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CG-1 Flag Voice Introduction

The Flag Voice was originally started by then RADM Loy, Chief, Office of Personnel in 1992. It began as a means for the chief of Human Resources (HR) for the Coast Guard to communicate with other Flag Officers and senior civilians about the HR issues facing the work force. This in turn allowed the "Flags" to be more informed as they had opportunities to speak with their crews around the country. It has now evolved into one of the main venues for communicating information about important issues directly to all members of the Coast Guard, down to the "deck plates."

It is the intention of CG-1 to keep up this tradition and use the Flag Voice to speak with you about important changes and/or upgrades to the many facets of the HR system that supports you. They will generally be brief and to the point and may direct you to more in-depth information contained in areas of the CG-1 web presence or other entities that are part of this system (e.g. TRICARE's web sites).

We ask all of you to help in this endeavor by giving these Flag Voices the widest possible dissemination. It's a function of leadership to "carry the word forward." Look out for your shipmates and ensure they have seen and understand the information and discuss it as appropriate.

Thanks!

Brian K. Penoyer
Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard
Assistant Commandant for Human Resources

2023 Flag Voice Messages
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2022 Flag Voice Messages

  • 593 - 2023 BAH AND BAS RATES

    Last week, 2023 Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates were announced. In most areas, BAH will increase for our members; BAS will also increase for both officers and enlisted members. CONUS Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rates will be published soon. I want to provide some context to help you ensure your members’ understanding of BAH, BAS, and COLA.
    • Published On: 12/19/2022

  • 592- ADVISORY BOARD FOR WOMEN IN THE COAST GUARD

    The Coast Guard is executing new activities to accelerate a more diverse and inclusive workforce for the benefit of all; an environment where every person can succeed as far as their drive will take them. To support this, the Coast Guard is seeking advisors for a new Congressionally mandated board that will provide recommendations on matters concerning recruiting, retaining, advancing, and the well-being of women who serve in the Coast Guard. Congress recently authorized and provided funds to establish an advisory board. I encourage you to share this opportunity with your teams. Those interested in serving on the Advisory Board on Women in the Coast Guard have until Jan. 20, 2023, to get your applications for consideration in.
    • Published On: 12/15/2022

  • 591 - DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM

    I am pleased to extend an invitation to you to advance our diversity and inclusion mission imperative by promoting this important program. D&I Change Agents are available to engage with units in the field and at the HQ. These Change Agents provide services as part of the Diversity & Inclusion Education Awareness Program (DIEAP) directly supporting all units and commands across our Service. D&I Change Agents can travel to your unit to provide two-hour or four-hour D&I small group training sessions for units during FY23.
    • Published On: 12/14/2022

  • 590 - EQUAL PRICING FOR SERVICEMEMBER UNIFORM ITEMS

    I am pleased to announce that all required uniform items for Coast Guard members are now sold at equal prices regardless of gender, at Coast Guard Exchanges and ShopCGX.com. Recent studies from both the Government Accountability Office and internal to the Coast Guard identified inequities in prices between men and women’s uniform items. Female servicemembers were paying far more for required uniforms than their male counterparts. As a result, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 included the Forces Assuring that Treatment of Items by Gender are Uniform and Equal across the Services (FATIGUES) Act of 2021, to develop consistent uniform pricing criteria, review uniform changes to determine potential out-of-pocket expenses, and identify retail costs for men and women across the Services.
    • Published On: 12/14/2022

  • 589 - USCG REVISED TELEWORK & NEW REMOTE WORK PROGRAMS

    Flag Voice announcing the promulgation of the Coast Guard’s new Remote Work and updated Telework Policies, which we will publish and announce tomorrow. I strongly believe these changes will help propel us toward becoming an employer of choice and keep us competitive as we work to recruit and retain our talent. I ask that you familiarize yourselves with the policy and ensure equitable delivery to our members to the greatest extent possible.
    • Published On: 10/26/2022

  • 588 - ENLISTED CAREER ADVISORY BRANCH (EPM-4) - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

    I am pleased to announce that our Personnel Service Center is officially launching the Coast Guard’s first Enlisted Career Advisory Branch (EPM-4)! Consisting of four Enlisted Career Advisors (ECA), EPM-4 will begin offering career advising sessions to our Active Duty Enlisted workforce on 03 October 2022.
    • Published On: 9/20/2022

  • 587 - Update on TLE Extension Process

    Colleagues, I am providing an update on the Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) Extension process. As previously announced in Flag Voice 556 and ALCOAST 309/21, the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) was updated last year to include an expedited process for the Uniformed Services to request an extension to TLE, for up to 60 days, to assist those who are impacted by severe housing shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. While this is an expedited process, it has proven to still be a lengthy one.
    • Published On: 8/18/2022

  • 586 - Financial Touchpoint Curriculum

    Colleagues, I want to emphasize the recent release of the Coast Guard Financial Touchpoint Curriculum. Financial Touchpoint Training is mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2016 with the aim of providing financial literacy training at professional and personal touchpoints.
    • Published On: 8/16/2022

  • 585 - COVID-19 Special Leave Accrual

    Colleagues, as we near the end of the fiscal year I want to remind you of the phased reduction to the COVID-19 Special Leave Accrual outlined in ACN 055/21. On 01 October 2022, all active duty and qualified reserve military members will be authorized to carryover up to 75 days of leave into FY23. This will mark the completion of this Special Leave Accrual period, and the maximum leave carryover will subsequently return to 60 days for carryover into FY24.
    • Published On: 8/5/2022

  • 584 Women's Health Paper

    Colleagues, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, please take the time to review the attached issue paper highlighting the Coast Guard’s current policies regarding essential women’s health care. I want to emphasize that this paper outlines already-existing policies and is not announcing new or changed policy. We will continue to work with our DOD and DHS counterparts and TRICARE to maximize our ability to meet the health and safety needs of our workforce.
    • Published On: 7/25/2022

  • 583- Civilian Permanent Change of Station Status and Update on Other Civilian Incentives & ANCHR-21-16S

    On 1 June 2022, commands were notified that the Coast Guard funds for civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) were exhausted and job announcements for positions typically eligible for PCS were discontinued for FY22 for almost all areas. I am pleased to announce we are now able to begin offering these positions again with PCS entitlements. We are able to take this step as it is anticipated that any selections from these job announcements will expect to onboard after the start of FY23. Your HR specialists have been notified to once again offer PCS for eligible positions and look forward to working with your hiring managers to continue to fill civilian positions.
    • Published On: 7/25/2022

  • 582 Three Service-Wide Initiatives to Maximize Recruiting Efforts

    As the Coast Guard seeks to improve recruiting efforts throughout the country, we must take greater strides to attract future service members to our workforce. The best way forward is to galvanize the entire Service and our external stakeholders to maximize our recruiting efforts. The Personnel Service Center has directed three initiatives described below and we are planning additional actions. I appreciate your personal support and engagement.
    • Published On: 7/20/2022

  • 581 Military Uniforms During Community Events

    ​Colleagues, as the weather warms and COVID-19 loosens its grip on our communities, we anticipate members wishing to participate and represent the United States Coast Guard during events off-duty. These events can be extremely beneficial to our image and recruiting when done in a proper and professional manner.
    • Published On: 6/14/2022

  • 580 Pride Inclusivity

    Leading into Pride month, I would like to highlight a few basic ways that we can demonstrate greater inclusivity in the workplace. Each recommendation listed below is a D&I best practice and an opportunity to build organizational competency in inclusivity. Implementing these recommendations requires relatively simple changes, yet the can have significant positive impacts.
    • Published On: 6/13/2022

  • 579 Standard Mileage Rates for Official Travel

    The IRS just announced increases to the standard mileage rates that will go into effect on 01 July 2022. These increases will directly affect the mileage reimbursement rate for PCS and TDY travel for military members and civilian employees alike. The mileage rate for PCS travel will increase from $0.18 to $0.22 per mile, and the mileage rate for TDY travel will increase from $0.585 to $0.625 per mile.
    • Published On: 6/10/2022
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2021 Flag Voice Messages

Note: A skipped number indicates message not approved for Internet release.

Number Date Title
566 12/08/2021 Workforce Gender Relations Survey
565 12/06/2021 Direct Access Limited Access Period December 2021
563 10/19/2021 Coast Guard ASVAB Policy Changes
562 09/29/2021 PY22 CSPI Executive Champion Selection Program Process
561 09/22/2021 Temporary BAH Rate Increase
560 09/21/2021 COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination for Civilian Employees, Update #1
559 09/14/2021 COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination for Civilian Employees
558 09/08/2021 COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination for Military Personnel - Update #1
556 08/30/2021 JTR Update to TLE
555 08/30/2021 Body Composition Program Update
554 08/23/2021 U.S. Coast Guard Affinity Group Program
553 08/11/2021 URM Study - Final Report
552 08/02/2021 Reminder to take the Coast Guard Organizational Assessment Survey (OAS)
551 07/12/2021 Body Composition Program Update
550 06/25/2021 Senior Advisor for diversity and Inclusion
549 06/08/2021 Transgender Service in the Coast Guard
548 05/27/2021 One-Servicewide Exam (1-SWE)
547 05/21/2021 Coast Guard Organization Assessment Survey (OAS)
546 05/18/2021 Update to U.S. Coast Guard Leadership Competencies
545 04/22/2021 U.S. Coast Guard Instruction on Leadership and Diversity Councils
544 04/20/2021 U. S. Coast Guard Mentoring Program Open Enrollment
543 04/15/2021 FY21 Workforce Planning Team Closeout and FY22 Season Kick-off
542 03/12/2021 U.S. Coast Guard Mentoring Program
541 03/09/2021 Mandatory Updates to MILCONNECT
540 03/03/2021 Ceremonial Advancements
539 03/01/2021 Body Composition Program Update
538 02/23/2021 Direct Access Limited Access – Cloud Access Point
537 02/02/2021 Transgender Service in the United States Coast Guard
536 01/27/2021 The Coast Guard Working Group on Behavioral Health
535 01/22/2021 Mission Ready Total Workforce (RW30) Inlook
534 01/11/2021 Coast Guard Safe Homes Initiative Update #2
533 01/11/2021 Announcement of 2021 CONUS Living Pattern Survey