R 060647 NOV 20 FM
COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//DCMS//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01710//
ALCOAST 402/20
COMDTNOTE 1710
SUBJ: COVID-19: COAST GUARD MORALE, WELL-BEING, AND RECREATION (MWR) UNIT GUIDANCE DURING COVID-19
A. Coast Guard Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation Manual, COMDTINST M1710.13 (series)
B. Coast Guard Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities (NAFI) Manual, COMDTINST M7010.5 (series)
C. ALCGPSC 116/20
1. During FY20, DCMS approved the use of $5.58 million in Appropriated Fund (APF) reimbursements to the Coast Guard Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) enterprise for NAF employee salary and benefit costs for the Coast Guard Exchange (CGX), Morale, Well-Being and Recreation (MWR) Program, and Child Development Centers (CDC) through 30 September 2020. Many MWR activities and CDCs, are resuming normal operations and beginning to report increases in revenues but there will be COVID-19 impacts to the NAFI enterprise in FY21. Unfortunately, some activities continue to be impacted by stops and starts within the local economy which have slowed the process to full recovery.
2. In FY21, APF support for salary and benefits for MWR/CDC activities was approved as part of the continuing resolution, however, no specific funding to support these activities have been appropriated to the Coast Guard. It is imperative that units work to drive revenues to pre-COVID-19 levels while appropriately managing risk to the CG workforce and customers. In May 2020, unit commanders were encouraged to open all activities as soon as possible with a focus on high revenue activities. Many MWR activities are still providing services at a reduced capacity and in some areas only providing services to specific patron groups. Despite the reopening, the greatest restriction is limited facility access, which adversely impacts business operations for MWR Category B and C activities. Many Bases and Training Centers have some level of restrictions in place over access to MWR facilities, which prevents them from reaching full revenue potential.
3. Units with MWR activities may need to modify business operations to adapt to challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with REFs (A) and (B). The following recommendations should be followed at the unit level to optimize MWR operations during the late stages of NAF year 2020 and planning for NAF year 2021 per REF (C):
a. Unit commanders should evaluate risk, open MWR activities, and remove base access restrictions as soon as possible and where prudent.
b. Commands should evaluate and provide new opportunities to enhance and adjust existing services to increase overall program value. With an extended pandemic period, MWR programs need to be creative and find ways to maximize revenue. This may include initiation of take out service, reservation systems to meter patrons, or online services.
c. Units should increase local marketing, advertising, and social media efforts. Additionally, units are encouraged to work with the CG Community Services Command (CSC) to leverage CGX platforms and other enterprise systems. Units should utilize CGX marketing platforms to promote MWR offerings and business activities only after they are available to all authorized patrons.
d. Units should consider the business case for their MWR activities and use cost control measures, processes and procedures available within CG policy to align the necessary NAF staff to the respective mission needs. CSC Human Resources staff can assist units as they navigate staffing options, including reduced hours, pay categories, etc. The CSC MWR Program staff can assist with program related business requirements and decisions.
e. Commands should capture and report lessons learned and successes to CSC MWR Program for dissemination to other unit MWR programs across the CG.
4. As stated, APF support is authorized for NAF salaries and benefits under the FY21 Continuing Resolution. Where a bona fide need is determined, commands should send requests for APF support for NAF salary and benefits to DCMS via their chain of command. For approved requests, APF will be sent to CSC; and CSC will execute transfers of NAF to eligible units.
5. CSC MWR Program POC is Mr. Matt Perciak; 757-842-4903 or matt.f.perciak@uscg,mil. CSC Human Resources POC is Ms. Virginia Cameron; 757-842-4906 or virginia.cameron@cgexchange.org.
6. RADM Paul F. Thomas, Deputy for Personnel Readiness, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.