Coast Guard Retiree Services Program, is managed by established by Directorate of Reserve and Military Personnel, COMDT (CG-13) and guided by Commandant Instruction CG_1800.5G.
Major Strategic Themes and strategic intent:
- Coast Guard Military Member/Family Preparation for and Transition to Retirement: CG military members and family are prepared for and supported in transition to retirement – and connected to the CG Retiree Services Program.
- Coast Guard Military Retiree and Annuitant Services: CG military retirees, annuitants, and survivors receive the pay, benefits, rights, privileges, communications, and support services to which they are entitled.
- Coast Guard Military Retiree Continued Service to Coast Guard: CG military retirees continue to serve and make life-long contributions to the CG.
- Staying Connected: The CG military retiree community stays connected with the CG and engages in CG events/activities.
How does the program know how it’s doing in accomplishing all this great strategy? As quoted by H. James Harrington: "Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement. If you can't measure something, you can't understand it. If you can't understand it, you can't control it. If you can't control it, you can't improve it."
Measurement supports data-driven decisions, effective program management, and continuous improvement. Measurement is focused on two areas:
- Mission Execution: Measurement of how well the program is performing what it’s here to do (mission), providing value to customers/stakeholders, and justifying its resources.
- Internal Organization: Measurement of the effectiveness/efficiency of the program’s internal policy, structure, governance, processes, and activities.
A strategy-based Balanced Scorecard will be used to measure and manage the program through four perspectives: Customers/Stakeholders, Resource Stewardship, Internal Processes, and Organizational Capacity. The program’s mission, vision, values, and strategic themes and intent are translated into strategic goals, metrics/measures, targets, and initiatives. Strategy is the common thread and basis for measurement and continuous improvement of program outcomes and mission effectiveness for customers/stakeholders.
CG Retiree Services organizational structure is continuously assessed through the four perspectives of the strategy-based Balanced Scorecard to ensure optimal alignment with program strategy, the changing environment, and limited resources.
To ensure their contributions continue, retirees must be kept apprised of changing programs, services, and policies. The Coast Guard Retiree Services Program will serve the Coast Guard military retirees and eligible surviving family members by proactively keeping the lines of communication open to provide regular retiree information, retiree benefits advice, and services, when needed. The Coast Guard Retiree Services Program policy framework will provide the network and organizational structure that reinforces and provides the mutual benefit between Coast Guard and the Coast Guard military retiree community.