Are TCOXN and TBCM required to be Board Officer (BO) or Boarding Team Member (BTM)?

The correct response indicates that TCOXN (Tactical Control Officer for the eXtended Coast Guard and Navy operations) and TBCM (Tactical Boat Crew Member) are not required to be assigned as Board Officers (BO) or Boarding Team Members (BTM) because their operations can be managed effectively with the support of other assets.

This reflects the nature of their responsibilities and roles, which often focus on tactical control and coordination rather than direct engagement with vessels in boarding operations. In various operational scenarios, TCOXN and TBCM may coordinate activities from a command perspective, utilizing different assets like aircraft or support vessels. This allows for a division of responsibilities where specialized personnel handle boarding or direct engagement tasks, while TCOXN and TBCM focus on broader tactical management.

In situations where boat crews are engaged in security operations, the role of TCOXN and TBCM can be more about providing situational awareness and coordinating responses than directly participating in the boarding process themselves. Therefore, it's consistent with operational practices to leave boarding tasks to other designated assets, confirming that their presence as BO or BTM is not a strict requirement.