Prospective MEs,

Good day to all on the boards. My name is Frank Morrison, and I am one of the 5 Central Assignment Coordinators (CACs) at PSC. I am boosting the tactic of Bosun Kerner and starting a post here to try and shed some light on the ME rate.

A few ground rules before we take in line 2 on this thread (again, lessons learned from Bosun Kerner)

1. I will not answer any questions regarding a particular individual. This thread is intended to clear up general questions regarding the lateral selection process AND ATTEMPT to clear up any of the rumors that are being circulated.

2. The information that is posted will be general and impartial; there will be no posts to aid any individual in the lateral selection process. Please don't ask any questions about how the panel specifically works or who will be on the panel; I simply can not talk about these topics.

3. Post frequency: I will attempt to check the thread at least once a day until the lateral selection panel meets (once over the weekend as well). Please be patient while waiting for a response.

4. I am speculating that there will be some questions/rumors that I will not be able to answer. Please be patient with responses. If I say that "I am unsure about a post" please take that at face value. I am not trying to elude, deceive, or twist anything, and I ask that you also assist me in this process.

Just like on the BM thread - if this does not seem like it is productive or if it becomes contentious, I am going to thank everyone for participating and slip out of the forum.

So, all this being said; let the feeding frenzy commence. I particularly want to address rumors, and answer questions from the field units. This is an amazing event and a huge opportunity for folks that want to concentrate on law enforcement as their primary duty.

References:

ALCGENL 140/09 - ACTIVE DUTY MARITIME ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST
(ME) RATING LATERAL SELECTION PROCESS UPDATE

ALCOAST 445/09
SUBJ: LATERAL SELECTION PROCESS FOR MARITIME ENFORCEMENT SPECIALIST
(ME) RATING AND MARITIME LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY SPECIALIST
(MLES) CWO SPECIALTY
*IMPORTANT* This message specifically addresses all the requisite items for the lateral request.

Package deadline: 02 OCTOBER - Electronic Packages are preferred due to significant delays receiving snail mail at PSC

Lateral Panel Dates - 13 OCTOBER - 23 OCTOBER

Results - TBD

More Info is available here:

merating.blogspot.com/]http://www.merating.blogspot.com/

https://cgportal.uscg.mil/lotus/myquickr/me/welcome

Time for me to Clutch in here on the first rumor that is circulating:

Rumor:
"Little Birdies" have indicated that an individual will not be released from rate, and that Assignment Officers may veto/refuse to release members.

Answer:
1. The lateral selection process is a formal REQUEST by an individual to be considered for lateral from their current rate to ME. The lateral request is COMPLETELY removed from the assignment process. Assignment Officers will have NO say on individuals requesting to lateral. Most of you are aware that certain rates are at a critical level of personnel strength (e.g. OS and EM), and this will have some impact on the OVERALL (total) number of applicants that will be released. The office of workforce planning will be responsible for the analysis of ALL rates, and will make recommendations on how many members w/in a rate could lateral without causing more harm to the donor rate; no individual will be vetoed in this analysis.



EDIT - UNAUTHORIZED HYPERLINK DEACTIVATED.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LetsGoRedSox,

Good Morning Sir,

Will newly selected ME's tour complete in AY10 be assigned based on current assignment priority within their legacy rating or will initial transfers be more qual/performance based? If transfers are in fact qual based, will operational billets be filled first, i.e. Cutters, Taclets, Stations, etc? With that said, will there still be a focus on financial stewardship when determining where to assign members into the newly converted AY10 billets across the C.G.?

Thank You,

MK1 A.

Good morning Sir,
If selected when can we expect to see A/Y 2010 shopping list.

R/

MK1 V

MK1s,

Some very good questions rolled into these first posts

Regarding Priority, Competencies, and Quals:

Enlisted AOs do not make assignment decisions based on individual competencies (Aviation is completely different). We will make every effort to honor the assignment priority that a mbr has earned completing their tour. Please remember that assignment priority is one (not the only driving factor in the assignment process). Also, another rumor is somewhat addressed in one of your questions - afloat assignments. There is a minimal number of afloat ME positions on 210s, 270s, and 378s. Lots of folks were very concerned that there was going to be a high number of afloat billets.

Financial Stewardship will be a consideration in FY10; however, it will likely not be as weighted as it was in FY09.

The AY10 shopping list is looking good for an on time delivery - this Friday; if for some reason the timeline slips, it will be an all hands notification of when to expect the list, but again, we are looking good for an on time delivery.

So, if I want to be an ME... can a tattoo around my calf that said USMC Seper Fi disqualify me...? Another guy posted that comment in an earlier feed... I have something similar... would I be disqualified?

15989070-
that may be more of a recruiter specific question/issue. I would get with them to discuss the issue and your options. Good Luck

Good Afternoon Sir,

I am a non-rate who will be submitting an "A" School application on 01 October. What is the selection process going to be for the few active duty slots available for school next year? Will there be a timestamp upon submission of of the "A" school application? I'm trying to set myself up for success and would like to know the process. Thank you sir.

V/R
SN S

Sir,

That's great news on the shopping list. What does a newly selected "ME" do as far as when reenlistment time comes, if he is still attacthed to his present unit filling his old rate until his tour is complete. As I have read, and understood the member will stay attached to his present unit until tour complete correct?

quote:

Good day to all on the boards. My name is Frank Morrison, and I am one of the 5 Central Assignment Coordinators (CACs) at PSC.

LT:

Welcome aboard the Boards!

I will defer any further ME questions to you (I hope I have been doing a fairly decent job of disseminating info when I could).

And without further adieu...

quote:

Originally posted by MrTheTank:
MK1s,

Some very good questions rolled into these first posts

Regarding Priority, Competencies, and Quals:

Enlisted AOs do not make assignment decisions based on individual competencies (Aviation is completely different). We will make every effort to honor the assignment priority that a mbr has earned completing their tour. Please remember that assignment priority is one (not the only driving factor in the assignment process). Also, another rumor is somewhat addressed in one of your questions - afloat assignments. There is a minimal number of afloat ME positions on 210s, 270s, and 378s. Lots of folks were very concerned that there was going to be a high number of afloat billets.

Financial Stewardship will be a consideration in FY10; however, it will likely not be as weighted as it was in FY09.

The AY10 shopping list is looking good for an on time delivery - this Friday; if for some reason the timeline slips, it will be an all hands notification of when to expect the list, but again, we are looking good for an on time delivery.

Thank you Sir for your quick response

9070,
read the revised tattoo policy. your answer is there. as long as it is not below the ankle, below the wrist, or above the tropical blue collar and is "tastful" you should be fine.

since theres no seatime requirement, does this mean my husband who is a 1st class won't ever have to go on a ship if he doesn't ask for one? Will land jobs be day jobs or will he have to travel a lot?

wanderingnow-
True there are few billets at the ME1 level and none at this time above that so it is less likely he will get a ship if he doesn't ask for it, but not 100% ruled out. But keep in mind a lot of the ME billets are deployable not just the ships. You may want to look at the jobs ME will be doing with your husband.

First and Foremost, thanks for the plug from the moderator, and absolutely, you have been doing a great job. Also thanks to Brechty for taking care of some of the low hanging fruit/individual questions; please see my initial post regarding individual specific questions.

Seatime and deployments are synonymous to me. Several MSSTs and PSUs deploy for varying amounts of time. Just like in every other rate, the particular job that one is employed in dictates the terms of assignment. So, the answer to the question about day-working is simply: it depends on the actual position.

quote:

Newwly selected "ME" do as far as when reenlistment time comes, if he is still attacthed to his present unit filling his old rate until his tour is complete. As I have read, and understood the member will stay attached to his present unit until tour complete correct?

Correct, regardless of success of an applicant to ME, they will generally (generally in this instance means 95-98%) remain at their unit until they have completed their present assignment.

A School:

I am posting the link to PSC-epm-2's site:

http://www.uscg.mil/psc/epm/docs/A-SchoolList.pdf

Email requests THROUGH YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND (read - originated from OIC/XPO/XO/CO - not from individuals) are the means by which to request to be added to the A School list. Prepare for this day, and ensure that your Chain is aware that you want to be added to the list at the earliest possible opportunity. Essentially, the email time (actual time of receipt) will be your placeholder in line - in the event of a tie, the earlier EMPLID is the tie breaker.

Please continue to ask these questions, I want to do everything that I can possibly do to generate interest and dispel rumors. There is only a week and a half left to get your applications into us, and as previously stated email/scanned copies are the absolute best way to get your packages into PSC.

Good morning sir, this post has alot of great information. Is there anyway I can ask you a specific question about the lateral. I know this thread is for general questions but I have a very specific question. Thanks again sir.

SK3 M