Battalion Commander (BC) and Company Commander (CC) duties are some of the most important, demanding in the Coast Guard, requiring the highest degree of leadership and exemplification of our core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. The BC is in charge of the CCs, whose impact on recruits at this initial stage in their career is critical. Senior CCs share in supervising junior CCs. Members assigned to BC and CC duty must be physically and emotionally qualified to train recruits, capable of maintaining control of their emotions in stressful situations and ready to handle the job's physical demands.. The normal tour of duty is three years.
Qualifications
Note: The below qualification standards are in addition to the general Coast Guard Special Duty Assignment qualification standards.
1. Be an E-8 or E-9 for assignment to BC.
2. Be an E-7 with at least six years of Coast Guard service for assignment as a Lead Company Commander.
3. Be an E-4, E-5, or E-6 with at least three years of Coast Guard service for assignment as a Company Commander.
4. Have a high level of maturity and even temperament. A staff psychologist will conduct psychological and personality screening of prospective CC's.
5. Have no physical limitations which would preclude progressive participation in a physical fitness program including among other activities, running, swimming, push-ups, and sit-ups, culminating in a physical fitness test administered by the Training Center staff on reporting and semi-annually thereafter.
6. Have an exceptional personal appearance.
7. Have demonstrated an interest in teaching.
8. Although not considered mandatory, a good career pattern of general duty is very desirable for all of these assignments. A recent tour of sea duty is also desirable.
Submitting Requests
Members desiring assignment to duty as a BC or CC should submit an Assignment Data Card, CG HRSIC-2002, in accordance with instructions in the ? Personnel and Pay Procedures Manual, HRSICINST M1000.2 (series). The required commanding officer's endorsement should include the following information:
1. A definite recommendation.
2. Comments on any pronounced accent or speech defects.
3. Comments on the member's ability to lead and train junior personnel.
4. Comments on the member's performance.
5. Marital status and number of dependents.
Interview
When a member requests assignment to BC or CC duty, his or her commanding officer shall interview the member to determine if the candidate is fully qualified as described here.
Once Commander, (CGPC-epm) has screened a member as meeting the profile desired for such assignment, the member will normally be issued TAD orders to Training Center Cape May for assessment. When the member is being considered for assignment to CC duty upon rotation from a remote area, the assessment may be conducted at another location as determined by the Training Center staff.
Commanding Officer, Training Center Cape May shall designate appropriate personnel to coordinate with Commander, (CGPC-epm) to assess each application. The assessment results will be used to determine if the applicant possesses the high standards of personal conduct, moral integrity, and professional skills necessary to serve as a role model for recruit trainees. The assessment process will include, at a minimum, a psychological screening test, physical fitness assessment, personal interview, and the member's brief (five minute) oral presentation. The Training Center staff will make recommendations for assignment to Commander, (CGPCepm) based on the results of the assessment.
Training Center Cape May will provide funding to cover the TAD costs associated with the assessment.
Training
Members selected for CC duty will receive formal training at the Training Center Cape May CC School upon reporting for PCS assignment.
