Demobilization Guidance for Reservists Recalled under

Title 10 USC 12304 for Operation Unified Response

1. This provides guidance for units and SPOs on common issues and questions identified during the RELAD process for reservists recalled to active duty under the authority of Title 10 USC 12304 through Executive Order 13529 and Secretary Homeland Security Memo of January 18, 2010. For purposes of entitlements and benefits, operation unified response is considered a contingency operation.

2. Notification: Reservists may be involuntarily recalled under Title 10 USC 12304 through Executive Order 13529 and Secretary Homeland Security Memo of January 18, 2010 for a maximum of 180 days; there are no exceptions to the 180 day limitation without individual waivers from Secretary Homeland Security. RELAD policy dictates a 60-day notification prior to release from active duty (RELAD) per Ch 3 of the Personnel and Pay Procedures Manual (PPPM) and paragraph 2 of ALCOAST 354/08. If members approach their 180 day involuntary mobilization limit and need to be extended for operational missions, they must be issued new 12301(d) voluntary contingency ADOS-AC orders for the remaining period issued per ALCOAST 029/10.

3. Timeline: Members should anticipate RELAD on their end of orders date, and anticipate time needed to complete all RELAD procedures. If commands anticipate RELADing members prior to their end of orders date due to a completion of ops, they should provide 60 days notification of early RELAD, or a minimum of 30 days notice to complete all SPO and pay transactions. Sufficient notification of RELAD must occur to ensure reserve members, their families, and their employers are not disadvantaged.

4. The command releasing the member, due to either a rotation of forces or completion of the operation, is responsible to ensure that the member is demobilized in MRTT with an accurate departure date in addition to the administrative demobilization and RELAD procedures.

5. Career Intentions Worksheet: Per chapters 3 and 11 of the PPPM, members must submit a career intentions worksheet immediately upon notification of their RELAD, ideally entered into Direct Access by the appropriate SPO no later than 45 days prior to the actual RELAD date. Timely submission of this worksheet is the best way to ensure no disruption in pay. SPOs need to notify PPC (Separations Entitlements Service) by email correspondence if the members intentions change within 15 days of the impending RELAD date.

6. Leave: Personnel with accrued leave shall be treated in accordance with section 10-a of the Coast Guard Pay Manual and paragraph 2c of ALCOAST 594/08. The 60-day career limitation for selling leave does not apply to leave accrued while serving in support of a contingency operation. Personnel with accrued leave have the option of receiving payment, taking pre-separation leave, or a combination thereof, as long as all accrued leave is zeroed out by the last day on active duty orders. Leave may not be carried forward into an inactive duty status - leave not used or sold before RELAD is lost. Orders under the authority in paragraph 1 above cannot be extended beyond 180 days under any circumstances, including for the disposal of leave.

7. Separation Counseling: All personnel shall be provided minimum separation counseling prior to RELAD Per chapters 3 and 11 of the PPPM including the following programs:

A. Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI):

(1) Members retain maximum SGLI ($400k), Family SGLI (FSGLI) ($100k for spouse and $10k per child), and Traumatic SGLI (TSGLI) (up to $100K) coverage if they remain in the SELRES following RELAD. Any member who reduced or declined coverage while mobilized will have insurance restored to maximum coverage when their status changes to SELRES unless the member reduces or declines coverage.

(2) Members who separate, retire, or transition to the IRR will maintain their existing SGLI and FSGLI coverage for 120 days following their separation date at no cost to them.

(3) Members who transition to SELRES status will continue to pay monthly premiums (and continue to have full-time coverage) unless they reduce or decline coverage by using form SGLV-8286 or SGLV-8286a. For married members reducing or declining coverage, the SPO will provide notice to the spouse by first class mail. Spouse concurrence is not required.

(4) More SGLI information is available at the Department of Veterans Affairs website: http://www.insurance.va.gov/sglisite/sgli/sgli.htm.

B. Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): Information is at the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve website: www.esgr.org. Members can contact Coast Guard ESGR liaison officer at 703-696-1171 extension 592 for Coast Guard specific information.

C. Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP): TAMP benefits are provided for 180 days when RELADing from orders over 30 days in support of a contingency operation. Family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime during mobilization must re-enroll to continue benefits. It is imperative that demobilized personnel visit any CG or DOD Rapids site with a DD-214 as soon as possible upon demobilization to ensure that DEERS records accurately reflect TAMP eligibility. The location and contact information for the nearest Rapids site can be found via the Rapids site locator at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home. Further details are available at http://www.humana-military.com/library/pdf/tamp.pdf

D. TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS): Reserve members may purchase premium-based health insurance at a discounted cost. 2010 rates are $49.62 per month for member only, or $197.65 per month for family. To enroll, a member must be in the SELRES and not eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB). More information is available at http://www.humana-military.com/library/pdf/trs.pdf. Enroll 60 days before TAMP expires to avoid a gap in health coverage.

E. TRICARE Dental Program (TDP): If previously enrolled in TDP before activation, members will be automatically re-enrolled upon deactivation/demobilization. Family members will remain enrolled in TDP, but the premium rate will increase to the reserve family member rate. If not already enrolled, members can enroll upon demobilization. Further information is available at 800-866-8499, or http://www.tricaredentalprogram.com/tdptws/home.jsp

F. Chapter 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP): REAP provides educational assistance to reserve members activated for a contingency operation. In order to qualify, reservists must be mobilized for at least 90 consecutive days in support of a contingency operation and must return to the SELRES. Eligible members must fully utilize Ch 1607 benefits prior to receiving tuition assistance. Additional program information is available in ALCOAST 258/09 and at:

Http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/ch1607/reap(underscore)faq.htm

G. Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): Guidance regarding the Post 9/11 GI Bill is available at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/capemay/education/gibill-33.asp.

H. BAH/CONUS COLA Entitlements: While serving on 12304 involuntary orders, or on 12301(d) voluntary ADOS-AC orders in support of contingency operations, members are entitled to receive BAH and CONUS COLA based on their principal place of residence at the time ordered to active duty for the duration of the orders. If a member’s 12304 orders are terminated, and the member executes an extended active duty (EAD) contract or other long-term (181 days or more) ADOS orders, the member’s orders will be deemed a PCS. BAH and COLA will then be based on the members permanent duty station location. To prevent erroneous payments of BAH/COLA, it is essential that SPOs enter correct BAH and CONUS COLA entitlements. See the Coast Guard Pay Manual for current Reserve Component BAH policy and regulations.

8. DD-214: All reservists recalled to active duty in support of a contingency operation, for any length of time, are entitled to a DD-214 upon RELAD. This document is critical for historical data authorizing certain benefits to reserve members (early retirement, VA benefits, Post 9/11 GI Bill, etc.) in perpetuity. DD-214 for reservists RELAD in support of Operation Unified Response should be completed in accordance with chapter 11 of the PPPM and ALCOAST 562/08.

9. Administrative Holds: Individuals pending disciplinary proceedings under the UCMJ may be retained on active duty without their consent, as provided by Rule of Courts Martial 202(c) and 10 USC 802(d), pending resolution of allegations. Members ordered to active duty under 10 USC 12304 whose recall status changes for administrative reasons shall have their orders modified on or before completing 180 days, to reflect that they no longer serve under the provisions of 10 USC 12304 involuntary orders. Commands shall notify commander PSC(rpm) and FORCECOM (FC-1) for coordination and consultation as soon as possible.

10. Early Retirement: National Defense Authorization Act for FY08 entitles a reserve member who performs active duty on or after January 28, 2008, shall have the eligibility age for receipt of retired pay reduced below 60 years of age by 3 months for each aggregate of 90 days on which the member performs active duty in any one fiscal year. A day of duty shall be included in only one 90 day period. The eligibility age may not be reduced below 50 years of age for any reason. Policy and additional information can be found in ALCOAST 399/09.

11. Medical Evaluations:

A. RELAD Physicals: In accordance with chapter 3.A.7.c of the Medical Manual, reservists who serve on active duty for more than 30 days must have a complete approved physical exam within 12 months of RELAD; PHA does not meet this requirement. Members must meet retention (not separation) standards for continued reserve affiliation. Physical exams are not required for members who continue on any other form of active duty with no break in service or who RELAD prior to the 30 day mark. Reserve members with specific medical concerns may request an evaluation at any time prior to RELAD.

 B. Post Deployment Health Assessments (PDHA):  Completion of the online PDHA form DD-2796 is required for reservists returning from Haiti per chapter 6 of the Medical Manualand ALCOAST 047/10, to be completed up to 7 days before returning and not later than 30 days after returning to home station.  Deployed reservists will access the navy Electronic Deployment Health Assessment (EDHA) located at- https://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/edha/. To complete the form online, 
 (1) Create an account by selecting "new user" and entering "coastie1234 (dollar sign)" as the pass phrase (note the only letter capitalized in the pass phrase is the "c"). 
 (2) Enter the required information, select "register" and follow the prompts to complete and save form dd-2796.
 (3) Members must also schedule a medical appointment with an Independent Duty Health Services technican (IDHS) or medical officer at a Coast Guard clinic or Navy military treatment facility (MTF) after completing the PDHA.
 (4) Further guidance is found in ALCOAST 047/10.
 C. Post deployment Health Re-Assessment (PDHRA) form DD-2900: Per ALCOAST 047/10, a second health assessment is required 3-6 months following return from Haiti. 
 (1) Access the same Navy EDHA site noted above.
 (2) Choose DD form 2900 and save the form.
 (3) Members must either schedule an appointment with an IDHS or medical officer at a Coast Guard or Navy MTFor call the PDHRA Call Center at 1-888-pdhra-99 (press option 3). 
 (4) General RELAD information is on the web at: http://www.pdhealth.mil/main.asp

12. Medical Holds:

A. Reservists who are available for limited duty (AFLD) and require more detailed medical evaluations or treatments shall, with their consent, be retained on active duty pending line of duty (LOD) determinations and resolution of medical conditions.

(1) Members meeting LOD criteria shall have their 10 USC12304 involuntary orders terminated (change actual end date of orders) and shall be issued 10 USC 12301(h) voluntary orders, in support of contingency operations. Contact PSC(rpm) at hqs-lst-psc(rpm)(at)uscg.mil for specific guidance.

(2) 10USC 12301(h) orders will remain in effect, pending resolution of the medical issue and/or completion of the physical disability evaluation board process in accordance with the Physical Disability Evaluation System Manual.

(3) Reservists who elect to stay on voluntary orders for medical treatment shall remain at a Coast Guard unit with the capacity and expertise to swiftly manage their case to conclusion in proximity to appropriate medical facilities and professionals. Contact PSC(rpm) at hqs-lst-psc(rpm)(at)uscg.mil for specific guidance.

(4) Being separated from active duty following a voluntary agreement to stay on active duty for less than one year, in support of a contingency operation, still entitles members to TAMP.

B. Reservists who elect release from active duty shall have their medical problems fully documented in their medical records prior to release. The reservist’s permanent duty station shall request a Notice of Eligibility (NOE) authorizing health care at a military or civilian facility from PSC(rpm) through the servicing district (Dxr). Further guidance can be found in chapter 6 of the Reserve Policy Manual.

C. Reporting Requirements for Medical Holds: Commands shall provide initial message notification of the members medical hold status to PSC(rpm), info FC-1 and COMDT (CG-1311). A monthly email update is required by the responsible clinic until the reservist has been determined available for full duty (AFFD) or separated/retired as disposed by physical disability evaluation process (PDES) process. A medhold template and other helpful links are available under mob resources at http://www.uscg.mil/reserve/member(underscore)resources.asp.

13. Members who have served more than three months of involuntary active duty under Title 10 USC 12304 may participate in, but are not required to, resume IDT in the first 60 calendar days following their RELAD. RELADed reservists must resume IDT within 90 days of their RELAD. RELADed members may participate in, but are not required to perform, ADT-AT in the first six months following RELAD. Note: while this policy relaxes participation standards for RELADing reservists, nothing in this policy relieves members of the requirement to earn 50 points in an anniversary year. Members are still responsible for earning 50 retirement points in order to be credited with a satisfactory year towards a reserve retirement per Title 10 USC 12732.

14. Send questions or issues with reserve RELAD policy to hqs-lst-cg-1311@comdt.uscg.mil.