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My Coast Guard
Commentary | April 5, 2023

New: Easier process to request 'A' school

By Alyson Pulkkinen, MyCG Staff

Thanks to a recent upgrade, new enlisted members no longer need to fill out a paper form when requesting “A” school. Instead, you can now submit your request in Direct Access (DA), much like the process for requesting leave.

The electronic system will speed up the entire “A” school request process, automatically notifying members and command if any additional information or action is needed.

“Seeing all the requests and reviewing waivers will be much simpler, which helps me manage my rating,” said master chief petty officer Joshua Ewing, Rating Force Master Chief for the Aviation Maintenance Technician rating. 

The streamlined process is a game changer for our enlisted workforce and those who support them. It makes members’ career development process much more efficient and reduces errors as the request moves through the approval chain.

The new system is also more transparent. Now, you can track the status of your request as it moves through the system.

To submit a request, go to the same self-service area in DA as a leave request. DA will automatically calculate your Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores and compare them to the requested rating. Any additional action needed will automatically be shared with the member and their command.

Members and their commands can reference this user guide created by the Pay and Personnel Center to walk them through the process.

This is the latest in a series of efforts reducing barriers to attend “A” school.  Previous efforts adjusted the points required for each rating and streamlined the waiver standards.

Any questions about this new electronic process should be sent to HQS-SMB-CGPSC-EPM-ASCHOOLREQUESTS@uscg.mil.

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