BIG REMINDERS PLEASE:- this stuff has to get done

1. The Intro to Risk Management online course in LMS, course 100202, is required for all  surface operations program participants, all elected officers and most appointed officer plus miscellaneous cats and dogs such as VE’s,  Instructor’s, Aux FS, et al. The DEADLINE is 30 April or you are extinguished (REYR) from any competency that requires it. As of this morning barely over 200 members in our District have taken it out of almost 1500 members. I feel very confident in saying that the 1300 not taking it yet are not all exempt. It’s most likely more like 1100-1200 missing it still.

To check the status in your own unit go to Auxinfo.uscg.gov – Auxdata Cubes – Auxdata Tasls – Currency Maint. – Intro to Risk Management then drill down to your unit. 

1. National Surface Operations workshop – While not mandated by National this year, our District has made it mandatory for all in D11 Surface ops. Deadline is 30 June. We’re a third of the way to that date already and I suspect that completion of this is about in the same status as the RM course Time flies. I’m repeating the link to the materials and some local instructor notes here. It can be given by any reasonably competent surface ops person. Being an instructor is recommended but not required.

Link - Workshop is available at http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=R-DEPT&category=WHATSNEW in both PDF and PowerPoint formats.

Some Notes

1. Slide 24 re mishaps – States to report to OIA and Aux. The initial mishap report goes only to the OIA (meaning the command/controller), not the Aux. If there are some concerns about an injury or such that you think your FC should be aware of, just ask the OIA to let you release the information. Otherwise, the CG notifies the AUX and does any required investigations.
2. Slide 27 – Kill switches. If there are there and operable, they MUST be used. This is a “flunk” item during a QE checkride.
3. Slide 37 – Orders are good for 24 hours from patrol start. There is still some unknow with this. For sure, they are good for the 24 hour period of the patrol date. Even if you asked for an afternoon patrol and then started in the morning, it’s OK. If you go past midnight on the same order, there is some probability that it will not record properly From AOM to AUXDATA. It’s best to have new orders starting at 0001 if a patrol goes past midnight. Verbal OK until you can get it done on your computer.
4. Slide 39 – reporting of QE on your patrol. Do not list the QE as crew. The QE’s report their time separately. Put QE name and number in comments. If you provide a QE a meal, use the “other expense” block. The dollar amount its what you would pay at the Galley for that meal. Under “reason for expense” put “QE meal”
5. Slide 42 Receipts. Our District requires receipts for ALL expenses claimed (except the QE meal)

1. The new annual TCT refresher is required to be taken as soon as possible after completing the online RM course.  Unfortunately, much of the application of this requirement is still up in the air or bouncing around somewhere. Our OTO and Chief Director’s office are working mightily on it. When the schedule is published, please jump right on a session. For the foreseeable future, facilitators will likely remain in short supply so get it when it’s available.  You can make a significant wager that once it’s announced, the completion deadline will be only a short time after.  I should have more information soon. As a part of the new Risk Management program, surface ops will need it every year. The online course is only once.

1. With the possible exception of TCT, depending on release and training availability, all of these items are required along with all other core training and currency maintenance items before a QE initial or reqaul checkride.