Mobilization/Demobilization Guidance for Reservists

Recalled under Title 14 U.S.C. 712

1. Title 14 U.S.C. 712 provides authority to effect involuntary recall of Ready Reservists to active duty during a, or to aid in prevention of an imminent, serious natural or manmade disaster, accident, catastrophe, act of terrorism or transportation security incident. This guidance is provided for units and Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) for common issues surrounding the demobilization process for reservists involuntarily recalled to active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712. Active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 does not qualify as contingency orders for any post-active duty benefit purposes.

2. Notification: Reservists may be involuntarily recalled under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 for a maximum of 60 days in any four-month period or 120 days in any two-year period. There are no exceptions to the active duty limitation. Release from active duty (RELAD) policy dictates a minimum notification prior to RELAD per chapter 3 of the Personnel and Pay Procedures Manual (PPPM). If members approach their 60 day involuntary mobilization limit and wish to be extended to meet continued operational requirements, they must be issued new voluntary Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) orders under Title 10 U.S.C. 12301(d) for the additional active duty period.

3. Members should anticipate RELAD on their end of orders date, and anticipate following all time lines established for the demobilization procedures. If commands anticipate RELADing members prior to their end of orders date due to completion of orders, they should provide as much notification as possible.

4. In addition to the administrative demobilization and RELAD procedures outlined in chapter 11 of the PPPM the command releasing the member due to either a rotation of forces or completion of the operation, is responsible to ensure that the member is demobilized in the Mobilization Readiness Tracking Tool (MRTT) with an accurate departure date.

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

6. Leave: Annual leave is earned for orders of more than 31 consecutive days at the rate of 2-1/2 days per month. Personnel with accrued annual leave shall be treated in accordance with Section 10-A of the Coast Guard Pay Manual and paragraph 2c of ALCOAST 594/08. The 60-day career limitation for selling leave does not apply to sold leave accrued by reservists while serving on active duty for periods of 365 days or less. Personnel with accrued annual leave have the option of receiving payment, taking pre-separation leave, or a combination thereof, as long as all accrued leave is zeroed out by the last day on active duty orders. Leave may not be carried forward into an inactive duty status - leave not used or sold before RELAD is lost. Orders under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 above cannot be extended beyond 60 days under any circumstances, including for the disposal of leave. Reservists who extend their initial active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 by accepting voluntary ADOS orders under Title 10 U.S.C. 12301(d) issued without a break of more than 24 hours may roll the annual leave accrued on the initial orders onto the leave balance for the second active duty order set.

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

A. Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI):

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

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

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

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

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

C. Family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime: Family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime during mobilization must re-enroll to continue benefits. The location and contact information for the nearest RAPIDS site can be found via the RAPIDS site located at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home.

D. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS):

(1) Reservists ordered to active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 for 30 days or less will not be eligible for TRICARE Prime benefits.

(2) Reservists ordered to active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 for 31 days or more and their dependents are entitled to active duty TRICARE benefits and must be correctly enrolled in DEERS. SPOs issuing active duty orders are responsible to ensure proper enrollment of dependents into DEERS via the nearest Uniformed Service RAPIDS terminal. Upon demobilization, reservists will not be eligible for Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) benefits.

E. TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS): Following demobilization, reserve members may purchase premium-based health insurance through TRS at a discounted cost. 2010 rates are $49.62 per month for member only, or $197.65 per month for family. To enroll, a member must be in the SELRES and not eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB). More information is available at http://www.humana-military.com/library/pdf/trs.pdf.

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

g. Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): Currently recall under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 does not qualify for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. Guidance regarding the Post 9/11 GI Bill is available at: http://www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH33/CH33_Pamphlet.pdf

H. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH):

(1) Reservists ordered to active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 or Title 10 U.S.C. 12301(d) voluntary ADOS orders for 30 days or less are entitled to the applicable BAH-RC rate for their respective pay grade and dependency status.

(2) Reservists ordered to consecutive active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 or Title 10 U.S.C. 12301(d) voluntary ADOS orders for 31-180 days or more are entitled to locality-based BAH (based upon the members residence at the time ordered to active duty) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) (if residence is outside the United States) for their respective pay and dependency status. A member retains entitlement to locality based BAH/OHA even if RELADed before completion of their initial period of duty so long as the orders were initially issued for 31 or more days of consecutive active duty.

(3) If the initial orders for less than 31 days are extended or changed to duty periods beyond the initial period of duty, locality based BAH (based upon members residence) or OHA (if outside the United States) is authorized only if the new orders are for more than 30 days as computed from the date of amendment. Otherwise, BAH-RC remains the housing allowance entitlement. Example: A member is ordered to duty for a period of 30 days involuntary active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712. On day 14 of the active duty period, the orders are amended to extend the duration by 15 more days, for a total of 45 days of active duty. Since, as of the date of amendment, the remaining period of active duty totals only 30 days, the housing allowance entitlement is BAH-RC. In the foregoing example, the amendment to orders on day 15 would have to be for an additional 16 or more days, making the remaining duration of active duty 31 days, in order for the member to become entitled to locality-based BAH. In the latter case, locality based BAH would be payable only from the date of the amendment.

(4) Assignment to or occupancy of single-type government quarters while on active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 or Title 10 U.S.C. 12301(d) voluntary ADOS orders of less than 181 days duration does not affect entitlement to BAH, unless the reservist was occupying adequate government-owned or leased family quarters as a dependent prior to mobilization. In the latter case, a mobilized dependent is not entitled to BAH or OHA.

I. CONUS COLA: Reservists recalled under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 or Title 10 U.S.C. 12301(d) voluntary ADOS orders for 139 days or less are not authorized CONUS COLA.

J. Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS):

(1) BAS is authorized.

(2) Enlisted reservists assigned to career sea pay eligible vessels will have discount meal rates deducted as appropriate. Officers assigned to career sea pay eligible vessels will pay for their meals in accordance with the vessel’s procedures.

K. Family Separation Allowance (FSA): FSA is intended to compensate members with dependents for the additional expenses incurred because of family separation when members are assigned to a ship away from its homeport or in a TEMDU/TDY status away from (in this case) their dependents. FSA is not payable under active duty orders of 30 days or less duration. If the orders are for active duty periods of more than 30 days (either the initial duration or as amended), FSA may be authorized to start from the initial date of recall for personnel whose duty required them to be away from their dependents for a period of more than 30 consecutive days. However, if a mobilized reservist interrupts the initial 30 day period of family separation for any reason (such as a short visit during liberty), the 30 day separation period must be re-set.

L. Advance Pay & BAH: Not applicable.

M. Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance (FSSA): Recalled reservists may be eligible for FSSA. See Section 3-N of the USCG Pay Manual concerning policy and application procedures.

N. Special and Incentive Pays: Reservists recalled to active duty who perform duties under the same circumstances as active duty component members are eligible to receive any of the special/incentive pays listed in USCG Pay Manual Sections 4-B (CSP), 4-G (Dive Pay), 4-H (IDP/HFP), 4-I (SDAP), 4-J (PA Board Cert Pay), OR 5-C (Flight Deck HDIP), and ALCOAST 585/05(FLPP). Reservists qualified for and ordered to duties for which Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) is authorized must have SDAP authorized on the orders (on original or by amendment) which recalled them to active duty.

O. Uniform Allowances. Enlisted reservists are entitled to BMA or SMA for orders of 30 or more day’s duration, and RBMA/RSMA for orders less than 30 days duration.

P. Travel Entitlements:

(1) Reservists ordered to active duty for up to 180 days are authorized travel allowances appropriate to their duty circumstances.

(2) Active duty orders under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 or Title 10 U.S.C. 12301(d) are TDY type orders and must reflect the availability of government quarters and messing. Government quarters and messing shall be used to the maximum extent possible.

(3) Reservists ordered to active duty for up to 180 days whose principal place of residence is not within commuting distance of the active duty site are entitled to applicable travel/per diem allowances for the entire period. Absent a determination under subparagraph Paragraph (4) below, a one-way reasonable commuting distance is considered 50 miles/one hour.

(4) Local order-issuing authorities are responsible for determining the local reasonable commuting distances within their AORs. Areas within a reasonable commuting distance are described in JFTR PAR. U3500-B.

(3) In any event, regardless of the distance actually traveled, members who voluntarily commute between home and duty location are not authorized per diem or travel allowances, even if their residences lies outside the local reasonable commuting distance from their duty stations. Recalled reservists in the local travel area, residing outside the limits of the duty location, may be authorized per diem when their duties require them to remain away from their principal place of residence. One round trip mileage to/from their residence is authorized for the entire TDY period.

(4) Members assigned to career sea pay eligible vessels are not authorized per diem for the duration of their duty aboard the vessel.

8. DD-214: Is not authorized for non-contingency active duty of less than 90 days. Reservists activated under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 will not receive a DD-214 upon RELAD.

9. Administrative Holds: Individuals pending disciplinary proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) may be retained on active duty without their consent, as provided by rule of Courts Martial 202(C) and Title 10 U.S.C. 802(D), pending resolution of allegations. Members ordered to active duty under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 whose recall status changes for administrative reasons shall have their orders modified on or before completing 60 days, to reflect that they no longer serve under the provisions of Title 14 U.S.C. 712 involuntary orders. Commands shall notify Personnel Service Center, Reserve Personnel Management (PSC-rpm), FORCECOM (FC-1), and COMDT (CG-1311) for coordination and consultation as soon as possible.

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

11. Medical Holds: If a member is Available for Limited Duty (AFLD) at the end of their orders, they may be retained with their consent, or their command may request a Notice of Eligibility (NOE) in order to have the medical condition addressed/resolved, per chapter 6 of the Reserve Policy Manual members shall be counseled on their options as noted below:

A. If the member is AFLD is unable to work in their civilian capacity, retention is preferred.

B. If the member is AFLD and able to work in their civilian job, the NOE may be a better fit.

C. Member shall submit their health care preference (either active duty retention or NOE) in writing to their command after their counseling session.

D. For further guidance contact PSC-rpm at arl-dg-cgpsc-rpm(underscore)reserve(underscore)medical@uscg.mil.

E. Reservists who elect to stay on active duty for medical treatment shall remain at a Coast Guard unit with the capacity and expertise to swiftly manage their care to conclusion in proximity to appropriate medical facilities and professionals. Contact PSC-rpm at arl-dg-cgpsc-rpm(underscore)reserve(underscore)medical@uscg.mil for specific guidance.

F. Commands shall provide initial notification of the members medical hold status to PSC-rpm via arl-dg-cgpsc-rpm(underscore)reserve(underscore)medical@uscg.mil. A monthly email update is required by the responsible clinic until the reservists has been determined Available for Full Duty (AFFD) or separated/retired as disposed by the Physical Disability Evaluation System (PDES). A Medical Hold template and other helpful links are available under Mobilization Resources tab at the Coast Guard Reserve home page.

12. It is highly recommended that all reserve members complete the Reserve Mobilization/Demobilization course which was mandated for all reserve members to complete per ALCOAST 542/09. This course is available at the Learning Portal at https://learning.uscg.mil under Reserve Courses in the Course Catalog and is accessible from any computer with an internet connection.

13. For questions regarding reserve mobilization or demobilization policy, please contact COMDT (CG-1311) Reserve Affairs at lst-cg-1311@comdt.uscg.mil, for questions regarding benefits and entitlements contact COMDT (CG-1222) at compensation@comdt.uscg.mil.