Enclosure (1) to COMDTINST 5710.2A
Coast Guard International Strategic Plan
1.
International Operations of Interest to USCG - This engagement supports Coast Guard
missions. For example, international resources are cultivated by the Coast Guard as force
multipliers for our missions, such as search and rescue in the Caribbean, pollution response
on our borders, and illegal drug interdiction in the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard can
conduct certain activities itself, such as those mentioned above, but may require external
funding and/or direction from DOS for activities such as training and negotiating
international drug enforcement agreements.
2.
U. S. International Interest - Some activities are of limited direct interest to domestic Coast
Guard mandates and missions, but are important to U.S. policy. The Coast Guard has no
funding source or mandate for such international engagement, and is therefore sponsored by
agencies with the mandate and funding to engage. The Coast Guard is used as an instrument
of the agency with the legal mandate. Typically the Department of Defense (DOD) sponsors
military activities, and the Department of State (DOS) sponsors other activities.
3.
Minimal U.S./USCG Interest - Some engagements cannot be justified by U.S. policy
interests or Coast Guard interests and capabilities. In the absence of compelling support by a
U.S. agency, these requests should normally denied.
Section 3
Action
Our international strategic framework limits and focuses the sphere of potential engagement
opportunities. However, these opportunities will exceed the resources available to the Coast Guard
and must, therefore, be prioritized. Organizational links and decision-making criteria must identify
opportunities that offer high return for the investment.
Organizational Links
International engagement policy is established by the Commandant and coordinated by the
Director, International Affairs. Resource allocation occurs at the District, Area, and Program level,
and the engagement is normally done at the unit or training team level. Organizational links must
ensure consistent application of policy, use of decision mechanisms, and be responsive to changing
priorities and procedures.
Senior Organization. Senior leadership establishes overall direction.
Operational Assistant Commandants on the Joint Operations/Marine Safety Coordinating Council
(JOMSCC) address top level operational policy and resource allocation issues. The Director,
International Affairs, serves as the Commandant's Foreign Policy Advisor and advises the
JOMSCC on international matters.
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