DISTRIBUTION - SDL No. 170
NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION:
COMDTINST 3501.80
31 MAR 2020
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 3501.80
Subj: COAST GUARD DEFINITION OF READINESS
Ref: (a) Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, Joint Publication
1-02, 8 Nov 2010
(b) National Security Strategy of the United States of America, December 2017
(c) National Military Strategy of the Unites States of America, 2018 (Classified)
(d) Cutter Safe-To-Sail (STS) Minimum Critical Equipment, COMDTINST 3120.21
(series)
(e) U. S. Coast Guard Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Manual, Volume I,
M16114.32 (series)
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction sets Service policy for defining organizational readiness and the
elements that comprise readiness; it does not address the measurement of readiness. It simply
establishes the framework to develop a readiness measurement platform, process, and
reporting system to support operational decision making throughout the Service.
2. ACTION. This policy defines organizational readiness and establishes three sub-elements:
Personnel, Materiel, and Governance. All Coast Guard unit commanders, deputy/assistant
commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements will comply with the provisions of
this Instruction. Internet release is authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
4. BACKGROUND. The Coast Guard's motto is Semper Paratus - Always Ready, and the
Service works hard to uphold this ideal. However, no formal definition of operational
readiness exists beyond that in Reference (a) used for all military services. There are multiple
instances where readiness is used by internal Coast Guard stakeholders, but no overarching
guidance defining readiness currently exists. The lack of a readiness definition and policy has
resulted in confusion and conflicting definitions across the Service. This uncertainty
negatively impacts the Coast Guard’s ability to ascertain resource deficiencies and determine
risks. A consistent and clear definition of readiness is needed to best align policy, resource
requests, and force distribution towards achieving strategic goals and mission execution.
Commandant
United States Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King JR Ave SE
Washington DC. 20593-7318
Staff Symbol: CG-DCO-X
Phone: (202 372-2670
Email: strategy@uscg.mil
