As the Coast Guard transitions from our current military records system to an improved 100% electronic system, we thought it was worth reviewing a few things. You probably already know that your Coast Guard Military Human Resource Record (CGMHRR) consists of the Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) PDR, the UNIT PDR, and the Electronically Imag
ed PDR (EIPDR). These records document your career, meet legal requirements, and contain the necessary documents to ensure proper pay and permanent change of station (PCS) transfers while you are a member of the Coast Guard. However, you may be confused on what exactly those different terms mean. Currently your CGMHRR is composed of three different and geographically separated records:
- SPO PDR: The SPO PDR, which as the name implies, is maintained by your assigned SPO, contains various documents such as PCS Orders, Departing Worksheets, BAH Worksheets, etc., and primarily functions as the source document repository to justify your pay and benefits.
- UNIT PDR: The Unit PDR is used at smaller units not directly served by a Personnel and Admin office or a SPO, and where underway missions are too lengthy and distant to allow for the SPO to update your SPO PDR. It contains the same types of documents as the SPO PDR, including items such as qualification letters, Page-7’s, etc. Your local unit maintains the Unit PDR, and it is periodically merged into your SPO PDR.
- EIPDR: The EIPDR is maintained by Headquarters in an electronic system called Perceptive Content, and functions as your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). This is what you are concerned with when preparing for a board or panel. It outlines your career and achievemen
ts, and serves as your proof of service and justification when applying for veteran’s benefits. This record is eventually moved to the National Archives within established timeframes, and it is never destroyed.
This arrangement of mixed PDRs in different locations is challenging for yeomen to navigate when attempting to assist members in a timely and efficient manner, and is confusing for the members themselves.
The new Interactive Personnel Electronics Records Management System (iPERMS) system solves these problems by merging all the parts of your record into a new 100% electronic CGMHRR that is accessible to all members and veterans. You will have instant access to your CGMHRR, and you will be able to review and identify any potential discrepancies or missing documents with a few mouse clicksa. In the event of a records audit, SPOs and Personnel/Admin staff can easily obtain the necessary documents all in one place. Veterans will not only have an easier way to retrieve a copy of their OMPF, but agencies such as Veterans Affairs will have a streamlined capability to view your record when making benefit determinations.
The Personnel Service Center is excited for this new capability to go live this fall and provide a higher level of customer support to our members and veterans.
Resources:
Personnel Service Center - Business Operations Division, USCG Military Records Section website
In the news:
OMPF: Critical records being uploaded now
Here’s how to access your military records as the Coast Guard transitions to new record management system