Early this month, the United States Coast Guard announced the creation of a new sub-specialty for officers who will serve in the Armed Deployable Specialized Force and lead Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST), Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET), or Maritime Security Response Teams (MSRT). These officers will oversee and conduct tactical operations, CBRNE detection/identification, advanced planning, fast rope operations, hook & climb operations, deployable boat operations, and multi-vehicle operations.
The All Coast Guard Officer message is below.
ALCGOFF 135/17 – CREATION OF OFFICER SUB- SPECIALTY CODE (OSC) – OAR-17 ARMED DEPLOYABLE SPECIALIZED FORCES
04 OCT 17
ALCGOFF 135/17
SUBJ: CREATION OF OFFICER SUB- SPECIALTY CODE (OSC) – OAR-17 ARMED DEPLOYABLE
SPECIALIZED FORCES
A. Coast Guard Officer Specialty Management System Manual, COMDTINST M5300.3
1. Per Ref A, COMDT (CG-721) created an OSC for the Armed Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF).
Officers serving in this sub-specialty oversee and conduct tactical operations, CBRNE
detection/identification, advanced planning, fast rope operations, hook & climb operations, deployable
boat operations, and multi-vehicle operations. These capabilities are conducted exclusively in the DSF. The
sub-specialty will codify the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) expected of officers in the DSF.
2. The new OSC establishes standards which contain standards, qualifications, experience, and training
necessary to proceed through the Armed Deployable Specialized Forces competency. There are three
routes to demonstrate proficiency – Competencies, Education, or Certification.
a. Apprentice: This level requires the basic qualifications, training, and experience that junior officers are
expected to achieve during their first assignment to a Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST),
Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET), or Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT).
b. Journeyman: This level requires that officers complete a successful operational or staff assignment
within designated response ashore billets.
c. Master: This level requires that officers complete a successful operational or staff assignment within
designated O5/O6 response ashore billets.
3. All officers who meet the requirements for their unit type are invited to apply for OAR-17. Any waivers
may be requested from CG-721.
4. The CG-OAR17 OSC is available via CG Portal, PSC-opm-3 Webpage:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/psc-opm/opm-3/SitePages/Home.aspx.
5. PSC-opm-3 POC: Mr. Brandon Chittum,
6. CAPT Chris J. Glander, PSC-OPM, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.
I seem to recall that several years ago, the US Coast Guard announced a program wherein they would send one junior officer and one petty officer to BUDS, to serve one tour as a SEAL, then return to the Coast Guard. Never heard much about it afterwards – anyone know how that worked out? Was this new specialty created to career manage those few SEAL-Coasties?
One each per year, that is.
I recall that too… I also recall that they tried to start a special operations group that would be tasked with seizing ports or something?
Yeah they have that, the MSRT (maritime security response team) is supposed to be a “Tier 1” maritime anti terrorist swat team.
USCG also have PSUs (port security unit) are reservist units that regularly deploy to GITMO, south Korea and the Gulf to protect ports and deny enemy activities.
My understanding is that they are still in the SEALs. They were not giving a definite timeframe for when they were to come back. That program also got shut down a few years ago, last I heard 3 out of 4 that went to BUDs are still SEALs (one got hurt).
I would bet this program has to do with the USCG trying to keep officers in the Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) field, since the training to become a “Team member” is like a year long pipeline. So that they don’t lose officers to non operational billets after such long training. They have things in place for enlisted so it makes sense for officers too.
The current commandant is also trying to keep people in fields that they want to be in, ending the practice of shifting people coast to coast, LE to SAR, tactical to desk riding, just because “that’s the way it is”.
Officer careers live and die by qualifications and now the CG is pushing officer codes.
Up until this point officers in DSF units weren’t really able to get specialty codes from their time there. This means they essentially had nothing to show for their 4 years with the DSF while most of their JG and LT counterparts are picking up SAR, planning, environmental response, incident management, etc.. specialties.
It seems that the current leadership is investing more energy into building up the tactical units and reinforcing the community. Which is a good thing after the horror stories I’ve heard from the MSSTs and AITs from the last round of leadership.
Hey, more power to ’em. I LOVE the Coast Guard. I’m from Alaska. They do A LOT of good and save MANY lives up there. The Coast Guard never really has gotten the appreciation and recognition that they deserve, even from the other services, let alone the general public. Long live the Coast Guard!
I was born and raised in SE Alaska and you’re right, the CG is no joke. You get in trouble, you call the Coast Guard, not the AF, Army, Navy or Marines, the Coast Guard. Well them and the Alaska State Troopers. Those folks are all BADASS.
Getting to tour the planes and helicopters as a kid is an experience I will always cherish and appreciate.