Nov. 30, 2018

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Making Changes to the Lifecycle (L) Funds

TSP is planning adjustments to the L Funds in an effort to improve investment outcomes. Effective in January 2019, they will increase exposure to international stocks (the I Fund) from 30% to 35% of the overall stock allocation in all L Funds. The L Income Fund stock allocation (C, S, and I Funds combined) will increase from 20% to 30% over a period of up to 10 years. The L 2030, L 2040, and L 2050 overall stock allocations will hold steady for a period of years before resuming their transitions from stocks to bonds. In addition to improving investment outcomes, this pause will align the L 2030, L 2040, and L 2050 Funds with the L 2060 Fund, which will be introduced in 2020 with an initial stock allocation of 99%.

Nov. 21, 2018

Permanent Promotion Obligated Service for Voluntary Retirement

​ALCOAST Commandant Change Notice 137/18 announced an error in a recent change to the Military Separations Manual, COMDTINST M1000.4. The two-year obligated service requirement for promotion was inadvertently omitted. This requirement is still in effect: “complete the two-year obligated service requirement incurred for a permanent promotion. (An officer will not be promoted if he or she has an approved voluntary retirement on file).”​

Nov. 19, 2018

Obligated Service Requirement to Attend Class "A" School

In order for a member to execute orders to Class A School they must have at least 24 months of service remaining on their enlistment upon graduation from Class A School. It is the responsibility of the member’s Personnel and Admin Office to ensure the member meets the 24 month obligated service requirement prior to executing orders to Class A School.

Nov. 15, 2018

FY 2019 Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) Announced

ALCOAST Commandant Change Notice 133/18 announced FY 2019 Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) for fully qualified active duty, enlisted personnel in pay grades E4-E7 that are exclusively serving CGCYBER assignments in Cybersecurity Operations Center (CSOC) or Cyber Protection Team (CPT).

Nov. 7, 2018

Re-Post: Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Online Pledge System Eliminates Paper Pledge Forms, Protects Your Private Information

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) donations can now be made online. No need to involve your military or civilian servicing personnel office (SPO).

Oct. 29, 2018

Promulgation of Special Duty Pay (SDP) , COMDTINST 1430.1Q

Major Change: Special Duty Pay (SDP) is no longer tied to billets. Effective 01 OCT 18, members will be authorized SDP if they meet all eligibility criteria as announced COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 300926 AUG 18/ACN 087/18

Oct. 24, 2018

TRICARE and You: Coverage while traveling

This blog is the most recent in a series helping members of the Coast Guard family understand how to use their TRICARE benefits. ... (more)

Oct. 19, 2018

Managing your life insurance elections online

Recognizing the need to automate Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) elections and eliminate the current paper-based system, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense embarked on a project to build a system capable of allowing members to electronically manage life insurance coverage. Known as the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES), the web-based application incorporates the functionality of the form SGLV 8286 (SGLI election and certificate) and form SGLV 8286A (spouse coverage election and certificate). The Coast Guard joins the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps in using the new system.

Oct. 17, 2018

Fiscal Year 2019 Reserve Bonus Amounts and Designated Unit Pay

This ALCOAST announces eligibility and amounts paid for SELRES Enlistment, Affiliation and Prior Service Enlistment bonuses as authorized by REF (A). It also announces Designated Unit Pay (DUP), formerly known as High Priority Unit Pay. These bonuses and DUP are being continued to help facilitate a return to authorized workforce strength. Additionally, these bonuses and DUP will enable our most critical units to be maintained at full capacity.

Oct. 1, 2018

Housing Flexibility for Certain Members With Dependents Undergoing a Permanent Change OF Station (PCS) Within the United States

Purpose. This ACN implements policy concerning Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and housing assignment flexibility for certain members with dependents undergoing a permanent change of station (PCS) within the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii).

Sept. 28, 2018

E-Mail ALSPO G/18; SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES)

​E-Mail ALSPO message G/18 provides Servicing Personnel Offices with information and procedures for implementation of the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Online Enrollment System (SOES).

Sept. 28, 2018

Implementation of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Online Enrollment System (SOES)

This ALCOAST announces the Coast Guard’s upcoming implementation of the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Online Enrollment System (SOES) as directed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. SOES is a web-based system allowing Coast Guard active duty and reserve members to quickly and easily validate or change SGLI or Family SGLI (FSGLI) coverage amounts and beneficiaries.

Sept. 25, 2018

Travel Authorizations That Crossover Fiscal Years

Just a reminder for TPAX Approving Officials, for settlements when travel crosses over fiscal years (e.g. travel begins in FY18 and ends in FY19), the settlement request shall cite both an FY18 and FY19 Line of Accounting. The travel order number should remain the same.

Sept. 24, 2018

Use TRICARE Online Tools to Help You Choose a Health Plan

If you're eligible for TRICARE, you can choose from a variety of plans. This gives you options for where and how you seek medical care. But how do you decide which plan or plans are best for you and your family members? The TRICARE website can help you learn what health plans you may be eligible for and compare plan features and costs.

Sept. 11, 2018

TRICARE and You: Navigating the Secure Patient Portal

The Tricare Online (TOL) Patient Portal is the secure patient portal that provides registered users access to online health care information and services at military hospitals and clinics.