New in-person SAPRR Bystander Intervention Training (BIT) requirements

The Coast Guard has launched mandatory in-person SAPRR Bystander Intervention Training (BIT) for all hands. All personnel—including Active Duty, Reserve, and Civilians—must complete their first in-person SAPRR BIT course by Sept. 30, 2028, and then complete follow-up training every two years. Bystander intervention training empowers the entire community to proactively prevent harm. The in-person format moves beyond theory to give members the real-world confidence and social muscle memory needed to act decisively in complex, high-stakes situations. 

Before you attend the in-person BIT session, you should first complete your annual SAPRR course (502379) on CG-OWL to refresh your foundational understanding. 

Once you’ve taken that intro-level online course, the in-person session will help you further build your skills by using complex, real-world scenarios. By the end, you’ll feel more prepared to take action when needed. It will help you: 

• Recognize perpetrator behaviors 

• Understand what it means to be an active bystander 

• Overcome common barriers to stepping in 

• Practice real-life intervention strategies  

Check out this video about the new BIT course (CAC required) to learn more. 

Commands need to schedule their unit’s training. You can choose a 3-hour or 8-hour curriculum, depending on your unit’s needs. Both options will train about 20-50 members at a time, and they both fulfill the new requirement. Contact your SAPRR Service Line at the Workforce and Family Service Center (WFSC) to schedule training.  

Key takeaways 

• Who: All Active Duty, Reserve, and Civilian personnel are required to attend. Auxiliarists may attend if they want to. 

• What: In-Person Bystander Intervention Training (course code 100701) 

• Recommended Prerequisite: Annual SAPRR course (502379) on CG-OWL 

• Deadline: Must complete first In-Person BIT by Sept. 30, 2028 

• Frequency: This in-person training is required every two years. 

• Facilitators: The course is delivered by specially trained and certified SAPRR BIT facilitators. 

• Format: 8-hour or 3-hour curriculum options available 

-USCG-