My Coast Guard

Career Development Programs and Resources

Tuition Assistance (TA) (CAC Required)
Civilian employees who meet eligibility requirements may use TA funding at approved academic institutions for courses leading to a first or second academic certificate, a first or second Associate or Bachelor's degree, and a first Master's degree up to $250 per semester credit and up to $4,500/fiscal year.

Credentialing Assistance (CA) (CAC Required)
Civilian employees who meet eligibility requirements may use CA funding for professional certifications and licenses listed on the CG COOL site, to include training courses, books, study guides, exam prep materials, exams, and maintenance/ renewal fees. The CA funding cap is $4,500 per Fiscal Year and can be used in addition to Tuition Assistance.

Coast Guard Acculturation Program (CGAP) (CAC Required)
The CG Acculturation Program (CGAP) for newly hired civilians includes a one-day DHS Ethos training course, an overview of CCM programs, and self-paced Coast Guard acculturation training that covers Coast Guard history, missions, structure, vessels, rates and ranks.

Coast Guard Rotational Assignment Program for Civilians (RAP-C) (CAC Required)
Civilian employees may be eligible for a temporary rotation to another position within the Coast Guard for the purposes of training, professional development, personal growth and/or to gain exposure to different CG missions/areas. Civilian rotations may or may not be in the same office as the employee’s position of record and may be part-time or full-time, virtual or in-person.

Coast Guard Mentoring Program
The Coast Guard Mentoring Program offers expanded leadership opportunities and connections for the CG active duty, reservist and civilian workforce. The program goes beyond traditional mentoring and offers 4 types of mentoring “tracks” or connections tailored specifically to individual needs and scheduling preferences

Coast Guard Leadership and Professional Development Courses
A resource of online and offline courses for all grades focused on leadership, management and facilitation.

USCG Supervisor of Civilians Tier I
This is a self-paced course to assist supervisors with the day-to-day responsibilities of managing civilian personnel. This course consists of several lesson modules comprised of presentations, job aids and web links that will help provide them with the basic knowledge for managing, evaluating, and recognizing employees, and responding to emergency situations as a supervisor.

USCG Supervisor of Civilians Tier II
This five-day, instructor-led virtual course is designed to provide training to newly hired/promoted civilian and military supervisors of USCG civilian personnel. The course material introduces each new supervisor to topics and requirements they are required to know based upon their new position as a supervisor of civilian personnel.

USCG Midgrade Officer and Civilian Transition Course (MOCTC)
MOCTC prepares USCG lieutenants and GS-12s for roles of greater responsibility and for more complex leadership challenges. The course is delivered in a blended format, with five weeks of online pre-residency work followed by a one week in-person residency session.

USCG Senior Leadership Training Course (SLTC)
SLTC prepares new lieutenant commanders and GS-13s to expand their leadership capacity so they can effectively lead in dynamic conditions and highly complex, strategic environments. This blended course meets for six weeks of online pre-resident coursework and ends with a two week in-person residency.

USCG Leadership and Management School (LAMS)
LAMS is a one-week, in-person course designed to enhance supervisory skills for first line supervisors and mid-level managers. LAMS is open to GS 7-11, NAF employees, and Auxiliary members on a space available basis.

USCG Senior Leadership Principles and Skills (SLPS)
SLPS is designed to help GS 12-14 civilians to develop the leadership skills needed to transition to senior management positions. It is recommended that participants attend LAMS or an equivalent course first.

USCG Team Leader / Facilitator (TLFAC)
This five-day course is designed to help you develop your ability to lead teams and serve as a change agent, focusing on leading work-groups and cross-functional teams, managing group dynamics, and improving team performance. The course is open to GS 12-14s. High performers in other pay grades are encouraged to attend with supervisor approval.

USCG Skillsoft Percipio (CAC Required)
Skillsoft Percipio provides self-paced online professional development courses and training pathways, including over 200 structured learning paths and more than 800 curated training channels. Featured channels include content curated around both DHS and Coast Guard leadership and career development, Coast Guard civilian workforce communities, and certification preparation resources, training and bootcamps.

USAJobs Open Opportunities
Open Opportunities range from one-time projects to full-time details and internships. Can be internal to USCG or cross-agency.

USCG Jobs
This USAJobs link takes you directly to all currently available USCG jobs. You can sort by hiring path, job series and pay grade.

DoD: Defense Civilian Emerging Leaders Program (DCELP)
Attend four, one-week in-residence courses at the National Center for Employee Development (NCED) in Norman, OK. The course covers DoD mission, decisiveness, conflict resolution and more.

DHS Joint Mission Fellows Program (JMPF)
The DHS Joint Mission Fellows Program (JMFP) is a blended program, a combination of both in-residence and virtually led events, that builds a cadre of mid-level leaders with formal mission skills, qualifications, and experience. Open to full-time GS 11-13; O3-O4 and E5-E7 employees.

The Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) (CAC Required)
Earn your M.A. in Security Studies or enroll in a non-degree program for Executive Leadership, Pacific Executive Leadership, or Emerging Leaders. All programs are fully funded through a FEMA grant. Eligibility varies per program, but there are opportunities for GS-9 to SES

Department of State National Security Executive Leadership Seminar (NSELS)
The Foreign Service Institute National Security Executive Leadership Seminar course offers participants exposure to high-level Administration officials and the latest insights on policy deliberations. For GS-15 and O6.

DoD Service School Opportunities (CAC Required)
DoD encourages employee development by offering free advanced academic degrees from academic institutions across the country. Opportunities include:

  • M.S. National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School
  • M.S. National Security Strategy, National War College
  • M.S. Strategic Studies, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
  • M.S. Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College
  • M.S. Strategic Studies, U.S. Air War College
  • M.A. National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College
  • M.S. Strategic Studies, U.S. Marine Corps University
  • M.A. Strategic Security Studies, College of International Affairs
  • M.S. Inter-American Defense and Security, Inter-American Defense College
  • M.S. Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy, Joint Forces Staff College

Please contact the Coast Guard Component POC for the DHS Academics Programs with any questions.

DHS Leader Development Program 
The DHS Leader Development Program (LDP) is designed to provide leaders at all levels strategies, systems, policies, tools and communities of purpose that help support and sustain a proficient, engaged and mission-capable workforce. ​

DHS Continuous Supervisory Leader Development 
Known as the “12/12”, DHS requires all supervisors, managers and executives beyond their first year to complete two annual continuous development requirements.  This includes 12 hours of self-development within a set of essential competencies and 12 hours of leader-as-teacher “Give Back” serving as an instructor, coach, mentor, author, speaker, or in some way contributing their expertise to developing others' leadership, aside from their supervisory responsibilities.

President’s Management Council Interagency Rotation Program (PMC) (CAC Required)
The PMC Interagency Rotation Program enables emerging Federal leaders to expand their management skills, broaden their organizational experience, and foster networks they can leverage in the future. The program involves a rotational assignment in another agency for six months, at the participant’s current grade level. For GS13-15.

DHS Volunteer Force 
The DHS Volunteer Force staffs and deploys a cadre of volunteers who assist in non-Stafford Act incidents.

DHS Surge Capacity Force (CAC Required)
The Surge Capacity Force provides volunteers to support areas throughout the country in greatest need after natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other catastrophic events.

DHS Rotation Program (CAC Required)
The Homeland Security Rotation Program enables employees to further their professional development by participating in virtual and/or in-person cross-component rotational assignments. (Site accessible from USCG workstations only).

DHS Joint Duty Program (CAC Required)
The DHS Joint Duty Program offers civilian personnel developmental assignments within DHS as well as with other federal agencies. The program is open to GS 12-15 federal employees. Joint Duty Program participants gain multi-component, multi-faceted experience to enhance performance of the employee, the organization, and the Department.

DHS Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program (CAC Required)
The SES development program is an intensive 12-18 month course that prepares high-performing GS 14/15 individuals for positions in the SES.

Partnership for Public Service: Excellence in Government and e-Government Fellows
These programs offer a transformational experience that encourages fellows to think differently and lead more effectively, tapping expertise from top practitioners in both public and private sectors. The programs require participants to be away from their positions for approximately 20 days per year. For GS 14-15s or exceptional GS 13s.

Graduate School USA: Aspiring Leader Program
The program strengthens basic competencies in oral and written communication, problem solving, leadership, interpersonal skills, self-direction, flexibility, customer service, and decisiveness. For GS-4-6.

Graduate School USA: New Leader Program
The New Leader Program is for employees who have just entered leadership or have a high potential. The course involves three, one-week sessions over a six-month period. For GS 7-11.

Graduate School USA: Executive Leader Program
The nine-month program strengthens employees’ leadership competencies and teaches them how to apply the skills in real-world situations. For GS 11-13.

Coast Guard Inspirational Leadership Awards
These annual awards recognize civilian employees and military members who exemplify the Coast Guard’s core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.

Coast Guard Civilian Awards Manual
The manual covers various recognition awards, eligibility and how to apply for them; it also includes the Civilian Awards Manual Instruction. Here are some of the awards used to recognize outstanding USCG civilians

  • Commandant’s Superior Achievement Award
  • Commandant’s Distinguished Career Service Award
  • Civilian Service Commendation Medal
  • Civilian Employee of the Year Award
  • DHS Secretary’s Annual Awards
  • DH Secretary’s Honorary Awards

Office of Diversity and Inclusion
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion provides programs and resources to foster collaborative diversity education and socialization.

Office of Leadership
The Office of Leadership offers educational opportunities and provides resources for developing leadership attributes.

FORCECOM Training Contact
FORCECOM provides numerous training programs and resources for both civilian and military members.

Civilian Career Management Team (CAC Required)
The CG Civilian Career Management team provides tools and information to help civilian employees develop their professional or leadership skillsets, apply for CG rotation opportunities, further their education and training goals and more.

FORCECOM Career Investment Division (CAC Required)
The FORCECOM Career Investment division develops, implements and manages all Voluntary Education, Voluntary Credentialing, Advanced Education, and Civilian Career Management programs for the Coast Guard.

Last reviewed on: 9/15/2020