ALCOAST 087/26 - APR 2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BONUS ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRACKING SYSTEM (BATS)

R 031735Z APR 26   MID320018622949U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 087/26
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BONUS ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRACKING
SYSTEM (BATS)
A. Military Bonus and Incentive Programs, COMDTINST 7220.2A
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 121600Z SEP 25/ALCOAST 386/25
1. This ALCOAST announces the launch of BATS, the Coast Guard's
first fully integrated system that encapsulates every stage of
the bonus process from start to finish. BATS modernizes the
Coast Guard's bonus program by automating workflows, reducing
paperwork, and providing real-time visibility for members,
commands, Personnel and Administration shops, and approvers.
This modernization streamlines payment, improves processing time,
and increases transparency and confidence in the bonus process.
Although the Coast Guard remains unfunded due to a lapse in
appropriations, BATS is being launched now to ensure bonuses are
processed as quickly as possible, following federal funding.
2. Bonuses: BATS offers a start-to-finish bonus tracking module
that will be visible to members and their routing chains for
improved status monitoring and financial accountability.
    a. Effective immediately, all new bonus submissions must be
submitted using BATS. Bonuses previously submitted to PPC will be
processed outside BATS and will not be migrated into BATS; they
should not be resubmitted via BATS. Resubmission will duplicate
work and cause delays in processing.
    b. Forms: FY26 bonus forms, with the exception of Enlistment
Bonus (EB) Annexes, will be generated within BATS. FY26 EB Annexes
and all prior fiscal year bonus forms and annexes will continue
to be done via the appropriate PDF forms which must be signed and
uploaded as attachments in BATS.
3. Accountability and Tracking: BATS incorporates built-in inboxes,
to-do-lists, and real-time status updates, providing both members
and approvers with complete visibility into the bonus process.
    a. Members are now able to review and must enter current fiscal
year bonus requests using BATS. Prior to entering a bonus request,
members are responsible for reviewing all bonus policy requirements
outlined in REF (A), eligibility criteria in the applicable
Workforce Planning Team (WPT) ALCOAST, and BATS. If all eligibility
requirements are met, members will create a bonus request using BATS
and route for approval through the system. All new prior fiscal year
bonus requests are required to be entered into BATS by a YN.
    b. Unit POC: Will receive an email from BATS to review a bonus
request. They will ensure the names in the routing chain within the
bonus request are correct and add if not.
    c. YN: Will review bonus policy requirements outlined in REF (A),
the eligibility criteria in the applicable WPT ALCOAST, and BATS.
If the member meets all eligibility requirements, the YN will review
the system generated form for accuracy and return to the member
in BATS, for signature. All new prior fiscal year bonus requests
are required to be entered into BATS by a YN.
    d. CO: Will approve and sign the bonus form in BATS only if the
member meets all eligibility requirements. If the member does not
meet all requirements, select deny and digitally sign.
    e. Program Manager (PM): Will review current and previous fiscal
year bonus requests, as applicable, to ensure the member meets all
eligibility requirements outlined in REF (A) and applicable
WPT ALCOAST prior to approval and funds obligation. For members not
meeting all eligibility criteria, program manager will deny the
bonus request and return to the member. PM will monitor and ensure
adequate funding is available prior to approvals.
    f. Training Center Cape May Recruit SPO: Will enter EBs, upload
applicable annex, and submit to PPC for payment upon bootcamp
graduation. Guaranteed "A" School Enlistment Bonuses (GA-EB) will be
entered and document uploaded but not approved and routed to PPC for
payment.
    g. Training Center Petaluma/Yorktown: Will assist members with
entering Designated Career Field Bonus (DCFB) within the first
thirty days of class convening (amount is based on class convening
date). Ensure member has four (4) years of obligated service upon
completion of "A" School. Review BATS generated form for accuracy
prior to submission to Training Officer (TO) for signature. For
members with approved GA-EBs, TRACEN YN will enter in BATS
(if it was from a prior FY or not already in BATS). Review for
accuracy. Upon graduation, approve and submit to PPC for payment.
    h. Training Center Petaluma/Yorktown TO: Will review and sign
all DCFB forms in BATS as Commanding Officer for members currently
attending A School.
    i. Pay & Personnel Center (PPC): Will review, process and pay
authorized bonuses for eligible members utilizing BATS. For members
that do not meet all the eligibility requirements, or that have an
incomplete package or incorrect form, PPC will return the request,
in BATS, to the member with comments as to why the bonus was not
processed.
    j. Accession Service Command (ASC): Will take corrective action
for administrative errors on EB Annexes submitted by TRACEN Cape May
and or PPC.
    k. COMDT (CG-WMM-2): Will process bonus waivers and respond to
bonus inquiries that are submitted via BATS and ensure the bonus
information within BATS is up to date.
4. System: Access to BATS, the BATS Submission Job Aid, and requests
for BATS technical support are located at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USCG-CGCC-R3/SitePages/
BATS.aspx

5. Questions regarding policies outlined in this message and
requests for technical support should be submitted using the
"New Inquiry" form located in BATS.
6. COs and OICs must bring the contents of this ALCOAST to the
attention of all personnel.
7. This message will be canceled on 02 APR 2027.
8. CAPT Christopher Hulser, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.