1. Review previous contract data to ensure you have processed all Begin Extensions/Re-Extensions of Enlistment accordingly. If you find that an Agreement to Extend/Re-Extend Enlistment has not yet begun, and the reenlistment is for a greater period, you should delete that Agreement to Extend/Re-Extend Enlistment prior to approving that reenlistment contract.
2. Be aware that if a member is reenlisting due to being within 3 months of End of Enlistment, the "Expiration of Enlistment" should be entered into the Reason Block.

NOTE: Remember, 3 months does not always equal 90 days! Please be aware that when you have a member who is reenlisting within 3 months of their original expiration of enlistment, but the actual number of days totals to more than 90 days, our systems currently require you to use the "Convenience of the Government" reason. This is a known system problem that will be addressed and remedied at a later date.

Selective Reenlistment Bonuses (SRB): Important Points for Better Service!

Published Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:05:16 CDT

When entering and approving service obligations (reenlistments or extensions) in Direct Access for Selective Reenlistment Bonuses you should:

• Understand, Article 3.C.5.6 of the CG Personnel Manual and ensure that if you are canceling a previous agreement to extend/re-extend in order to execute a longer extension or reenlistment that you are within 3 months of the original expiration of enlistment.
• Understand that SRB payments are based on newly acquired obligated service. For example, a member cancels a 3-year extension to reenlist for 6 years; the member will only be paid for the additional 3 years of service. An exception to that rule is made if the previous agreement was 2 years or less and the reason was for transfer, training, advancement or tuition assistance. Additionally, you should also understand that a member's SRB will be reduced by any un-served service obligation when the agreement was at the Request of the Individual.
• Ensure that on DD Form 4/1, the Date of Enlistment/Reenlistment, item 5, and dates of signature in items 13c, 14f, 18b, and 18f are ALWAYS the same date.
• Know that JUMPS cannot process SRBs as tax free for members in combat zones. However, these members are identified on a report that is run after each end-of-month compute cycle following the processing of SRB; as these reports are received, the identified members are then researched. If determination is made the member was in a combat zone at time of reenlistment, monies withheld for federal and/or state taxes will be credited to member and tax wages will be adjusted accordingly.
• Understand that in order to be considered a reenlistment AND be eligible for SRB that reserve members integrating into active duty from extended active duty (EAD) must have previously served in the Regular Coast Guard for a period of at least 17 continuous months. If the member has not previously served on Regular active duty, he/she must have served on extended active duty (EAD) of 12 months or more to be considered a reenlistment under the definition of reenlistment, and the member must have also served for a period of at least 17 continuous months active duty (including extended active duty) to be eligible for an SRB.
• Understand that if a reserve member has obligated service remaining on his/her EAD it is considered obligated service and is therefore deducted from the SRB.
• Know that reserve members who are integrating into active duty do not show up on a report to process SRB. If you have someone that meets the criteria for eligibility for an SRB, please be sure to notify PPC Customer Care.
• Know that SRB payments are normally made in the first regular pay period following successful processing of the reenlistment, extension or re-extension transaction. If a member does not receive the SRB entitlement according to that time line, the SPO should submit an inquiry to PPC Customer Care.

Household Goods (HHGs) Transportation and/or Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) Extension Requests for Members Separating or Retiring from the Coast Guard

Published Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:05:16 CDT

Commandant (CG-1222) is the Secretarial Process for approving/authorizing HHGs and NTS extensions for members who are separating or retiring from the Coast Guard. Often members are not counseled properly on their time limitations and their orders do not state guidance on time limitations and extensions for HHGs. This results in the member being denied for a potential extension of time limitation on HHGs transportation and/or NTS.

Additionally, members who perform Personally Procured Move (PPM) are not being counseled correctly and often they do not have their weight tickets or they are advanced more money than they are entitled too.

In order to assist the field with proper guidance on HHGs and NTS extension requests and PPM moves, CG-1222 has instituted the following:

1. Updated the PCS departing worksheet to include a third page on HHGs information. This page addresses PPM, certified weight tickets not obtained or lost/destroyed, and HHGs transportation and NTS upon separation from active duty.

2. Established additional remarks for routine discharges, RELADS and retirements that must be placed on orders. These remarks will be available as a selection in Direct Access.

Below are the required entries to place on separation or retirement orders:

Separation Orders -

In accordance with the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) U5360(G) you have 180 days following your separation date to ship your HHG and/or store your HHG at government expense. In cases of extreme hardships cases (medical, legal issues), an extension of time limit may be authorized/approved by COMDT (CG-1222). Requests must be submitted before the 181st day following separation, otherwise entitlement expires on the 181st day. If you have HHGs in storage, you must agree to pay all costs for storage for any period in excess of the authorized storage period.

In order to expedite the processing of Personally Procured Move (PPM) Claims for separating USCG personnel, please submit an Online EFT Application (https://www.fincen.uscg.mil/secure/enrollment_form.htm) after the effective date of your retirement or separation.

You must obtain counseling from the nearest Transportation Office if you are performing a Personal Procurement Move (PPM, formally DITY move).

Failing to comply with Service requirements may limit payment or result in complete denial of your claim.

Retirement Orders -

Member is authorized a PCS move from (type in member's PDS) to HOS (Home of Selection).

In accordance with the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) U5365 you have 1 year following your separation date from active duty to move your HHG and/or store your HHG at government expense. In cases of education, training or other deserving cases, an extension of time limit may be authorized/approved by COMDT (CG-1222). Requests must be submitted 30 days prior to one year anniversary of your retirement; otherwise no extension may be granted. If you have HHGs in storage, you must agree to pay all costs for storage for any period in excess of the authorized storage period.

In order to expedite the processing of Personally Procured Move (PPM) Claims for retiring USCG personnel, please submit an Online EFT Application (https://www.fincen.uscg.mil/secure/enrollment_form.htm) after the effective date of your retirement or separation.

You must obtain counseling from the nearest Transportation Office if you are performing a Personal Procurement Move (PPM, formally DITY move).

Failing to comply with Service requirements may limit payment or result in complete denial of your claim.

Officer Separation Authorizations Must be Entered by CGPSC (opm)

Published Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:05:16 CDT

Only CG PSC (opm) is authorized to approve separations for active duty officers and reserve officers on Extended Active Duty (EAD) contracts. Occasionally, a well-intentioned SPO in the field enters and authorizes the separation and CG PSC (opm) does not have visibility on it. Separating an officer without CG PSC (opm) in the process adversely affects assignments and numbers on promotion lists.

If a Servicing Personnel Office needs assistance with an active duty or EAD officer separation, they should email "ARL-PF-CGPSC-opm-1-Separations" (in the global address book) to let CG PSC (opm) know and they will work to resolve any issues.

SPO Notification of Possible Influx of Officers Seeking Corrections to Their Employee Summary Sheets

Published Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:05:16 CDT

SPO personnel may expect to encounter an influx of officers predominately at the O-3 to O-6 level requesting corrections to their Employee Summary Sheet (ESS) because of the notice given in ALCGOFF 176/09, that the ESS will be visible and available to boards and panels in PY10 and that PSC-opm-2 will start using the ESS in the AY10 assignment process on a limited time basis.

All officers requesting a change in his or her ESS should be using and presenting to SPO personnel a CG-4082 (Record of Professional Development) along with supporting documentation to correct his or her ESS. SPO personnel cannot correct, add or delete OBCs, OSCs, license or certificate information on an officer's ESS, only CG PSC-opm-3 in conjunction with Program Managers can modify these fields. The POC at CG PSC-opm-3 is Mr. Reidus Stokes. (Reidus.stokes@uscg.mil or 202-493-1658).

Military and Civilian Clothing Allowances for FY10

Published Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:05:16 CDT

Here are the uniform and clothing allowance rates effective 1 October 2009:

• Civilian Clothing Authorizations
• Clothing Maintenance Allowance (BMA and SMA)
• Supplemental Clothing Allowance

TRACEN Yorktown Yeoman Wins Military Citizen of the Year Award

Published Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:05:16 CDT

via iFORCECOM

CAPT William J. Milne, CO of Training Center Yorktown, presents YN2 Dorina Goetz with the 2009 Military Citizen of the Year for the Greater Williamsburg, Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

YN2 Dorina Goetz is the U.S. Coast Guard recipient of the 2009 Military Citizen of the Year for the Greater Williamsburg, Virginia, Chamber of Commerce. In order to win the award candidates must be serving on active duty, have displayed exemplary military traits, and a strong commitment to the Greater Williamsburg Community during the year.

Petty Officer Goetz was recognized for her volunteer efforts in coaching two local youth volleyball teams; serving as a member of the Tidewater Volleyball Association Team; sponsoring children in China and Africa through Holt International and Compassion Ministries; serving as a member of the CGEA, MWR, and HRC at TRACEN Yorktown; and for being a youth outreach program member in CHOICES, which pursues opportunities for low income schools by teaching leadership skills.

PCS Entitlements and SPO Instructions for Personnel Reporting to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia and Cutters Supporting OIF

Published Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:05:16 CDT

E-Mail ALSPO message K/09 updates the information in Chapter 2-F of the Personnel and Pay Procedures Manual (PPPM) on PCS travel, household goods, privately owned vehicle storage and pay entitlements for members ordered to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), Bahrain or a cutter deployed (for a year or more) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Direct Access Reserve Orders Duty Type Change and Accounting Data Validation

Published Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:05:16 CDT

E-Mail ALSPO message J/09 announces the change from Active Duty for Special Work to Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) reserve orders duty types and the implementation of reserve orders accounting data validation in Direct Access.

New Address? Make Sure to Update DEERS

Published Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:05:16 CDT

Important life events like moving or having a child go off to college are milestones in military families' lives. No matter where their journeys take them, it's important for families to keep their DEERS records up to date whenever they hit these and many other milestones.

For TRICARE beneficiaries, keeping Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) records up-to-date means uninterrupted access to TRICARE's world-class health care. DEERS is the worldwide computer database of uniformed services members (sponsors), their family members and others eligible for military benefits, including TRICARE.

Mistakes or outdated information in DEERS can cause problems with a TRICARE beneficiary's claims. For example, retail network pharmacies check TRICARE eligibility through DEERS, and prescriptions are filled only for beneficiaries listed in DEERS as eligible. Outdated addresses can also mean important direct mail is misdirected.

Along with changes of address, other life events that can affect DEERS records include additions to the family, either through births or adoptions; changes in a sponsor's status such as retirement; marriage or divorce; becoming entitled to Medicare; or the death of a sponsor or family member.

Sponsors are automatically registered in DEERS, but it is critical they register their eligible family members as well. To register family members in DEERS and receive an ID card, the family member and sponsor must bring documentation, such as a marriage or birth certificate, to a military ID card issuing facility. Locate ID card offices by ZIP code, city or state using the ID card office locator at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl. Sponsors should call the ID card office first to confirm what documentation is needed and the hours of operation.

Contact information on DEERS can be updated in several different ways including in person at a military ID card issuing facility, online, and by phone, fax or mail. There are two online options via either the new myDODbenefits Web site at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/mydodbenefits, or the Beneficiary Web Enrollment Web site at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/bwe/.

Beneficiaries can call the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) Support Office at 1-800-538-9552 (1-866-363-2883 TTY/TDD) to update addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Changes can also be faxed to 1-831-655-8317, or mailed to:

DMDC Support Office
400 Gigling Road
Seaside, CA 93955-6771

For more information regarding DEERS and how and when to update DEERS records, go to http://www.tricare.mil/DEERS.

Reserve Retirement Points for Non-Coast Guard Correspondence Courses

Published Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:05:16 CDT

Per paragraph 8.C.5, COMDTINST M1001.28(series), Reserve Policy Manual, reserve component members earn retirement points for satisfactory completion of correspondence courses that have been evaluated for retirement point credit by Commandant (CG-131), Commanding Officer, USCG Institute, or the Chief of Naval Personnel.

Pursuant to the FY02 National Defense Authorization Act, the Coast Guard has established a policy to implement and administer compensation for members of the Selected Reserve for completion of certain distance learning courses. The Office of Reserve Affairs, Plans and Policy division, CG-1311, has approved a list of Non-Coast Guard courses and determined the appropriate compensation for each course. Compensation shall be in the form of Reserve Retirement Points (RPP).

ALCOAST message 556/09 provides the policy and additional information for retirement point credit for completion of distance learning courses.

SPO procedures for entering course completions in Direct Access can be found in the PPC Direct Access Servicing Personnel Office User Manual, Part VII, Reserve, Chapter 8, Retirement Points for Correspondence or Distance learning Courses.

Procedures for Sale of Leave at Time of Separation

Published Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:05:16 CDT

PPC Separations has undergone a few process changes during the last couple of months. Due to stricter audit requirements from DHS, every Direct Access Separation event must accurately reflect proper leave disposition. 100% leave accountability must be recorded in DA with leave sold or leave taken to zero balance the account. Emails from SPOs are not sufficient to meet audit requirements.

Below is the process that must be completed by the SPO in order to accurately account for all leave for a separating member.

Direct Access Statement of Intent (SOI) submission:

Enter and approve an SOI 45 days prior to separation date.

DA SOIs can be entered and changed (with a new SOI) up to the Payroll Processing Date (Compute) prior to the separation date.

Approved DA SOIs must account for all leave (leave sale or terminal leave with dates) a member has accrued through date of Separation.

If the JUMPS payroll system does not reflect leave sale at time of processing, the initial separation payment will contain only pay and allowances due member at date of separation. Any leave sold will be paid in the final (not initial) separation payment, approximately 30 days after separation.

The Separation SOI produces a "projected" amount to pay member in the initial separation payment. It does not actually compute and clear out the leave balance. Leave is actually "sold" and accounted for in the separation action.

SES cannot accept email SOIs for leave changes unless we are able to view those changes in Direct Access and JUMPS as well. Email SOIs should be sent only when requesting a change to the date of separation, member's intent to separate changes, or when a member's intent to use leave vice sell leave changes (this will prevent overpayment of leave sale).

Direct Access Separation Documents:

When completing Separation Documents, the separation action must also account for all leave (leave sale or terminal leave, with dates) a member has accrued through date of separation.

The Separation Action/Order is the document that will produce an actual payment amount and charge terminal leave. It is imperative that separation documents contain correct leave disposition. SES now requires SPOs to delete/correct these documents if they do not accurately reflect the disposition of all accrued leave through date of separation.

The SPO actually sells the leave in the separation event. PPC pays out the leave.

Separation Documents must be approved by the date the orders become effective, this means on the date the member begins terminal leave if taking terminal leave, not necessarily on the date of separation. By approving the separation action on the date member begins terminal leave; this allows the payroll system to stop various entitlements and prevent overpayments of Sea Pay, Cola, OHA, etc. and also allows entitlements to BAH, BAS, etc. to begin when authorized (such as leaving a ship or vacating government quarters.)

Payment for leave sale will not be made until the JUMPS system reflects the correct information.

E-Mail ALSPO I/09; Annual Verification of BAH, Dependency, Beneficiaries, SGLI and Emergency Contacts

Published Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:16 CDT

This E-Mail ALSPO updates the procedures in the Personnel and Pay Procedures Manual for the Annual Verification of BAH, Dependency, Beneficiaries, SGLI and Emergency Contacts.

http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/alspo/2009/AnnualValidationALSPO.pdf

YNs Microsite Has Moved to the new CG Portal

Published Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:00:16 CDT

As of May, YNS in CG Central was disabled. All YNS participants are asked to access YNS using CG Portal. Please take the time to look around YNS in CG Portal. There are a lot more abilities and functions with this new system.

Please be sure to access YNS via CG Portal

Locate 'Search Places', type 'YNS' in 'Place name' and hit search. OR Click on My Places and find YNS (for those with previous access to YNS in CG Central)

If you are unable to view YNS in CG Portal, please contact CWO2 Shawna Ward (via e-mail address in global) for access.

Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) for Retirees Recalled Following a Break in Service

Published Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:00:16 CDT

SPOs must submit a new P105 Establish officer as an aviator (Earn Code ACI, Earn Type ESACIP) when a retiree with a break in service is recalled. This transaction is required in order to re-set the aviator's Aviation Service Date (ASD), Aviation Service Entry Dat (ASED), and Officer Service Date (OSD).

Time spent in retired status is not used when determining an aviator's longevity for ACIP. Therefore, the ASD, ASED, and OSD, must be reset when a retired aviator is recalled to active duty with a break in service. Construct the ASD, ASED, and OSD, by adding time spent in a retired status to the officer's original dates (as listed in JUMPS segment 60).

SPO/Admin Workshop Agenda Update

Published Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:00:16 CDT

1. The latest SPO Workshop schedule is available at this link > 2009 SPO/Admin Workshop Agenda (9/14/2009)
2. As reminder the Workshop is being held at the Kansas Museum of History.
3. We will be collecting $15.00 at the sign-up table to cover the cost of the after-hours social and for light refreshment during the workshop. This is not a conference fee and is not reimbursable on your travel claim. Your M&IE will is covering this charge. We are only able to accept cash, and we ask that you bring exact change.
4. Our expected audience is about 228 people. Please contact YNC Sneed via email if you are not able to attend.
5. The uniform for the workshop is Tropical blue with combo cover or garrison cap on the first two days and business casual on the final day.

Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (Annual Validation)

Published Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:40:16 CDT

Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) is a program extended to the spouses and dependent children of members insured under the SGLI program. FSGLI provides up to a maximum of $100,000 of insurance coverage for spouses, not to exceed the amount of SGLI the insured member has in force, and $10,000 for dependent children. Spousal coverage is issued in increments of $10,000.

All married members (including members married to other service members) enrolled in SGLI are automatically covered by FSGLI. Every married member shall have an SGLV-8286A,
SGLI Family Coverage Election and Certificate, in their PDR (this includes members who have declined SGLI coverage) and SPOs must enter the member’s FSGLI election data in Direct Access (Understand that if a member has declined SGLI coverage then no declination of FSGLI coverage can be recorded in DA) and verify that the appropriate premium deduction appears on the member’s LES. Premiums for FSGLI are based on the coverage amount AND the spouse’s age. Therefore, SPOs must also verify the spouse’s date of birth and ensure it is correctly recorded in Direct Access.

• View FSGLI premium rates

Note: It is not necessary to re-complete the SGLV-8286A if only the “Rank, title or grade” field or the “organization” field has changed (e.g. A new form isn’t needed upon, advancement, promotion, PCS or unit name change.)

If a member divorces and the member has FSGLI coverage for his/her spouse, the SPO shall input a transaction into Direct Access to stop the member's FSGLI coverage for the spouse. FSGLI does not cover an ex-spouse. There is no provision in the law for FSGLI to cover an ex-spouse. FSGLI specifically applies to a current spouse, but not to an ex-spouse. A divorced member’s LES absolutely should not show “SGLI/FAMILY.” The member may be able to get a commercial life insurance policy to cover the ex-spouse but cannot use FSGLI for this purpose. FSGLI does not cover an ex-spouse. FSGLI coverage of $10,000 is provided for each of the member’s children at no additional cost, as long as the member has some SGLI coverage.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (Annual Validation)

Published Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:40:16 CDT

All members are automatically covered by SGLI. Every member shall have an SGLV 8286, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election & Certificate in their PDR. SPOs must enter the member's SGLI election data in Direct Access and verify that the appropriate premium deduction appears on the member's LES.

SGLI premiums are currently $.065 per $1,000 of insurance, regardless of the member's age. Follow this link to view a table of SGLI premium rates at different coverage levels.

Note: It is not necessary to re-complete the SGLV-8286 if only the "Rank, title or grade" field or the "Current Duty Location" field has changed (e.g. A new form isn't needed upon advancement, promotion, PCS or unit name change.)

Report Dependent Changes to DEERS (Annual Validation)

Published Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:40:16 CDT

Members must immediately advise the nearest Uniformed Service Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) site (Visit http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home to locate RAPIDS sites) about dependent additions, deletions, and changes to the dependents data that affect DEERS enrollment and eligibility to a Family Member ID Card (DD Form 1173 or DD form 1173-1) within 30 days of the changes.

Members must also provide the necessary documentation to update the DEERS for dependent(s) no longer entitled to benefits and privileges within 30 days of the change(s). Examples of these documents include, final divorce decree or child's marriage certificate.

It is also the sponsor's responsibility to ensure:

• All e-mail and mailing addresses are kept current in DEERS
• To provide family members' SSN when enrolling in DEERS
• To provide a DD form 1172 to dependents not residing with the sponsor so that the dependent can be issued an ID card
• Sponsors who are member married to member are listed on each other's DEERS record with the condition "receiving benefits under another sponsor"

Sponsors, with access to a Common Access Card (CAC)- enabled workstation can update addresses (including e-mail) online at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/address/index.jsp

If a dependent has not been issued a SSN at the time of enrollment, the dependent will be given 90 days to provide the SSN and if not provided within 90 days the DEERS system will automatically suspend medical benefits.

Cancel Direct Access Outage - Scheduled Maintenance

Published Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:30:16 CDT

The server maintenance scheduled for 19 September has been rescheduled to 26 Sep (1700 to 0500 on 27 Sep). However, the system should be available during the rescheduled maintenance window.

Customer Care Weekend Schedule for FY 2010

Published Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:30:16 CDT

The Pay & Personnel Center (PPC), Customer Care Branch (CCB) provides one-stop shopping for active duty and reserve pay, travel (including auxiliary and civilian travel) inquiries, and user support for T-PAX and Direct Access. In addition to its regular workday hours (0700 to 1600, Monday-Friday), the Customer Care Branch of the Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) will staff its call center on select weekends during FY10. These dates for weekend assistance from PPC include:

• 14-15 November
• 12-13 December
• 09-10 January
• 20-21 February
• 20-21 March
• 15-16 May
• 12-13 June
• 17-18 July
• 21-22 August
• 18-19 September.

Hours of coverage (on the above weekends) will be 0600-1600 (Central Time) on Saturdays and 0600-1400 (Central Time) on Sundays inclusive. PPC can be contacted directly by telephoning 1-866-PPC-USCG (772-8724) or completing the on-line form at http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/ccb/.

CANCEL Scheduled Direct-Access (DA) and ImageNow Downtime

Published Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:00:16 CDT

The DA and ImageNow systems will not be available from 1700 on Saturday, 19 Sep 09 to 0500 on Sunday, 20 Sep 09 (CDT) (192200Z SEP 09 TO 201000Z SEP 09). The contract data center will be performing server maintenance during this period.

SPO Procedures for FY 2010 Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP)

Published Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:30:16 CDT

E-mail ALSPO H/09 publishes codes and procedures for FY 2010 Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP). The FY 2010 SDAP authorizations were published in ALCOAST 462/09.

SPOs should note that they will need to restart SDAP for all Command Chiefs (CMCs), LEDET/MSST Boarding Officers and LEDET/MSST Deployable Team Leaders.

New Rules for Direct Access Passwords Will Enhance Security

Published Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:30:16 CDT

Direct Access passwords expire every 90 days. The system will alert you two days before the expiration date and it will prompt you to change your expired password when you login. System password requirements have been changed to enhance security and to comply with USCG and DHS information system regulations.

Keep these minimum requirements in mind when you create your new password, it must:

• be at least nine (9) characters in length (You can use up to 32 characters)
• include at least one (1) number
• include at least one (1) non alphanumeric special character (e.g. $, %, &, #)

Direct Access passwords are case sensitive, so you can use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters in your password. Please note that the password cannot contain spaces.
Related Content.

October Weigh-Ins

Published Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:15:16 CDT

"I've got small wrists - but they're heavy!"

It's hard to believe we're talking about events for this coming fall already, but the kids are back in school, we've already started working on annual validation [of BAH, Dependency & Emergency Data], the Fiscal Year 2010 Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) rates are out, and Master Chief Petty Officer Lloyd Pierce, Eighth Coast Guard District Command Master Chief, has a great post over on the Heartland Guardian (D8's blog) about the new weight standards. Give it a read, it's entertaining and informative!

Annual Validation of Form PPC-2020D, Designation of Beneficiaries and Record of Emergency Data (Q & A)

Published Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:35:16 CDT

Question: The old form had an Annual Validation section where the member could sign and date to certify the information was up to date. How do we record annual validation on the new version?

Answer: Block 15 (remarks) can be used to document annual validation. Suggested entry (pen & ink) for block 15 is:

(date): reviewed, no changes. (member's signature)

Direct Access Outage - Scheduled Maintenance

Published Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:30:16 CDT

Direct Access (DA) will not be available from 2100, Saturday, 22 August to 0900, Sunday, 23 August (CDT) due to server maintenance. No changes to DA functionality are being implemented in connection with this outage.

New Fields Added to Career Intentions Worksheet

Published Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2009 15:00:16 CDT

The Career Intentions Worksheet, CG PPC-2045 (Rev. 08/2009), includes additional fields and options for members to use to make a smooth transition from active duty to the reserve component. Members can use the new fields to state their intentions to affiliate with the Coast Guard Reserve upon completion of their active duty commitment or upon demobilization. Members can now specify their desired reserve affiliation (SELRES(Drilling) or IRR) and, if they have no remaining service obligation, they can provide the information necessary for a Reserve Enlistment Contract. Space has been added to record eligibility for Reserve Enlistment and Affiliation bonuses.

Office Closure

Published Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:00:16 CDT
PPC Topeka offices will be minimum staffed on Tuesday, 04 August 2009, beginning at 1130 hrs (central time) to close of business day so staff members may attend command sponsored morale event. Normal business hours will resume on Wednesday 05 August 2009.
Related Content.

When to Start Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)

Published Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:30:16 CDT

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) - Start Date Guidance: OHA is a cost reimbursement based allowance. The member does not have an entitlement until they enter into a rental/lease/purchase agreement and provide proof of private sector housing expenses. Do not start OHA if the member is awaiting either assignment to government quarters or is in the process of obtaining private sector quarters (e. g. Entitled to TLA).

GI Bill Video Overview

Published Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:15:16 CDT
The Department of Veterans Affairs has produced a really good 8-minute video overview of the new GI Bill: http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/amervet/video/amvet2009-7-1.asx

Also be sure to visit the LANT & D5 ESO information site for a great series of questions and answers about the new benefit and transferability.

2009 SPO/Admin Workshop Registration Deadline is 7 August!

Published Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:45:16 CDT

Registration is simple! To register, e-mail CPO Zandra Sneed at zandra.sneed@uscg.mil. The registration deadline is 7 August 2009. We are limited by our venue at the Kansas historical Museum to 200 people, so please don't delay - register now. When you register please include the top three subjects of interest you want to hear about at the workshop!

We are pleased to announce the dates for our annual PPC Topeka SPO/Admin Workshop to be held 22 through 24 September 2009, here in Topeka. The conference theme will be "Customer/Supplier/Partner" and reflects the role of SPOs with PPC and other stakeholders, working to deliver critical personnel services to the field.

We have scheduled a great agenda of relevant topics for SPOs and administrative yeoman based upon your feedback from last year's training workshop and the many changes currently taking place within the Coast Guard. It is important to note that this training workshop is considered "mission critical" for field personnel working in the personnel services arena for travel guidance purposes. We will have many subject-matter experts from Headquarters and other units providing the instruction, as well as our own PPC experts presenting a wealth of information.

Commander, Personnel Service Center Arlington will be our key note speaker. Rear Admiral Neptun will cover the latest developments in CG modernization, SPO transitions, and his vision of SPO service line management within the context of CG PSC Arlington's mission to deliver integrated personnel support for the Coast Guard's military workforce.

Similar to past years' events, PPC Topeka and other subject-matter experts will provide training and information on Direct Access, e-Travel and T-PAX, accessions, enlisted contracts, and reserve transactions. You will also learn about advancements, separations, PCS orders, as well as the most effective and efficient ways to interact with PPC to quickly address challenges.

Additional topics include the Coast Guard-wide data self validation, and other audit initiatives that affect PDR management, document retention, transactions, and other critical data maintained within Direct Access (D/A). You will also learn more about the SPO Metrics cube to query D/A data and report on the timeliness and accuracy of SPO data entry. We will update you on how you may gain the greatest benefit from using this tool to monitor your SPO, and help identify training and other needs. Get an advance look at this tool by clicking on the following link: (http://cgbi.osc.uscg.mil/) [Enter "SPO Metrics" in the Search field at the top, right-hand, corner of the page. Ed.]

PPC Advancements and Evaluations Newsletter, Summer 2009

Published Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:45:16 CDT

The Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center Advancements Branch Newsletter, Summer 2009 issue, is now available.

• PPC Advancements and Evaluations Newsletter, Summer 2009 (PDF)

• Servicewide Exam (SWE) Point Changes
• Waiver Requests to Extend Eligibility Deadline for Completion of the CPO Academy
• SWE Statistics
• SWE Steps at PPC (ADV)
• A Thank You to SWE Officers/ESOs
• Schedule for Upcoming Enlisted Employee Reviews (EERs)
• PPC (ADV) Staff & Contact Information
• Supplemental and Striker Advancements:
  • Challenges with Processing Supplemental/Striker Advancement Messages
  • Submission of Supplemental/Striker Messages with Missing Information
  • New Help Tool for Strikers and Supplemental Ratings
  • Supplemental and Striker Message Reasons for Rejection
• Advancements - Conventional Wisdom and Myths:
  • "CO'S will NOT give a "Not Recommended" to poor performers"
  • "It's hard to make Senior Chief these days"
  • "Dinosaurs are riding their longevity points to advance over good test takers"
  • "The high score on the exam always gets 80 points"
• For Servicing Personnel Offices (SPOs):
  • Improper Advancement by SPOs
  • Accessions - Hiring Members Who are TEMDU Enroute to their First Duty Station
  • Authorized Retention Beyond 30 Years of Active Service (How to change to the member's Expected End Date, Expected Loss Date and Expected Active Duty Term Date)

SPO Metrics - Raising the bar

Published Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:45:16 CDT

E-Mail ALSPO G/09 message announces changes to the SPO accuracy measurements for the SPO Metrics data cube in Coast Guard Business Intelligence (CGBI).

Advancement Eligibility Requirements for the November '09 Active Duty Servicewide Exam

Published Date: Tue, 14 2009 15:45:15 CDT

This spreadsheet lists the requirements, which must be met in order to participate in the November 2009 Servicewide Exam (Active Duty SWE). Additional information, including exam waivers, can be found in ALCGENL message 103/09.

Note: This data is intended for information purposes only and is not official policy.

Eligibility Requirements for the November 2009 Active SWE:

• Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format
• MS Excel (XLS) format

Reenlistments/Extensions of Enlistments for Selective Reenlistment Bonus

Published Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:45:15 CDT

Effective 16 July through 30 September 2009, no contracts (reenlistment/extension) that have an associated Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) will be authorized. The Coast Guard will not process reenlistment/extension contracts for SRB payment during the period of 16 July through 30 September 2009. Contact your Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) for more information and options.

November Servicewide Exam Waivers and Supplemental Advancements

Published Date: Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:30:15 CDT

ALCOAST 387/09, provides information for supplemental advancements for active component members and waivers for the November 2009 SWE.

• The November 2009 SWE will be waived for the following rates:
  BM1, BM2, FS2, and GM2
• Effective immediately through 31 January 2010 for the rates listed above, a CO or OIC may submit requests recommending eligible members for placement on a supplemental advancement eligibility list when the member meets all applicable requirements.
• The supplemental advancement lists for GM1 and DC2 will remain in effect until 16 June 2010. Personnel may continue to be placed on this supplemental list until 31 July 2009. Since placement on a supplemental list does not guarantee advancement, all eligible personnel desiring to advance to GM1 or DC2 should take the November 2009 SWE.

ALCOAST 387/09
COMDTNOTE 1430

SUBJ: EARLY ADVANCEMENT AUTHORIZATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT PROCEDURES

A. PERSONNEL MANUAL, COMDTINST M1000.6 (SERIES)
B. ENLISTED PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION (E-PME) MANUAL, COMDTINST M1510.2 (SERIES)
C. COAST GUARD WEIGHT AND BODY FAT STANDARDS PROGRAM MANUAL, COMDTINST M1020.8 (SERIES)

1. THIS ALCOAST ANNOUNCES EARLY ADVANCEMENT AUTHORIZATION OFF THE MAY 2009 SERVICEWIDE EXAMINATION (SWE) ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST AND WAIVERS OF THE NOVEMBER 2009 SWE.

2. COMPLETION OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SCHOOL IS NOW REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SWE FOR FIRST CLASS PETTY OFFICER (E6). ALL MEMBERS REQUESTING PLACEMENT ON A SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT LIST TO E6 MUST HAVE COMPLETED LAMS AT THE TIME OF THEIR REQUEST.

3. THE NOVEMBER 2009 SWE WILL BE WAIVED FOR THE FOLLOWING RATES:
BM1, BM2, FS2, GM2.

4. THE GM1 AND DC2 SUPPLEMENTAL ELIGIBILITY LIST WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 16 JUNE 2010. PERSONNEL MAY CONTINUE TO BE PLACED ON THIS SUPPLEMENTAL LIST USING THE PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS ALCOAST UNTIL 31 JULY 2009. SINCE PLACEMENT ON A SUPPLEMENTAL LIST DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADVANCEMENT, ALL ELIGIBLE PERSONNEL DESIRING TO ADVANCE TO GM1 OR DC2 SHOULD TAKE THE NOVEMBER 2009 SWE.

5. ALL MEMBERS AND UNIT COMMANDS ARE REMINDED OF THE GUIDELINES IN ART 5.C.10 OF REF A REGARDING RATINGS REQUIRING ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. IN ORDER TO MEET THE SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT TO ADVANCE IN THESE RATINGS, A PERSONNEL SECURITY INVESTIGATION (PSI) IS REQUIRED EVERY 10 YEARS. THEREFORE, ALL MEMBERS IN CLASSIFIED RATINGS MUST HAVE A CURRENT PSI ON FILE IN DIRECT ACCESS OR MUST SUBMIT A NATIONAL AGENCY CHECK WITH LAW AND CREDIT (NACLC) PACKAGE TO INITIATE THIS INVESTIGATION PRIOR TO PLACEMENT ON A SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST. THIS REQUIREMENT IS IN EFFECT EVEN IF ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED MATERIAL IS NOT NEEDED IN THE MEMBERS CURRENT POSITION. COMMAND VERIFICATION OF SECURITY CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY IS ALSO REQUIRED FOR SWE COMPETITION. QUESTIONS CONCERNING SUBMITTING NACLC PACKAGES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE LOCAL SECURITY MANAGER.

6. MEMBERS SEEKING ADVANCEMENT MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE APPROPRIATE E-PME PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEXT HIGHER PAY GRADE PRIOR TO PLACEMENT ON A SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST. IN ADDITION, THOSE MEMBERS SEEKING ADVANCEMENT TO E-6 OR E-8 MUST PASS THE APPROPRIATE ADVANCEMENT QUALIFICATION EXAM (AQE) PRIOR TO LIST PLACEMENT. (THERE IS NO E-PME AQE REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCEMENT TO E5). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING E-PME REQUIREMENTS MAY BE FOUND IN REF B AND ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.tracenpetaluma.com/e-pme/.

7. IN MOST CASES, PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION GUIDES (PQG) HAVE REPLACED THE OLD CORRESPONDENCE COURSES. FOLLOWING THE PQG PREPARES EACH MEMBER TO TAKE THE WRITTEN EXAM AND DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE ENLISTED PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATIONS (EPQS) THAT MUST BE SIGNED OFF. THE CURRENT EPQS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT HTTPS://LEARNING.USCG.MIL. YOU WILL HAVE TO ENTER YOUR EMPLID AND LAST NAME AND ENROLL TO SEE THE EPQS. SINCE CHANGES CONSTANTLY TAKE PLACE TO THIS PROCESS, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PQG (OR CORRESPONDENCE COURSE) REQUIREMENTS AND EPQS THAT MUST BE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED PRIOR TO PLACEMENT ON A SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT LIST:

A. BM1, COMPLETE THE PQG W/EXAM, EPQS (REV.12-06), AND E-PME.
B. BM2, COMPLETE THE PQG W/EXAM, EPQS (REV 12-06), AND E-PME.
C. FS2, COMPLETE THE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE W/EOCT, EPQS (REV 4-06), AND E-PME.
D. GM2, COMPLETE THE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE W/EOCT, EPQS (REV 10-05), AND E-PME.

8. AS COURSES, PQGS, AND EPQS ARE UPDATED, MORE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS MAY BE RELEASED BY ALCOAST. FOR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE RATING FORCE MASTER CHIEF (RFMC).

9. ONCE A RATE ON THE MAY 2008 SWE ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST FOR E7 AND ABOVE OR A RATE ON THE NOVEMBER 2008 SWE ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST FOR E6 AND BELOW IS CLEARED, PSC-EPM IS AUTH TO ADVANCE PERSONNEL TO FILL VACANCIES USING THE MAY 2009 SWE ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST FOR THAT RATE. IN THOSE CASES, MEMBERS APPEARING ON THE MAY 2009 SWE ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST WHO WOULD NORMALLY MEET THE TIG AND SEA DUTY REQUIREMENTS BY 01 JANUARY 2010 (E7 AND ABOVE) OR 01 JULY 2010 (E6 AND BELOW), WILL BE GRANTED A WAIVER OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVANCING EARLIER. THIS WAIVER APPLIES ONLY TO THOSE PERSONNEL APPEARING ON THE SWE ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST. IT DOES NOT APPLY TO PREREQUISITES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL LIST PLACEMENT.

10. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THROUGH 31 JANUARY 2010 FOR THE RATES LISTED IN PARA 3, A CO OR OIC MAY SUBMIT REQUESTS RECOMMENDING ELIGIBLE MEMBERS FOR PLACEMENT ON A SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST WHEN THE MEMBER MEETS ALL APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFIED IN ART 5.C.4.B.1 OF REF A AND THE SUPPORTING INFORMATION IS VIEWABLE IN DIRECT ACCESS. EACH MEMBERS STANDING ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST IS BASED SOLELY ON THE DATE-TIME-GROUP (DTG) OF THE REQUEST MSG. COMMANDS SHOULD SEND A MSG AS SOON AS THE MEMBER MEETS ALL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SHOULD CONTACT PPC(ADV) IF AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MSG IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN FIVE WORKING DAYS. PPC(ADV) WILL ONLY USE DTG REFLECTING THE ACTUAL TIME OF RELEASE OF THE MSG. BACKDATING THE DTG IS NOT PERMITTED. COMMANDS REQUESTING PLACEMENT OF MORE THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL (REGARDLESS OF RATING) ON THE SAME DAY MUST SUBMIT A SEPARATE MSG WITH A DIFFERENT DTG FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL. UPON RECEIPT OF A NOTIFICATION MSG, PPC(ADV) WILL PLACE THE MEMBERS NAME IN THE NEXT POSITION ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST FOR THAT RATE PROVIDED ALL PREREQUISITES HAVE BEEN MET. IF A REVIEW OF THE INFORMATION IN DIRECT ACCESS INDICATES MISSING PREREQUISITES, A REPLY MSG WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ACTION REQUIRED. ONCE ACTION IS COMPLETED, COMMANDS MUST SUBMIT ANOTHER SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST RECOMMENDATION VIA MSG.

11. NOTE: NON-RECEIPT OF REQUIRED ENLISTED EMPLOYEE REVIEWS (EER) WITHIN CURRENT PAY GRADE CONTINUES TO BE THE PRIMARY MISSING PREREQUISITE. COMMANDS MUST PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO STATUS OF EERS WHEN SUBMITTING A PLACEMENT MSG. THE MOST RECENT REQUIRED EER MUST APPEAR IN THE EMPLOYEE REVIEW SUMMARY SECTION TO BE CONSIDERED FINAL. COMMANDS MAY VERIFY SUCCESSFUL DIRECT ACCESS UPLOAD AS FOLLOWS, HOME: DEVELOP WORKFORCE: PLAN CAREERS: INQUIRE: EMPLOYEE REVIEW SUMMARY. IN THE MEMBERS EMPLOYEE REVIEW SUMMARY PAGE, SELECTING THE REFRESH SUMMARY BUTTON WILL REVEAL THE LATEST EER SUBMITTED. CONFIRMATION OF THE EMPLOYEE REVIEW SUMMARY UPDATE MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE SUBMISSION OF MESSAGE REQUEST.

12. A CO OR OIC MUST SUBMIT THE RECOMMENDATION VIA MSG TO COGARD PPC TOPEKA KS//ADV// INFO COMCOGARD PSC ARLINGTON VA//EPM-1/EPM-2// [Note: Corrected PLAD, it originally read "PERSCOM". Ed.] FOR PLACEMENT ON A SPECIFIC SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT.

SUBJ: ACTIVE DUTY SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY REQUEST
1. LIST FOR WHICH RECOMMENDATION IS SUBMITTED (E.G., BM2)
2. MEMBER RATE, NAME, AND EMPLOYEE ID
3. DATE OF RANK IN CURRENT PAY GRADE
4. COMPLETION DATES FOR:
A. RATING EPQ
B. E-PME PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
C. RATING EOCT OR PQG EXAM
D. E-PME AQE (E6 ONLY)
E. ADDITIONAL ADVANCEMENT (COMPETENCY) REQUIREMENTS
5. DATE OF CURRENT PSI ON FILE OR SUBMISSION DATE OF NACLC PACKAGE (ET, GM AND PA ONLY)
6. EFFECTIVE DATE OF MEMBERS LAST EER IN CURRENT RATE/PAY GRADE ALONG WITH A STATEMENT INDICATING WHETHER THE MEMBER MEETS THE STANDARDS, AND RETAINS THE COMMAND RECOMMENDATION FOR ADVANCEMENT.
7. A STATEMENT THAT ALL RELEVANT DIRECT ACCESS DATA FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND IS VIEWABLE IN DIRECT ACCESS.
8. UNIT POC, CONTACT EMAIL, AND PHONE NUMBER
9. RELEASED BY (NAME OF CO OR OIC)

13. AS A REMINDER, PERSONNEL RECOMMENDED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF 12 MONTHS GOOD CONDUCT ELIGIBILITY PRIOR TO LIST PLACEMENT. MEMBERS WHO EXCEED THEIR MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEIGHT AND BODY FAT STANDARDS MAY BE PLACED ON A SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LIST, BUT THEY MAY NOT BE ADVANCED UNTIL THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH WEIGHT STANDARDS IAW REF C.

14. UPDATED VERSIONS OF SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT ELIGIBILITY LISTS WILL BE POSTED MONTHLY ON THE PPC INTRANET LINK AT: http://cgweb.ppc.uscg.mil/adv/suppstriker/default.asp

15. FOR SUPPLEMENTAL ADVANCEMENT LIST PLACEMENT QUESTIONS CONTACT YNC RONY HARDEN, PPC(ADV), 785-339-3410. FOR GENERAL ENLISTED POLICY QUESTIONS CONTACT YNCS CRYSTAL A. SPARKS, COMDT (CG-1221), 202-475-5373.

16. RADM RONALD T. HEWITT, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, SENDS.

17. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
Related Content.

Direct Access Outage - Scheduled Maintenance

Published Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:00:15 CDT

Direct Access (DA) will not be available from 1930 to 2330 on Wednesday, 01 July 2009 (CDT) (020030Z JUL 09 to 020530Z JUL 09) due to hardware maintenance. No changes to DA functionality are being implemented in connection with this outage.

HR Data Self Validation - SPO Procedures for "False Negatives"

Published Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:30:15 CDT

E-Mail ALSPO message C/09 included a requirement to issue a memo to the member, with a copy to CGPSC for the IPDR, to document the research and that the data element is correct when a member recorded a "False Negative" on the HR Data Self Validation form.

Documenting "False Negatives" with a memo is not required. SPOs shall follow the procedure in E-Mail ALSPO C/09 to access the Verify Validation Page in Direct Access and select "Verify" to indicate they found the data element to be correct. After all items have been corrected or verified, CGPSC will place a copy of the Verify Validation Page in the member's IPDR.

E-Mail ALSPO E/09; SPO Procedures for HR Self Validation IPDR Documents

Published Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:30:15 CDT

This E-Mail ALSPO message provides SPO procedures for providing supporting documentation to the TAD Self-Validation team at the Personnel Service Center (PSC), Arlington, VA.

• http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/alspo/2009/SelfValidationIPDRdocsALSPOe09.pdf

Reminder: BAH for Single Recruit, OCS, or Academy Gradates In-Transit

Published Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:00:15 CDT

With the graduates of the Coast Guard Academy Class of 2009 reporting in to their first permanent duty stations this summer, PPC (mas) would like to remind you that single graduates from basic training, OCS and the Academy, with no prior service, are entitled to BAH-Transit Rate while in transit to their first permanent duty station (PDS). The Reporting SPO must input the BAH-Transit Rate start (effective date of PCS departure) and the BAH-Transit Rate stop (effective the day prior to PCS reporting) along with the reporting endorsement and transactions to record BAH entitlement at the member's or officer's first PDS. If the member or officer acquires a dependent or dependents while en route PCS, the reporting SPO shall:

1. Stop BAH-Transit Rate the day prior to the date the change in dependency is effective and
2. Start BAH-With/Dependents using the zip code for the location of the member's dependent(s) effective the day the dependency change was effective.
3. Submit the transaction to start BAH or OHA at the rate for new PDS and government quarters assignment status effective the date the member or officer reports to their first PDS.

See PAYMAN, 3.5.d & Fig 3-19 (Rule 7) and the PPC SPO Manual, Part II, Chapter 10-1, Basic Allowance for Housing, Page 7, BAH During PCS, for more information.

Use the Current Version of the Travel Voucher Form (DD-1351/2)

Published Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:20:15 CDT

Please Use the Current Version of the Travel Voucher Form (DD-1351/2)

Multiple versions of the DD-1351-2 are being used, even dating back 4 versions or more. Please note that the current version of the DD-1351-2 is March 2008 which requires both the AO's printed name and signature. All previous versions are considered to be obsolete and should not be used. The current form can be found in the list of Forms/Worksheets on our web site or at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd1351-2.pdf.

Multiple Advances Against the Same TONO

Published Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:05:15 CDT

The travel software system is not set up to do supplemental advance requests against the same exact travel dates. Please follow the below guidance when submitting SF-1038 (request for advance) in paper format or through the T PAX system.

Submitting an advance request for a 13 doc type TONO:

Order dates are the dates in which the blanket TONO are issued for. For example, if for the first quarter of the FY the order dates would be from 10/1 12/31/YY (1 October - 31 December).

• Advance travel dates would be specific to the dates of travel for that advance. Example would be the member will need three advances to cover each month.
  1. The first advance would have the travel dates of 10/1-10/31/YY,
  2. the second advance would have the travel dates of 11/1-11/30/YY, and
  3. the third advance would have the travel dates of 12/1-12/31/YY.
• It is extremely important to remember when you submit requests for travel advances in this manner, that the member should also file travel claims at a minimum of every 30 days. This is due to the fact that FINCEN is set up to collect unliquidated advances within 30 days past the end travel date of each advance request by issuing a debt letter.

Note: If you submit the first advance with the travel dates covering the entire TONO period of 10/1-12/31/YY, no additional advances will be permitted against this same TONO.

Submitting an advance request for an 11 doc type TONO:

Order dates are the dates in which the normal/evac TONO are issued for. Typically only one advance is processed when an 11 doc type TONO is used no matter the duration of travel. However, if when deemed necessary by the command 11 doc types can be processed in two different ways.

1. If the 11 doc type TONO is short term (30 days or less) only one advance will be processed for this TONO.
2. If the 11 doc type TONO is for "long term" TDY (31 days or longer) then the advances need to be processed the same way as if the TONO was a 13 doc type. Example would be the member will need three advances to cover each month.
   1. The first advance would have the travel dates of 10/1-10/31/YY,
   2. the second advance would have the travel dates of 11/1-11/30/YY,
   3. and the third advance would have the travel dates of 12/1-12/31/YY.

• It is extremely important to remember when you submit requests for travel advances in this manner, that the member should only file ONE (1) travel claim against this TONO at the end of the travel period. Once a claim is filed, no additional advance can be processed for payment.

Note: If you submit the first advance with the travel dates of 10/1-12/31/YY, no additional advances will be permitted against this same TONO.
Related Content.

Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve MGIB-SR (CH-1606) Eligibility Entries in DA

Published Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:05:15 CDT

Direct Access procedures for entering and updating MGIB-SR Eligibility have been revised to provide additional detail for date fields and status code selection.

Advancement Eligibility List from the May 09 Servicewide Exam

Published Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:45:15 CDT

The Advancement Eligibility list from the May 09 Servicewide Exam has been posted to CGCENTRAL (My Workspace > Career Management > Enlisted > Advancement >)- http://cgcentralweb.uscg.mil/cLink/3893 (Not accessible outside of the CG data network).

Individuals can also view their Profile Letters in Direct-Access.

2009 SPO/Admin Workshop Agenda and Schedule Announced

Published Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:45:15 CDT

The Pay & Personnel Center's Customer Advisory Council has scheduled a great agenda of relevant topics for SPOs and administrative yeoman based upon your feedback from last year's training workshop and the many changes currently taking place within the Coast Guard.

• 2009 SPO/Admin Workshop (Tentative) Agenda (6/24/2009)

Servicing Personnel Office Newsletter, Issue 02/2009

Published Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:15:15 CDT
The SPO Newsletter, issue 02/2009, for April - June 2009 is now available. This issue includes the following articles:

• 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 to PPC

Disestablishment of MLC (LANT & PAC) SPOs

Published Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:15:15 CDT

The SPO at MLCPAC (Dept ID 000425/OPFAC 33-75160) was disestablished effective 19 June 2009. The SPO at ISC Alameda is now the SPO for MLCPAC. Please ensure PDRs for members transferring to MLCPAC are sent to ISC Alameda.

The SPO at MLCLANT (Dept ID 000504/OPFAC 32-75130) will be disestablished effective 29 June 2009. The SPO at ISC Portsmouth will be the SPO for MLCLANT. Please ensure PDRs for members transferring to MLCLANT and CG FDCC ATLANTIC are sent to ISC Portsmouth.

Post Deployment Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA), E-Mail ALSPO D/09

Published Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:15:15 CDT

E-Mail ALSPO message D/09 establishes procedure for calculating and reporting Post Deployment Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA) at the time of demobilization of an eligible member.

Respite absence is a program to compensate members, both active and Reserve who are deployed or mobilized beyond the rotation frequency thresholds of 1 to 5 [years] for reserve component members and 1 to 2 [years] for active duty component members.

Advancement Eligibility Requirements for the October '09 Reserve Servicewide Exam

Published Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:15:15 CDT

This spreadsheet lists the requirements, which must be met by 1 July 2009, in order to participate in the October 2009 Reserve Servicewide Exam (Reserve SWE). Additional information, including exam waivers, can be found in ALCGRSV message 014/09.

Note: This data is intended for information purposes only and is not official policy.

Eligibility Requirements for the October 2009 Reserve SWE:

• Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format
• MS Excel (XLS) format

Electronic Leave & Earnings Statement (LES)

Published Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:30:15 CDT

Manually printed and mailed LESs and other statements require high cost special paper, result in high mailing costs, require additional labor for distribution at units, and convey information largely available through Direct Access (DA). Customers often receive the information late compared to the posting of the electronic information, or even receipt of their paycheck.

Within DA there is currently a self service page titled "View Paycheck". All LES data is available right now on this page EXCEPT for leave balance.

The Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) will add fields reporting leave information as it appears on current LES.

Once "View Paycheck" is modified to include leave, DA would provide each member electronic access to all LES information including leave, almost exactly as it appears on the current hard copy LES. Members will be able view and/or print the page at will.

This project is currently in development. We expect to begin testing in October 2009. If all goes well, we will discontinue mailing paper Leave and Earnings Statements in early 2010.

Registration Open for 2009 SPO/Admin Workshop

Published Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:30:15 CDT

Registration Opens for 2009 SPO/Admin Workshop

We are pleased to announce the dates for our annual PPC Topeka SPO/Admin Workshop to be held 22 through 24 September 2009, here in Topeka. The conference theme will be "Customer/Supplier/Partner" and reflects the role of SPOs with PPC and other stakeholders, working to deliver critical personnel services to the field.

We have scheduled a great agenda of relevant topics for SPOs and administrative yeoman based upon your feedback from last year's training workshop and the many changes currently taking place within the Coast Guard. It is important to note that this training workshop is considered "mission critical" for field personnel working in the personnel services arena for travel guidance purposes. We will have many subject-matter experts from Headquarters and other units providing the instruction, as well as our own PPC experts presenting a wealth of information.

Commander, Personnel Service Center Arlington will be our key note speaker. Rear Admiral Neptun will cover the latest developments in CG modernization, SPO transitions, and his vision of SPO service line management within the context of CG PSC Arlington's mission to deliver integrated personnel support for the Coast Guard's military workforce.

Similar to past years' events, PPC Topeka and other subject-matter experts will provide training and information on Direct Access, e-Travel and T-PAX, accessions, enlisted contracts, and reserve transactions. You will also learn about advancements, separations, PCS orders, as well as the most effective and efficient ways to interact with PPC to quickly address challenges.

Additional topics include the Coast Guard-wide data self validation, and other audit initiatives that affect PDR management, document retention, transactions, and other critical data maintained within Direct Access (D/A). You will also learn more about the SPO Metrics cube to query D/A data and report on the timeliness and accuracy of SPO data entry. We will update you on how you may gain the greatest benefit from using this tool to monitor your SPO, and help identify training and other needs. Get an advance look at this tool by clicking on the following link: (http://cgbi.osc.uscg.mil/) [Enter "SPO Metrics" in the Search field at the top, right-hand, corner of the page. Ed.]

Finally, the YN Rating Force Manager and YN Assignment Officers will be available to discuss rating-specific career information and issues of concern for yeoman at all levels. This is a great opportunity to speak to them directly and hear their thoughts in an open forum.

Workshop Registration:

Registration is simple! To register, e-mail CPO Zandra Sneed at zandra.sneed@uscg.mil. The registration deadline is 7 August 2009. We are limited by our venue at the Kansas historical Museum to 200 people, so please don't delay - register now. When you register please include the top three subjects of interest you want to hear about at the workshop!

I strongly encourage SPO chiefs and other leaders to attend this important workshop if at all possible. Put in your request for travel funds with your command (No PPC funding is available) and come out to learn the latest in your world of work so that you can take the information and improved skills back to your unit!

Thank you -- I look forward to seeing you in September in Topeka!

J. D. PHILLIPS, Captain, USCG
Commanding Officer
Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) Topeka

HR Self-Validation Detail Report now Available

Published Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:30:15 CDT

The HR Self-Validation Detail Report includes the following:

• Status for each of the 12 validation fields for each employee.
• List of members who have yet to complete the validation process.
• List of members who have data issues (answered "False" on one or more items).

The report is refreshed daily.

Critical Skills Training Bonus (CSTB) Ratings and Amounts

Published Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:00:15 CDT

The Critical Skills Training Bonus (CSTB) program authorizes incentive payments to non-rated members who affiliate with critical ratings by attending Class "A" school or enrolling in a striker program.

As announced in ALCOAST 352/09, here are the ratings and bonus amounts authorized effective 16 July 2009 (Note: CSTB authorizations for EM and ET end on 1 November 2009, per ALCOAST 619/09, which was issued on 28 Oct):

More information about the CSTB program and the agreement form can be found in Chapter 3.F (PDF file of Chapt 3.F only, 460KB) of the Coast Guard Personnel Manual.

New Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) Multiples

Published Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:30:15 CDT

Commandant (CG-1) announced the following SRB multiples which are effective on 16 July 2009:

Source: ALCOAST Message 353/09

Communicating with the CGPSC Self-Validation Team

Published Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:30:15 CDT

Communicating with the CGPSC Self-Validation Team

Over the next few weeks, the SPO's will be working with the TAD Self-Validation Team at the Personnel Service Center to identify members who have not completed the Direct Access self-validation with their reason why and, additionally, correct errors identified during the self-validation process. In response to ALCOAST 333/09, the TAD Self-Validation team has received multiple replies with minimal information from various units and members. In order to react more efficiently to these emails, the following must be included in every email concerning members that have NOT completed the self-validation:

• Full name as it appears in Direct Access (i.e. CDR Jonathan Doe NOT CDR John Doe)
• Employee Identification Number
• Department Identification Number (i.e. 123456)
• Reason Validation is incomplete (i.e. Member on Terminal Leave until Retirement on 01-JUL-09.)
• If in the process of a PCS transfer, need the member's new DEPT ID and expected arrival date.

When a member identifies an error on the self-validation form, they are responsible for providing the SPO with documentation supporting the necessary change. Upon receiving the documentation, either verify or correct the information by making the appropriate changes in Direct Access or forwarding the document to the Pay & Personnel Center if you can not or are not authorized to make that correction. For further guidance on this process, refer to E-mail ALSPO C/09 (PDF).

If you did not forward the document to PPC for action (e.g. The discrepancy was correctable at the SPO level or the member reported a "False Negative"), send the document to the Validation Team after correcting or verifying information in Direct Access. Email: ARL-PF-CGPSC_Validations@uscg.mil. Be sure to save the document as a "PDF" file with the name including the member's EMPLID. If there is more than one document per person, include a letter designator for the sake of differentiation. (i.e. 1234567a.pdf, 1234567b.pdf) When you forward the documents to the Validation Team, do not combine different members' forms in one email. If necessary, send multiple emails to ensure the documents attached only reference one member; use their EMPLID as the e-mail subject line. The Self-Validation Team requires this data to complete the necessary quality assurance checks and ensure the documents are imported into the member's I-PDR.

ENS K. Dann, CGPSC, Self-Validation Team

SPO/Admin Workshop Date Change

Published Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:15 CDT

The start date for the Annual PPC SPO/Admin Workshop (formerly the "Customer Advisory Council Meeting/SPO Conference") has changed from 21 September to 22 September. The end date remains 24 September.

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Goodbye Bob. We will miss you

Published Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:25:15 CDT

PPC staff members were saddened to learn of the loss of one our shipmates over the weekend. Mr. Bob Tyler was killed in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, June 6 in the Alexandria, Virginia area. He and his wife Lynnae have been a part of our family for many years and just recently became part of the HQ family as both were employed there.

Before moving to Virginia in October of 2008 to begin working at Coast Guard Headquarters (CG-1012), Bob Tyler had been assigned to the Pay & Personnel Center, Procedures and Development (p&d) branch since February 2007, first as a Instructor/Developer and later as the Business Communications Specialist for the Procedures side. Bob was responsible for the content and development of the SPO Newsletter and other numerous PPC web instructions and notices. Prior to his assignment in (p&d) he worked in the Debt Collections Branch of the Military Accounts Support (mas) branch. Bob retired as a YN1 with more than twenty years of service in the US Air Force and Coast Guard.

There will be a local memorial service for Bob at the West Side Presbyterian Church, 1024 Kasold Dr., Lawrence, KS on Saturday, June 20th from 1-3 PM.

HR Data Self-Validation Update

Published Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:13:15 CDT

ALCOAST 333/09 extends the completion deadline to 30 June and provides procedures for notifying PSC Arlington when a member cannot complete the validation.

If a member, listed on your unit roster, cannot complete the Self-Validation by 30 June 09 notify the Reporting and Monitoring Team at PSC Arlingtion via e-mail to arl-pf-cgpsc_validations@uscg.mil

New Version of Form for Reenlistment Contracts

Published Date: Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:40:15 CDT

A new version of DD Form 4/1 (October 2007) has been released by the DoD. The October 2002 version, which is generated by Direct-Access, remains valid for Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve reenlistments. The October 2007 version of the form will be added to Direct-Access in a future software update.

SWE Sea/Surf Duty and Awards Point Policy Change

Published Date: Wed, 26 May 2009 08:40:15 CDT

ALCOAST message 318/09 announces a policy change to the procedure for crediting points for sea time, surf time, and awards in the final multiple on the servicewide examination. Effective 1 January 2010, Para 5.C.16 and Para 5.C.3.b. of the Personnel Manual, COMDTINST M1000.6 (series) are changed to authorize final multiple credit for only that sea time, surf time, and those awards earned at a member's current pay grade when their date of rank in that pay grade is 1 January 2010 or later. This change will be implemented with the following rule:

• All members will receive full credit for all earned Coast Guard sea time, surf time, and all awards currently authorized final multiple points for their first advancement on or after 1 January 2010.

  For example, a member who is not advanced in 2010 but at a later date will continue to receive all earned Coast Guard credit for sea time, surf time, and all awards currently authorized. All subsequent advancements will be based on the new policy.

Visit the MCPOCG All Hands Blog for more information on this policy change.

Spotting Signs of a Rental Scam

Published Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 10:26:15 CDT

It's PCS season and the Federal Trade Commission has some timely advice for spotting rental scams.

Consumers in search of an apartment or house to rent often rely on online rental listings in order to find the right place, especially if they're looking in another city or state.

Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage. Some make up phony listings, and try to lure renters with the promise of extra-low rent. They ask potential renters to send money before they see the apartment or sign a lease.

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, wants to help consumers hang on to their hard-earned money by showing them how they can spot a rental scam. The FTC has developed a new Consumer Alert, Rental Listings May Be Red Herrings.

To learn more about avoiding rental scams, go to

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt002.shtm

E-Mail ALSPO Message C/09; SPO Procedures for HR Data Self Validation Corrections and Verifications

Published Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 10:25:15 CDT

This E-Mail ALSPO message provides SPO procedures for the HR Data Self Validation.

A new page has been added to Direct Access to record SPO and PPC action taken on "False" responses submitted by members completing the HR Data Self Validation.

E-Mail ALSPO C/09 (PDF)).

HR Data Self-Validation Progress and New Tools

Published Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 10:25:15 CDT

ALCOAST 295/09, provides a progress report on the HR Data Self-Validation.

As mentioned in the ALCOAST, the HR Self-Validation Measure (report) is now available in Coast Guard Business Intelligence (PDF).

PPC is working on a Direct-Access Self-Validation Verification Page for SPOs (Advance copy of E-Mail ALSPO C/09 (PDF)). The new page, which will be available in Direct Access next week, will be used to record SPO and PPC action taken on "False" responses submitted by members completing the HR Data Self Validation.

Officer Competency Codes

Published Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 11:50:15 CDT

SPOs should not make any changes to Officer Billet Codes (OBC) or add any Officer Specialty Codes (OSC) codes during the transition to the new Officer Specialty Management System.

The Future Force Office (CG-1B1) is currently working with the Office of Workforce Forecasting (CG-12A) and the Personnel Service Center (PSC) on a series of pilot programs to develop best practices before assigning Officer Specialty Codes (OSC) to officers in DA. The pilots require officers to review their Employee Summary Sheets (ESS), a Coast Guard Business Intelligence (CGBI) tool recently detailed in ALCOAST 154/09, which summarizes Officer Competencies, Specialties, Assignment History, Education, etc. Pilot Program participants compare their ESS data with the requirements in the Officer Specialty Templates to assess the accuracy of their assigned OSC. This will lead to the development of best practices to assign and validate OSC to the remainder of the Officer Corps. The lessons learned and recommendations from the recently completed Phase One Pilot involving the Assignment Officers (AO) in PSC-OPM-2 have been incorporated in the Business Rules for upcoming phases of the Pilot Program. Subsequent phases will include the remaining officers in PSC-OPM and RPM (3RD QTR FY09) as well as a final phase at a Sector (Late 3RD QTR FY09). Once all Pilot Program feedback is analyzed, OSC will be assigned to the remainder of the Officer Corps and a separate ALCOAST will be released providing a detailed process for officers to validate their OSC. Officers will have the opportunity to request a review if they believe an incorrect OSC was assigned. Officers are encouraged to review their ESS per the guidance in ALCOAST 154/09 in preparation for the service-wide OSC validation initiative. We envision an annual OSC validation process conducted much like the OER Review process.

Due to the strategic intent of the Pilot Programs discussed above, ALL OFFICERS must refrain from engaging with SPO or ADMIN staffs to update legacy OBC or add new OSC data to their individual records at this time. SEVERAL RECORDS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ANNOTATED TO SHOW THE NEW OSC AND THOSE NOT AUTHORIZED WILL BE REMOVED BY CG-1B1. THIS IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE DATA INTEGRITY OF THE OSMS.

New Date Fields Added to the Honors and Awards Component in Direct Access

Published Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 11:30:15 CDT

The Direct Access Honors and Awards (Individual) Component (Develop Workforce, Manage Competencies (GBL), Use, Honors and Awards) now includes fields to show the periods of meritorious service and/or acts.

The Honors and Awards Page with new date fields

Per 1.B.3 of the Awards Manual, awards will be made for either a period of meritorious service or for performance of a specific meritorious achievement or act. Citations and certificates for awards for an extended period of meritorious service are denoted by the month and year only for the inclusive period (e.g., June 2008 - November 2009). Awards for performance of a specific meritorious achievement or act will include the date, month and year for the inclusive period (e.g., 24 November 2008, 25 - 29 June 2009, or 22 May 2009 - 15 June 2009). The new date fields in Direct Access require the full date to be entered (e. g. 05/01/2009 for 01 May 2009). Therefore, when entering an award that only includes the month and year for the inclusive period (e.g., June 2008 - November 2009) you should use the first and last days of the month(s) to construct a complete date (e.g., From Date: 06/01/2008 - To Date: 11/30/2009 for an award that spans the period June 2008 - November 2009).

E-Mail ALSPO B/09; Self Validation Data Corrections and Post-9/11 GI Bill Customer Care Tickets

Published Date: Thu, 07 May 2009 15:30:15 CDT

This e-mail ALSPO message addresses PPC customer care ticket submission resulting from Self Validation data corrections, and future Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility inquiries.

It also provides new procedures for:

• Attaching supporting documentation to Customer Care Trouble Tickets (Note: This functionality is only available on the CGWEB version of the Trouble Ticket web form at http://cgweb.ppc.uscg.mil/ccb)
• New procedures for requesting Statements of Creditable Service/Sea Service

Read/download E-Mail ALSPO B/09 (PDF)

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - Foreign PCS Travel for Dependents

Published Date: Thu, 07 Apr 2009 12:15:15 CDT

The Coast Guard Director of International Affairs & Foreign Policy (CG-DCO-I) wants to make you aware of some potential concerns in light of the upcoming implementation of phase two of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) on 01 June 2009. The International Affairs office has received a lot of questions concerning passports for dependents traveling under PCS orders to Alaska (via Canada) and other foreign countries thus the reason this announcement.

PCS TRAVEL TO & FROM ALASKA (through Canada):

Dependents must have a passport for travel to or from Alaska if they plan to enter Canada for any portion of their transit. This is not a Canadian requirement, this is a United State requirement.

CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

1. Dependents can have a valid tourist passport or a dependent no-fee passport. If dependents already have a tourist passport at the time PCS orders are issued, they do not need to apply for the dependent no-fee passport.
2. If dependents DO NOT have a tourist passport at the time PCS orders are issued, they should apply for the dependent no-fee passport.

NOTE: If dependents apply for a tourist passport for the PCS transfer they will NOT be reimbursed by the USCG.

Why can dependents travel on tourist passport or dependent no-fee passport?

The requirement to have a passport to re-enter the U.S. is a Department of Homeland Security requirement. The issuance of the dependent no-fee passport vice the tourist boils down to cost. If the dependents already have tourist passport then there is no need to obtain the dependent no-fee passports for travel through Canada.

It is important to apply for the dependent passports if the dependents DO NOT have a tourist passport. It is not realistic to expect that a family traveling to or from Alaska (via Canada) should spend several hundreds of dollars to obtain passports for their travel. The dependent no-fee passport is free for dependents vice the $60-$80.00 cost for a single tourist passport. There may be some minimal cost to apply for the dependent no-fee passport (passport photos and/or processing fee at a local U.S. post office). Those types of expenses are reimbursable on the PCS travel claim per JFTR, Appendix G.

PCS ASSIGNMENT TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY (does not include Canada):

1. Dependents MUST apply for a dependent no-fee passport for a PCS tour abroad. The dependents are authorized to use the dependent no-fee passport any foreign travel performed while they are assigned overseas with the active duty member.
2. If a dependent wishes to apply for a tourist passport for a PCS tour abroad they may do so but there is no reimbursement for the tourist passport.

For all dependent passport questions or concerns please contact the Passport & Visa Staff (Tel. 202-372-4465/4474/4476) or the local Coast Guard Certified Passport Agent (a listing if passport agents is available from the Servicing Personnel Office).

For more information on the WHTI, please visit the websites below:

• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
• http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/eng_map.html

Per Diem Committee Web Page and JFTR Update

Published Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:15:15 CDT

The following information was updated for 01 May 2009:

• Foreign and OCONUS Non-Foreign Per Diem Rates
• FY 2009 CONUS Per Diem Rates
• Overseas Cost of Living (OCOLA) and Housing (OHA) Allowances
• Travel Regulations (JFTR & JTR)

To access the updated information, go to http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/

VA Accepting Applications for Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Published Date: Fri, 01 May 2009 14:05:15 CDT

The Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting and processing applications for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. You should complete and submit the application form available online and will receive a letter explaining VA's decision regarding your eligibility for the program.

The application form requires that individuals currently eligible for benefits under the Montgomery GI BILL-Active Duty (MGIB-AD), Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) make an irrevocable election from their existing program to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Read more and apply at http://www.gibill.va.gov.

HR Data Validation: SPO Instructions

Published Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:05:15 CDT

The SPO will play a key role in the successful execution of the HR Data Self-Validation process. The SPO will serve as the first line of contact to incoming inquiries from the service members. The service member is instructed to contact the SPO when specific HR data elements can not accurately be validated as "True" or if the member has general questions on responding to the HR Self-Validation Form as a whole.

For instances where a member responds "False" to any one of the data elements, the service member will be required to contact their SPO upon completion of the HR Self-Validation Form. The SPO will then assign the problem into one of three categories:

1. resolve members' questions;
2. troubleshoot the problem; or
3. have PPC Topeka resolve the problem.

In scenarios 1 and 2 above, the SPO will obtain relevant supporting documentation (in accordance with the Imaged Personnel Data Record (IPDR) ALCOAST 208/09 instructions, dated 1 April 2009) to correct the problem within Direct Access. In the case of scenario 3, the SPO will transfer the case with the relevant supporting documentation to PPC via a Customer Care Trouble Ticket to correct the invalid data element within Direct Access. PPC will issue an e-Mail ALSPO message with additional guidance for submitting Trouble Tickets on or about 4 May 2009.

Please download the HR Data Validation SPO Instructions from http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/selfvalidation/ for detailed guidance.

HR Data Validation: FAQ

Published Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:25:15 CDT

Why is it important that I complete this Self-Validation Form? What happens if I have not validated the Form by May 31st, will my pay stop?

The answers to these and 15 other questions are available in the FAQ - http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/da/SelfValidationFAQ.pdf

HR Data Validation - Prep: Accessing DA

Published Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:10:15 CDT

Per Flag Voice 319 (Human Resources Data Validation) and ALCOAST 206/09 (Warning Order - May 2009 Direct Access HR Data Self Validation), it is critical that every active duty member and members of the Selected Reserve (SELRES) ensure they can log onto Direct Access (DA) so that they may complete the Self-Validation.

As explained in ALCOAST 598/08 (DA and TPAX Password Reset Functions) , all members must have their @uscg.mil or @dhs.gov email address entered in DA as their "Business email address" to use the automated password reset function. Members with limited or no access to a CG standard workstation may use Outlook Web Access (OWA) to receive password resets through their personal outlook in box via the web. See ALCOAST 375/08 for procedures on setting up OWA. Members who do not have a Coast Guard or DHS email account must contact their servicing IT staff (ESU/ESD, or TISCOM) to have an account established. These members can then use OWA to access their Coast Guard email.

PPC has completed all DA/TPAX changes and updates necessary for members to be able to receive password resets via the Forgot Your Password function via email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and to comply with ALCOAST 598/08.

For those members who still require assistance with their user ID or setting up their Forgotten Password Function, a step-by-step guide titled "Password Reset Setup Guide" can be found at: http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/pswdreset. If the procedure in the guide does not work, the member should contact their SPO to correct their email address in their personal data. SPOs can find the procedure for updating a member's email address in the DA Online Guide at: http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/ps/spo/employee_home_and_mailing_address_change.htm.

Servicing Personnel Office Newsletter, 01/2009

Published Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:45:15 CDT

The SPO Newsletter for January - March 2009 is now available. This issue includes the following articles:

• Unit Name Change
• Dates for Next SPO Conference
• Changes to Documentation and Data Validation Requirements
• About the SPO Newsletter
• PPC Web Addresses
• New Coast Guard Pay 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
• PCS - Fleet Ups, Extensions and Termination of DA User Roles

May 2009 Direct Access HR Data Self Validation

Published Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:45:15 CDT

As announced in ALCOAST 206/09, all active duty and SELRES members are required to complete a validation of certain critical data elements in Direct-Access during the month of May 2009.

The elements are:

1. Is the Member is receiving pay?
2. Date of Birth
3. Pay Grade
4. Marital Status
5. Number BAH Dependents
6. Pay Entry Base Date
7. Active Duty Base Date (Active Duty members only)
8. Component
9. Employee ID Number
10. Date Initial Entry Military Service
11. Career Status Bonus Election Status
12. Qualifying Service (YYMMDD) (SELRES members only)

The Self-Service data validation page will be added to the system in May.
Related Content.

New Pay Manual Released

Published Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:15:15 CDT

The new version of the U. S. Coast Guard Pay Manual, COMDTINST M7220.29B is now available via the Coast Guard Directives System web site at http://www.uscg.mil/directives/listing_cim.asp?id=7000-7999.

Changes in this edition include:

• Chapter 3: Updated to incorporate extensive changes to BAH policies and procedures, including BAH rate protection.
• Chapter 4: Added references to WMSLs in section on CSEAPAY. Added section on Foreign Language Proficiency Pay.
• Chapter 5: Incorporated ALCOAST on Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay for Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Boarding Teams (HDIP-VBSS).
• Chapter 10: Updated information on severance and separation pay.
• Chapter 16: Added section on Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP).

Coast Guard E-mail Access Required for Password Resets

Published Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:00:15 CDT

By: James Glynn, PPC Customer Care

Using automatic password reset features for DA and T-PAX is the quickest way to receive a new password, via email, 24/7 - without having to contact PPC and have a manual password reset performed. ALCOAST 598/08 directed all CG members with standard CG workstation access to enable Outlook Web Access (OWA) to make possible password resets through their personal Outlook inbox via the web. Additionally, it set 1 April 2009, as the last day that personnel, with standard CG workstation access, could contact PPC Customer Care for password reset support. Now, only personnel without standard CG workstation access are authorized to contact the PPC for password reset support. All manual DA/T-PAX password reset support will end on 1 July 2009. This deadline provides ample time for personnel to establish OWA access.

All CG civilian and military personnel are required to validate a current/correct e-mail address in both their DA and T-PAX profiles. It is imperative that all personnel maintain "uscg.mil" or "dhs.gov" email addresses in both systems. Compliance with this automatically enables the "Forgotten Password" reset function in both systems.

To assist personnel and commands in this tasking, a Step-by-Step Guide can be found at: http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/pswdreset. Additionally, a report titled "CG_Recall_Contact_Info" in DA can help commanding officers identify members for non-compliance with the "Forgotten Password" reset function in DA. No tools are currently available for this use in T-PAX.

Amending CGPSC (epm) Separation Authorizations

Published Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:45:15 CDT

By: CWO Martin Shepler, PPC (ses)

When CGPSC (epm) issues a Separation Authorization, they normally provide a separation date 25-30 days in the future. When the reason for discharge is Misconduct or Unsuitability, rapid discharge processing is often requested. Please remember, if you request an amendment to the date after you previously started working the discharge based on the original CGPSC (epm) issued date, and have a saved separation in a pending status, you must delete that pending separation that is using the original authority. Upon hitting the yellow minus sign and deleting the old saved pending separation, the new amended date will come forward and you can start working the separation using the new authority.

PPC (ses) can only move up a discharge date to permit rapid processing. If you, or a unit Commanding Officer requests a delay from the original discharge authority, you must contact CGPSC (epm).

Correcting or Deleting Reenlistment Contracts

Published Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:40:15 CDT

By: James Glynn, PPC (ccb)

Reenlistment contracts may be deleted if the transaction has not been approved by the SPO supervisor (CGHRSUP Role User). Press the Delete Row button minus sign to delete a contract with an approval status of "Pending".

The SPO cannot make Corrections to or Delete a Reenlistment Contract transaction after it has been approved and saved. If the Reenlistment Contract has been approved and saved and any information on the transaction is incorrect, contact PPC Customer Care, via the online trouble-ticket at http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/ccb. If the contract has not been executed (e.g. Signed by the member and oath administered), PPC can delete the contract and the member's the Contract Expected End Date, Expected Loss Date and Expected AD Term Date will all be reset to what they were prior to the reenlistment. Changes to executed contracts require approval by Commander, Coast Guard Personnel Service Center (epm/rpm).

Timing of PCS Reporting Entitlements Transactions

Published Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:35:15 CDT

By: Chris Gambers, PPC (mas/ert)

After the PCS Reporting Endorsement is approved by the SPO Supervisor/Auditor (CGHRSUP Role User), then it's time to review the member's current pay entitlements. Start by clicking the Employee Entitlements link.

Submit transactions as necessary to start Pay and Allowances applicable for the member's new duty station and/or duty status.

When the PCS pay entitlements are approved prior to approving the PCS Reporting Endorsement, pay delays and/or pay problems result for our members. The PCS Reporting Endorsement is designed to "stop" certain pay entitlements in JUMPS. When approved out of sequence, the PCS Reporting Endorsement shuts down allowances the member is entitled to. For example, the PCS reporting endorsement will shut down any BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) when it processes. So if the SPO incorrectly approves the member's new BAH row transaction (applicable to the new duty station), prior to approving the PCS Reporting Endorsement, BAH will shut down in JUMPS creating an "underpayment" situation for the member. The BAH segment is opened in JUMPS, but gets shut down/closed immediately when the PCS reporting Endorsement is approved out of sequence.

More on the timing of PCS entitlement transactions

Many times an SPO will approve a departing or reporting PCS endorsement, save it, then look at the member's entitlement rows in Direct Access and it will look like the stop dates were not inserted when the endorsement was approved. This sometimes causes the SPO to attempt to insert the dates manually. If the dates do not show up in entitlements, click `Return to Search' and then go back into the member's entitlements summary. The dates will be inserted.

When an SPO inserts the date manually causes several problems:

• When the auto stop function is allowed to work it does not create an audit record. Therefore no transaction is sent to JUMPS. If it is manually entered an audit record is created and will kick out on the exception report because the JUMPS auto stop program already closed the segments on the correct date.
• There have been numerous occasions where the SPO entered an incorrect date when manually entering the dates, most frequently, when entering ENLBAS. Remember that ENLBAS stops effective the day of PCS reporting. Therefore, transactions to start ENLBAS or BASDMR at the new PDS should be input with an effective date the day after the date or reporting.

It is also important to remember that the JUMPS auto stop program is shutting down the proper segments when the departing or reporting endorsement is transmitted to JUMPS.

The Direct Access auto stop function is inserting the dates to reflect what JUMPS is doing. No transaction is sent to JUMPS when these dates are inserted. Due to deferred processing there is a delay before the system-generated stop entries will appear in the entitlements section.

Changes to Documentation and Data Validation Requirements Necessary

Published Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:40:15 CDT

By: CWO4 Dave Schuster, Specialty Force Manager - PERS, CG-10

Accuracy of HR information impacts the readiness of the workforce. Having correct information on service members ensures that the workforce received the correct pay and benefits.

Changes made to the HR processes in the past were adequate at the time; however, they are not effective in today's environment. The Coast Guard must improve the accuracy of the information within our data systems and make improvements to the business process so that accurate information is retained going forward.

The Coast Guard is tackling the current situation of our actuarial reporting on several fronts.

1. Self validation of data. Currently the Coast Guard has issues with HR data accuracy. A few key data elements are required to be verified by each service member. As with all HR events, the SPO will play a crucial role in the execution of the survey in Direct Access. For the majority of the service members, the data elements will be straight forward. However, Active Duty Base Date (ADBD) and Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD) are constructed for individuals with prior service and/or a break in service. The understanding of these data elements will be important in order for the Coast Guard to address the legacy data discrepancies with this self validation. The self validation process that will take place for all Active Duty, Reserve, and Reserve on Active Duty in Direct Access and when launched must complete by the anticipated release date of 1 May 09. An ALCOAST will be sent out prior to release, along with several emails to all members and possibly other communication channels (iCOMMANDANT, COAST GUARD Magazine, LES notes, etc).
2. YN - MRA. The Manpower Requirements Analysis (MRA) will look at the world of work of the Yeoman workforce within the Servicing Personnel Offices and also the Personnel and Administration Offices. This MRA also covers all Collateral Duties currently being performed by YN's. There will be eight or so site visits that either I or YNCM Jennings (or both) will be heavily involved with.
3. Assessment of the controls (checks) within the HR system starting with Accessions then moving to the SPOs. This will be a holistic approach to look at systems and business processes.
4. Updating the PDR instruction (COMDTINST M1080.10). In summary, new documents will be required to be maintained in the IPDR (Birth Certificate, Marriage License/Divorce Decree, Dependent birth certificates, Promotions message and current executed PCS orders). These documents support key data on service members to ensure the proper entitlements and security issues. Once the new policy is in place, a CG-1 entity (CGPC, PPC, or CG-12) will need to perform a validation that the policy is being followed. Quarterly reviews will be necessary at first. After the Coast Guard can support that the policy is in place for approximately a year, then the validation could be rolled into

PSC Arlington, Divisions & Branches

Published Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:30:15 CDT

Enlisted Personnel Management Division

1. Advancements and Separations Branch (epm-1)
2. Assignments Branch (epm-2)

Officer Personnel Management Division

1. Boards, Promotions & Separations Branch (opm-1)
2. Assignments Branch (opm-2)
3. Evaluation Branch (opm-3)
4. Career Management Branch (opm-4)

Reserve Personnel Management Division

1. Reserve Officers Branch (rpm-1)
2. Reserve Assignments Branch (rpm-2)
3. Reserve Enlisted Branch (rpm-3)

Personnel Services Division (establish May 09, currently Administration Division)

1. Disability Evaluations (de) (currently adm-1)
2. Medical Review (med) (currently PSC-cm)
3. Military Records (mr) (currently adm-3)
4. Field Support (fs) (establish May 09)
5. Surge Staffing (ss) (establish May 09)

PCS Departing Worksheet Updated

Published Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:00:15 CDT

The PCS departing worksheet (CG PPC-2000, http://www.uscg.mil/ppc/forms/ppc2005.pdf) has been revised (Rev. 03/2009) to include an additional page on Household Goods (HHGs) information. This page addresses Personally Procured Moves, certified weight tickets not obtained or lost/destroyed, and HHG's transportation and Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) upon separation from active duty.

The "Departure Date Requested" block was changed to "Departure Date (Last Day of Duty at current unit)" to demonstrate that the PCS date of departure is a day of duty, not a day leave, travel or proceed time. The PCS reporting date, on the other hand, IS a day of leave, travel, proceed time or other authorized delay, unless the 0900 rule applies. The 0900 rule is used when the orders are for a same day transfer (A term used on orders directing a change of station where both stations are located within the same corporate limits and, therefore, do not require traveling) and on orders involving leave only (no travel/proceed time). Under orders involving leave only, when the member reports determines whether the reporting date is a day of duty or a day of leave. If the member reports at or before 0900, the day would be a day of duty; if he or she reports after 0900 the day is a day of leave.

Changes in Income Tax Withholding Reflected in 1 April 2009 "Paychecks"

Published Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:30:15 CDT

New withholding tables may reduce the amount of income tax withheld from your wages.

Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center, Topeka, loaded new federal income tax withholding (FITW) tables in the Joint Uniform Military Pay System (JUMPS) for the 1 April payday. The new tables were used, by JUMPS, to calculate your FITW effective March 2009.

The new tables, prescribed by the Department of the Treasury, reflect the Making Work Pay credit and other changes resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For 2009 and 2010, the Making Work Pay provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide a refundable tax credit of up to $400 for working individuals and $800 for married taxpayers filing joint returns. This tax credit will be calculated at a rate of 6.2 percent of earned income and will phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $75,000, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

You do not have to submit a Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, to get the automatic withholding change. If you do not want to have your withholding reduced (because, for example, you have more than one job or you are married and your combined income places you in a higher tax bracket), you may want to file a new Form W-4 (Use Direct-Access; Self-Service > Employee > Tasks > W-4 Tax Information). You may claim fewer withholding allowances or request additional amounts to be withheld each month. IRS Publication 919 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p919.pdf) provides additional guidance for tax withholding.

About the New PSC

Published Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:05:15 CDT

This is the second in our series of articles about the new Personnel Service Center. In this article CWO2 Carr, of the Coast Recruiting Command, provides an overview of the PSC organization and mission.

By: CWO2 S. Carr, Coast Guard Recruiting Command

The United Stated Coast Guard continues to modernize its infrastructure to be more flexible, agile, and adaptable to change; and changes to its human resource system are in progress as part of the Commandant's overall efforts. While many responsibilities have been centralized for efficiency and standardization, the Coast Guard has not had a single organizational unit responsible for executing personnel policies and administering the Coast Guard's military workforce.

To meet this need, the Commandant of the Coast Guard directed the creation of a new command structure, the Personnel Service Center, under the Flag direction of Rear Admiral Daniel Neptun. The Personnel Service Center is designed to support mission execution by integrating all aspects of military personnel support: recruiting and accessing new members, assigning and developing careers, maintaining health and well-being for personnel, overseeing compensation, and separating and retiring all Coast Guard military personnel.

Admiral Neptun will be in command of 1,685 active duty members and 573 civilian employees plus over 1800 Non-Appropriated Funds employees stationed from Guam to San Juan. Admiral Neptun will oversee four functional divisions of the Personnel Service Center in Arlington, Va., and also 17 subordinate personnel commands, including: the Pay & Personnel Center in Topeka, KS., the Health Safety and Work-Life Support Activity Command in Norfolk, Va., the Community Services Command in Chesapeake, Va., the Coast Guard Recruiting Command also in Arlington, Va, and Personnel Service and Support Units across the United States.

Personnel Service Center divisions are designed to streamline personnel operations, working in unison using service line management to give field operators one place to call for all the tools they need to equip people for mission execution. Officer, Enlisted and Reserve Personnel Management Divisions will serve as the service line managers for all service members' assignments, ensuring operational units have qualified members to meet the unit's mission execution requirements. Additionally, each division's responsibilities include promotions, advancements, separations and evaluations. The Reserve Personnel Management Division will redefine the way the Coast Guard handles its Reserve force and will ultimately position all Reserve assignments under one roof. This unification allows for greater flexibility for the augmentations of reservist to operational commanders during a crisis.

The Recruiting Command being the first stop for the majority of all service members. This command has the responsibility of bringing in the "best ten not the first ten." They change the face of the Coast Guard daily and have a monumental impact on the future operations and leadership of the nation's oldest sea-going service. Individuals at the Pay and Personnel Center don't drive ships or boats; neither do they jump into helicopters and fly off into stormy oceans. But without the men and women who manage and operate the PPC, none, of the more than 40,000 active-duty or 10,000 reserve Guardians, would receive their pay, have their travel claims processed, receive their orders for temporary assignments or orders for a change of duty station. The creation of the Health Safety and Work-life Support Activity Command will unify our medical services, Work-life programs and Tricare effectively drawling on the strength of all the command's team members to provide a comprehensive system of care to Coast Guard members and their families. The new Community Services Command brings together all the quality-of-life entities within the service whose purpose is to uplift the spirits of the Coast Guard family: both active-duty members and their dependants. By dovetailing support functions such as housing offices, MWR offices, and Coast Guard Exchange system, the Coast Guard has reached a modernization highpoint to maximize benefits Coast Guard members use daily. At 13 locations across the United States, Personnel Service and Support Units will provide services and expertise for personnel situations that go beyond a field unit's capability.

PSC is a critical component of the Coast Guard's modernization effort. The men and women of the PSC find quality people for the service, manage their career paths and assist in their growth, and provide the Coast Guard a sustaining workforce to meet demanding mission requirements well into the future.

Modernization Update - The New Coast Guard Personnel Service Center

Published Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:00:15 CDT

The new Coast Guard Personnel Service Center was officially established on 16 March 2009 (see the Commandant's blog for a story on the ceremony). We thought this would be a good time to provide a brief review of Coast Guard HR management history. This is the first in a series of articles we'll be posting on the Modernized HR management structure.

By: CWO2 S. Carr, Coast Guard Recruiting Command

A good military tactician will tell you the keys to success in the present lie in the chronicles of the past. The human resources challenges the Coast Guard faces today have their roots in the history of professional military forces as far back as the Roman Legions. The Roman Army's version of a modern day Yeoman managed not only a legionnaire's length of enlistment but also his pay, about 112 denarii a year minus his deductions for his arms and food.

Coast Guard Human Resources have come a long way since the 1790 inception of our service. Over the last 25-years, we have been on a journey to modernize, a journey to create a nimble, adaptable and flexible command capable of integrating all personnel issues.

Prior to 1990, personnel services throughout the Coast Guard were de-centralized and isolated which lead to many short comings in the way Coast Guard members received personnel services.

Each District command had a Personnel Branch with broad authority to process pay, travel claims, assignments, orders and separations. This non-uniform process allowed for a non-standard interpretation of Coast Guard policy by the individual Personnel Branches within District commands. Military pay was a process that took Storekeepers nearly an entire month and generated mountains of paper to complete the two pay cycles each month. Personnel assignments of the most junior enlisted members were managed at the District Commander's level. Medical Clinics were an entity unto themselves with little oversight into the care provided to service members; Work-Life programs were non-existent and a member's personal, family, financial or emotional needs were on the shoulders of the unit's commanding officer. Local exchanges were basically `Mom and Pop' stores that worked for the unit's commanding officer and had no central buying power.

Centralization of many services in the 1990's provided a key transition point to modernize Coast Guard personnel services as they sailed into new territory. The Work-Life program was established in 1990 giving service members a single place to turn to for health promotion, family support or substance abuse to name a few. In 1993, the Assignments and Career Management functions moved from Headquarters offices to a Military Personnel Command which later became Coast Guard Personnel Command. This allowed for the integration of officer, enlisted and reserve personnel issues under one command. The mountains of payroll paper were replaced by automation. Travel functions were centralized in 1995 at the Pay & Personnel Center in Topeka, KS, and travel claims Coast Guard wide were processed in one location. Recruiting operations, which consisted of three commands: Eastern, Central and Western, was moved out of Coast Guard Headquarters in 1995 to become of a division of the newly formed Military Personnel Command. In 1998, the Coast Guard Exchange system was centralized under the National Exchange operation.

Crossing into the new Century, the Coast Guard continued its modernization with a Joint Rating Review in 2001 in an effort to craft a workforce to match the operational requirements of the service. A Chief Warrant Officer Specialty Review in 2003 continued the work of the Joint Rating Review and resulted in a realignment of warrant specialties, including the MSS specialty - the first personnel specialty intended draw individuals from many backgrounds to fill mission needs.

In 2001, the Recruiting Division of Personnel Command was turned into a separate command and in 2005 moved out of the Personnel Command offices and into their present office space in Arlington, Va.

As the spring of 2009 approaches, the pieces in are place for the culmination of 25 years of integration of our human resources system: the formation of new Coast Guard Personnel Service Center. This command will continue to benefit and learn from the past while charting a course and lead Coast Guard personnel services into the future.

New Uniforms Regulations Manual Released

Published Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:35:15 CDT

Major changes in this revision include:

• An updated uniform donation and disposal policy.
• Elimination of the date for women's old-style Service Dress Blue jacket.
• Six new warrant officer specialty markings.
• Defines organizational clothing and the criteria for purchasing with unit funds.
• Expands section on the camouflage utility uniform.
• Inclusion of the new religious headgear policy.
• Authorization and manner of wear for backpacks and bags while in uniform.
• The inclusion of two additional chapters. Chapter five (Uniform Ordering and Uniform Care), and Chapter 6 (Uniform Fitting and Alteration).

The new manual can be accessed via the Coast Guard Directives Systems web site at http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim.asp.

Source: ALCOAST 150/09

Office Closure

Published Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:00:15 CDT
PPC Topeka offices will be minimum staffed on Thursday 19 March 2009 beginning at 1200 hrs (central time) to close of business day so staff members may attend command sponsored morale event. Normal business hours will resume on Friday 20 March 2009.
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Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) merged with the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO)

Published Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2009 15:00:15 CDT

The staff and responsibilities of the Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) merged with the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) on 1 October 2008, streamlining central management of commercial travel policy for DoD.

Effective 1 March 2009, the Per Diem Committee Website's new URL is http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem.

About PDTATAC:

PDTATAC ensures uniform travel and transportation regulations are issued pursuant to applicable laws and policies. PDTATAC coordinates with GSA and the State Department to establish per diem rates for OCONUS locations. PDTATAC also oversees several programs such as Continental U.S. Cost of Living Allowance (CONUS COLA), Outside Continental U.S. Cost of Living Allowance (OCONUS COLA), Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) as well as the Travel Regulation Change Process.

BAH/COLA Entitlements for Single Members Paying Child Support

Published Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2009 13:00:15 CDT

The CGHQ Military Compensation Division (CG-1222) continues to receive debt collection waiver/remission application packages from erroneously overpaid single members who pay child support for a child(ren) that is in the custody of another active duty member or active duty former spouse. SPO personnel could eliminate these erroneous BAH/COLA overpayment situations by correctly applying the rules for members married to other active duty members (M-to-M) or who were formerly married to active duty members. Housing and station allowance rules are considerably different for M-to-M couples and former couples than the rules for active duty members with spouses/former spouses that are not on active duty.* It is safe to presume that active duty members or active duty former spouses who are the primary physical custodians of children will be the one to receive with-dependent allowances.**

The M-to-M rule-of-thumb for with-dependent allowances is that "you can't get two scalps out of one pelt." This means that in most former M-to-M cases the non-custodial member*** paying child support to another active duty member or active duty former spouse is normally not, repeat, not authorized allowances at with-dependent rates. With-dependent allowances includes BAH or OHA at the with-dependents rate based on payment of child support (BAH code T), BAH-DIFF (if non-custodial member is assigned to or occupies government-owned or leased single-type quarters - BAH-code DP or DQ), CONUS-COLA, and O'CONUS-COLA. The non-custodial member is only authorized BAH or OHA without dependents, or BAH Partial if assigned to single-type barracks or shipboard quarters), and COLAs at the without-dependent rates. This is because the custodial active duty member is receiving BAH or OHA at the with-dependents rate (BAH code L), or is assigned to government-owned or leased family-type quarters on behalf of the dependent child(ren) (BAH code A, B, or C), and with-dependent COLAs. The Services only provide one with-dependent set of allowances (in cash or in-kind) for the same dependent.

A member paying child support who submits CG PPC-2020, Dependency Worksheet, must answer questions 15 thru 23 if he or she claims with-dependent allowances (including BAH-DIFF) on the basis of child support payments. If this section is left blank, it is in everyone's best interest for the SPO YN to verify with the member that the child(ren) is/are not in the custody of another active duty member or active duty former spouse (this includes non-active duty former spouses who are primary physical child custodians that have remarried another active duty member who is, in turn, receiving with-dependent allowances (or assigned to family quarters). For head-scratching questions on this subject (including cases involving both dependent children and dependent parents) get help via e-mail from: compensation@comdt.uscg.mil.

*A divorce decree that indicates "joint custody" between former spouses usually means that decisions affecting the child's upbringing are to be made jointly. One former spouse will be the child's primary physical custodian and the other former spouse will normally be required to pay child support to the actual physical custodian. See Figure 3-12, Section 3-D-9, and Sections 3-F-2, 6, 7, & 8 of the Pay Manual for specific M-to-M policy, regulations, & exceptions. See also Ch. 10, Part B: Dependency, of the JFTR. The Services do not consider a member to be a primary custodian unless the member has continuous actual physical custody for more than 90 consecutive days (exclusive of occasional short visits to the non-custodial parent). In any event, the period of custody for which a with-dependent allowance is paid is only for the actual period of physical custody - see Section 3-F-9 of the Pay Manual).

**Exceptions to this presumption are rare and always involve both active duty members each having primary physical custody of a dependent and maintain separate households caused by separations due to competent PCS orders.

***Normally single and has no other dependents residing with him or her; however, this rule would also apply to an active duty member that is paying child support to any former spouse and has remarried to an active duty member who, in turn, is receiving with-dependent allowances on behalf of dependents of the same class.

by Mr. Peter Bekken (PERS3, USCG (Ret.)), Military Compensation Specialist, Commandant (CG-1222)

Openings for the March 10-11 Reservist Workshop

Published Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:00:15 CST

There are several seats available for the March 10-11, 2009, Reservist Workshop.

• Submit your request to attend today.
• Please review the workshop description and the course materials, listed below, or contact us if you want to know more about the content of this workshop.
  • The Course Guide (book) for this Workshop
  • Tutorials/Software Demos

New URL for PPC

Published Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:00:15 CST

The Personnel Service Center was renamed on 13 February 2009 to the Pay & Personnel Center. We've changed the address of our internet and CGWEB sites to reflect our new name. The internet home page can now be found at http://www.uscg.mil/ppc. The CGWEB site's new address is http://cgweb.ppc.uscg.mil. Please update your favorites/bookmarks and help pass the word.

Incorrect Basic Allowance for Housing Payments for 591 Members in January

Published Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:40:15 CST

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates were not properly updated for certain members effective 1 January 2009. During the update of BAH rates effective 1 January 2009, 591 members whose BAH rates are based upon County Cost Groups (CCG) were updated with incorrect rates. The zip codes, which are listed in enclosure (1) to e-mail ALSPO message A/09, were reassigned effective 1 January 2009 to a new CCG but the JUMPS data base was not updated to reflect such reassignment. As a result of the error, 591 members' BAH was incorrect. The impact on the members ranged from -$229.00 (overpayment of BAH) to $312.00 (underpayment of BAH). BAH rates for the impacted members have been corrected effective the 13 February 2009 payday. BAH adjustments (underpayments/overpayments during January 2009) will be processed in the mid-month February pay; adjustment details will be provided on members' end-month February Leave and Earnings Statements (LES's).

Personnel Data Extracts for May Servicewide Exam are Available

Published Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:15:15 CST

The May 09 SWE Personnel Data Extracts (PDEs) are now available in Direct Access. Per ALCGENL 012/09, the PDE correction deadline is 1 April 09. We will begin mailing the paper PDEs later this week.

Modernization Update

Published Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:15:15 CST

On February 13, 2009, the current Personnel Service Center in Topeka, Kansas will be renamed the Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center. This name change will precede the March 16, 2009 stand up of the mission support organization's Personnel Service Center (PSC) in Arlington, Virginia. The new PSC will unify, within one service center, all Coast Guard personnel and human resource support currently provided by the Personnel Command, the Pay and Personnel Center, the Recruiting Command, as well as some functions currently carried out by Headquarters, the MLCs, and ISCs, including services such as housing, MWR, CGES, educational services, health and safety, and work-life. See 'Modernization Update: 27 JAN 09 - Early 2009 Milestones' for more information.

PCS Mileage (MALT) Rate Change

Published Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:15:01 CST
Effective 1 January 2009, the MALT (monetary allowance in lieu of transportation) rate per authorized POC (privately owed conveyance) is $.24 per mile. This rate is effective for all PCS travel that commences on or after 1 January 2009 (i.e., the initial travel is started).
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Airport Terminal and Unit Relationship; Make sure you're seeing all orders

Published Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:45:01 CST

Orders are being issued for Assignment Year 09 that include assignments to new departments/OPFACs created for Modernization Billet Reprogramming. You may have to do some searching to locate orders for incoming personnel because the SPO-Unit or ISC-Unit relationships for some of these new units have not been fully established. Orders for outgoing personnel are not a problem; relationships for existing units have not changed. The Human Resource Site/SPO relationships for the new units have initially been setup by assigning the closest (geographically) SPO. If you can't locate orders under your SPO's department ID, try the ID of another SPO. If you identify any setup issues please report them to PSC Customer Care for correction.

Follow these steps when using the Airport Terminal

Select a Relationship Type option from the list:

• Human Resource Site will include units serviced by the SPO
• Integrated Support Command will include units in the ISC's area of responsibility
• Own unit only will only show orders for the department ID entered below
• SWE Testing Unit, Training Quota Mgmt Center and Unit Relationship are not used by field units.

Enter a Department ID number. The department ID number must be valid for the type of relationship selected in the previous step (e. g. If ISC relationship is selected then only a valid ISC department ID number will return any search results). Click the lookup button, next to the department number, to search for the correct department number.

Note: If a Human Resource Site or Integrated Support Command relationship does not return the expected results (e. g. Orders for a unit serviced by the SPO or ISC are not present), contact PSC Customer Care to have the unit relationship table updated/corrected. Please include the department ID or OPFAC numbers of the units and relationship type in your communications with Customer Care.

Update - Reserve Component (RC) Member Pay and Personnel Workshop

Published Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:45:01 CST

Edit 8 Jan 2009, schedule for May to September added!

The PSC Procedures and Development team proudly announce the newest addition to our Workshop offerings - the Reservist.

This Workshop is open to all CG Reserve members as well as those who provide administrative support or assist the Reserve members (Unit YNs, Admin Officers, Training Officers, XPOs, etc.).

THE RESERVIST - This is a NEW course designed specifically for Reserve members. The topics for this course were created based on inquiries for information and assistance from Reservists throughout the Coast Guard via Customer Care Help Requests and PSC surveys.

The objective of this course is to provide Reservists with basic information on specific points of interest. It is not intended to provide an all encompassing background on all Reserve matters; rather, to:

• Provide you the web links to Coast Guard policies,
• Give you an understanding of procedures, and
• Provide you with the skills to apply this information to enter accurate data into Direct Access (DA) that affects your pay and personnel issues.

Some of the Topics discussed will include:

• Direct Access and You.
• Self-Service procedures including: ASQ, Direct Deposit Changes, home/mailing address and TSP.
• Reserve Bonus Programs.
• Advancement policies/procedures.
• Reading and understanding your LES and Reserve Retirement Point Statements.

Reserve Workshop Schedule:

1. February 3-4, 2009 - No Seats Available
2. March 10-11, 2009 - No Seats Available
3. April 14-15, 2009- No Seats Available
4. May 5-6, 2009
5. June 9-10, 2009
6. July 14-15, 2009
7. August 11-12, 2009
8. September 8-9, 2009

Please use the Quota Request Form , which is available on our web page at http://www.uscg.mil/hr/psc/pd.asp if you would like to attend one of the workshops. Travel and per diem expenses must be funded by the benefiting unit (no PSC funds are available). ADT/ADT-OTD orders, for Reserve Component members, must be funded and approved by the servicing ISC.

Update - New Human Resource Systems Workshops Offered

Published Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:45:01 CST

Edit, 8 Jan 2009, schedule for May to September added!

The Personnel Service Center's (PSC), Procedures and Development branch is pleased to announce the availability of our new workshop for Coast Guard Servicing Personnel Offices.

This workshop combines the best parts of the Basic and Advanced HRS Workshops that we offered last year. The new workshop and is focused on the new Direct Access Servicing Personnel Office User Manual. The workshop is an open discussion forum with exercises that allow data entry in a DA test environment. There are case scenarios and student accounts for both DA and JUMPS so attendees can work through a situation in class and see the end result in JUMPS. Topic selection was based on a combination of input from student surveys, issues provided by Customer Care, and problem areas identified by PSC's Military Accounts Support and Separations branches.

Topics include:

• Military Pay Communications (DA, JUMPS and LES)
• Service Contracts and Separations
• Pay Entitlements
• Corrections and Deletions
• PCS (Orders, Departing/Reporting Endorsements, DA, and JUMPS)
• Advances, Special Payments, and Cash Deposits
• Reserves - SPO issues
• Bonuses (Enlistment, SRB, CSB, and SELRES)
• Debt Liquidation (How, when, and why)

Human Resource Systems 2009 Schedule (dates/workshop ID):

1. Jan 12 - 16/HRS-901 - No Seats Available
2. Feb 09 - 13/HRS-902 - No Seats Available
3. Mar 16 - 20/HRS-903 - No Seats Available
4. Apr 20 - 24/HRS-904 - No Seats Available
5. May 11 - 15/HRS-905
6. Jun 15 - 19/HRS-906
7. Jul 20 - 24/HRS-907
8. Aug 17 - 21/HRS-908
9. Sep 14 - 18/HRS-909

Please use the Quota Request Form, which is available on our web page at http://www.uscg.mil/hr/psc/pd.asp if you would like to attend one of the workshops. Travel and per diem expenses must be funded by the benefiting unit (no PSC funds are available).

PSC Advancements and Evaluations Branch News

Published Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:45:01 CST

The Winter 2009 issue of the ADV Newsletter is available at http://www.uscg.mil/hr/psc/adv/advnews0109.pdf
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