The 54 Recruit Company Commanders (RCCs) at Training Center Cape May are diverse and represent a wide selection of ratings, missions, and personnel within the Coast Guard organization.  A prospective RCC must be ready for a significant challenge that will require a high degree of dedication to the job and personal sacrifice in terms of physical, emotional and mental effort.  With this sacrifice comes the satisfaction of seeing the life-changing process that takes place week after week, whereby young men and women transform from civilian volunteers to military members of the United States Coast Guard.

                Company Commanders are the direct trainers and supervisors of up to 120 recruits through the entire eight weeks of basic training.  The goal of a RCC is to prepare a smartly disciplined, physically fit, and basically trained non-rate for service in the U.S. Coast Guard.   A typical recruit company has three RCC’s. During the training day, companies participate in a wide variety of evolutions, including physical fitness, classroom lectures, practical training, and basic military fundamentals such as inspections and military drill.  One of the RCC’s primary roles is as an instructor.  They teach classes, conduct various physical fitness classes, and work extensively at developing the company’s overall military bearing and appearance.

                Personnel selected for duty as a Recruit Company Commander must first complete Company Commander School conducted under TAD orders to Training Center Cape May in either the winter or spring of the transfer year. This six week program consist of classroom lectures, practical exercises, role-play scenarios, and case studies involving military drill, leadership, coaching, Standard Operating Procedures for Recruit Training, time and stress management and physical fitness.  Duty as a Recruit Company Commander is truly a unique and rewarding experience that provides tremendous avenues for growth in leadership, administration, and career diversity

Company Commander School:  CC School is one of the more challenging class “C” schools in the Coast Guard.  The six week school, coupled with the one week Instructor Development Course, strives to educate, instill, evaluate, and graduate Company Commanders who embody key traits and skills.   Together, these traits and skills reflect a CCs Professional Maturity, which summarizes the overall performance of a successful Company Commander. 

Effective Teammate, Follower, and Leader

CCs must seamlessly adjust to varying levels of responsibility during their tour, regardless of paygrade.

Self-Awareness, Compassion, and Humility

CCs must understand, resist, and ultimately despise the temptation for abuse of positional power. 

CCs must know when a specific leadership tool is no longer effective on an individual or company.

CCs must identify recruits who are not coping well and those who may need external assistance (Chaplains, doctors, counselors, etc.). 

Superb Military Appearance, Military Bearing, and Military Skill

CCs must master the basic skills that are taught in Recruit Training and be the example for all personnel aboard TRACEN.

Effective and Inspiring Command Presence for Recruit Companies

CCs must be able to lead company-sized elements to successful and timely completion of numerous activities.

High Energy, Stamina, and Durability

CCs must perform well under conditions impacted by a combination of extended work hours, tight and cramped quarters, and/or poor weather for several weeks in a row. 

Sound Judgment and Maturity

CCs must identify the numerous situations that may not fit into categories outlined in a manual and be able to make acceptable decisions. 

Favorable Response to Feedback

CCs will receive corrective feedback, from juniors, seniors, and peers.  CCs must be able to maturely receive, process, and respond to appropriate feedback.

Acceptable Physical Fitness

CCs must pass required fitness tests and be willing, able, and motivated to lead subordinates in their physical transformation while in Recruit Training.

Effective Instructor Skills

CCs must be able to follow lesson plans, utilize instructional media, and communicate clearly in the various classroom settings aboard TRACEN.

Applicants submit a package by the established deadline to EPM-2. After eligibility screening is conducted, packages are forwarded to the Program Manager at Cape May. Cape May will schedule a telephone interview with the applicant. TDY orders are not being issued to applicants at this time for interview purposes. The Program Manager works very closely with EPM-2 to ensure the highest quality of personnel are selected for these demanding positions that require strict adherence to the Coast Guards Core Values.

Eligibility

a. Tour Complete: Competition Year

b. Rank: E4 (above the cut for E5 at time of application), E5/E6/E7 (not above the cut for E8 at time of application), (Not waiverable).  

Assemble the package in order listed below,  from top to bottom:

1. Command endorsement memorandum

a. Statement identifying the Unit representative (must be E7 or above) and contact information who witnessed the member meet the minimum qualifications for physical fitness for their age group within one month of the program application deadline.

- Fitness standards: U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual, COMDTINST M16114.32D, Part 4, Chapter 3, Art D.2.

2. Members Memorandum

a. Statement confirming marital status and number of dependents.

b. Outline current physical fitness regimen/routine.

3. Physical Fitness Memorandum

a. First paragraph:  Statement that the member has met the minimum qualifications for physical fitness for their age group within one (01) month of the date of the Command endorsement, as observed by a Unit Representative (E7 or above), IAW U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual, COMDTINST M16114.32D, Part 4, Chapter 3, Art D.2.

b. Second paragraph:  Breakdown of physical fitness test numbers/times.

c. Third paragraph:  Name and contact information for Unit Representative (E7 or above) who administered the physical fitness test.

4. Employee Summary Sheet (ESS)-Found in CGBI (Use My Panel View) 

5. Summary of Employee Evaluation Reviews from Direct Access (Click “View All”) 

6. Photos: Two digital full length photos, Tropical Blue; Uncovered; at the Position of Attention; white backdrop; one side view, one front view. Personnel assigned to PATFORSWA; pictures may be taken in BDUs.

Additional Information

a. EAD contracts are available for interested Reserve members.

Packages shall be assembled in the order above.

Submit your E-resume on the date of package submission. For the E-resume, select the position that is equivalent to your rank upon reporting or the rank you will be advanced to if above the cut. The position choices are listed within the Special Assignments Shopping List.

Command Endorsement to the E-resume should read: “Highly recommended for CC duty. Member meets the minimum requirements as outlined in Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8 Arts. 1.E.2 and 1.E.8.

Company Commanders receive SDAP (5), a one-time Supplemental Uniform Allowance and a SWE Company Commander Point (award point). A priority 3 reassignment code is earned upon successful completion of a tour.