COMDTINST 1540.2 governs Coast Guard policy for the Military to Mariner Voluntary Credentialing Program and its maritime credentialing requirements.
View COMDTINST 1540.2 on armypubs.army.mil
It covers credentialing assistance, maritime portfolios, merchant mariner credentials, qualified assessors, and related Coast Guard training and qualification records. It requires designated personnel and participating members to follow specified program roles, submit credential applications, and meet credentialing assistance conditions.
Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy or assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements must comply with the provisions of this Instruction.
IAW Reference (a), the payment of credentialing, certification, and licensing exam fees, maintenance fees, renewals, and membership dues (when applicable) by the Coast Guard for eligible Service members.
CA is only offered in the pursuit of credentials listed on CG Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL), and may not be used to pay the expenses of a member to obtain professional credentials that are a prerequisite for appointment in the armed forces.
All initial merchant mariner licenses require Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), which will be covered by CA as a standalone credential.
Maritime Portfolio: a collection of content related to formal Coast Guard training courses, Watchstation Qualification Standards (WQS), Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS), or Job Qualification Requirements (JQR) that may meet the service or professional requirements for a merchant mariner credential.
Military assessors should only conduct assessments that are within their personal experience and are relevant to the vessel on which they are conducted.