ALCOAST 408/25 - SEP 2025 RESTORING NON-JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT AS A CRITICAL TOOL FOR MAINTAINING GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE AND READINESS

R 301600Z SEP 25   MID320018325830U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 408/25
SSIC 1000
SUBJ: RESTORING NON-JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT AS A CRITICAL TOOL FOR
MAINTAINING GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE AND READINESS
A. Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 15
B. Manual for Courts-Martial, 2024 ed.
C. Enlistments, Evaluations, and Advancements, COMDTINST 1000.2C
D. Officer Accessions, Evaluations, and Promotions,
COMDTINST 1000.3A
E. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST 1000.8A
F. Military Justice Manual, COMDTINST 5810.1H
G. Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual,
COMDTINST 1650.25E
H. Military Separations, COMDTINST 1000.4
I. Temporary Separations, COMDTINST 1040.6A
J. Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year (EPOY) Program,
COMDTINST 1650.36D
K. Coast Guard Recruiting, COMDTINST 1100.2I
L. Appointing Warrant Officers, COMDTINST 1420.1
M. Documents Viewed by Coast Guard Officer Promotion and
Special Boards, COMDTINST 1410.2
N. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 141201Z NOV 24/ALCOAST 430/24
O. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 251641Z MAR 24/ALCOAST 136/24
1. This ALCOAST restores Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP) as a critical
tool for upholding the highest standards of military excellence and
more effectively addressing minor misconduct. This policy change
improves the ability to maintain good order and discipline and
readiness by revising mandatory adverse administrative consequences
that, by policy, accompany imposition of punishment by NJP. These
changes are consistent with the ultimate responsibility and
accountability entrusted to Commanders to maintain good order and
discipline and readiness at their unit pursuant to REFs (A) and (B).
2. This ALCOAST cancels mandatory imposition of administrative
consequences following award of NJP, but retains the requirements to
issue discipline Enlisted Evaluation Reports (EERs) for E-6 and
above and Disciplinary Action Officer Evaluation Reports (OER) for
Chief Warrant Officers and O-4 and above, who receive punishment at
NJP. The Commander, Commanding Officer (CO), or Officer in Charge
(OIC) now has the discretion to decide which, if any, administrative
consequences should be taken considering the specific circumstances
of each case.
3. Background. Over the last several decades, Coast Guard policy has
evolved to require Commanders, COs, and OICs to implement
administrative consequences following NJP, regardless of the nature
and severity of the misconduct or the rank of the member. These
policies removed command discretion by imposing a long list of
administrative consequences for all misconduct addressed by NJP,
such as mandatory limitations on future PCS assignments,
unsatisfactory conduct marks, discipline EERs, and Disciplinary
Action OERs, among others. As a result, the mandatory administrative
consequences were far more consequential to a member's career than
the maximum punishment that could be imposed at NJP. Consequently,
NJP has become less effective as a tool for ensuring good order and
discipline and readiness.
4. Effective 01 November 2025, the following policy is in effect:
    a. For enlisted members in pay grades E-6 and above, Chief
Warrant Officers, and officers in ranks O-4 and above: Imposition
of NJP must be documented in a discipline EER in accordance with
REF (C) or a Disciplinary Action OER in accordance with REF (D).
This ALCOAST cancels mandatory imposition of all other
administrative consequences related to NJP, including those listed
in REFs (C) - (O). The Commander, CO, or OIC has the discretion to
decide which, if any, of these additional administrative
consequences should be taken considering the specific circumstances
of each case.
    b. For enlisted members in paygrades E-5 and below and officers
in ranks O-1 to O-3: This ALCOAST cancels mandatory imposition of
all administrative consequences related to NJP, including those
listed in REFs (C) - (O). The Commander, CO, or OIC has the
discretion to decide which, if any, additional administrative
consequences should be taken considering the specific circumstances
of each case. Discipline EERs and Disciplinary Action OERs are no
longer required but may be completed at the discretion of the
Commander, CO, or OIC.
    c. Punishment imposed by NJP will continue to be recorded in
Direct Access. Court Memoranda for NJP and Report of Offense and
Disposition, and Record of Non-Judicial Punishment, Form CG-4910,
will be masked from view for enlisted and officer boards and panels
and may not be considered by boards or panels making assignment or
promotion decisions and recommendations.
5. This action more effectively upholds and enforces the highest
standards of conduct expected of all Coast Guard military personnel.
All administrative consequences remain available for commands to
document misconduct and other behavior that fall short of Coast
Guard standards. Commanders, COs, and OICs are expected to utilize
all of these measures within their discretion, considering the
nature of the misconduct, mitigating or aggravating factors,
rehabilitative potential, and impacts on unit good order and
discipline.
6. This policy change does not apply retroactively. All previously
executed administrative consequences related to NJP remain in
effect. To the extent any administrative consequences from a
previously adjudicated NJP have not been completed, they are no
longer mandatory, except those noted in paragraph 4.a. above.
All other actions may still be taken at the discretion of the
Commander, CO, or OIC.
7. Relevant directives affected by this ALCOAST are under review and
will be updated accordingly.
8. Questions on this policy should be directed to the servicing
legal office or to COMDT (CG-WMM-2), as appropriate,
at HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
9. This message is cancelled on 30 SEP 2030.
10. ADM Kevin E. Lunday, Acting Commandant (CCG), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.