Commandant
2100 Second Street, S.W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-OCS-1
Phone: (202) 267-4315
Fax: (202) 267-4593
COMDTINST 16114.36
31 JUL 03
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16114.36
Subj:
SURFMAN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction establishes the Surfman Management Program (SMP). The Surfman
Management Program recognizes the special requirements of the surfman community and provides
the necessary management attention to build and maintain a community of surfmen sufficient to
meet the needs of the Coast Guard.
2. ACTION. Area and district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands,
commanding officers of headquarters units, assistant commandants for directorates, Chief Counsel,
and special staff offices at Headquarters shall comply with this Instruction. Internet release
authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. Surf Operations and Surfman Training Advisory Group Charter dated
08 May 2000 is cancelled.
4. BACKGROUND. Coast Guard surfmen are the service's most highly trained boat handlers.
Surfmen are the only coxswains qualified to operate rescue boats in surf conditions, which are
extremely dynamic, challenging and dangerous. The Coast Guard also leverages the knowledge and
skills of surfmen to train boat forces personnel servicewide through the National Motor Lifeboat
School and Readiness and Standardization Teams. Maintaining enough surfmen to meet service
needs is a perpetual challenge; few coxswains possess the skill and desire to complete the long and
difficult training process to become a surfmen. The uniqueness and importance of the surfmen
program requires it to be managed as a separate and distinct community within boat forces. A
coordinated effort from several headquarters offices including the Office of Boat Forces (G-OCS),
Coast Guard Personnel Command (CGPC-EPM), and the Human Resources Directorate (G-W) is
necessary to ensure the Coast Guard trains and maintains sufficient numbers of qualified surfmen.
DISTRIBUTION SDL No. 140
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