Today is the day. The Coast Guard’s new electronic travel system, E-Gov Travel Service (ETS), is up and running. And so is the Coast Guard’s new Financial System Modernization System (FSMS). What does that mean for you?
This means you have a new system to use for official travel. According to the Personnel Service Center government travel website, the new ETS travel system is a “self-service system, designed to ease the administrative burdens on commands as well as members who are awaiting travel orders. It’s being launched as the [Department of Homeland Security] transitions to a new financial management and procurement system” FSMS, “with which ETS will interface.”
All existing travelers will be getting an invitational email after October 1st. Members are encouraged to log into the new CWTSATO system to ensure that your profile is up to date. Your profile from here – to include user names, passwords, frequent flier numbers, DoD ID numbers/Known Traveler Number, Secure Flight Data, etc., will be transferred to the new TMC.
Beginning today, Oct. 1, 2021, all official travel – to include airline, bus, ship, Alaska Marine Highway System, rental vehicle, and lodging – will be arranged through CWTSATO.
If you have an existing reservation with ADTRAV, that was booked prior to September 30, you may complete those reservations through October 15. If your reservation runs past October 15, you need to call CWTSATO to rebook your travel.
There will be a cutover period from Oct. 1 to Nov. 17. What does that mean? Basically, this means that your travel claims will not be processed. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind that will assist you during this cutover period.
First, your GTCC will be placed in a mission critical status, which means no payment will be required on new balances until after the cutover period. This status will keep your account in an active status and prevent adverse impacts resulting from debt while travel claims are not being processed. Second, as a traveler, you will need to retain receipts and be prepared to immediately submit travel claims when the new systems are available. Please keep in mind, you are still responsible for proper use of your GTCC during this period. For more information on using your GTCC during the cutover period, please read more here.
What you need to know
There are a few things that you should know. If you travel between September 17 and November 17, your late penalties will be waived since there is no method to file a travel claim. If you already have a paid travel claim, make sure you pay your GTCC in a timely manner. If you PCS during the cutover period, know how to process dislocation allowance (DLA). You should also be aware of a few changes incorporated for the GTCC for this particular time period.
To Do:
- Do what you can to become familiar with the new travel system. Log on to the new ETS website for ETS FAQs, guides, and register to take ETS training.
- Log into CWTSATO within 72hours when your invitational email arrives.
- Once you log in, ensure your profile is up to date, and your “approval pools” show your correct, supervisor, authorizing official (AO) and funds manager.
- If you should need assistance, there are Travel Assist Teams that are available to help with this transition. Feel free to call them at 1-866-800-USCG (8724) during the business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., local. Once you call the hotline, you 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.
If you have further questions, please contact your GTCC travel manager, and travel managers can contact Michael Duchossis at 703-254-7175 or Evelyn “Carlene” Curry at 703-258-5996.
Resources: