The Coast Guard Female Relevant Policies Resource Guide is now available on the Office of Diversity & Inclusion's website.
What is it?
A desk reference that catalogs current policies and instructions relevant to women serving in the Coast Guard and correlated with retention. Shaped by the recommendations of the Women’s Retention Study and Holistic Analysis (WRSHA), the guide is sourced from dozens of separate, official government publications that pertain to work environment, career progression, and personal life. Eight chapters cover the following topics:
- Grooming, Appearance, and Uniform Standards
- Assignment Related Content
- Coast Guard Body Composition Program
- Health
- Pregnancy & Post-partum
- Dependent Care
- Support Opportunities
- References
Why is the Coast Guard Female Relevant Policies Resource Guide needed?
The guide is intended to make it easier and faster for members to access, digest, and apply current policies and instructions. The Coast Guard has several policies and instructions that encourage inclusive work environments, promote career progression, and support family life, but some personnel don’t know about them. This guide consolidates these crucial policies and instructions to be referenced and applied consistently and accurately. The WRSHA indicates leaders are sometimes unfamiliar with policies relevant to female service members and this could lead to inconsistent policy enforcement that can contribute to attrition.
The WRSHA offered recommendations aimed at improving retention, including publishing this guide. Women leave active duty at higher rates in the Coast Guard than men, according to the WRSHA. The Coast Guard needs to retain its best and brightest service members, which include women. It’s a matter of mission readiness, according to the Coast Guard Strategic Plan 2018-2022.
Who is this guide for?
The primary audience is leaders, particularly those managing members serving afloat — or in remote areas — who must support policies and instructions at the local unit level. Easily printed, the format can be helpful to keep on hand, regardless of workstation access or cutter connectivity. The content within the guide primarily applies to active duty and reserve military as well as United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps members detailed to the Coast Guard.
“Correct application of current policies and instructions helps supervisors become more effective and inclusive leaders. It requires awareness of current policies and instructions and consistent, accurate enforcement of them. This guide is a leadership enabler,” said Hope Balamani, Coast Guard Office of Diversity & Inclusion chief. “As members and leaders become more informed about female relevant policies and resources, we will see consistent application of current policies which will foster more inclusive work environments and could promote retention of female service members.”
The Coast Guard Female Relevant Policies Resource Guide was developed with support from the Coast Guard Office of Diversity and Inclusion (CG-127) and the Coast Guard Personnel Readiness Task Force (PRTF), a special assignment team tackling workforce readiness and retention challenges. Once yearly revisions to the guide, informed by policy updates and consumer feedback, are scheduled and will be completed by the Office of Diversity & Inclusion personnel.
To share questions, comments and concerns about the Coast Guard Female Relevant Policies Resource Guide, email the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (CG-127).
Resources:
Coast Guard Female Relevant Policies Resource Guide
Women’s Retention Study and Holistic Analysis
Coast Guard Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022