All,
I am planning to apply for OCS/the Physician Assistant program within the next year. Thus far, I have been in the CG 2.5 years and have never received a personnal award for anything (including page 7's). I consistently get high marks and have done a lot inside and out of the cg including being active in the community (I've several hundred volunteer hrs this year alone), I have several collateral duties, and I have taken a huge amount of college classes since coming to my current unit. Despite all this, I have never been recognized for anything. As an OS, the only people really familiar with me are my co-workers and supervisors, neither of which ever recommend anyone for anything in my dept. My question is, will not having awards kill my OCS application? Should I recommend myself for awards and do up all the paperwork myself so that my supervisors can just sign and forward? Any help/suggestions is highly appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by 15766841:
All,
I am planning to apply for OCS/the Physician Assistant program within the next year. Thus far, I have been in the CG 2.5 years and have never received a personnal award for anything (including page 7's). I consistently get high marks and have done a lot inside and out of the cg including being active in the community (I've several hundred volunteer hrs this year alone), I have several collateral duties, and I have taken a huge amount of college classes since coming to my current unit. Despite all this, I have never been recognized for anything. As an OS, the only people really familiar with me are my co-workers and supervisors, neither of which ever recommend anyone for anything in my dept. My question is, will not having awards kill my OCS application? Should I recommend myself for awards and do up all the paperwork myself so that my supervisors can just sign and forward? Any help/suggestions is highly appreciated.

Are you kidding? You're asking whether you should recommend yourself for awards just to make your OCS package look better? Seriously?

Absolutely NOT.

I have to agree with Mr O. That doesn't mean you can not provide your supervisor with info.

Now - if you had said your goal was to be a PILOT, then I would have said YES. It is a vital skill in the aviation front seat world to be able to nomination yourself (and toss in the crew beside and behind you too) for an award!


By the way - don't worry about your current award count. I got my first award at about 4 years, my second maybe at about 6 and my third didn't come until my first transfer AFTER making MCPO.

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:
I have to agree with Mr O. That doesn't mean you can not provide your supervisor with info. ...

...Which it sounds like you're doing if you're consistently getting high marks. It sounds like you've got a well-rounded resume as it is. Best of luck!

Been to a CG clinic to seek guidance from a CG PA, HSC or MED shipmate? 2 whole years and no awards, and some say our system is broke :-)
CWO A

Thanks MC and Lt Ogle. I was really just trying to get some feedback on awards and how the board reviewing applications will perceive them. Believe me, I'm not looking for an Achievement medeal or LOC b/c of collateral duties and volunteering. I rcvd a LOA from my last unit for my 9 months as an SN and a ship's coin for "being one of the best mess cooks we've ever had", but I don't think those really hold much water. I guess I was just looking for some reassurance that OCS boards look at the individual and realize that a person w/only a few years in will not be able to compete w/someone with 10 yrs in with regards to chest candy, but that doesn't mean they won't make just as good of an officer.
Oh, and in regards to contacting the HSC..our unit just got our first ever HSC, so as soon as I get off this night watch sched I plan on paying him a visit to see if/how I can volunteer my time. I figure voluntary labor is hard to come by, so he can probably find something for me to do. thanks again all.

quote:

Originally posted by 15766841:
Thanks MC and Lt Ogle. I was really just trying to get some feedback on awards and how the board reviewing applications will perceive them. Believe me, I'm not looking for an Achievement medeal or LOC b/c of collateral duties and volunteering. I rcvd a LOA from my last unit for my 9 months as an SN and a ship's coin for "being one of the best mess cooks we've ever had", but I don't think those really hold much water. I guess I was just looking for some reassurance that OCS boards look at the individual and realize that a person w/only a few years in will not be able to compete w/someone with 10 yrs in with regards to chest candy, but that doesn't mean they won't make just as good of an officer.
Oh, and in regards to contacting the HSC..our unit just got our first ever HSC, so as soon as I get off this night watch sched I plan on paying him a visit to see if/how I can volunteer my time. I figure voluntary labor is hard to come by, so he can probably find something for me to do. thanks again all.

From how it looks to me (but I'm not an OCS officer), you're doing great. Don't worry about the awards. Your record (and what the OCS board considers) is much more than your awards. Keep after it & good luck on the OCS board!

Don't be afraid to reach out beyond your unit, every unit has a supporting clinic. I'm in the global, drop me a note if you like.
CWO Andersen.

Thanks again everyone. I am going to wait until I chat with our new HSC, but depending on what I get from him I might be contacting you Mr Andersen.

quote:
Originally posted by 15766841:
All,
I am planning to apply for OCS/the Physician Assistant program within the next year. Thus far, I have been in the CG 2.5 years and have never received a personnal award for anything (including page 7's). I consistently get high marks and have done a lot inside and out of the cg including being active in the community (I've several hundred volunteer hrs this year alone), I have several collateral duties, and I have taken a huge amount of college classes since coming to my current unit. Despite all this, I have never been recognized for anything. As an OS, the only people really familiar with me are my co-workers and supervisors, neither of which ever recommend anyone for anything in my dept. My question is, will not having awards kill my OCS application? Should I recommend myself for awards and do up all the paperwork myself so that my supervisors can just sign and forward? Any help/suggestions is highly appreciated.

Below is a copy of this year's solicitation. If you have questions, they should be directed to CDR James Cannon as he is the program director.

My two cents: The two most important factors are your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

R 151839Z APR 09 ZUI ASN-A00105000024 ZYB FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11// TO ALCOAST BT UNCLAS //N01521// ALCOAST 216/09 COMDTNOTE 1521
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) TRAINING PROGRAM A. TRAINING AND EDUCATION MANUAL, COMDTINST M1500.10(SERIES) B. PERSONNEL MANUAL, COMDTINST M1000.6(SERIES) C. MEDICAL MANUAL, COMDTINST M6000.1(SERIES) 1. THE HEALTH AND SAFETY DIRECTORATE IS SOLICITING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FY2009 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT (PA) TRAINING PROGRAM. MEMBERS SHOULD READ THIS MESSAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE. IN ADDITION, UNDERSTANDING APPLICABLE SECTIONS OF REF (A) AND (B) IS ESSENTIAL TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
2. THE CG SPONSORED PA TRAINING PROGRAM IS CONDUCTED AT THE INTERSERVICE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM (IPAP), FORT SAM HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, TX. THE DURATION OF THIS PROGRAM IS 26 MONTHS. PHASE I (50 WKS) IS HEAVILY DIDACTIC (CLASSROOM), OFFERING 96 SEMESTER HOURS (SH) AND CONSISTING OF MEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES. PHASE II (54 WKS) CONSISTS OF CLINICAL ROTATIONS AND CONTINUED DIDACTIC INSTRUCTION, IN ADDITION TO 50 PLUS SH AT DESIGNATED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) SERVICE SPECIFIC SITES.
3. THIS TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROCESS REQUIRES A PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS) AT THE END OF PHASE I. SELECTED APPLICANTS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO PCS FOLLOWING PHASE II TO THEIR FIRST ASSIGNMENT AS A CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT.
4. THE NUMBER OF PA APPLICANTS SELECTED EACH YEAR IS BASED UPON CG STAFFING NEEDS. THIS YEAR, NO MORE THAN FOUR APPLICANTS WILL BE SELECTED. IPAP STUDENTS RECEIVE A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS) DEGREE UPON COMPLETION OF PHASE I AND A MASTERS DEGREE UPON COMPLETION OF PHASE II FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF GRADUATING FROM IPAP CG STUDENTS WILL ATTEND A 4-WEEK DIRECT COMMISSION OFFICER PROGRAM AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY IN NEW LONDON, CT AFTER RECEIVING A CG COMMISSION (TEMPORARY REGULAR) AS AN ENSIGN.
5. IPAP GRADUATES INCUR A 3 FOR 1 SERVICE PAYBACK OBLIGATION FOR THEIR FIRST YEAR OF TRAINING AND A 1 FOR 1 SERVICE PAYBACK OBLIGATION FOR THEIR SECOND YEAR OF TRAINING, FOR A TOTAL PAYBACK OBLIGATION OF 4 YEARS CG SERVICE.
6. THE APPLICATION PROCESS HAS TWO COMPONENTS - QUALIFYING FOR THE ACADEMIC AND MEDICAL PORTION AND QUALIFYING FOR THE OFFICER COMMISSION PROGRAM.
A. THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN TO E4-E9. AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS AND FUTURE CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, OFFICERS UP TO THE GRADE OF O-2 WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR ONE OF THE TRAINING TABS AUTHORIZED FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE SELECTED OFFICER WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PROMOTION.
B. ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:
(1) DOCUMENTED 100 HOURS (HRS) OF PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT), HEALTH SERVICES TECHNICIAN (HS), PARAMEDIC, HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER, OR OTHER HEALTH RELATED FIELD.
DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN LETTER FORM FROM A SUPERVISOR IN THE FACILITY WHERE THE EXPERIENCE WAS GAINED, OR FOR CG EMTS AND HEALTH SERVICES TECHNICIANS, A COMMAND ENDORSEMENT THAT DOCUMENTS THE EXPERIENCE.
(2) MINIMUM OF 60 SH OF TRANSFERABLE COLLEGE CREDITS WITH A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 2.5 ON A 4.0 SCALE. AT LEAST 30 SH MUST BE IN RESIDENT AND UP TO 30 SH MAY BE OBTAINED THROUGH MILITARY SCHOOLS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (ACE), CLEP OR DANTES. NONRESIDENT SH MUST BE ACCEPTABLE BY THE UNIV OF NEBRASKA, AND BE REPORTED ON A COAST GUARD INSTITUTE EDUCATION ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET, FORM CGI-1561.
(3) COMPLETION OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES FROM A REGIONALLY- ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. THE COURSES MAY BE LOWER-LEVEL (FRESHMAN OR SOP****RE) OR UPPER-LEVEL (JUNIOR OR SENIOR) BUT MAY NOT BE REMEDIAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL. THE COURSES MUST BE NUMBERED WITH THE SEMESTER HOUR (SH) EQUIVALENTS LISTED AND HAVE RESULTED IN A LETTER GRADE. THE PREREQUISITE COURSES MAY BE COMPLETED IN AN ONLINE FORMAT PROVIDING THEY MEET ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS DETAILED IN THIS PARAGRAPH.
(A) ALGEBRA (3 SH)
(B) ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (6 SH TOTAL OR 3 SH OF EACH)
(C) CHEMISTRY (6 SH)
(D) ENGLISH (6 SH TOTAL - 3 SH MUST BE ENGLISH COMPOSITION)
(E) HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (6 SH TOTAL)
(F) PSYCHOLOGY (3 SH)
(4) TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM A CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT AND/OR U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE PHYSICIAN/PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT FAMILIAR WITH THE APPLICANTS MEDICAL EXPERIENCE AND POTENTIAL FOR CLINICAL CARE. ALTHOUGH LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM CG PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS ARE IDEAL, NON-HEALTH SERVICE TECHNICIAN (HS) APPLICANTS MAY SUBSTITUTE LETTERS FROM A CIVILIAN PHYSICIAN OR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE APPLICANTS HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE.
(5) APPLICANTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO SECURE A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT OR PHYSICIAN SHALL CONTACT THE PA FORCE MANAGER IDENTIFIED AT THE END OF THIS MESSAGE.
C. OFFICER COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS:
(1) REGULAR COAST GUARD E-4 OR ABOVE IN ANY RATING, IN SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT ENLISTMENT. WAIVERS FOR TIME IN SERVICE REQUIREMENT MAY BE CONSIDERED BASED ON NEEDS OF THE SERVICE, BUT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE MORE THAN 3 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE AT TIME OF APPLICATION.
(2) PHYSICALLY QUALIFIED FOR WORLDWIDE DUTY AND PASS A PRECOMMISSIONING PHYSICAL EXAMINATION IAW REF C.
(3) NO COURT-MARTIAL CONVICTIONS OR NON-JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT (NJP) DURING CURRENT ENLISTMENT.
(4) UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.
(5) MINIMUM COMBINED SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST (SAT) REASONING TEST SCORE IN CRITICAL READING, MATH AND WRITING OF 1530, OR A MINIMUM OLD SAT COMBINED SCORE IN VERBAL AND MATH OF 1020, OR AN AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING (ACT) SCORE OF 22. THE SCORE MUST BE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD.
(6) OFFICER PROGRAM INTERVIEW. THE OFFICER PROGRAMS APPLICANT ASSESSMENT FORM, FORM CG-5527 MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE INTERVIEW PANEL AND SUBMITTED DIRECTLY TO CGPC-OPM-1 FOR ENCLOSURE WITH THE MEMBERS APPLICATION BY 15 JUNE 2009. THE OFFICER INTERVIEW PANEL CAN NORMALLY BE SCHEDULED THROUGH ANY CG ISC, SECTOR, GROUP, MSO OR AIR STATION. THOSE APPLICANTS RE-APPLYING MAY USE THE SAME CG-5527 FOR UP TO 2 YEARS. THEREAFTER, A NEW INTERVIEW SHOULD BE CONDUCTED.
APPLICANTS HAVING TROUBLE SCHEDULING AN OFFICER INTERVIEW SHOULD CONTACT THE PA FORCE MANAGER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
(7) DIRECT ACCESS E-RESUME.
(8) COMMAND ENDORSEMENT TO DIRECT ACCESS E-RESUME.
(9) LIST OF PERSONAL AWARDS (NO MORE THAN FIVE).
(10)PRIVACY ACT RELEASE.
(11)REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL RELEASE, FORM DD-368.
(12)NATIONAL POLICE RECORD CHECK, FORM DD-369.
(13)COPY OF SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.
(14)FINGERPRINT CARDS, FORM FD-258: TWO ORIGINALS.
(15)PERSONNEL SECURITY ACTION, FORM CG-5588.
(16)ELECTRONIC QUESTIONNAIRES FOR INVESTIGATIONS PROCESSING (E- QIP), FORM SF-86: PROVIDED VIA COMMAND SECURITY OFFICER).
(17)OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AGREEMENT, FORM CG-3211B.
(18)ADMINISTRATIVE REMARKS, FORM CG-3307 ACKNOWLEDGING PROHIBITION ON USING MONTGOMERY GI BILL FOR COURSES TAKEN AS PART OF PA PROGRAM.
7. APPLICANTS MUST ALSO SUBMIT A SELF-COMPOSED, TYPED ESSAY (350 WORDS OR LESS) EXPRESSING THEIR REASONS TO BECOME A CG OFFICER AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, HOW THE CG WILL BENEFIT BY SELECTING THEM, AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OR EXAMPLE OF HOW THEY RESPOND TO STRESSFUL SITUATIONS.
8. APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE AN E-RESUME AND SELECT THE POSITION ASSOCIATED WITH THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT POST GRADUATE PROGRAM.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS 15 JUNE 2009.
9. COMMAND ENDORSEMENTS FORWARDED VIA THE E-INTERVIEW SHALL INCLUDE A COMMENT ON THE APPLICANTS LEADERSHIP, INTERESTS, ABILITY AND POTENTIAL VALUE TO THE SERVICE AS A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT. ONLY ENDORSEMENTS FROM THE IMMEDIATE COMMAND ARE AUTHORIZED. IN THE "JOB ENDORSEMENT" PAGE UNDER THE "RECOMMENDATION" DROP-DOWN MENU, COMMANDING OFFICERS SHOULD CHOOSE "MAKE OFFER" TO POSITIVELY ENDORSE A CANDIDATES APPLICATION.
10. APPLICANTS MUST SEPARATELY MAIL REMAINING APPLICATION MATERIALS (OFFICIAL COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS, SAT/ACT SCORES, TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, PERSONAL ESSAY, APPROVED PRE-COMMISSIONING PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, CERTIFIED DOCUMENTATION OF HEALTH CARE EXPERIENCE, SIGNED PAYBACK STATEMENT, AND A SIGNED PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT) TO CGPC-OPM-1. ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED NLT 15 JULY 2009.
11. AN APPLICANT WHOSE TRANSCRIPTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER PA PROGRAM WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM APPLICATION TO THE CG PA TRAINING PROGRAM.
12. DO NOT CALL UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOR PREREQUISITE OR COURSE REQUIREMENTS. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK AMPLIFYING INFO ON ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, PREREQUISITES, AND CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION PROCEDURES BY CONTACTING LCDR JAMES CANNON, COMDT (CG-1122), AT 202-475-5183 OR JAMES.D.CANNON(AT)USCG.MIL. QUESTIONS REGARDING THE PROCESSING OF ADV EDUCATION APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO YN1 CHRISTOPHER HORN (CGPC-OPM-1), AT 202-493-1617.
13. RADM MARK J. TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE SENDS.
14. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
BT

Best of luck

gpm

GPM,
That CGMS message, along with the message from the previous year have been my bible in preparation for submitting my application. I have already been in contact w/LCDR Cannon for some additional clarification. I was just looking for some additional guidance/suggestions to make my packet stand out from the pack. Thanks for the consideration though. Any input that can help my chances is greatly appreciated.

quote:

Should I recommend myself for awards and do up all the paperwork myself so that my supervisors can just sign and forward?

No, instead you should ask why they have not recommended you for awards. Otherwise you are just writing an "I love me" letter. One's perception of one self is not necessarily how others see you.

Guns,
Point taken. My immediate command respects me, as well as my co-workers. This is evidenced by the many bravo zulus we receive via email. I just think that working in a commcen often decreases the odds of being recognized because for the most part, we are out of sight/out of mind. Irregardless, I have started focusing on the portions of my application that I do have control over. The awards and recognition will come with time. Thanks for the input.

They're probably just waiting until you transfer so they can give you a "departing award"... oh crap I said it! Ummm i mean an untimely award that honors your conduct and achievements over the period to cover your entire tour of duty at that unit conveniently awarded the day you depart. Crap I said it again!...
This is a prime example why commands should not wait until a member departs to give an award. But oh well it is what it is and it wont change.

Brechty

quote:

Originally posted by 15766841:
GPM,
That CGMS message, along with the message from the previous year have been my bible in preparation for submitting my application. I have already been in contact w/LCDR Cannon for some additional clarification. I was just looking for some additional guidance/suggestions to make my packet stand out from the pack. Thanks for the consideration though. Any input that can help my chances is greatly appreciated.

I am currently in Phase II of the IPAP program. Give me an email and I will be more than happy to provide additional guidance.

gerald.marshbanks@offutt.af.mil