R 142219Z SEP 12 ALCOAST 412/12 COMDTNOTE 5300 SUBJ: TRAVEL ENTITLEMENTS FOR RESERVE COMPONENT (RC) MEMBERS SERVING ON LONG-TERM, CONTINGENCY ACTIVE DUTY FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT (ADOS) A. Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), Volume I B. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Public Law 108-189 C. Coast Guard Supplement to Joint Federal Travel Regulations, Volume 1 (CGS-JFTR), COMDTINST M4600.17 (series) 1. PURPOSE: This message announces updated policy for travel entitlements beginning in FY13 for reservists on voluntary Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) in support of contingency operations, whose duty site is outside the reasonable commuting distance (RCD) of the place last entered active duty. This message does not apply to reservists involuntarily activated under any other statutory authority (i.e., 10 U.S.C. 12302, 14 U.S.C. 712). 2. DISCUSSION: A. In the eleven years since 9/11, reservists have faithfully and repeatedly answered the call to duty. The systems and benefits in place eleven years ago did not adequately support the extended operations we have experienced. Changes have been made over the years to address the prolonged operations supporting individual reservists, their families, and operational commanders, while still providing heightened oversight of operational and resource stewardship. B. Section U2000 of Ref (A) requires travelers to exercise the same care and regard for incurring government-paid expenses as would a prudent person traveling at personal expense, whether they are authorized full locality per diem or a flat-rate per diem. Just because a particular dollar figure is authorized for lodging, does not mean that lodging should be procured at that cost. C. In 2008, section U4105-I of Ref (A) established the authority for the Coast Guard to authorize a flat-rate per diem for members assigned Temporary Duty (TDY) in support of a contingency operation in the same location for more than 180 consecutive days. The flat-rate per diem is equal to 55 percent of the applicable maximum locality per diem rate (lodging, meals, and incidental expenses) and supersedes other reimbursement calculation methods, including the proportional lodging reimbursement provisions of section U4129-I of Ref (A). The use of flat-rate per diem supports the policy and practice of obtaining long-term lodging while serving in the same geographic CONUS location for longer than 180 days. Long-term lodging facilities are cost advantageous to the government, are more stable for the individual, and include adequate kitchen facilities that reduce the need for full locality meals and incidental expenses (M and IE). D. It is in the Coast Guards and the individuals best interest to support family cohesion whenever possible. Continuing a practice over the last ten years of compensating reservists to perform duty at locations separated from their family for years at a time is contrary to our efforts to improve the quality of life for our Coast Guard members and military families. 3. ACTION: A. Effective 1 October 2012: All reservists on long-term Contingency ADOS, serving in the same location for more than 180 days, shall be authorized the contingency operation flat-rate per diem of 55 percent of the full locality per diem as prescribed by section U4105-I of Ref (A). The contingency operation flat-rate per diem shall be noted on the members contingency ADOS orders. Contingency ADOS orders issued to start 1 October 2012 or later, shall be issued or amended to reflect the contingency operation flat-rate per diem of 55 percent as of 1 October 2012. Reservists must ensure their long-term lease/rental agreements contain a termination clause, which conforms to the requirements of Section 305 of Ref (B). (1) If the commanding officer determines the contingency operation flat-rate per diem amount is insufficient for lodging and meals for an individual in a specific location, a waiver request for an increase in the flat rate, or a request for full locality per diem, shall be sent through the chain of command to the responsible Lant-51, Pac-51, or DOL-3 for adjudication. (2) If the commanding officer determines the contingency operation flat-rate per diem amount is excessive for lodging and meals requirements for an individual in a specific location, a waiver request for a decrease in the flat rate shall be sent through the chain of command to the responsible Lant-51, Pac-51 or DOL-3 for adjudication. (3) If an individual reservist is already subject to a long-term lease, and is unable to break the lease on or before 1 October, a waiver request for an increase in the flat rate, or a request for full eligible lodging reimbursement under section U4129-I of Ref (A), only until the lease can be terminated, shall be sent through the chain of command to the responsible Lant-51, Pac-51, or DOL-3 for adjudication. (4) Lodging receipts shall be provided to the travel Approving Official (AO) to verify eligibility for lodging reimbursement. Itemized lodging receipts are required when claiming applicable lodging taxes and fees. All claims for the 55 percent reduced per diem shall be submitted manually to CG PPC (TVL) for processing. (5) Commanding officers and district resource staffs shall pursue the lowest cost berthing options that balance mission readiness and personnel quality of life. B. Effective 1 October 2013: All reservists on contingency ADOS over 180 days in the same location shall be issued PCS orders with full PCS entitlements. C. Both contingency operation flat-rate per diem and PCS orders for long-term contingency ADOS will be incorporated into the next change to Ref (C). 4. Questions may be directed to: LANT-51 LT Greg Peck at 757-398-3912 or gregory.w.peck(at)uscg.mil, PAC-51 LT Dawn Black at 510-437-3786 or dawn.black(at)uscg.mil, or DOL-31 CWO Christopher Cooper at 757-628-4870 or Christopher.J.Cooper(at)uscg.mil. 5. RADM Steven E. Day, Acting Director of Reserve and Military Personnel, sends. 6. Internet release authorized.