Coast Guard Roll Call

Has anyone read the Latest Shipmates from Admiral Papp? No more alcohol situations?

ALCOAST 104/14
COMDTNOTE 10000
SUBJ: SHIPMATES 28 - CHANGES TO COAST GUARD SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
1. One of my highest priorities as Commandant is to ensure that the
Coast Guard maintains a ready and proficient force to conduct our
missions. The abuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances by Coast
Guardsmen has a direct and substantial impact on readiness and
proficiency of the force. Abuse of drugs, alcohol and other
substances also contributes to other misconduct that is contrary to
our ethos, core values and heritage. Further, after thorough
consideration, I have concluded that there is a direct correlation
between alcohol consumption by Coast Guardsmen under 21 years of age
and readiness and proficiency of the force.
2. I have thoroughly reviewed two years of significant work and the
final report by the Coast Guard Substance Abuse Working Group. I
have listened to the recommendations of the Coast Guard Leadership
Council, and carefully deliberated over specific recommendations to
strengthen the Coast Guards substance abuse policy governing abuse of
drugs, alcohol and other substances. I have consulted with VADM
Zukunft as the officer nominated by the President to be the 25th
Commandant and my relief. Finally, I have deeply reflected on my own
experience over nearly four decades as a leader, commanding officer
and as Commandant.
3. I have directed several specific changes to the Coast Guard
substance abuse policy. These changes include:
a. Establishing a minimum drinking age of 21 years of age for
all
active duty Coast Guardsmen, except when on authorized leave. While
on authorized leave, Coast Guardsmen shall comply with the minimum
drinking age for the jurisdiction in which they are present.
b. Establishing and aligning service wide minimum standards
linking mission requirements to restrictions on alcohol consumption
based upon unit readiness status and the members assigned duties.
This incorporates existing policies for aviation, boat forces and
cutter forces, and includes specific guidance for COs/OINCs when not
in an approved leave status.
c. Allowing members only one opportunity to remove underage
alcohol incidents (with no other associated misconduct) from their
record.
d. Eliminating first-level Flag officer second chance program
retention authority for alcohol incidents, but enable Flag officers
to recommend second chance waivers to the final discharge authority.
e. Initiate administrative discharge proceedings for any member
convicted of or found by a preponderance of evidence to have been
drunk or impaired while operating a vehicle, aircraft or vessel.
f. Abolish the term "alcohol situation" and associated policy.
g. Add "command referral" to establish a three-tiered approach
to
alcohol screening: self-referral, command referral, and incident
referral. Self-referral and command referral would be non-punitive
actions to engage medical treatment.
h. Separate documentation of medical diagnosis and treatment
plans from administrative remark entries in personnel records.
i. Implement "Command Need to Know" guidance to healthcare
providers for disclosing patient/provider contact for mental health
and substance abuse treatment. This will support the disclosure of
fitness-for-duty determinations for substance abuse (regardless of
referral means), command/incident-directed screenings, or violations
of the drug abuse policy.
j. Expand the scope of zero tolerance for illicit drug use by
prohibiting the unlawful use of designer drugs, over-the-counter
products, and other substances.
k. Increase urinalysis quotas and scope of testing.
4. These are important changes, and necessary to sustain our
readiness and proficiency. Implementing and enforcing these changes
will require ethical, courageous, compassionate and constant
leadership by our officers and Chief Petty Officers, as well as
leaders at every other level of the Service. I am confident that you
will meet these expectations.
5. COMDT (CG-1) will implement the policy changes in the coming weeks
through Flag Voice and ALCOAST.
6. Semper Paratus. Stand a taut watch.
7. ADM Bob Papp, Commandant, sends.
8. Internet release authorized.

 

Well, as a CO/OinC/Senior leader you are always on call and expected to make a solid decision. Alcohol has been a problem and for the most part people haven't been able to a handle it therefore... someone else establishes the norm.

BAH, unless you know the process you don't have much room to talk. BAH rates are based off the rental market for a specific area over a given period. It may not make much sense but that process is not related to the O10 that leads the CG. My BAH rate went down but for my area E5 and E6 went up a significant amount. I'm rate protected but it still went down for E7 w/dependents xfering in 2014 to Alamed.

 

You been following me? I was in Seattle from '05 to '11 and in alameda since '11