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Office of Work-Life Programs : Breast Milk Shipment

This program is sponsored by Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA). Visit CGMA https://www.cgmahq.org/ for more information.

Who is Eligible for this Program?
The Breast Milk Shipment (BMS) Expense reimbursement program is available to the following members of Team Coast Guard:

  • Active Duty, all grades, to include PHS Officers and Chaplains attached to the CG.
  • Reservists, all grades, on ADOS.
  • Spouses of Active Duty and Reservists on ADOS. Spouses must verify that they shipped the milk while traveling on business for their job.
  • CG Civilian Employees.

Purpose of Program
The purpose of BMS is to provide financial assistance to members who are faced with out of pocket costs for the shipment of breast milk while TDY, underway or traveling on government business.

ALCOAST 215/19 (requires a CAC to access)

Services and Resources Available in the Coast Guard
The deployment, underway period, TDY or business trip must be longer than 72 hours. The limit is $750 per calendar year per family (no limit on the number of shipments).  

  • Member shall submit Form CGMA-12 (Application for Breast Milk Shipment Reimbursement) directly to their local CGMA representatives (https://cgmahq.org/locations).  No command endorsement is required.
  • Receipts for the shipping shall be attached to the form.  Receipts may be either the shipping label showing the cost, or a charge on a credit card/bank statement that clearly identifies the shipping company. (Note: credit card/bank statements are only authorized for shipments that take place prior to 31 JUL. A shipping receipt is required for all shipments that take place after 1 AUG.)
  • Applications must include a copy of the applicable travel orders for military members and civilian employees.  For spouses, almost any form of verification of the business trip will suffice.  Either a memo directing the travel, or a copy of the plane tickets, or a reimbursement statement from their employer.
  • Applications must be submitted within 60 days of return from deployment or a business trip.  Members on cutters must submit it within 60 days of return to homeport. 
  • For cutters on extended underway periods, the spouse back home may submit the form for the member while the cutter is still underway.  A scanned copy of the receipt for the shipping will be sufficient. 
  • Local CGMA representatives are the approving authority for all BMS applications.  Any unique circumstances or concerns should be sent to the CGMA Chief Operating Officer for handling.

Points of Contact
For breast milk shipping questions only, please contact your CG Mutual Assistance representatives (https://cgmahq.org/locations) for more information. 

If you have lactation problems or concerns at your unit, please contact the Health Promotions Manager, Mr. Tim Merrell (Timothy.M.Merrell@uscg.mil).