U.S Coast Guard (USCG) Commanding Officers are getting relieved of command. A contributing factor is that USCG enlisted Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) managers are receiving inadequate training prior to their assumption of account manager duties. Non-resident training teaches out of date policy. In addition, the lack of a required Job Qualification requirement (JQR) and/or on the job (OTJ) training prior to appointment has further hindered managers from being ready to assume duties. Moreover, insufficient training has caused increased Communication Security (COMSEC) incidents and Practices Dangerous to Security (PDSs) leading to possible compromise. The first part of the problem is non-resident training.
USCG enlisted EKMS Managers do not obtain the baseline knowledge required to assume duties as an account manager through non-resident training. Current non-resident training teaches from the EKMS 1A; a publication that has been superseded since 2010. Since the EKMS1A has been superseded there have been nine amendments to current policy; changing policy every six months. Additionally, curriculum focuses on …show more content…
According to the “2016 EKMS Town Hall brief”, COMSEC Incidents and PDSs have increased 130% over the last three years (2). It is undoubtful that this large influx of incidents and PDSs are contributed by improper account maintenance produced from inadequate training. In my experience a solid training program can prevent many of the issues arising such as late destruction, unauthorized access, and reoccurring maintenance tasks. Moreover, the increase in the amount of incident and PDSs led has led to the potential for our enemies to compromise our communications systems and disrupt future operations. Overall, the increase of COMSEC Incidents and PDSs reflects that the current EKMS training program in