ALCOAST 269/17 - SEP 2017 PEOPLE SUPPORT FOR HURRICANES HARVEY/IRMA AND OTHER CONTINGENCIES

R 141215 SEP 17
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01000//
ALCOAST 269/17
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ:  PEOPLE SUPPORT FOR HURRICANES HARVEY/IRMA AND OTHER CONTINGENCIES
A. COAST GUARD HOUSING MANUAL, COMDTINST M11101.13 (SERIES)
B. ALSAFETY 009/17, HURRICANE HARVEY SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GUIDANCE
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 081655 SEP 17/ ALCOAST 266/17
D. RESERVE POLICY MANUAL, COMDTINST M1001.28 (SERIES)
E. ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATIONS MANUAL, COMDTINST M5830.1 (SERIES)
F. CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY, DoDI 1336.01
G. CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY, DD FORM 214,
CGPSCINST 1900.1 (SERIES)
H. COAST GUARD PAY MANUAL, COMDTINST M7220.29 (SERIES)
I. CHAPTER 33 OF TITLE 38, U.S. CODE
J. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA) FY2008
K. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 051105 SEP 17/ ACN 098/17
L. ALCGPSC 099/17, UNIFORM REPLACEMENT FOR HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF OPERATIONS
M. ALCGPSC 100/17, UNIFORM REPLACEMENT FOR HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF OPERATIONS
1. Many units and people across the Coast Guard are engaged in supporting the ongoing
efforts in the Seventh and Eighth Districts in response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
The workforce has performed outstanding in all facets of response, recovery, and
support. We recognize that some of our brave men and women who perform these duties
in demanding conditions are in fact disaster victims – this underscores the character
and tenacity of our workforce. Recovery will take much time and effort,
especially for those who experienced catastrophic property loss.
2. We have developed various tools for members and families who experienced loss or
are having difficulty in coping with the hurricane experience. This ALCOAST is
intended to inform you of the lines of effort to support the Coast Guard family,
offer important policy information which is underpinned by statute, and reaffirms
guidance for mobilized Reservists.  
3. Online and up-to-date resource information for Harvey and Irma may be accessed at:
http://www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/Headquarters/HurricaneCGResources/.
4. Housing/relocation support: This is likely the most critical issue our members
and families face. We are working diligently to provide both short-term and long-term
alternatives that will provide the maximum flexibility to re-establish a proper
residence. Further details for housing options following a disaster can be found in
section 3.O. of REF (A).
   A. Prior to the storm, designated families were evacuated to safe haven locations.
They will receive full evacuation allowances (travel and per diem) up to 30 days with
60 percent of these allowances payable for up to 150 additional days. 
   B. Evacuated dependents returning to the evacuated location from a safe haven
location are eligible to receive travel allowances back to their original residence.
   C. Affected families electing to establish a designated place (permanent residence
in a different city or state) will be eligible for full travel and transportation
allowances, including shipment of Household Goods to the new permanent residence.
   D. Dependents whose non-government homes were impacted and choose to remain at the
Permanent Duty Station (PDS) may possibly obtain government leased housing pending
availability.  Impacted members whose dependents relocate to a designated place may
be able to reside in Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH) or contracted housing
pending availability.
   E. Travel from a safe haven location in order to assess property damage and collect
valuables or personal effects is not a reimbursable travel expense authorized in
travel regulations. Assessment efforts should be coordinated locally to minimize
non-reimbursable expenses.
   F. Critical Housing Areas (CHA): There is a possibility for the Department of
Defense to designate affected military housing areas as CHAs, which would take
effect in AY18. This will afford members who receive PCS orders into hurricane
affected areas three options: 1) move dependents into the affected areas; 2) allow
dependents to remain at the previous PDS, or; 3) move dependents to a location
designated by the member. The member will receive station allowances (BAH and CONUS
COLA, if applicable) for the location of their dependents.  Note: Designating CHAs
does not authorize these options for members currently assigned to the affected
region(s).
   G. CG PSC and CG-133 developed an Evacuation Entitlements Guide for Military
Personnel with a flow chart to help understand these options. The guide is available
at: http://www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/Headquarters/HurricaneCGResources/.
5. Health, Safety & Work-Life
   A. TRICARE: Coast Guard beneficiaries are encouraged to visit the TRICARE website,
https://www.tricare.mil/ or call TRICARE South at 800-444-5445, or the TRICARE Overseas
Program at 877-451-8659, to obtain up to date information on TRICARE special procedures
established for beneficiaries in hurricane affected areas. 
   B. Safety and Environmental Health: REF (B) provides information on water quality,
sanitation and hygiene, food safety, and general safety precautions. Particular
attention should be paid to reduce the opportunity for mosquito habitats. Mosquito
bites can transmit disease to humans including Zika and other diseases. Integrated Pest
Management TTP 4-11.13A and other TTPs are available at the following link:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/hswlsc/SafeEvHealth/SitePages/TTPs.aspx. For other
Safety and Environmental Health concerns, contact the HSWL SC (se-fo) at
(757)628-4409/10 or 757-846-5348 HSWL (CDO) and on the USCG Portal at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/hswlsc/SafeEvHealth/Field_Ops_Branch/SitePages/Home.aspx.
IMPORTANT
   C. Exposure Tracking: REF (C) provides guidance on electronic health screening tool
for Coast Guard personnel who are currently serving, currently assigned, or served in the
affected areas this year.
   D. Work Life: During difficult times, members typically benefit from talking through
work or personal problems. CGSUPRT experts, who are experienced professionals, can
empathetically listen in confidence while helping members develop solutions. Contact
CGSUPRT at 1-855-247-8778 or go to CGSUPRT.com for assistance. This resource may be
accessed 24 hours a day/7 days per week/365 days per year. Additionally, Critical Incident
Stress Management (CISM) teams have been deployed throughout the region and are assisting
operational and support personnel in the performance of their extremely arduous duties.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The CGSUPRT contractor will change on 01OCT2017. Once the new contractor
is identified, an ALCOAST will be promulgated and other messaging strategies leveraged.
This change should be relatively transparent to the field.
6. Chaplain Support: Additional Chaplains have been deployed to affected areas to provide
ongoing support to Coast Guard personnel and their families. Chaplains offer confidential
and compassionate pastoral care and counseling. To reach the nearest Chaplain contact
1-855-USCG-CHC (872-4242) or www.uscg.mil/chaplains.
7. Reserve:
   A. Reserve members being activated for T14 contingency operation for 31 days or more
are eligible for health care benefits which may extend to family members. Benefits may be
triggered while on pre-activation orders or during active duty orders. Members should be
counseled and confirm Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) eligibility is
documented in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). A TAMP overview
is provided at https://tricare.mil/tamp; to confirm DEERS enrollment via MilConnect,
visit https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/. Members previously enrolled in TRICARE Reserve
Select (TRS) may lose coverage due to the change in sponsors status when activated.
Servicing Personnel Offices (SPOs) and Personnel and Administrative (P&A) Offices are an
important resource to guide members through nuanced mobilization and demobilization TRICARE
issues.
   B. A reserve member who incurs or aggravates an illness, injury, or disease identified
by a Coast Guard Medical Officer before release from active duty orders of 31 days or
greater will be retained on active duty in order to receive appropriate health care IAW
REF (D) Chapter 6.2.c.
   C. A line of duty determination will be conducted when any reserve member in a
qualifying duty status becomes injured, ill or seeks medical treatment IAW REF (E),
Chapter 7.B.
   D. Reservists activated under Title 14 USC 712 in support of Hurricane Harvey and/or
Irma Response Operations shall be released from active duty by their SPO upon notification
from the appropriate Incident Commander or designated staff. Members shall complete a
Career Intention Worksheet, Form CG-2045 and forward to the appropriate SPO and P&A Office
prior to demobilizing (if infrastructure shortfalls within affected areas do not allow for
computer access, members will complete a CG-2045 upon return to their assigned unit).
This procedure ensures members will receive correct entitlements and are counseled when
released from active duty.
   E. Reserve members ordered to active duty for a contingency operation (Hurricane Harvey
and Irma) will be issued a DD Form 214 regardless of the number of days served on active
duty IAW REF (F) Enclosure (3), 2.d.(1). SPO must ensure a remark regarding member being
on Title 10/14 be added in block 18, per Enclosure (1), Paragraph 2.ee.(4)(g), of REF (G).
For example, "Member performed active duty under Title 14 in support of Hurricane Harvey/
Irma Response Operations," as appropriate. Process guide can be found at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/Lists/PSC%20Instructions/AllItems.aspx.
   F. A reservist called/ordered to active duty in support of a designated contingency
operation or under Title 14 U.S.C. 712 is authorized BAH/OHA based on the rate for their
primary residence beginning on the first active duty day IAW REF (H) Section 3.G.9.c. COLA,
if authorized for the members primary residence location, is also authorized beginning on
the first active duty day.
8. Leave carryover: IAW REF (K), all active and reserve military personnel are authorized
75 leave days carryover limit on 01OCT17.
9. Uniform replacement: IAW REFs (L) and (M), replacement uniforms at no cost are
authorized to those members and responders in the affected areas whose uniforms were lost
or rendered unserviceable by either storm.
10. Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC):
    A. Travel charge card coordinators have increased the limits for members assigned to
units subject to evacuation orders within the affected regions.
    B. Members deploying to affected regions should contact their travel charge card
coordinators to increase their limits.
    C. Payments will be required to be made on the regular schedule prescribed by JPMC. 
    D. Commercial Lodging reservations should be made via the Travel Management Center
(ADTRAV) per FTR/JTR. ADTRAV has surged their staffing to meet higher demand. There is no
hurricane exemption or amnesty provision under duress of an evacuation.
11. Impact to AY18 PCS Assignments:
    A. PCS Active Duty Assignments: for Active Duty officers and enlisted members in the
affected areas due for reassignment in AY18 and any other members in the affected areas
who now have other critical assignment issues resulting from hurricanes Harvey and Irma,
PSC will engage with operational commanders to identify and work through personnel issues
for their outgoing and incoming members. OPM and EPM will work closely with those members
affected to minimize short/long-term impacts of possible assignment decisions. Every
opportunity to reduce some of the uncertainty surrounding assignments will be considered,
with the emphasis on reducing the possibility of moving families twice within a year. In
the coming weeks, OPM/EPM will engage with unit commanders to assess assignment concerns
and options for impacted personnel.
    B. PCS Reserve Assignments: AY17 Reserve PCS orders for Reserve officers and enlisted
have a 01OCT2017 reporting date. If a reservist is in receipt of AY17 Reserve PCS orders
to a hurricane impacted unit, reservists need to coordinate firm reporting dates between
losing and receiving commands; DIRLAUTH; report date can be adjusted +/- 90 days without
RPM-2 approval.  Rotation dates remain the same.
12. Civilian employee assistance:
    A. The “Emergency Guide for Civilians” provides general information for supervisors
and civilians affected by emergency situations. The topics addressed include: evacuation
orders, pay, travel, travel claim, leave, work schedules/telework, reporting in, points
of contact, and guidance on returning employees to work. The guide is available at the
following Office of Civilian Human Resources portal link. Search for the emergency guide
by clicking on the letter “E” in the A-Z library of human resources topics at:
http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/
Civilian-Human-Resources-Diversity-and-Leadership-Directorate-CG-12/Civilian-HR/HR-Library/
    B. District 8 civilian employees needing assistance can contact Cristina DeMichiel, at
504-671-2302. District 7 civilian employees needing assistance can contact Kathleen LaPlant
at 305-968-4937 (work cell) and/or when facilities reopen Dell Cooper 305-415-7140.
13. Coast Guard Exchange System (CGX): the Community Services Command (CSC) utilized the
Deployable Support Exchange (DSE) for hurricanes Harvey and Irma response and recovery
efforts. The DSE acts as a mobile exchange to provide a selection of necessities, personal
products, refreshments, food, disaster relief supplies and Coast Guard uniforms. Additionally,
CSC has been a direct supporter of the recovery and response efforts for both storms by
utilizing the extensive retail and logistics of the CGX to rapidly fulfill critically needed
supplies to the most affected areas, including water, generators, blankets, food, and other
items.
14. Coast Guard Recruiting Command (CGRC) and Recruits: Recruiting Offices should immediately
notify CGRC Accessions if any recruit is unable to ship to TRACEN Cape May due to Hurricanes
Harvey or Irma for Recruit Basic Training or DEPOT, as scheduled. Recruiters should maintain
communication with recruits and be able to verify arrival at TRACEN or status at home of record.
15. Other support efforts:
    A. PPC has additional staffing in place to process evacuation claims. 
    B. Personnel Support Teams, including Legal Services Teams, are at safe havens and will
rotate to Sectors to help our members and dependents with travel orders, entitlements, claims,
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and other personnel related issues.
16. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA): The CGMA Board of Control has approved changes to
its Disaster Response policy that includes higher amount levels for approved disaster grants
and for conversions of disaster loans into grants. CGMA representatives are now accepting
requests for disaster grants and for conversion of previously provided disaster loans into
grants. Contact your CGMA representative for application instructions and more information.
Additional information can also be found on the CGMA website, www.cgmahq.org.
17. While more efforts than described in this ALCOAST are in progress, there are still many
issues to be addressed and others that will arise as we gain a better understanding of the
aftermath of both hurricanes. We welcome your input and perspective. We will continue to do
everything possible to support our people and their families as they continue to carry out
their important duties to the nation.
18. Working to care, serve, and support the men and women of the world’s best Coast Guard.
19. RDML Bill G. Kelly, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, sends.
20. Internet Release Authorized.