The new travel system, E-Gov Travel System (ETS), implementation will begin on Oct. 1, 2021, the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 (Q1 of FY22). ETS is the Coast Guard’s all-in-one travel system that will assist our members with booking travel, creating and approving orders, and submitting travel claims.
Supporting the Coast Guard workforce during this transition leading up to and after go-live is a top priority. Our teams have developed an implementation plan to include online resources such as user guides, video tutorials, and online forums. Additionally, after assessing the impacts, risks, and challenges presented by the implementation of the new Financial System Management Solution (FSMS) and ETS, it was recommended to implement Travel Assist Teams (TAT) to assist with the ETS roll-out.
These teams report to Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) and will provide a critical role during the implementation phase of ETS, easing the burdens of this transition for you as well as units. Our TAT members are assigned to designated geographic areas supporting PPC Customer Call Center with inquiries from travelers and approvers using ETS.
These TATs will provide customer service, allowing for Coast Guard members to liaison and network with user interface experts of ETS. They will provide quality assurance checks and identify emerging issues early in the implementation process. Team members will provide training to units prior to the go-live date of ETS, facilitating a seamless transition for users. TAT members will also support unit level approving officials (AOs) during the vouchering and settlement process.
Due to the fees associated with troubleshooting issues directly with CWTSATO’s Customer Care Line, members are strongly discouraged to call CWTSATO directly. Unit commanders, commanding officers, officers in charge (OIC) and supervisors should direct members to use the Travel Assist Teams hotline: 1-866-800-USCG (8724) during the business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., local. Once members call the hotline, they will be prompted to select a geographic region (west, central, or east time zones) for regional customer care; Members stationed out of the continental U.S. (OCONUS) can select any region to be connected to a team member. If members call PPC directly for assistance, the PPC Customer Care Team will direct callers to the Travel Assist Team hotline.
Should units have inquiries regarding ETS to include travel policy, workforce training schedule, or general questions, members are strongly encouraged to first email the Travel Management Office at , so telephone lines can remain open for members trying to access and use ETS.
For other related ETS or TMO questions, please direct them to Cmdr. William Suter, Travel Management Office Implementation (CG-133) (202) 475-5377 email.