ALCOAST 388/25 - SEP 2025 FY26 SPECIAL DUTY PAY (SDP) AND ASSIGNMENT PAY (AP)

R 171630Z SEP 25 MID120012060966U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 388/25
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: FY26 SPECIAL DUTY PAY (SDP) AND ASSIGNMENT PAY (AP)
A. Special Duty Pay (SDP), COMDTINST 1430.1Q
B. Coast Guard Pay Manual, COMDTINST 7220.29D
1. This ALCOAST announces results of the FY26 Special Duty Pay and
Assignment Pay Panel (SDP-AP) that convened on 22-23 Apr 2025.
The SDP and AP levels approved for FY26 were carefully balanced
against compelling needs, base resources, organizational priorities,
and a $1M (8%) reduction in available funding from FY25.
2. The monthly SDP and AP levels are indicated below:
       SDP-1 - $75                AP-1 - $75
       SDP-2 - $150              AP-2 - $150
       SDP-3 - $225              AP-3 - $225
       SDP-4 - $300              AP-4 - $300
       SDP-5 - $375              AP-5 - $375
       SDP-6 - $450              AP-6 - $450
3. This ALCOAST authorizes SDP-AP levels to begin in FY26
(01 Oct 2025 and not before) and are anticipated to remain in
effect until the end of FY26 (30 Sep 2026 and not after) contingent
upon Congress extending the authority to make payments.
Monetary interventions may be reduced or terminated with not
less than 30 days of advance official notice by ALCOAST.
4. Specific FY26 SDP and AP authorizations and levels, along with
applicable eligibility criteria, are published on the PPC, Military
Accounts Support (MAS) site's Latest Rates and Benefits - Special
Duty Pay (SDP) and Assignment Pay (AP) page located at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/ppc/SitePages/PPC-Military-Account-Support.aspx

5. FY25 SDP and AP levels remain in effect until 30 Sep 25, at
which time they will terminate. Effective 01 Oct 25, the FY26 SDP
and AP levels published at the above webpage are authorized.
The corresponding SDP or AP Code must be used when entering SDP and
AP transactions into Direct Access.
6. Reservists performing any type of duty, including Active Duty
for Training (ADT), Inactive Duty Training (IDT), Active Duty
Operational Support (ADOS), and Involuntary Recall, are entitled to
SDP or AP on a prorated basis if assigned to a Reserve Personnel
Allowance List (RPAL) billet or performing duty for which SDP or AP
is authorized by this ALCOAST. Reservists serving in RPAL billets
for which SDP or AP is authorized on IDT or ADT are not authorized
SDP or AP if ordered to voluntary active duty assignments involving
duty that is not eligible for SDP or AP. Reservists ordered to
involuntary active duty are authorized continuation of SDP or AP
authorized for their RPAL IDT assignment, if otherwise eligible.
Reservists must meet the eligibility requirements listed above in
order to be eligible for SDP or AP.
7. General Guidance for all SDP and AP authorization.
     a. Members must not concurrently receive both SDP and AP. If a
member is eligible to receive both SDP and AP payments in any
respective category, they may elect which Special Pay (SDP or AP)
they wish to receive.
     b. Members must not concurrently receive two categories of SDP.
         (1) If a member is serving in a billet which is authorized
SDP, and meets the eligibility standards for another SDP, the
member is authorized the higher of the two pay amounts.
         (2) If a member meets criteria for two categories of SDP
with equal pay levels, the member is authorized SDP for the
category that best matches their primary position at the unit.
     c. Effect of injury, illness, or disability on continued SDP or
AP eligibility.
         (1) In the event a member is injured, falls ill, or is
otherwise physically disabled while performing the duty for which
SDP or AP is paid, SDP or AP may be paid for up to 90 days during
the period of treatment for the condition that would otherwise
render the member ineligible for the special pay. The SDP or AP will
be suspended on the 91st day following the disqualifying injury,
illness, or physical disability.
         (2) Any injuries, illness, or physical disabilities incurred
under any circumstances that are not directly related to the
performance of duty for which the SDP or AP is paid will result in
suspension of the special pay effective the day the member's CO
determines the member is no longer able to perform the duty for
which the special pay is authorized.
8. SDP and AP commence on the date a member reports to an eligible
position and meets all applicable eligibility.
9. SDP and AP eligibility terminates the earlier of the following:
     a. The day before the member departs under PCS orders;
     b. The date the member is removed from duty by competent
authority (e.g., relief for cause);
     c. The date the member is no longer qualified (e.g., required
qualifications lapse, is no longer in the rotational watch schedule,
TDY, etc.); or
     d. The date a member departs a unit with no expectation of
return prior to separation or retirement (e.g., leave or
administrative absence).
10. Responsibilities:
     a. Members authorized SDP or AP under this ALCOAST shall:
         (1) Read and understand the conditions for eligibility for
their respective special pay in this ALCOAST;
         (2) Notify their CO of any condition or circumstance that
might affect their eligibility for continuation of SDP or AP; and
         (3) When their eligibility for SDP or AP has been terminated
or suspended on account of transfer or other reasons, review their
statements of semi-monthly income (pay slips) to confirm that the
special pay previously authorized is no longer credited to their
pay account. If the special pay has not been stopped when it
reasonably should have, members must set aside the suspected
erroneous payment for eventual repayment and notify their
administrative office in writing of the suspected overpayment.
     b. COs must promptly notify their servicing Personnel and
Administration Office (P&A) of members' SDP or AP eligibility
or loss of eligibility, including certifying the documentation
for a reservist. P&A offices must regularly review affected members'
continued eligibility for SDP or AP and take timely action in Direct
Access when members lose eligibility.
     c. P&As and SPOs must submit the proper Direct Access data
entry to commence or terminate SDP or AP payment as appropriate.
11. REFs (A) and (B) outline SDP and AP policy. Questions about SDP
or AP eligibility should be directed to the appropriate HQ program
manager. For questions regarding SDP or AP policy contained in
REFs (A) and (B), members must contact their Personnel and
Administration (P&A). P&A offices may contact COMDT (CG-WMM-22)
on behalf of their members by email to
SMB-COMDT-COMPENSATION@USCG.MIL.
12. RDML Zeita Merchant, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.