ALCOAST 291/23 - AUG 2023 SITREP 1 - IMPLEMENTATION OF RETURN2SERVICE TEAM (R2ST)

R 111140Z AUG 23 MID120000364448U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 291/23
SSIC 1130
SUBJ: SITREP 1 - IMPLEMENTATION OF RETURN2SERVICE TEAM (R2ST)
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 111557Z JAN 23/ALCOAST 012/23
1. This ALCOAST announces the creation of a special team to
assist former Coast Guard members (active duty and reserve) who
separated - voluntarily or involuntarily - due to the previously
mandated COVID-19 vaccination. The name of this team is
Return2Service Team (R2ST).
2. Following the recission of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate
in REF (A), the Coast Guard established the R2ST to serve as a
single point of contact and streamline the process for former
members re-entering the service.
3. The following individuals are eligible for streamlined
re-accession, with support from the R2ST:
    a. Members who were involuntarily separated solely for
noncompliance with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and received a
reenlistment code of RE-3.
    b. Members who voluntarily separated between 26 August 2021 and
11 January 2023 in lieu of complying with the vaccine mandate and
received a reenlistment code of RE-1 or RE-3. All members seeking
to use this process must do so by contacting the R2ST, or their
local CG Recruiting Office, within two-years of their separation
date.
4. The return to service process can be expected to take
approximately 30 days; but this will vary on a case-by-case basis.
The process consists generally of four phases.
    a. Phase 0: The R2ST will attempt to contact each member meeting
criteria listed above. Eligible members may also directly contact
the R2ST using the contact information below.
    b. Phase 1: Members who express an intent to return to service
will work with the R2ST to submit all required documentation and/or
waivers and signed return to service contracts. Members'
documentation is then routed through the normal channels for
assignment to a new duty station.
    c. Phase 2: Members' documentation is routed to incoming admins,
SPOs, and PPC for administrative processing to initiate pay,
allowances, and entitlements, effective on the date the member
re-enters service.
    d. Phase 3: Members report to their new unit. Any additional
administrative issues or processing will be handled by members' SPO.
5. Returning to Service. Returning members should prepare to accept
permanent change of station (PCS) orders to a new assignment away
from their current location. If there are multiple vacancies for
their rate, the Assignment Officer will offer a list of positions
to consider and prioritize during the return process. Re-accessing
members are ineligible for back pay and allowances for the period of
their break in service. The Coast Guard will restore members to
their former rank, and those who had promotions or advancements
withheld solely due to their COVID-19 vaccination status will have
those promotions or advancements restored during the re-accession
process, assuming they meet all other requirements. Any lost or
unpaid leave will be restored.
6. Records corrections. PSC has removed all COVID-19 vaccination
compliance-related Administrative Remarks, Form CG-3307s from
military personnel records. Active duty and reserve members should
review their records in iPERMS to confirm the successful removal
of these CG-3307s and restoration of statements of creditable
service. Additional guidance on correcting military personnel
records for other references to COVID-19 vaccination status will
be forthcoming.
7. For questions, concerns, or re-accessions resources, please
contact the R2ST at SMB-COMDT-Return2ServiceInquiries@uscg.mil or
the toll-free number at 202-780-1984.
8. POC: LCDR Lauren Linville, Return2Service Team Lead,
Lauren.R.Linville@uscg.mil, 505-496-5502.
9. RADM M. W. Raymond, Assistant Commandant for Military
Personnel (CG-1M), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.