GRADUATE SCHOOL MAJORS

Question: What graduate school majors does the Coast Guard send its officers (i.e. J.D., LLM, M.B.A., M.D., Dental, etc.)? How many officers are currently in each of these programs?

CIVILIAN GRADUATE SCHOOL TUITION

Question: How much has the Coast Guard spent annually for the past three years to send officers to civilian graduate schools in a degree program?

Answer: The actual annual tuition costs for fiscal year 1996, fiscal year 1997, and estimated costs for fiscal year 1998 are:

LAW AND BUSINESS GRADUATE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Question: How many Coast Guard officers are in law school or a graduate business program paid for by the Coast Guard?

Answer: The number of Coast Guard officers currently in law school or a graduate business program paid for by the Coast Guard include students beginning a program this year, and those continuing programs begun in previous years.

DIRECT COMMISSION - GRADUATE DEGREES

Question: How many individuals that have received a direct commission in the Coast Guard in the last three years already have a law degree, graduate business degree, or other graduate degree?

Answer: The Coast Guard's Direct Commission Officer (DCO) programs require various educational levels. This includes a bachelor degree, bachelor degree with work experience, or a masters degree to qualify for a particular entry level into the Coast Guard (i.e., Ensign, Lieutenant junior grade, Lieutenant). Beginning in fiscal year 1996, the Coast Guard included the level of education for each DCO in its personnel records. Prior to fiscal year 1996, this information was not recorded. Listed below are the number of DCOs having advanced degrees:

COMPARING ENLISTED SHORTFALLS

WITH OTHER BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES

Question: Master Chief, you stated that the Coast Guard's enlisted strength levels are short 900 members in the active duty force and 800 members in the Coast Guard Selected Reserve. Is this enlisted shortage of personnel present in the other branches of the armed forces or is this a Coast Guard specific problem?

Answer: All branches of the Armed Forces are experiencing a very difficult recruiting mission in fiscal year 1998. Each service reports a good economy and a youth market with a declining propensity for military service as the primary factors challenging military recruiting. Additionally, each service is actively working on initiatives and financial incentives to improve retention.