DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170
NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION:
Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7907
United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King JR Ave SE
Washington DC 20593-7907
Staff Symbol: CG-127
Phone: (202) 475-5245
COMDTINST 5350.10
18 AUG 2021
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 5350.10
Subj: U.S. COAST GUARD AFFINITY GROUP PROGRAM
Ref: (a) Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), Part 251, “Agency Relationships with
Organizations Representing Federal Employees and Other Organizations”
(b) Title 5, C.F.R., Part 2635, “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive
Branch”
(c) Employee Associations, DHS Directive Number 112-06
(d) Department of Homeland Security Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan
(e) Memoranda of Understanding/Agreement, COMDTINST 5216.18 (series)
(f) Standards of Ethical Conduct, COMDTINST M5370.8 (series)
(g) Coast Guard Recruiting Manual, COMDTINST M1100.2 (series)
(h) U.S. Coast Guard Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2019-2023
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction outlines the process for how an incorporated or unincorporated not-for-
profit Employee Association may be designated as a Coast Guard Affinity Group and how the Coast
Guard coordinates with these types of associations, in accordance with References (a) through (h).
2. ACTION. All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge,
deputy/assistant commandants, Affinity Group leadership, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements
must comply with the provisions of this Instruction. Internet release is authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
4. BACKGROUND. The primary focus of the Coast Guard Affinity Group Program is to advance
inclusive excellence throughout the service. Affinity Groups collaborate with the Coast Guard, but
they are independent organizations. Their efforts can positively affect the work environment and
support the Coast Guard Core Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty, the Coast Guard’s
Diversity & Inclusion mission, and align with Reference (h). They provide forums for Coast Guard
employees to gather and share ideas about matters that affect their professional development and the
Coast Guard work environment.
