Editor's Note: This article has been updated to clarify that the CGC Valiant and four 87' Coastal Patrol Boats will be laid up on a temporary basis, not permanently. Additionally, the article has been adjusted to clarify plans for the Electronic Warfare OSs and Electronic Technicians (ETs) on the 270' Medium Endurance Cutters.
This year’s Force Alignment Initiative (FAI) adjustments will be far more limited in scope than those for Assignment Year 2024.
Last year, workforce gaps forced the Coast Guard to temporarily close small stations, change some stations to scheduled mission units, and decommission some cutters earlier than planned.
But since then, our recruiting numbers have improved. While the service still faces a workforce shortage, the main gaps are at the E4 and E5 levels within the Operations Specialist (OS) and Machinery Technician (MK) ratings. By targeting these gaps, the service will shift some billets from one rating to another rating. So, members of all ratings: keep reading! There may be opportunities for you.
The Coast Guard will also temporarily lay up one 210’ Medium Endurance Cutter (CGC VALIANT) as already planned. Additionally, we will temporarily lay up four 87’ Coastal Patrol Boats (CPBs) and move four WPBs to take their homeports.
Coast Guard Vice Commandant, ADM Kevin Lunday, recently directed these steps to mitigate risks for the workforce and the communities we serve.
Like last year, there will be no loss of search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. The Service will continue to prioritize saving lives, safeguarding national security, and protecting the marine transportation system.
Like all military branches, the Coast Guard faces a workforce shortage, making it necessary to continue force alignment. Fortunately, as recruiting and retention improve, the service has been able to be more strategic in reassigning personnel and adjusting operations to ensure that we remain always ready.
During the planning process, the team prioritized some key tenets, such as:
- Will this decision align with the initial AY24 FAI changes?
- Will this action better position the Coast Guard for the future?
- Can we reduce performance requirements so we aren’t asking members to do more – or even the same – with less?
In all cases, the relevant Rating Force Master Chiefs (RFMCs) have been involved in the decision-making process to ensure these changes will not negatively impact members’ career progression. The RFMCs have made sure there will be no interruptions in opportunities to meet sea time for advancement requirements and the ability to earn certifications needed for career development.
Here are the main AY25 Force Alignment updates.
Suspend some cutters
- We are temporarily laying up a 57-year-old 210' Medium Endurance Cutter, CGC VALIANT, and reallocating the crew throughout the fleet. We will not increase the operational days of the remaining 210' fleet.
- We are temporarily laying up four 87' Coastal Patrol Boats (WPBs) and moving four other WPBs to take their homeports.
- CGC RIDLEY will be laid up. CGC HERON will shift homeport from Cape May, NJ, to Panama City, FL, where the crew of the RIDLEY will take over. The crew of the HERON will be reassigned in AY25.
- CGC NARWHAL will be laid up. CGC BLACKTIP will shift homeport from Oxnard, CA, to Corona del Mar, CA, where the crew of the NARWHAL will take over. The crew of the BLACKTIP will be reassigned in AY25.
- CGC FLYINGFISH will be laid up. CGC MANOWAR will shift homeport from Dania Beach, FL, to Fort Pierce, FL, where the crew of the FLYINGFISH will take over. The crew of the MANOWAR will be reassigned in AY25.
- CGC STEELHEAD will be laid up. CGC STURGEON will shift homeport from Boston, MA, to Atlantic Beach, NC, where the crew of the STEELHEAD will take over. The crew of the STURGEON will be reassigned in AY 2025.
Transfer responsibilities
We are transferring some of the workload from the MK and OS workforces. In some cases, it makes sense to transfer functions to other ratings. In other cases, we’re going to pursue contracting out some work.
- We will offer Extended Active Duty (EAD) contracts, with incentives, to 20 MK Select Reserve (SELRES) members to fill critical MK positions. Any MK SELRES member interested in pursuing an EAD, stay tuned to the MK SharePoint page for more details as they become available (CAC required).
- We will permanently fill the Electronic Warfare OS positions on the 418' National Security Cutters (WMSLs) with Intelligence Specialists (IS) and reallocate OSs to fill vacancies across the Service. This transfer of technical requirements had already been planned and is simply being accelerated. Tour complete ISs interested in this unique underway opportunity, reach out to your Assignment Officer, CWO John Rangel.
- We will gap the Electronic Warfare OSs and some Electronics Technicians (ETs) on the 270' Medium Endurance Cutters. Current technicians in those positions will complete their tour, and upon transfer the billet will not be filled.
- AY24 FAI removed 13 MK Tactical Boat Crew positions from the combined Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Waterside Divisions. Now, we will temporarily fill three vacant MK positions with Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME). There will be 5 MKs remaining in the waterside divisions along with the 2-3 MKs in each MSST Engineering Division. Tour complete MEs interested in this opportunity, reach out to your Assignment Officer, CWO Amber Martinez.
- We will assign Marine Science Technicians (MSTs) to Command Center Situation Unit positions in the Inland River Sectors to allow OSs to fill critical vacancies across the fleet. OSs will continue to stand the Communications Unit, Operations Unit, and Command Duty Officer watches, as applicable. Tour complete MSTs interested in this opportunity, reach out to your Assignment Officer, CWO Dani Wilcox.
- We will temporarily remove MKs from Air Stations and work to contract out ground support and non-aircraft maintenance.
Shift support to operations
- AY24 FAI temporarily laid up 87' WPBs but did not adjust the staffing of the supporting Sector’s Engineering Division. This year, we will reassign a proportionate number of MKs at each affected Sector to account for all temporary 87' WPB lay ups.
- We will temporarily delay filling the MK billets for the traveling Maintenance Augmentation Teams (MATs) in Sitka and Seward, AK. MATs in Kodiak and Ketchikan, AK, will continue supporting cutters in D17.
- We will temporarily reassign personnel assigned to MAT St. Petersburg and MAT Pensacola to fill other vacancies.
- We will temporarily reassign MKs and Boatswain’s Mates (BMs) at Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) to fill vacancies across the fleet. We will work to identify commercial support to provide surface assets supporting HITRON training needs.
- We will stop the practice of Centralized Cutter Boat Pooling for major cutters. The Small Boat Product Line (SBPL) will continue depot level maintenance. We will reassign the MKs at MATs that had supported Centralized Cutter Boat Pooling.
- We will reassign MKs in Equipment Specialist billets at Surface Forces Logistics Center to fill vacancies across the fleet.
- AY24 FAI identified several MK and OS billets to temporarily leave vacant. We will continue to not assign MKs and OSs to those positions in AY25.
Continue to boost recruiting and retention
“We continue to expand recruiting efforts by opening new recruiting offices, growing the dedicated recruiting workforce, removing barriers to accession, and offering bonuses in line with other military branches,” said CAPT Ben Keffer, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Recruiting Command. “These investments are beginning to pay off. This year, we are poised to meet our recruiting goals for active-duty enlisted members, reserve members, and officers, but will not lose focus on the need to continue investing in the ability to recruit the workforce of the future.”
While we’re encouraged by these positive trends, there’s still a lot of work to do before we can fully staff our operational and mission support units. Focused investments to improve workforce retention and attract new talent will continue.
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