COMDTINST 12335.4B — Coast Guard Merit Promotion Plan

COMDTINST 12335.4B governs Coast Guard merit promotion policy for staffing competitive-service GS and FWS positions.

Search COMDTINST 12335.4B

  • Publication number: COMDTINST 12335.4B
  • Title: COAST GUARD MERIT PROMOTION PLAN
  • Date: 8/2/2019
  • Proponent: CG-122

View COMDTINST 12335.4B on armypubs.army.mil


It identifies personnel actions covered and excluded from competitive procedures, including promotions, details, transfers, and career ladder promotions. It requires merit-based selections, recusal documentation, and written submission of recusals to the Chief, Human Resources Operations Division.

Applies to: This Instruction applies to personnel actions resulting in promotion or selection in the competitive service.

Topics covered

  • Merit promotion policy
  • Competitive procedures
  • Recusal requirements
  • Covered personnel actions
  • Excluded personnel actions
  • Area of consideration
  • Career ladder promotions

Questions and answers

When must competitive procedures apply to a temporary promotion?

Time-limited promotions for more than 120 days to higher graded positions (prior service during the preceding 12 months under noncompetitive time-limited promotions and noncompetitive details to higher graded positions count toward the 120 day total).

When must personnel involved in recruitment recuse themselves?

Commandant (CG-12) employees, other advisors for the civilian recruitment process, supervisors, panel members, selecting officials and military members cannot participate in any part of the position approval (e.g., funding) and/or recruitment process, if they intend to apply for the position; or if they know a relative, or other person with a close affiliation who intends to apply for a Coast Guard position.

How must recusals from the hiring process be handled?

Recusals from the hiring process must be submitted in writing to the Chief, Human Resources Operations Division (CG-123) and retained as part of the case file.

What happens if the Instruction conflicts with a negotiated requirement?

In the event any provision of this Instruction conflicts with a negotiated requirement, the negotiated requirement will prevail. (paragraph 4)

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