Coast Guard · Counseling & Performance · CG-5308A, 04/2018 edition

CG-5308A: Officer Support Form (OSF) / OER Input

The OSF's six sections (duties, areas of emphasis, meetings, adjustments, accomplishments, supervisor comments, and performance observations by OER evaluation area), ready to hand your supervisor 21 days before the period ends.

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Every block on the CG-5308A

Laid out block for block like the official OFFICER SUPPORT FORM (OSF) (04/2018 edition), with the instruction for each block. Name, rank, and unit prefill from your service profile.

1. administrative data

1a
Name of Reported-on Officer
The OSF prints one box for name and rank. Enter your name here and rank next to it.
Rank
b
Name/Rank of Supervisor
Normally the primary Supervisor named in the unit's published rating chain.
c
Period of Report (YY MM DD to YY MM DD)
Normally the same as the OER reporting period.

2. description of duties

2a
Description of Duties (describe the Reported-on Officer's job including primary and collateral duties, resources available, relationships to Coast Guard missions, other supervisors and organizations)
Describe the type of work, not frequently changing tasks. Include people supervised and funds controlled so a reader unfamiliar with the job understands it.
b
Areas of Emphasis (identify areas of emphasis for the reporting period, projects to be completed, and results expected)
Projects, anticipated problems, expected results, and your development goals (qualifications, courses, exams). You can pair this with an Individual Development Plan (CG-6021).
c
Initial Meeting: Date Submitted to Supervisor
Submit no later than 21 days before the beginning of the reporting period if you want an initial meeting.
Initial Meeting Requested
Reported-on Officer (Initial)
Supervisor Acknowledgment (Initial)
Date of Initial Meeting

3. during-period adjustments

3
During-Period Adjustments to "Description of Duties" and "Areas of Emphasis" (as the reporting period progresses indicate the date and nature of changes made along with the reason(s) why)

4. accomplishments / shortcomings

4a
Accomplishments/Shortcomings for the Reporting Period (in addition to noting significant accomplishments and shortcomings, the Reported-on Officer should advise the Supervisor of progress toward project completion)
Due to the Supervisor no later than 21 days before the period ends, with a current ESS. Tie each entry to a Section 2b goal and include education and professional accomplishments.
b
End-of-Period Meeting: Date Submitted to Supervisor
EOP Meeting Requested
Notify your Supervisor no later than 21 days before the period ends if you want an end-of-period meeting.
Reported-on Officer (Initial)
Supervisor Acknowledgment (Initial)
Date of End-of-Period Meeting

5. supervisor's comments

5
Supervisor's Comments on the Reported-on Officer's Accomplishments/Shortcomings for the Reporting Period
The Supervisor may affirm, supplement, or expand on Section 4a, drawing on the meetings and other observations. These comments may be discussed at the end-of-period meeting.

6. performance observations

6a
Performance of Duties (measures an officer's ability to manage and get things done; includes Planning and Preparedness, Using Resources, Results/Effectiveness, Adaptability, Professional Competence)
For each area, note specific, dated examples of performance observed during the period, with enough detail to recall them when giving feedback and writing the OER. The current OER (CG-5310A) also grades Speaking and Listening and Writing under Performance of Duties.
b
Communication Skills (measures an officer's ability to communicate in a positive, clear, and convincing manner; includes Speaking and Listening, Writing)
This block is printed on the OSF. On the current OER these dimensions are marked within Performance of Duties.
c
Leadership Skills (measures an officer's ability to support, develop, direct, and influence others in performing work; includes Looking Out for Others, Developing Others, Directing Others, Teamwork, Workplace Climate, Evaluations)
d
Personal and Professional Qualities (measures selected qualities which illustrate the individual's character; includes Initiative, Judgment, Responsibility, Professional Presence, Health and Well-Being)
An alcohol or drug incident, or weight/body fat non-compliance, means Judgment or Health and Well-Being cannot be marked 4 or higher on the OER. Note such events factually.

Draft / worksheet aid. Prepare it here, then transcribe into Given to the Supervisor with the Employee Summary Sheet (ESS); the Supervisor and Reporting Officer use it to write the OER (CG-5310 series), which is submitted to CG PSC-OPM-3 and tracked in Direct Access.. This is not an official submission. Check it against the current official CG-5308A before use.

How to fill out the CG-5308A

The OSF is the officer's side of the Officer Evaluation System: it sets duties and areas of emphasis at the start of the period, tracks changes, and hands the Supervisor the accomplishments and observations that become the OER. It is mandatory for ensigns and lieutenants (junior grade) and highly recommended for everyone else. CG-5308A covers W2–W3 and O2–O6 as printed; since 2019 LTJGs use CG-5308B with W4 and O1. When: At the start of the period (request an initial meeting no later than 21 days before the period begins), at mid-term counseling (one required per period, which you are responsible for arranging), and 21 days before the period ends, when your accomplishments and a current ESS are due to your Supervisor.

Step by step

Section 1: your name and rank, your Supervisor's, and the period of report (normally the OER period).
Section 2a: describe your job, not just titles: primary and collateral duties, people supervised, money controlled, key relationships.
Section 2b: list the projects, problems, and results expected this period, and your development goals (quals, courses, exams).
Request the initial meeting in 2c. The Supervisor initials and dates it when held.
Record changes in Section 3 as they happen, with dates and reasons.
Section 4a: 21 days before the period ends, list accomplishments and shortcomings against 2b, and request the end-of-period meeting in 4b.
The Supervisor uses Sections 5 and 6 to comment and to log dated observations in each OER evaluation area.

What a strong one looks like

Write 4a entries as results tied to your 2b goals: "Delivered the 2026 hurricane COOP plan 3 weeks early; adopted by the Sector as the District template."
Use the OER's evaluation areas in Section 6 so your Supervisor can lift observations straight into the OER comment blocks.
All OER restrictions apply to the OSF: no gender pronouns, medical status, or third-party demographics.
Keep the OSF as a running file: attach messages, trip reports, and kudos as they happen.

Common mistakes

Skipping or failing to document mid-term counseling. The Reviewer must note it on the OER.
Duty descriptions that list titles without scope (people, money, missions).
Submitting input after the 21-day deadline, when the Supervisor has already drafted the OER.

References: Officer Accessions, Evaluations, and Promotions, COMDTINST 1000.3B (Chapter 5, Officer Evaluation System); Coast Guard Officer Evaluation System Procedures Manual, PSCINST M1611.1 (series), Chapter 2 (OSF) and Chapter 3 (mid-term counseling); Officer Evaluation Report forms CG-5310A through CG-5310H; Individual Development Plan, COMDTINST 5357.1 (series) and Form CG-6021 Checked against the official source: Sep 2026 Official blank form

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