Sept. 28, 2020

Does your CAC or USID card expire soon?

The Department of Defense issued a temporary waiver for expiring identification cards – both common access cards (CAC) cards and Uniformed Services ID (USID) cards – during the pandemic. The waiver for CACs sunsets Sept. 30, as anticipated. USID card holders are getting a little more time; their expired cards will work through June 30, 2021.

Sept. 28, 2020

New federal employees, military personnel to see higher TSP contribution 

New active duty and reserve military members, and new federal civilian employees who are covered by the Blended Retirement System (BRS), will now automatically be enrolled in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) at five percent of their basic pay. This change will take effect Oct. 1, 2020. 
 

Sept. 28, 2020

Coast Guard Resources: Chaplains – A Q&A with Sector Detroit’s local chaplain, Chaplain Jim Dewey

Chaplains are there for members and their families in ways truly unique from other people in their lives. They are mentors, advisors, and spiritual counselors to the Coast Guard workforce. They also play a critical role in suicide prevention.

Sept. 28, 2020

The Long Blue Line: Captain Garcia/Garfield—modern Coast Guard’s 1st minority officer

Born in Morro Castle, Puerto Rico, on February 17, 1903, Henry Frederick Garcia would become a trailblazer in the history of the Coast Guard.

Garcia came from a prominent military family. His father had a career in the U.S. Army and his younger brother would retire as a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy. Garcia lived in military installations in Puerto Rico and Ohio before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. In 1924, after graduating from the Academy, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Army and served in field artillery until 1928, when he accepted a commission in the United States Coast Guard.

Sept. 25, 2020

Let your voice be heard; take the 2020 OPM FEVS

On Sept. 24, 2020, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) to all eligible Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees. We encourage every eligible Coast Guard civilian employee to provide us with your valuable feedback so that we can continue to make the Coast Guard a better place to work. 

Sept. 25, 2020

Remember to register to vote or request your absentee ballot for the 2020 election

Under the U.S. Constitution, every U.S. citizen has the right to vote. Every voter must have the opportunity to register and vote whether that is in person or by absentee in any election that they are eligible. To vote in U.S. elections, Coast Guard members and their eligible dependents must be registered in their state of legal residence.

Sept. 25, 2020

October 2020 Enlisted Reserve Personnel Advancement Announcement

Congratulations to the reserve members eligible to advance Oct. 1, 2020. 

Sept. 25, 2020

Lending a helping hand: Coast Guard members helping each other

For our Photo Friday, here is a collection of images from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard's visit to the Eighth Coast Guard District. 

Sept. 24, 2020

Help, K-12 resources for the 20-21 school year

The 2020-2021 school year looks a bit different all over the country. Some students are learning in the schoolhouse while others are learning virtually from home. Here are some resources for either  way your student is learning this year. 

Sept. 24, 2020

Temporary modifications to eligibility requirements for Reserve Good Conduct Medal (RGCM) 

Opportunities for reserve members to schedule drills have been impacted due to the disruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This may result in reserve members being unable to obtain the required 70 retirement points for the Reserve Good Conduct Medal (RGCM) as required in Coast Guard Medals and Awards Manual, COMDTINST M1650.2E. A qualifying year will consist of 50 points rather than the normal 70 points. This modification will be in place from March 1, 2020, until a determined date in the future.