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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Sept. 17, 2020

Reserve members: Scheduling requirements for IDT, RMP, waiver process for FY21

By MyCG Staff

Reserve members and commands should be aware of the following key dates, responsibilities and when scheduling inactive duty training (IDT) drills, readiness management periods (RMP), and additional training periods (ATP) in the new fiscal year. Pay for duty performed not in compliance with this policy may be subject to recoupment.

Selected reserve (SELRES) members may schedule and complete IDT during all months in fiscal year 2021, with particular attention to critical dates and scheduling deadlines.

Reserve training for contingency and mobilization response should be planned well in advance, yet local operations occasionally offer short-notice training opportunities. The first three quarters of the fiscal year (October through June) represent the broadest opportunity for scheduling flexibility. Fiscal demands at the end of the fiscal year reduce flexibility in the fourth quarter, and planning duty should reflect the same.  

IDT Drills for pay

  • Members are limited to 48 IDT drills for pay. 
  • Members should follow guidance with regard to IDT lodging.
  • With command approval, members may batch drills and perform in excess of the quarterly allocation of 12 paid IDT drills during the first three quarters from October 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. 
  • During the fourth quarter (July 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021), except for members assigned to Port Security Units (PSU) and Coastal Riverine Forces (CORIVRONs and CORIVGRUs), members are not authorized to complete more than 12 paid IDT drills.
  • Members serving on active duty for a period of 30 consecutive days or more are not eligible to make up drills for that period of active duty. 
  • Members leaving the service voluntarily (retirement/discharge) or involuntarily (non-selected for promotion, non-continued, etc.) may only complete the number of drills corresponding to their separation date. 

Additional Training Periods (ATP) 

The following policy applies to paid ATPs for FY21:

  • Specific ATP guidance will be provided at a later date.
  • To support unit-level planning, members assigned to PSUs, CORIVRONs, and CORIVGRUs are authorized to schedule up to 12 ATPs starting on October 1, 2020, in advance of specific ATP guidance. No ATPs will be completed or paid prior to the release of fiscal year 2021 ATP guidance. Members will use all authorized paid IDT drills before using ATPs.
  • Members not assigned to the units listed above are not authorized to schedule or complete ATPs (paid or unpaid). Waiver processes will be issued at a later date. 
  • Members serving on active duty for a period of 30 consecutive days or more will not be eligible to make up ATPs for that period of active duty.

Readiness Management Periods (RMPs)

The following policy applies to paid RMPs for fiscal year 2021:

  • Each SELRES member is authorized a single RMP for pay, unless otherwise noted below, for the entirety of the fiscal year.
  •  Each member who takes the October 2020 Reserve Service-wide Exam (RSWE) is authorized one additional RMP for pay unless the member is already scheduled to perform IDT with the assigned unit.
  • Waiver requests for RMPs for CDAR-directed screenings, OMSEP medical appointments, weight compliance medical appointments, and command-directed medical screenings, must be submitted to COMDT (CG-R82).
  • Only Reserve Personnel Management (PSC-RPM) will authorize paid RMPs for medical appointments in connection with a Notice of Eligibility (NOE).

Management Responsibilities 

  • Scheduling:
    • IDT drills, ATPs, and RMPs for pay should be scheduled in Direct Access (DA) as early as possible, and no later than May 1, 2021 unless otherwise exempted.
    • Drills should remain in a scheduled status for the member to reschedule drills without having to request a waiver. All IDT drills, ATPs and RMPs must be scheduled and approved in DA in advance members reporting for duty. 
    • Upon a member request, commands will issue written orders as soon as possible before the scheduled duty period(s), if the drill period has not been scheduled and approved in DA, to allow the member time to provide notification to a civilian employer. 
    • Members will not report to duty without an approved drill in DA or official documentation from the command. All applicable berthing requirements must also be met prior to member reporting for duty.
  • Approving and processing:
    • Members should notify their supervisors of IDT completion before leaving their units. IDT that remains in a "scheduled" status past the duty date is subject to cancellation.
    • Supervisors of SELRES members must ensure drills are validated, placed in a "completed" status in Direct Access, and forwarded to the SPO within two working days of IDT drill completion.
    • SPOs should process payment within three working days of notification that drills have been placed in a “completed” status in Direct Access.
  • Monitoring and validating:
    • Accurate and timely management of is a command responsibility. District (dxr)/PAC-13/DOL-1 and RFRS staff must complete regular (at least monthly) reviews of IDT, RPM, and ATP drills to ensure drill periods are being requested and executed in a timely manner.
    • Funds managers will continuously monitor their IDT lodging accounts, especially when authorizing batching of IDT, and provide funding concerns to the appropriate area POCs.
    • Quarterly Inactive Duty Status reports are available here. (CAC required)
    • Staff should filter for their tenant Commands and take appropriate action to ensure timely validation.

Scheduling Deadlines

  • October 1, 2020: Scheduling commences for FY21 IDT drills and RMPs. SELRES members assigned to PSUs, CORIVRONs and CORIVGRUs may schedule up to 12 ATPs.
  • May 1, 2021: Deadline for scheduling all paid IDT drills, RMPs, and ATPs in Direct Access is on or before May 1, 2021 unless otherwise exempted by ALCOAST 343/20.

Rescheduling Requirements 
Notification to reschedule must be provided. This is important if lodging has been authorized or is requested. Units do not need to request a waiver to reschedule paid IDT drills, RMPs, and ATPs that are not approved in DA prior to the May 1, 2021, deadline if all of the requirements below are met:

  • The rescheduled duty is for the same duty type. Paid IDT drills, RMP, or ATPs are not exchangeable duty types.  
  • The total number of paid drills would not exceed 12 in quarter four. If the number exceeds 12, the unit must request a waiver from COMDT (CG-R82).

Note: Members who fail to follow rescheduling requirements risk cancellation of duty or performance of duty without pay (for points only).

Waivers 

Paid IDT scheduling or re-scheduling of approved drill requests require COMDT (CG-R82) authorization after May 1, 2021. Waivers are encouraged to be submitted as early as possible and not delayed for the purposes of batching.

Waivers will be approved in the following circumstances:

  • Member accessions from recruit training (boot camp or DEPOT) or members released from active duty (RELAD) who report to their assigned units after May 1, 2021, may schedule and complete drills (not to exceed 4 drills per month for the remainder of fiscal year 2021) and ATPs without a waiver.
  • Members who cannot schedule IDT before May 1, 2021, due to a pending expiration of enlistment (EOE) may schedule and complete drills for the remainder of FY21.
    • Commands of these members must send notification to COMDT (CG-R82) requesting drill dates be opened in DA.
  • Members who cannot schedule IDT before May 1, 2021, due to Training Pay Category (TRAPAY CAT) issue may schedule and complete IDT drills for the remainder of FY21.
    • Commands of these members must send notification to COMDT (CG-R82) requesting drill dates be opened in DA.
  • RMPs for PHAs can be scheduled after May 1, 2021 
    • Commands of these members must send notification to COMDT (CG-R82) requesting drill dates be opened in DA.
  • When required, waiver requests must be submitted using COMDT (CG-R82) IDT/RMP/ADT waiver form, to COMDT (CG-R82), thru the unit commanding officer (or CO, MILPERS) or first O6 in the chain of command. 
    • Waivers must be submitted at a minimum of 14 days prior to requested drill convening date. Properly endorsed waivers must be submitted via email to: HQS-SMB-CG-R82-WAIVER. 
    • All waivers must be received by COMDT (CG-R82) no later than August 15, 2021.

For additional information, please reference ALCOAST 343/20.