US Coast Guard Reserve News & Announcements

Solicitation for the 2010 Novosel Award: Nominations are being accepted for the CWO4 Michael J. Novosel Award for the ROA Outstanding Warrant Officer of the Year Award. Due date for nominations is 14 SEP 09. For more info, see ALCOAST 460/09. (Posted 11 AUG 09)

Educational Benefits/Programs for Coast Guard Reservists: Here's the latest on Educational benefits/programs for reservists including MGIB-SR (Chapter 1606), REAP (Chapter 1607), and Post 9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). To read, click here. See recently released ALCOAST 377-09. Please note: Transferability for Educational Benefits (TEB) will be down for maintenance during the following periods: 1700 PDT Friday 14 AUG to 1700 Sunday 16 AUG (48 hours). An additional maintenance period will be scheduled for the weekend of 22-23 AUG. (Updated 10 AUG 09)

Uniform Board No. 44: The Office of Military Personnel (CG-122) will be convening Uniform Board #44 on 15 SEP 09. Input from the field is strongly encouraged. Suggestions or recommendations should be received by 31 AUG 2009 in Memorandum format to Commandant (CG-1221) through appropriate chains of command. For more info, see ALCOAST 222/09. Questions should be addressed to CWO Rockwood Ennis, 202-475-5369, Rockwood.L.Ennis@uscg.mil.  (Posted 20 APR 09, Updated 07 AUG 09)

PS to ME Rating Lateral Process Update: The lateral selection process message for Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating and Maritime Law Enforcement and Security Specialist (MLES) CWO Specialty has been released. See ALCOAST 445/09 (R 312212Z JUL 09). A condensed version of the active duty ME billet map and links to the lateral application are provided on this message. Reserve PS billet locations will not change. PS billets will be reprogrammed as ME billets effective 01 JAN 2010. All active and reserve CWO's and enlisted members making application to MLES and ME shall use the lateral package identified for lateral to ME. All CWO's of the PSS specialty and PS enlisted members that do not intend to lateral to PS but are making request to lateral to another legacy specialty or rating must follow the guidance in this message. A link is provided for you to make application to a legacy specialty or rating you are best trained to lateral to. If you have training in a second legacy specialty or rating you will be asked to select that legacy specialty or rating as a second choice. A selection box is also provided on the applications for reserve members to elect to waive the reasonable commuting distance (RCD) for their assignment to a unit. Reserve Personnel Management (RPM) makes assignment of personnel in pay grades E-7 and above. Currently  district Integrated Support Commands (ISC)'s make assignments for members in pay grades of E-6 and below. The assignments are made in accordance to current policy in the Reserve Policy Manual COMDTINST M1001.28.A . This will provide the member opportunity for career diversity. RPM and ISC's will have greater flexibility to align a member to a drilling /mobilization assignment that is best suitable for their rating. All applicants are encouraged to review their CGPSC PDR for accuracy. Your PDR will be reviewed by the lateral selection panel as part of the lateral process. Members seeking to retire as a PSS or PS must have their retirement letter submitted by 31 DEC 2009. For further information or questions contact; Thomas McCook PS/ME RFMC at Thomas.w.mccook@uscg.mil; 202-372-3044 (office), 202-302-7167 (cell). (Posted 03 AUG 09)

Enlisted Reserve Advancements: Enlisted Reserve Advancement Announcement (ERAA) No. 008-09, lists those eligible for advancement or change in rating to fill vacancies in the Selected Reserve as of 01 AUG 09. To review the list, see ALCGRSV 036/09. Bravo Zulu and congratulations to all! (Posted 29 JUL 09)

Coast Guard Lady's 90th Birthday!  Mrs. Lois Bouton, also known as "The Coast Guard Lady" is celebrating her 90th Birthday in September 2009 (she will not give out the exact date). She has requested we help her celebrate with cards, letters, phone calls. Mrs. Bouton, who served in the USCGR during World War II (SPARs), was featured on the cover of Issue 2-2007 of THE RESERVIST magazine. Her address is 1616 S. 16th St., Rogers, AR, 72758-5712; Phone 479-636-3591; or send e-mail on her behalf to her friend, World War II USCG veteran Morris Lewis at: mojan2@webtv.net. (Posted 28 JUL 09)

October 2009 Reserve Servicewide Examination Competition: The 2009 Reserve Servicewide is scheduled for Saturday, 17 OCT. All personnel intending to participate need to be aware of the requirements and it is their responsibility to ensure they are met. For amplified information, see ALCGRSV 014/09. Refer all RSWE questions to PPC(adv) at 785-339-3400 or e-mail: ppc-dg-adv@uscg.mil. (Posted 3 APR 09)

Reserve Component Member Workshop: The Procedures and Development team at Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) in Topeka, Kan. are offering a new workshop -- The Reservist! It is open to all Coast Guard Reserve members and those assigned to assist Reserve members. Some of the topics include: Direct Access, ASQ, Direct Deposit, TSP, Reserve Bonus programs, advancement policies and procedures, your LES and Reserve Retirement Point Statements and more.  For more information, go to: www.uscg.mil/ppc/, go to "Popular Searches" box on the right and click on "Workshops & Training," then scroll to " Reserve Component Member Workshop." Use the Quota Request Form for workshops being offered through September 2009. The last class convening is 8 SEP so register soon. Travel and per diem expenses must be funded by the benefiting unit (no PPC funds available). ADT/ADT-OTD orders for reservists must be funded and approved by the servicing ISC. (Updated 6 AUG 09)

Personnel Service Center FY09 Weekend Staffing Dates: If you need assistance from PSC on the weekends, they will be open on the following weekend dates during Fiscal Year 2009: 15-16 AUG, 12-13 SEP, 19-20 SEP. PSC's number is 1-866-PSC-USCG (772-8724). (Posted 30 SEP 08, Updated 03 AUG 09)