Guest Post by RADM Sally Brice-O'Hara, Deputy Commandant for Operations
Late last week, I had an opportunity to sit down with VADM Pearson and RADM Riker for an update on plans to implement the Maritime Enforcement Specialist Rating. I came away from that brief most impressed with what has been accomplished over a relatively short span of time. I appreciate the Commandant's willingness to share this space and to bring you up to date on this important and long overdue effort and to thank you for the role you've played in its success to date.
While much is left to be done, both VADM Pearson and I were most impressed at what has been accomplished since the Commandant's 23 June decision to establish the new rating. Since that time, the implementation of the Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating (LETSGO III) has continued on track, overcoming numerous challenges along the way. Let my cite a few accomplishments for you. Last fall, the ME EPQs were published on the USCG learning portal and the first ME E-9s were selected: MECM Gordon J. Muise (RFMC); MECM Steven J. Lowry (SWE/Non-Resident Course Writer); MECM Randy L. Krahn (ME "A" School Chief); and MECM William Allred (PS RFMC). More recently, we selected the USCG Maritime Law Enforcement Academy, Charleston, SC, as the location for ME "A" school.
More recently still, on 9 February, with your enthusiastic assistance, the ME rating Manpower Requirements Survey was completed. The Implementation Team sent this survey to more than 20,000 enlisted members at various units across the Coast Guard. I am pleased to report that more than 45% of those receiving the survey invested the time necessary to complete it. This impressive response is a credit to both the survey participants and the Coast Guard leaders who recognized the importance of this effort and made the time available to complete it. The survey is a significant part of our overall Manpower Requirements Analysis process. Your effort in providing timely, thoughtful answers to the survey questions will inform important decisions we will need to make in the coming months and provide the primary input to develop the billet map for the initial stand up of the ME rating.
The ME implementation is on track and on target. Stay tuned in the coming months for updates on the next major milestone, the Manpower Requirements Analysis and thank you for your commitment to seeing this effort through to completion!
Semper Paratus,
