Servicing Personnel Office Newsletter Archives
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Years - 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004
About the SPO Newsletter
An authorized publication, the SPO Newsletter is published under the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center. Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Coast Guard. The SPO Newsletter shall not be considered an authority for any official action and is non-record material. The SPO Newsletter is published quarterly. Articles are solicited from all readers.
How to submit an article
Articles for the SPO Newsletter may be submitted by e-mail to the Procedures & Development branch e-mail address "PPC-PF-PD". Articles may also be submitted via our web form. All items approved for publication will immediately be posted on our SPO news web page.
Publication schedule
| Issue | Deadline for input | Release date (+/- 7 days) |
|---|---|---|
| First Quarter | 01 March | 01 April |
| Second Quarter | 01 June | 01 July |
| Third Quarter | 01 September | 01 October |
| Fourth Quarter | 01 December | 01 January |
More PPC News Sources:
- SPO and Direct Access News Page
- Travel and T-PAX News Page
- Coast Guard/NOAA Retirees' News Page
Join our mailing list!
SPO Newsletters:
2012:
Issue 01/12
-- January - March
In this issue:
- SPO Alignment
- SOI Transaction Tips
- New Submission Procedure for Class "A" School Requests
- PDR Source Document Final Push
- New Reserve Medical Guide Available
- Alternate SSN Verification Method
- PPC (ADV) Newsletter
- Imminent danger - Hostile Fire Pay Update
- GTCC Program Polices and Procedures
- TRICARE Dental Contract Change
- Correction to Employer ID on W-2's for Utah Residents
- Direct Disposition of Remains Designations
- Update to OCONUS PCS Entry Approval Points
- Importance of Timely and Accurately Processing of Disciplinary Transactions
- BAH for E-3 and Below Assigned to CSP Eligible Vessels
- 2012 Household Shipping Guide
- Travel AO News
- Reduced Per Diem Rates
- 2012 YN Symposium
- Do Not Duplicate Leave Entries
2011:
Issue 04/11 -- October - December 2011
In this issue:
- Questions & Answers and Best Practices from the 2011 PPC YN Symposium
- Stop Dates on Pay Entitlements
- Note From PSC-PSD-MR on Electronic Document Submissions
- Computing Good Conduct Medal Eligibility Date
- 2012 BAH Rates
- 2012 TSP Limits and New Plan Options
- Travel AO News
- SPO Pending Pay and Separations Transactions Query
- SPO Pending SOI Query
Issue 03/11 -- July - September 2011
In this issue:
- Personnel Manual Replaced
- About the SPO Newsletter
- Contacting PPC
- Personnel Manual Replaced (FAQs)
- Military Pay Days
- FY 2012 Enlisted Clothing Maintenance Allowances
- When to Complete New SGLI Forms
- Cancellation of Indefinite Reenlistments
- PPC Training Workshops Schedule for 2012
- Foreign Language Proficiency Pay
- Enlisted Supplementary Clothing Allowance - Conditions for Entitlement
- Military Retiree Pay Dates to Change
- Clarification of Documentation Requirements for SPO-PDR Review
Issue 02/11 -- April - June 2011
In this issue:
- New PDR Manual Released
- About the SPO Newsletter
- Contacting PPC
- Military Pay Days
- Military PDR System
- Centrally Billed Account use, Orders, and SATO Travel Requirements
- New PCS Mileage Rate
- Invitational Travel Orders
- Alcohol Incident (AI) Checklist
- Accessing Your Worklist
- Employee Entitlements: Using the Manual Row Switch
- Reserve Orders Information Report
- Correcting Leave Transactions
- BAH In-Transit
- Travel News
- 2011 PPC YN Symposium Agenda
- Use of Government Travel Charge Card During PCS
- Reserve Retirement Point Credit for Non-Coast Guard Correspondence Courses
- Accession Contract Dates
Issue 01/11 -- January - March 2011
In this issue:
- New Web Site Makes it Easy to Check on Your Benefits
- Recent Significant Overpayments
- 2011 Military Paydays
- Zip Codes Required for Locations on Travel Claims
- PCS Mileage Rate
- New Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Mileage Reimbursement Rates for TDY
- Travel Authorizing Official Training Course
(Flash)
- Travel Branch Chief's email to AO's March 2011
- Question on new SGLV-8286 - unusual beneficiary designations
2010:
Issue 04/10 -- October - December 2010
In this issue:
- Recent Exceptions and Tax Season Reminder
- 2011 BAH and BAS Rates
- 2011 FICA Tax Decrease
- eLES Comments/Remarks
- New SGLI and FSGLI Forms and New Procedures
- Distribute DD-214s and Other Separation Documents Promptly
- Common Payroll Processing Exceptions from October 2010
- DA Government Travel Chard Card Reports User Guides
- DLA for Reservists
- Deepwater Horizon Awards
- Travel AO News
- Processing Personally Procured Moves
- FY11 Reduced Per Diem Rates
Issue 03/10 -- July - September 2010
In this issue:
- Coast Guard Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) Manual, PPCINST M5231.3
- FY 2011 Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) Codes and Procedures
- Career Sea Pay Premium Start Date Calculator
- FY 2011 Civilian Clothing Allowance Authorizations
- Officer Specialty Codes are Maintained by CG PSC (opm-3)
- 2011 HRS & Reserve Member Workshop Schedule
- FY 2011 Continental United States (CONUS) Per Diem Rates
Issue 02/10 -- April - June 2010
In this issue:
- Commanding Officer's Corner - Internal Control & Audit Procedures
- Process for Reporting Name Changes
- About the SPO Newsletter
- Contacting PPC Customer Care
- Career Sea Pay (CSP) Entitlement While TDY to a Cutter in Shipyard
- Effect of Short Homeport Visit on Family Separation Allowance (FSA-S) Entitlement
- Travel and Transportation of Household Goods for Members Discharged under the Voluntary Separation Program
- A New Look for Direct Access
- How to Calculate the Cost of a "GTR"
- Information for Travel Approving Officials
Issue 01/10 -- January - March 2010
In this issue:
- 2010 SPO/Admin Workshop
- About the SPO Newsletter
- Contacting PPC Customer Care
- State Tax Exemption Status for Residents Of Kentucky
- Dual Dislocation Allowance (DLA) Payments for Member-Married-to-Member PCS
- Reserve Retirement Requests
- Critical Skills Training Bonus (CSTB)
- Who Should be Contacting PPC for Pay and Personnel Issues?
- Do Your Customers Know Who You Are?
- PCS Reporting Endorsement on Orders and SPO Metrics
- Notice of Basic Eligibility for MGIB-SR
- Information for Travel Approving Officials
- New PDR Manual
2009:
Issue 04/09 -- October - December 2009
In this issue:
- About the SPO Newsletter
- Contacting PPC Customer Care
- Updating the SPO Contact List
- 2010 Payroll Processing Schedule
- TRICARE Dental Premiums for 2010
- PPC Forms and Worksheets - Change Log
- eLes Implementation Project Milestones - Paper LESs to Stop After December
- Web Watch
- Join the PPC eMail List
Issue 03/09 -- July - September 2009
In this issue:
- 2009 SPO/Admin Workshop Presentations & Handouts
- About the SPO Newsletter
- Contacting PPC Customer Care
- BAH for Single Recruit, OCS, or Academy Gradates In-Transit
- Savings Deposit Program
- Competency Dictionary
- VA Warns Veterans of Telephone Prescription Scam
- Records for IRR Members
- Interim FSA
- New Rules for Direct Access Passwords Enhance Security
- FY 2010 CONUS Per Diem Rates
- Career Intentions Worksheet
- GI Bill Video Overview
- Multiple Advances Against the Same TONO
- Use the Current Version of the Travel Voucher Form (DD-1351/2)
- Aviation Career Incentive Pay for Recalled Retirees
- PPC HR and Reservists Workshops
- Officer ESS Corrections
- Officer Separation Authorizations Must be Entered by CGPSC (opm)
- Household Goods (HHGs) Transportation and/or Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) Extension Requests for Members Separating or Retiring from the Coast Guard
- TRACEN Yorktown Yeoman Wins Military Citizen of the Year Award
- CGBI Training
- Reenlistment Contract and SRB Tips from the PPC (MAS-BONUS Team)
- PPC SPO Metrics Project
- News From the Yeoman Assignment Officers
- Process Changes for Separations
- Directing Travel Claim Payment to an Account Other Than Regular Pay Account
- Lump Sum Leave for Reserve Component Members
- Guidance on PCS/TEMDUINS and POV Shipment Entitlements for Class "A" School Under 20 weeks for Married and Single Members Assigned INCONUS and OUTCONUS
-- April - June 2009.
- Registration Open for 2009 SPO/Admin Workshop
- About the SPO Newsletter
- SPO Metrics Data Cube Measures
- New SRB Multiples
- Critical Skills Training Bonus
- Reserve Long-Term Active Duty Orders — Stop Dates are not Required for Pay Entitlement Entries
- Communicating with the CGPSC Self-Validation Team
- YN Access — Don’t Abuse It!
- SWE Sea/Surf Duty and Awards Point Policy Change
- ISC Ketchikan YN1 Receives Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Award
- Competency Codes for Officers
- New Date Fields Added to the Honors and Awards Component in Direct-Access
- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - Foreign PCS Travel for Dependents
- VA Accepting Applications for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits
- SATO's "GetThere" to be Updated for Secure Flight Compliance
- Spotting Signs of a Rental Scam
- Disestablishment of MLC SPOs
- 2008 SPO Conference Update on Questions Asked
- Retiree Customer Care Notes
- Order Notes Updates
- POV/HHG & TEMDUINS
- Coast Guard Unit Commendation Awarded
-- January - March 2009.
- Unit Name Change
- Changes to Documentation and Data Validation Requirements
- About the SPO Newsletter
- PPC Web Addresses
- New Uniform Regulations Manual Released
- Timing of PCS Reporting Entitlement Transactions
- Redesign of Online Customer Care Trouble-Ticket
- Personnel Service Center, Arlington VA, Established
- PSC Arlington, Divisions & Branches
- 25-Years of Modernization for CGHR
- Amending CGPSC (epm) Separation Authorizations
- Correcting or Deleting Reenlistment Contracts
- Per Diem Committee Merged with Defense Travel
- E-mail Access required for Password Resets
- BAH/COLA for Single members Paying Child Support
- HHGs Transportation/Storage for Retiring/Separating Members
- PCS Travel Claim Tips
- Airline Tickets and Passports for OVERSEAS/OUTCONUS Travel
- YNs Microsite Moves to New CG Portal
- Deployable Operations Group Names SPO YN as Enlisted Person of the Year
- PPC Workshops
- Change Log: PPC Worksheets
2008:
Issue 04/08 -- October - December 2008.
- 2008 SPO Conference/Customer Advisory Council Meeting After-Action Report
Issue 03/08 -- July - September 2008.
- 2008 SPO Conference/Customer Advisory Council Meeting Presentations
- PPC CO's Corner - Recent SPO Conference a Great Success!
- Contacting PPC Customer Care, New Online Trouble-Ticket Form, PPC Weekend Staffing
- Waiver/Remission News
- Automatic Termination of DA User Access
- RELAD or Transfer to the IRR
- SGLI Debts
- Excess Baggage Fees
- AO's Notes on PCS Orders
- Emergency Travel Allowances
- Award Codes Update
- 2009 Procedures and Development Workshops
- Retirement Processing
- New PPC Survey
- Sale of Special Leave Accrual
- FY09 SDAP Codes
- TOPTS/JUMPS Password Rules
- Retirement Certificates Delay in Mailing
- TDY in Direct Access
- Reserve Orders Contingency Data Codes
- FY09 ADT/IDT Limit Exceptions
Issue 02/08: -- April - June 2008.
- Dates Announced for the 2008 SPO Conference/PPC Customer Advisory Council Meeting
- Repaying Travel Overpayments by Check or Money Order
- Enlistment Bonuses
- Annual Purchase Limit for Savings Bonds
- Termination of DA User Access
- SGLI and VGLI Premium Reductions Effective 1 July 2008
- Award Administrative Responsibilities
- Mailing of Personally Identifiable Information
- Using the TPAX Forgotten Password Reset Feature
- Processing PCS Travel Advance Requests in T-PAX
- How to Calculate the Cost of a "GTR"
Issue 1/08 -- January - March 2008.
- What is "Compute"?
- TDY in Excess of 180 Days
- Savings Bonds need to PCS with you
- Why Do We Start Cost of Living Allowance Entitlements When the PDS Doesn't Currently Receive COLA?
- Personnel Data Extracts (PDEs) for May 2008 Servicewide Exam
- May 2008 SWE Waivers
- Patrol Forces Southwest Asia SPO
- Subsistence Entitlements and Reserve IDT Drills
- PPC (P&D) Workshops
- Begin Extension/Re-Extension Report
- TPAX Forgotten Password Reset
- Documentation Required with Requests for SOCS/SOCSS
- TLE - The Basics
- New PCS & TDY Mileage Rates
2007:
Issue 4/07 -- September - December 2007.
- Statement of Intent for the Selective Reenlistment Bonus
- Regular to Reserve Officer Commission
- Help Us Help You
- Contacting PPC Customer Care
- Per Diem Rate Change for PPC Travel
- Global Pay (Retired Pay System) - SPOs Play a Critical Role in the New System
- Reenlistment Contracts
- TSP Changes for 2008
- Divorce or Death of a Spouse
- BAH and Allotments for Public Private Venture Housing
- TRICARE Dental Program Update
- FY 2008 IDT Drill Cap Exceptions
- Working With the Employee Entitlements Component in Direct Access
- PCS Order Notes/ Remarks
SPO News 04/07 (PDF Format).
Issue 3/07 -- July - August 2007.
- PPC's 25th Anniversary Celebration
- Customer Advisory Council Meeting Update
- Processing Schedule
- Transitional Health Care Benefits (TAMP)
- Diving Pay
- Manual Pay Intervention
- TSP Forms for Military Personnel
- Per Diem for Travel by Car Ferry
- PCS Mileage Rate Change
- Annual BAH/ Dependency Data Verification
- New PDR Manual
- BAH Code And Dependency Status - Verify Both!
- PPC Workshop Schedule for January to March 2008
- Meet the PPC (p&d) Staff
SPO News 03/07 (PDF Format).
Issue 2/07 -- April - June 2007.
Contents:
- Customer Advisory Council Invitation
- Selective Reenlistment Bonuses
- Revised Waiver and Remission Forms
- PCS Reporting Entitlements
- BAH Overpayments due to Early Return of Dependents
- Reenlistment Contracts and Extension Agreements Must Be Signed
- BAH Entitlements due to Custody of Child
- Foreign Language Proficiency (FLP) Pay
- Reserve Member Status Changes for IADT
- Unit Weight Compliance Data Available in CG Central
- New Presentations Available Online
- BAH for Members In-Transit
Issue 1/07 -- January - March 2007.
Contents:
- Completing the Direct Access OHA Transaction
- SPO Monthly Validation LES
- Short Distance HHG Moves
- Coast Guard Contractor CAC Issuance, Records
- Tuition Assistance Debts
- Why You Can’t Un-create Travel Entitlements
- Quick Chart for Reserve Orders
- Retirement Processing Point
- Free Credit Reports
- DA User Access Changes Upon PCS or Separation
- New Fax Number for User Access Forms
- Changes Coming for BAS and CSP Changes Due to TDY
- RELAD Corrections
- FSGLI Procedures
- In Case You Missed It
- Reminders for PCS Orders
- Mailing/Faxing the Housing Allowance Protection Worksheet
- PPC Workshops on Hold
2006:
Issue 04/06 -- October - December 2006.
Contents:
- Schedule for Direct-Access and T-PAX Workshops for January through March 2007
- PSC Customer Advisory Council Conference scheduled for August 2007
- W-2 Forms
- Contacting PPC
Issue 3/06 -- July - September 2006.
Contents:
- TSP Participant Statements
- Confinement/Appellate Leave
- Statement of Intent
- Exception Numbers
- TRICARE Reserve Select for the SPO
- Managing Reports
- Join the YNs Micorosite
- TPAX Audit Reports
- IRR Transfers and RELADs
- Direct Access Software Changes
- Reserve Retirement Points on LESs
- DD-214s
- Retirement Certificates
- BAH for RC Members W/O Dependents
- PPC Customer Advisory Council Conference Q & A and Exit Survey
- Procedures for ADSW Orders for 140 to 180 Days
- FY07 Clothing Maintenance Allowances
- PPC Workshop Schedule
- About the SPO Newsletter
- Contacting PPC
Issue 2/06 -- April -- June 2006.
Contents:
- PPC Customer Advisory Council Conference
- Common Access Card (CAC) Update
- RELAD Corrections
- CG Member Information Changes
- SRB Zone-A and Zone-B Paying Out Concurrently
- BAH-PCS for members W/O Dependents
- PPC Summer Workshop Schedule
- BAH Loss Due to Reduction
- Interoffice Transfers—Fleet-Ups
- Waivers and Remissions
- Mobile Unit Designations for PATFORSWA
Issue 1/06 -- January -- March 2006.
Contents:
- PPC Customer Advisory Council Conference
- Update to COLA Entitlements for Reservists
- About BAH-PCS
- New and Revised forms for Waivers and Remissions
- Reporting Site for Title 10 Mobilization Orders
- Policy for DA/T-PAX/JUMPS Password Reset Requests
- BAH Rate Protection Worksheet Introduced
- POV Mileage Rates
- Communications with PPC Customer Care
- Purchase of OUTCONUS Airline and Ferry Tickets
- E-Mail Address for PPC to Change
2005:
Issue 4/05 -- October -- December 2005.
Contents:
Issue 3/05 -- This issue includes articles and information about:
Issue 2/05 -- This issue includes articles and information about:
- PPC Customer Advisory Council
- The Rehire Process
- New Tutorials Available
- Advancement and Discharge Certificates
- Special Payments
- Name Changes
- Leave In Conjunction with PCS, Retirement or RELAD
- TOPTS-RECENTS Menus
- The Importance of Timing Approvals
- The JUMPS Action Generator
- Recent Direct-Access Edits and Software Updates
- Interoffice Transfers and Extensions
Issue 1/05 -- This issue includes articles and information about:
- Family SGLI Coverage
- Bonus Maintenance and Height/Weight Measurement
- Advancement and Discharge Certificates
- PPC (MAS and (SES) E-Mail Addresses
- Separation Program Designator Codes (SPD) for Demobilized Reservists
- DD-214 Updates
- COLA/CONUS COLA
- Statement of Creditable Service
- New Reserve Active Duty Orders Procedural Guide Available
- RELAD or Transfer to the IRR
- Discharge to Immediate Enlistment
- Why do I have to issue ADT Orders When a Reservist Receives TDY Orders for Class "C" Training?
- PPC Learning Center News
- Entering Reduced Mileage Rates in UTS
- DD-214 Distribution Address Changes
2004:
Issue 3/04 -- This issue includes articles and information about:
- Release 11 SPO Shop Talk
- E-mail Addresses
- SELRES Members Authorized 60 IDT Drills (PAID) for FY05
- Separation Processing
- Customer Service Help Us - Help You
- TDY and the P620
- SDAII To Direct Access Conversion Guide
- Contacting Customer Care
Issue 2/04 -- This issue includes articles and information about:
- Online Raw Scores for SWE's
- Household Goods Shipments
- Personally Procured Transportation Procedures
- District-OPFAC (DD-OPFAC) for Retirement Orders
- Montgomery GI Bill Additional Contribution Program
- Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act
- Online Training for Direct-Access and UTS
- Reimbursement of Vehicle Transportation Within CONUS
- Direct-Access Competency Codes
- Determining Correct SPO When Mailing PDRs
Issue 1/04 -- This issue includes articles and information about:
- PCS Reporting Transactions
- Special Payments
- The Statement of Intent Transaction
- Contributing Bonus Payments to Thrift Savings Plan
- Separation Documents
- Deductions for Allotments and Thrift Savings Plan
- Retirement Point Statement Corrections
- Direct-Access Navigation Quick Reference Sheet
- Changing Access Levels in Direct-Access
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Last Modified 3/30/2012