ACN 104/21 - OCT 2021 FY22 MILITARY WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS - ENLISTED MONETARY INTERVENTIONS

R 191715Z OCT 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 104/21
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: FY22 MILITARY WORKFORCE PLANNING TEAM RESULTS - ENLISTED
MONETARY INTERVENTIONS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 071435Z OCT 21/ALCOAST 371/21
B. Military Bonus Programs, COMDTINST M7220.2
C. 37 U.S.C. § 331 – General Bonus Authority for Enlisted Members
D. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10C
E. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 161356 OCT 20/ACN 124/20
F. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 081408Z APR 21/ALCOAST 142/21
G. Enlistments, Evaluations, and Advancements, COMDTINST M1000.2C
H. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8A
1. This ACN announces the results of the Military Workforce Planning
Team (MWPT) monetary enlisted interventions. Per REF (A), the MWPT
convened in May 2021 to develop and recommend workforce policy
interventions. Specifically, this ACN authorizes Enlistment Bonuses
(EB), Critical Skills Training Bonuses (CSTB), and Selective
Reenlistment Bonuses (SRB), which are authorized pursuant to
REFs (B) and REF (C).
2. The policy interventions are applicable to Enlisted Active Duty
and Reserve under Extended Active Duty (EAD) orders. The bonus
offerings in this ACN begin in FY22 (beginning 01 Oct 2021) and are
anticipated to remain in effect until the end of FY22 (30 Sep 2022)
contingent upon Congress extending the authority to make payments.
Monetary interventions may be adjusted or terminated not less than
30 days of advance official notice by ALCOAST. Authorized FY21
interventions terminate on 30 Sep 2021.
3. ENLISTMENT BONUS (EB). An EB is authorized for new recruits
enlisting in the Coast Guard for the first time. All EBs are
exclusive and cannot be combined with any other EB.
    a. Guaranteed A School Enlistment Bonus (GA-EB). A GA-EB is
authorized for new recruits, for their first career enlistment,
that sign an agreement to attend a critical rating Class A School
immediately upon graduation from boot camp. Prior service
applicants are not authorized a GA-EB. Applicants agree to enlist
and satisfactorily complete a minimum of four years of Active Duty
Service Commitment (ADSC) and abide by all requirements and
eligibility qualifications of Chapter 1.A. of REF (B) and REF (C)
to earn a GA-EB entitlement.
        (1) Culinary Specialist (CS):
              (a) A $40,000 EB is authorized for CS applicants with a
qualifying culinary degree to enlist as an E-3.
                    i. A qualifying culinary degree is defined as an
Associate of Arts (AA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in culinary
arts from an accredited academic or culinary institution.
                    ii. The culinary degree must be verified by the CS
Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC).
                    iii. CS members who acquire a culinary degree after
completion of CS Class A-School and members in the Regular Coast
Guard who acquire or hold a culinary degree are ineligible.
              (b) A $30,000 EB is authorized for CS applicants with
a qualifying culinary certificate to enlist as an E-3.
                    i. A qualifying culinary certificate is defined as
a culinary arts certification from an institution accredited by
the American Culinary Federation.
                    ii. The culinary certificate must be verified by
the CS RFMC.
                    iii. CS members who acquire a culinary certificate
after completion of CS Class A-School and members in the Regular
Coast Guard who acquire or hold a culinary certificate are
ineligible.
              (c) A $20,000 EB is authorized for CS applicants to
enlist.
         (2) Operational Specialist (OS). A $20,000 EB is authorized
for OS applicants to enlist.
         (3) Electricians Mate (EM). A $10,000 EB is authorized for
EM applicants to enlist.
         (4) Electronics Technician (ET). A $15,000 EB is authorized
for ET applicants to enlist.
    b. Non-rate Enlistment Bonus (NR-EB). A $2,000 NR-EB is
authorized to new recruits, for their first career enlistment,
without a guaranteed affiliation with a Class A-school. Prior
service applicants are not authorized a NR-EB. Applicants agree to
enlist and satisfactorily complete a minimum of two years of ADSC.
    c. Prior Service Enlistment Bonus (PS-EB). A $2,000 PS-EB is
authorized to new recruits that satisfactorily completed an
enlistment of at least 24 months in a DoD armed service. Applicants
agree to enlist and satisfactorily complete a minimum of two years
of ADSC.
    d. Quick Ship Enlistment Bonus (QS-EB). A $5,000 or, as
directed by Coast Guard Recruiting Command (CGRC), a $10,000 QS-EB
is authorized, as needed, for all new recruits to fill any Recruit
Training Company that is not scheduled to be at capacity. Eligible
applicants for the Quick-Ship EB must agree to ship not more than
four (4) weeks prior to the Recruit Training Company convening
date. Applicants agree to enlist and satisfactorily complete a
minimum of four years of ADSC.
    e. College Credits Enlistment Bonus (CC-EB). A $5,000 CC-EB is
authorized for all new recruits who have received an Associate
degree or higher, and who enlist without a guaranteed Class
A-School. Applicants agree to enlist and satisfactorily complete
a minimum of four years of ADSC.
4. CRITICAL SKILLS TRAINING BONUS (CSTB). A CSTB is authorized for
current active duty enlisted personnel who agree to attend and
complete the specified Class A-Schools below in subparagraphs
(b)-(d), or the BM Rating Apprenticeship Program (RAP), and agree
to extend their enlistment upon graduation to meet obligated service
IAW REF (D).
     a. General eligibility requirements:
         (1) All CSTBs incur a four (4) year Active Duty Service
Commitment (ADSC) from date of Class A-School graduation,
advancement to pay grade E-4 through the BM RAP, or receipt of
designator. Applicable contract extensions must be executed upon
graduation of Class A-School, advancement, or receipt of designator
to meet the minimum obligated service requirement.
         (2) Members must abide by all requirements and eligibility
qualifications IAW REF (B).
         (3) Members may not receive a CSTB if they have signed a
contract (annex) to receive a GA-EB for the same rate.
         (4) Members who qualify for a CSTB, but received an EB, will
receive the computed difference between the CSTB and EB.
         (5) Chapter 1.C.4.b. of REF (B) is modified to authorize
members to complete and sign a Critical Skills Training Bonus (CSTB)
Agreement, Form CG-7220D, while assigned to Class A-School.
         (6) Chapter 1.C.4.c. of REF (B) is modified to only include
members enrolled in the BM RAP. There are no striker programs
eligible for a CSTB.
         (7) Members must continuously meet all performance and conduct
standards including additional reenlistment criteria as outlined in
REF (G). Members who are eligible to extend per REF (F) are eligible
to receive a CSTB.
     b. A $20,000 CSTB is authorized for CS Class A-School.
     c. A $15,000 CSTB is authorized for ET and OS Class A-School.
     c. A $10,000 CSTB is authorized for EM Class A-School.
     d. A $10,000 CSTB is authorized for BM RAP. To be eligible,
a member must hold a current Boat Crew Competency from any ashore
standard boat (except punts, skiffs, ice rescue boats) or Long Range
Interceptor (LRI) and Over the Horizon (OTH) cutter boats. Commands
of new prospective applicants who meet the requirements must submit
an A-school request form selecting BM RAP.
5. SELECTIVE REENLISTMENT BONUS (SRB):
    a. An SRB may not be paid for the same period of service in which
an EB or CSTB is paid.
    b. Members meeting the criteria in Chapter 1.B. of REF (B),
Paragraph 2 of REF (E), and paragraphs 1 and 2.a-b. of REF (F) are
eligible for an SRB.
    c. Members must continuously meet all performance and conduct
standards, including additional reenlistment criteria, as outlined
in REF (G). Members who are eligible to reenlist are eligible to
receive an SRB.
    d. All members must reenlist to qualify for an SRB; members
extending their contracts are not authorized to receive SRBs.
IAW Chapter 1.B.4. of REF (B), members may only receive
one SRB per zone during their careers.
    e. The following language replaces paragraph 1.B.5.f of REF (B):
"Members who are eligible for an applicable SRB may cancel
extensions that have been previously executed (agreed upon), but
have not yet reached the operative date(s), and reenlist for a
longer period prior to their operative date(s) without any loss of
SRB entitlement. Members who are not otherwise eligible for an
applicable SRB may cancel extension(s) for the sole purpose of
establishing eligibility for an SRB, only if the cancellation of
the extension(s) places the member’s current expiration of
enlistment (EOE) to within the FY of an applicable SRB. Note:
Extensions of enlistment for the sole purpose of obligating members
within three months of reaching an EOE or to transfer post 9-11 GI
Bill benefits are not eligible to be cancelled."
         (1) The extension(s) being cancelled must have been executed
in conjunction with a service need (transfer, training,
advancement, advanced education, or other obligations as directed
by the Coast Guard).
         (2) If the length of the cancelled extension is greater than
24 months, SRB entitlement will only be based on newly acquired
obligated service. For extensions less than 24 months, the full
SRB entitlement is authorized.
    f. This message waives Chapters 1.B.4.a.(1), 1.B.4.a.(2),
1.B.4.b.(1), and 1.B.4.b.(2) of REF (B) and authorizes members who
enlist into the Regular Coast Guard under the Open Rate List (ORL)
an SRB in the following rates and paygrades exclusively: BM2, CS3,
CS2, EM3, EM2, OS3, and OS2.
    g. Members must satisfactorily complete the term of their SRB
contract in the rating for which they received the SRB. Members who
fail to do so will be subject to unearned bonus repayment per REF
(A).
    h. No waivers will be given for members exceeding TIS
requirements for the applicable zone.
    i. SRBs are paid in one lump sum payment, but are earned,
prorated and computed based on a member’s applicable amount of
newly obligated service months.
    j. SRB Amounts BM:
(1) A $35,000 Zone A SRB is authorized for BM2 members who
reenlist for an additional six (6) years of active duty service
obligation.
    k. SRB Amounts CS:
        (1) A $30,000 Zone A SRB is authorized for CS members in
paygrades E-4 through E-6 who reenlist for an additional six (6)
years of active duty service obligation.
        (2) A $10,000 additional payment is authorized for paygrade
E-5 and E-6 CS members who are qualified IAW REF (H)
to assume the duties and responsibilities of a Food Service Officer
(FSO) and who elect a Zone A SRB IAW this ACN.
              i. The FSO bonus is in addition to the Zone A SRB. If a
member receives a prorated Zone A SRB, he or she will also receive
a prorated FSO additional payment.
              ii. An Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307 (SRB-05a),
entry is required to document that a member is qualified for FSO
assignment. This document must be signed by the member's Commanding
Officer or Officer-in-Charge; "By Direction" or "Acting" signature
authority is prohibited. Questions should be directed to:
PPC-SMB-MAS-Bonus@uscg.mil.
              iii. Members must maintain this qualification throughout
their new obligated service period. Members do not need to be
currently assigned to an FSO billet or have the FSO competency
code to receive the additional payment. If a member loses their
FSO qualification or is no longer qualified for assignment to an
FSO billet, the unearned portion of the bonus must be repaid as of
the date of removal for the remainder of the contractual obligation.
iv. Entitlement to the FSO bonus will not be restored when
loss of qualification was due to personal fault, and the member
later re-qualifies during the same contractual period.
    l. SRB Amounts OS:
       (1) A $50,000 Zone A SRB is authorized for OS members who
reenlist for an additional six (6) years of active duty service
obligation.
       (3) A $30,000 Zone B SRB is authorized for OS members who
reenlist for an additional six (6) years of active duty service
obligation.
m. Once all necessary SRB actions have been completed, SPO
requests for SRB payment must be submitted to PPC via a Customer
Care Trouble Ticket. Include member's applicable SRB Administrative
Remarks, Form CG-3307 and PPC's "USCG SRB ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST."
Also attach, as applicable, PCS orders, EPM-1 Approval Memos, and
COMDT (CG-1331) waivers if utilized.
6. ADMINISTRATION.
    a. Members must be fully vaccinated, or have an approved
religious accommodation or medical exemption from vaccination
against COVID-19, in accordance with ALCOASTs 305/21 and 315/21,
prior to payment of a bonus. Commanding Officers must verify
vaccination status prior to submitting documentation to the
P&A/SPO for payment processing.
    b. A bonus paid to a member who had an approved religious
accommodation or medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination
mandate is subject to repayment where that member fails to become
fully vaccinated within two months after the expiration of the
religious accommodation or medical exemption.
    c. All bonuses authorized by this ACN will be paid in lump sum
IAW REF (B) subject to 22% federal and applicable state income tax
withholdings that are not contributed to a tax-deferred Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP) account. Members desiring to contribute bonus
monies to a TSP account must consider the TSP Elective Deferral
limit and confirm election not less than 30 days prior to receipt
of the bonus.
    d. Change to REF (B), Military Bonus Programs. Sections 1.B.5.h.
and 1.B.9.e., are amended to state: "Members who accept a bonus and
during their obligated service period enter an officer training
program as a commissioned or warrant officer are no longer
authorized a bonus and must repay the unearned portion of the bonus
upon appointment."
    e. Members considering appointment to the warrant or officer
corps may still enlist, re-enlist, or extend their contract in one
of the above mentioned ratings without electing to receive a bonus.
    f. The Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) receives a high volume of
bonus questions and submissions. Unanswered questions must be routed
through the member's SPO before engaging PPC. Payments may take up
to two (2) months from the date a member's SPO has submitted a
trouble ticket to PPC. Refrain from contacting PPC about a bonus
until two (2) months have elapsed from a trouble ticket's submission
date. If it is not known whether a ticket has been submitted,
designated yeoman should contact PPC Customer Care for
investigation. If no ticket is active, submit a trouble ticket with
appropriate bonus documentation.
    g. COs and OICs are reminded that all members who agree to
obligate service and are within three (3) months of their end of
enlistment, or within three (3) months of their six (6) and ten (10)
year active duty anniversary date will: (1) be counseled on their
SRB eligibility; (2) have the opportunity to read REF (B) in its
entirety; and (3) sign the appropriate Administrative Remarks, Form
CG-3307, for their record.
    h. Eligible members are reminded that they ultimately decide the
length of contractual obligation and actual date of reenlistment.
A reenlistment requires the member's signature acknowledging they
have read and understood the terms of the contract and have had all
questions answered to their satisfaction.
     i. Members who previously signed contracts IAW REF (D) are
prohibited from cancelling their existing contract to sign a new
contract to meet the requirements of this ACN.
     j. Members who were counseled about their SRB eligibility and
signed an Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307, entry IAW REF (D),
but have not signed a reenlistment contract, are eligible to
receive a bonus in accordance with this message. Members must still
meet the remaining requirements of this ACN and REF (B).
     k. For questions, members should contact their unit counselors
(typically the Command YN/CMC/SCPO/MCPO) well in advance of their
reenlistment or extension date. Additional sources of information
include servicing personnel officers, work-life staff, and senior
Yeoman. For questions that cannot be answered after exhausting all
of the above resources, the designated administrative support
representative for that specific unit may contact COMDT (CG-133)
at: HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
     l. Special Assignment Considerations: Members in critical
ratings are encouraged to apply for special assignment
opportunities; PSC-EPM will work within each rating to ensure a
proper balance is achieved between special assignments and rating
needs.
7. Questions regarding MWPT policies outlined in this message or
other human resource management matters may be directed to Office
of Military Personnel Policy (CG-133) at:
HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil. Questions regarding Class A-Schools
may be directed to CG PSC-epm-2, at:
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-EPM-ASCHOOLREQUESTS@uscg.mil.
8. COs and OICs must bring the contents of this ACN to the
attention of all personnel.
9. These changes will be implemented into the next revision of
REF (B), which will be released within the next year.
10. This message will be cancelled on 18 OCT 2022.
11. Released by Dr. D. M. Navarro, Acting Assistant Commandant for
Human Resources (CG-1).
12. Internet release is authorized.