions, benefits, and way of life. To represent the Coast Guard, a
recruiter must educate prospects, help them determine if the service is the right choice for
them, and then inspire them to join. The professional recruiting workforce is small and it
cannot be at every high school career day or college job fair, which is why any Coast Guard
member (active duty, reservist, auxiliarist, CG civilian, or retiree) can help.
C. Ways to Get Involved:
1. All Coast Guard women and men can provide great examples of what life is like to serve
and share stories of their service experiences. This instruction will serve as a tool to
assist members with speaking about Coast Guard missions and recruiting goals.
2. Be involved in the community: Participate in community service programs; be active in
volunteer work, mentorship programs, and schools within your community. Use the
opportunities to share stories and personal experiences.
3. Know the website and social media sites: CG RC's website, www.gocoastguard.com
provides information on all available Coast Guard programs. It also has a "Find a
Recruiter" button that allows you to find the nearest Coast Guard Recruiting Office.
“Like us” and your local recruiting office on Facebook by typing "Go Coast Guard" into
the search and clicking the thumbs up icon. You can also follow us on Instagram using
the same method.
4. Know the local Recruiters: Make contact with the local recruiters to offer support and see
if there are any particularly crucial needs in your local area. You can also volunteer to
help out at ongoing recruiting events.
5. Be Ready: Prepare ahead of time to answer questions about the Coast Guard. Follow up
on initial conversations with prospective applicants and have this instruction available in
case there are questions.
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Enclosure (1) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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6. Be Proud: Engage with friends, relatives, and passers-by. Let them know you are
affiliated with the Coast Guard and that you enjoy it. If someone shows interest in the
Coast Guard, take the time to explain your experiences to them.
7. Be Available: Offer (through your command) to make presentations on the Coast Guard
to prospects at school career days, Service Clubs (such as Rotary International), Scout
meetings, boating safety classes etc. Presentations and information can be found on
www.gocoastguard.com or on CG RC’s portal page at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cgrc/SitePages/Everyone%20is%20a%20Recruiter!.aspx
8. Know Your Bounds: Recruiters are the experts on recruiting programs and eligibility
contained in reference (a). Leave that work to them. Refer high quality people with an
interest in Coast Guard missions to Recruiters and to provide that personal human
interaction that the website cannot offer. Not everyone referred will meet the standards.
9. Unit Involvement: Assist recruiting efforts. Make your Coast Guard unit available to the
local recruiting office for tours, displays, and other support. These efforts also create
positive visibility in the local community.
10. Know Recruiting Needs: Each year the Coast Guard has a mission emphasis and critical
recruiting needs. Primary needs include:
a. Quality: The Coast Guard is looking for applicants who are motivated, trustworthy,
judicious, athletic, intelligent, and demonstrate the right attitude.
b. Quantity: Without a sizeable lead and applicant pool, we lack the ability to choose
the most suitable people for our service. All efforts that bring in interested applicants
helps ensure we bring in the best and brightest.
c. Diversity: The Coast Guard is looking to introduce enlisted and officer career
opportunities to talented, under-represented communities of Americans. Enrichment
of our service through diversity is attained by hiring quality individuals who
represent all spectrums of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, culture, and
geographic origin and bring a wide range of interests, ideas, and perspectives.
d. Critical Skills: Be aware of the current critical ratings and let contacts know of
immediate “A” school opportunities. ALCOAST messages will state which ratings
can be filled by guaranteed “A” schools. Your local recruiter can provide this
information as well.
D. Tools for Success:
The most powerful thing members can share with potential applicants is a personal
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Enclosure (1) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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testimonial of their experiences It is also critical to be able to offer information on Coast
Guard accessions program. Please review this instruction thoroughly prior to assisting with
recruiting efforts. Reviewing the following four items will ensure you have the tools you
need to be effective in efforts to assist Coast Guard recruiting:
1. Review the various enlistment and officer programs described in this instruction.
2. Contact local Recruiters and get to know them. While the recruiter workforce is
limited, the nearest Recruiting Office will make every effort to support your needs.
3. Review the Coast Guard website https://www.gocoastguard.com/. Note the various
ways that potential candidates can contact a recruiter. These include:
a. Filling out the application form on the Apply Now page,
b. Speaking with a live recruiter agent on the Chat Now page, and
c. The telephone number, location, and email address on the Find A Recruiter page.
4. An email box has been established at HQS-DG-CGRC-VirtualRecruiter@uscg.mil
where you can forward the contact information of promising leads for a Recruiter to
connect with them.
E. Additional Considerations:
1. If you would like to volunteer to assist with organized recruiting efforts, consider
registering on CG RC’s list of “Ambassadors.” These volunteers assist recruiters with
outreach events, build relationships with local community and influence networks,
encourage applicants, and other exciting activities. For more information, visit
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cgrc/operationsdivision/cgrcambassadors/SitePages/Home
.aspx.
2. If you or someone you know is leaving active duty, there is a team that can help by
providing information on the Coast Guard Reserve. The In-Service Transfer Team
(ISTT) of the Coast Guard Recruiting Command can inform members about current
enlisted reserve opportunities and can be reached at CGR-SMB-ISTT@USCG.MIL.
3. Consider applying for an assignment in recruiting. The Coast Guard depends on
identifying high-performing, motivated active duty enlisted and officers for the recruiting
workforce. If you think you have what it takes to succeed in these challenging but
rewarding Special Assignments, look for more information in the annual Recruiter
Special Assignment ALCGENL message (enlisted) or contact the PSC-OPM-2 Support
and Special Assignment AO or a PSC-OPM-4 Career Counselor (officer).
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Enclosure (2) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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Critical Needs, Incentives, and Procedures
A. General:
This section describes the critical recruiting needs, various levels of incentives for the
Everyone Is A Recruiter (EIAR) program and explains the procedures for processing
applications for special recognition.
B. Critical Recruiting Needs:
The goal is to meet accession requirements with high quality recruits and strengthen
diversity in the workforce as outlined in references (a) and (b). Critical recruiting needs are
constantly changing, refer to the most recent EIAR ALCOAST for the most up to date
information on critical needs and ratings which qualify for the incentive.
C. Referring Leads:
1. Getting potential leads in contact with a Coast Guard recruiter is the fundamental
objective of this program. Any way this takes place is acceptable, but broadly there
are two main ways recommended:
a. Self-Referral. Contacts should be encouraged to reach out to a recruiter on their
own. Contact information to reach a Recruiting Office by phone, email, or
physical location can be found on the “Find A Recruiter” tab on
https://www.gocoastguard.com/. Additionally, the “Apply Now” or “Chat Now”
forms will create a digital file for an applicant that is sent to a recruiter. Direct
the individual to tell their assigned recruiter that you referred them.
b. Lead Referral. Members who know an interested individual may send the lead’s
contact information to the mailbox HQS-DG-CGRC-VirtualRecruiter@uscg.mil.
The lead will then be contacted by a recruiter to assess their eligibility and
encourage them to apply.
D. Awards and Recognition:
1. In exchange for an active duty member, reservist, auxiliarist, CG civilian and retiree's
support of recruiting efforts, Coast Guard Recruiting Command (CG RC) is authorized to
approve incentives to include special recognition and personal awards. Personal awards
and special recognition will be presented to members who provide substantial support
towards recruiting.
2. CG RC is the approving authority for all personal awards associated with this program.
3. To be eligible, all accessions based on the referral must meet one of the critical recruiting
needs listed in the most recent ALCOAST.
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Enclosure (2) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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4. All personal awards listed in paragraph D.5 will be applicable to the following programs:
a. Active-duty enlisted accessions
b. Reserve enlisted accessions, including transitions by active duty members to
the CG Reserve
c. All Direct Commission Officer (DCO) program accessions
d. Officer Candidate School accessions
5. Levels of Awards and Incentives: Coast Guard members who submit referrals for
applicants who meet the criteria listed in the current ALCOAST may earn the following
awards or be considered for special recognition as outlined below.
a. Personal Awards: In accordance with criteria listed in the most recent EIAR
ALCOAST, individuals who recruit a candidate in a critical mission area may be
recognized with a personal award from references (c) and (d). Members may earn a
maximum of three of these within a 12-month period. A member who exceeds three
of these accessions in a year may be considered for an award outside the scope of this
program as determined by CG RC on a case by case basis. Personal awards for these
referrals include:
1. CG Active Duty or Reserve Members: The Commandant's Letter of
Commendation Ribbon Bar (LOC).
2. CG Auxiliary Members: The Auxiliary Commandant's Letter of Commendation
Ribbon Bar (ALOC).
3. Coast Guard Civilian Employees: CG RC will send an Official Letter of
Commendation to the referring member. Additionally, CG RC will communicate
to the civilian member’s Command, a recommendation for up to a 19-hour Time
Off Award (if eligible) per COMDTINST M12451.1C, Civilian Awards Manual.
Units should contact their Civilian Resource Coordinator and/or Human
Resources Specialist (CG-123) with any questions.
4. CG Retirees: Thank you letter from CG RC’s Commanding Officer along with
the issuance of a unit coin.
5. Department of Defense Military Members: The Commandant's Letter of
Commendation Ribbon Bar (LOC). CG RC will be the signing authority for this
award upon gaining concurrence from the recipient’s service.
b. Other Special Recognition: Members who submit referrals not meeting criteria for a
personal award may be eligible for other special recognition such as:
1. CG Active Duty: Positive CG-3307 and 72 hours of special liberty authorized in
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Enclosure (3) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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7. Allowances. Receive additional tax-free money for Basic Allowance for Housing
(BAH) if government housing is not available in the area you are stationed; Basic
Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) if government food facilities are not available in the
area you are stationed; and a uniform allowance if you enlist to help maintain your
uniform. Link for reference: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm.
8. Tax advantage. Only basic monthly pay is subject to federal or state taxes.
9. GI Bill. The Post 9/11 GI Bill offers up to 36 months of education benefits, generally
payable for 15 years following your release from active duty. To find out more and
also get up to date official information about the Post 9/11 GI Bill go to:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post9llgibill.asp
10. Tuition Assistance. While on active duty, members may continue their education
and may be helped in defraying the cost of college-accredited courses.
11. Additional Benefits. There are exchange and commissary privileges, moving
allowances, temporary lodging expenses, travel, survivor benefits, Veterans
Administration home loans, and more.
C. Enlisted Careers:
1. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Testing. The ASVAB test
is one of the first steps in the application process for the Coast Guard. If an
applicant does not achieve a favorable score the first time, they can retest after 30
days. Recruiters can provide applicants with specific ASVAB score requirements.
If an applicant does not pass on the second try, they will have to wait six months
before retesting. Applicants that study and seriously prepare for the test usually
pass on their first try. Study guides are available in most bookstores, libraries, or
local guidance counselor's office. For more information on the ASVAB, visit
http://official-asvab.com/inclex.htm.
2. Basic Training, Assignments, and "A" School Training:
a. Recruit training or "Basic training" is an eight-week basic training program that is
designed to prepare recruits for entry-level service. Recruit training is located at
the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey. Recruit Training is
tough, both mentally and physically! Its purpose is to prepare members for life in
the Coast Guard. Much of the training will take place in a classroom where
valuable skills such as first aid, firefighting, weapons handling, practical
seamanship, and general Coast Guard knowledge will be learned. There will he
daily physical fitness classes and time at the pool learning basic water survival
techniques. Recruits will meet their Company Commander (CC) on the first
Friday of their training. The CC has the responsibility to make a hardworking,
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Enclosure (3) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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4. Where is "A" School Conducted?
a. Training Center Yorktown, Yorktown, VA: BM, DC, EM, GM, IS, MK, and
MST
b. Training Center Petaluma, Petaluma, CA: ET, CS, HS, IT, OS, SK, and YN
c. Aviation Technical Training Center, Elizabeth City, NC: AET, AMT, and AST
d. Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), Charleston, SC: ME
e. Defense Information School (DINFOS), Fort Meade, Maryland: PA
5. Reserve Specific Programs:
Keeping the Coast Guard Reserve staffed with quality people directly impacts our
ability to carry out our mission. A challenge in recent years is attracting new
reserve applicants. Below are available programs for reserve applicants:
a. Split Training Program: Ideal for high school and college students, teachers,
and professionals with seasonal employment, who are between the ages of 17
and 31. The program allows you to attend eight weeks of basic training, return
home to continue school or civilian employment, report to your unit, and then
attend your specialized training at a later date.
b. Consecutive Training Program: Ideal for applicants with less than 60 semester
hours of college, no prior service or skills that relate to a Coast Guard job field,
and are between the ages of 17 and 31. You can attend the eight weeks of basic
training and then attend your specialized training consecutively.
c. Direct Entry Petty Officer Program: Ideal for applicants with professional or
prior service skills that relate to a Coast Guard job field, and are between the
ages of 27 and 40. You may be able to enlist with a higher rank (E4), with
more pay, increased benefits and greater responsibility. You will attend three
weeks of condensed training at Cape May, NJ, then report directly to your duty
station without additional training.
d. Direct Entry Education Program: Ideal for applicants with 60 or more semester
hours of colleges and are between the ages of 27 and 40. You may be able to
enlist with a higher rank (E3), with more pay, increased benefits and greater
responsibility. You will attend three weeks of training at Cape May, NJ,
followed by specialized training, and then report to your duty station. Please
note: in some situations, you could be sent to your duty station after completion
of the condensed three week, then to your specialized training.
e. Prior-Military Service Program: Ideal for prior service active duty and reserve
applicants who are looking to build on previous experience and to continue
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Enclosure (3) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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earning points towards their military retirement. You will be able to enlist with
a higher rank (E4), with more pay, increased benefits and greater responsibility.
Depending upon your prior-military occupation you may qualify for some
programs up to the age of 40. You will attend three weeks of training at Cape
May, NJ, followed by specialized training, and then report to your duty station.
Please note: in some situations, you could be sent to your duty station after
completion of the condensed three week, then to your specialized training.
D. Officer Careers:
There are several ways to become an officer in the Coast Guard to include successfully
graduating from the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, successfully completing Officer Candidate
School (OCS), or through one of several Direct Commission Officer (DCO) programs. All
officer program training is delivered at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy in New London,
Connecticut. The Coast Guard selects future officers from top active-duty enlisted members,
high school students, college graduates, and working professionals.
1. Coast Guard Academy:
a. The Coast Guard Academy is the Coast Guard's primary source of commissioned
officers. The Coast Guard has been training cadets since 1876, when cutters (Coast
Guard vessels 65 feet or longer) were used as training platforms. The Coast Guard
Academy, a four-year college, was established in its current form in New London,
Connecticut in 1932, and is fully accredited by the New England Association of
Schools and Colleges. All engineering majors are accredited by the Accreditation
Board of Engineering and Technology. More than 200 cadets enter training every
year. Classroom sizes range from 20 to 25 students with smaller classes frequent in
more senior major classes. The majority of cadet’s graduate with engineering,
science or mathematics degrees: civil, electrical, mechanical, naval or marine
engineering, marine and environmental science, cyber systems, operations research
and computer analysis, but others graduate with degrees such as government and
management.
b. To apply, applicants should have competitive standardized test scores which have
averaged around 1270 for the SAT and 27 for the ACT. Applicants must not have
reached their 22nd birthday. Unlike other service academies, a Congressional
nomination is not required and tuition is free. For an application or more information,
go to www.cga edu or call 1800-883-8724. Interested applicants may also write:
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Admissions
31 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320-8103
2. Officer Candidate School:
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a. Officer Candidate School (OCS) is a 17-week officer indoctrination program located
in New London, Connecticut, that includes training in nautical science, law
enforcement, seamanship, Coast Guard history and leadership. Graduates are
commissioned as an Ensign (O-1) in the United States Coast Guard and incur an
active duty service obligation of three years. Upon completion of the initial three
years of active-duty obligation members may continue to serve on active duty
indefinitely.
b. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or be in their senior year of college and
meet the age, academic, character and physical requirements to be a successful officer
to apply for OCS. The application process is extensive, and includes an intense
background and medical screening, in addition to an interview with three Coast
Guard officers.
c. OCS applications are submitted through Coast Guard Recruiters, and applications
compete in an annual selection panel against other applicants from across the nation.
Only the best candidates are chosen to become Officers. For more information, visit
following link:
http://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty- careers/officeropportunities/prograrns/officer-candidate-school-ocs.
3. Direct Commission Officer (DCO) Opportunities:
As a lawyer, engineer, intelligence professional, maritime academy graduate, aviator,
physician assistant, or military academy ROTC graduate, you may also qualify for a
Direct Commission. Direct commission officers are highly motivated individuals whose
skills and leadership enable the Coast Guard to meet the need for expertise in critical
mission and mission support arenas. DCO selectees are commissioned as an ensign,
lieutenant junior grade, or lieutenant and attend a five-week indoctrination course in New
London, Connecticut. For more information about the available programs, visit the
following link:
https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/officer- opportunities/programs/direct-commission-programs.
4. Careers in Aviation:
There are several ways to become a pilot in the Coast Guard. You can apply to the Wilks
Flight Initiative (WiFI) program after acceptance into the College Student Pre- Commissioning Initiative (CSPI), you can apply to flight school during officer candidate
school (OCS), after acceptance into the OCS program, you can compete for flight school
during your senior year at the Coast Guard Academy, or you can apply to flight school
after you are commissioned. There are two flight training solicitations annually for Coast
Guard officers. Flight school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and lasts up to 13 months.
Finally, pilots in other branches of the military who meet the criteria of the Direct
Commission Aviation (DCA) program are eligible to compete for a direct commission as
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a Coast Guard aviator. Applicants for each of these programs must pass a Class I A
Flight Physical.
5. Medical Officers:
The Coast Guard is also seeking qualified health professionals in the above disciplines.
If you are interested in any of these programs, you must first be a U. S. Public Health
Services (USPHS) officer. For assistance with your application or for more information
regarding these programs please visit the "Health Profession Programs” section at the
following link: http://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/officer- opportunities/programs
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Everyone’s a Recruiter Referral Submission Form
Date of this form Submission:
Recruiter’s Name:
Recruiting Office:
Referring CG member’s Full Name:
EMPLID:
Rank/Rate:
Current unit (Command long title):
Referred Recruit’s Full Name:
Applicant ID:
Boot Camp Ship Date:
Active Duty Guaranteed School
Reserve Rating Unit
Officer Program
Email this form
To: CGR‐SMB‐CGRC‐EIARS‐Dropbox
Cc: Referring CG Member
Component:
Rating
Version (08/20)
Previous Editions Obsolete
Enclosure (4) to PSCINST 1120.1A
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Coast Guard
EVERYONE IS A RECRUITER REFERRAL CONTACT SHEET
Coast Guard Applicant: Submit this completed form to your processing
recruiting office. This will ensure the Coast Guard member who recruited
you receives proper recognition.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
AUTHORITY: 10 U.S.C. s 504 and 14 U.S.C. s 211 authorizes this collection of information to process individuals interested in enlistments
and/or commissions in the United States Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve.
PURPOSE: The Coast Guard will use this information to ensure Coast Guard personnel, including active duty, reservists, auxiliary, retirees,
and civilians, who recruit new applicants, receive proper recognition, awards and incentives. The Everyone Is A Recruiter campaign will
assist with recruiting efforts and critical recruiting needs.
ROUTINE UES: The information will be used by and disclosed to Coast Guard Personnel who need the information to assist in activities
related to recruiting. Any external disclosures of data within this record will be ad in accordance with DHS/USCG-027, Recruiting Files
System of Records, 76 Federal Register 49494, August 10, 2011.
DISCLOSURE: Furnishing this information is voluntary, however, failure to furnish the requested information may delay or prevent being
contacted by a recruiter, or prevent recognition of Coast Guard personnel. Any information provided is protected from unauthorized
disclosure by the Privacy Act of 1974.
Applicant Name:
Name of Referring
Coast Guard Member:
Check One: Active Duty Reservist
Civilian Retiree
Auxiliarist
Applicant Signature: Date: