R 211617Z MAR 25 MID120001808744U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 133/25
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: UPDATE TO FY26 SPECIAL DUTY PAY (SDP) AND ASSIGNMENT
PAY (AP) PANEL
A. Special Duty Pay (SDP), COMDTINST 1430.1Q
B. Coast Guard Pay Manual, COMDTINST M7220.29D
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 251544Z SEP 24/ALCOAST 373/24
D. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 211335Z MAR 25/ALCOAST 132/25
1. This message announces the cancellation of REF (D) and provides
an updated URL for retrieval of FY26 SDP/AP request and FY25 SDP
revalidation memorandum templates.
2. This ALCOAST announces the convening of the FY26 SDP/AP Panel.
The SDP/AP Panel will convene 22‐23 April 2025.
3. SDP and AP are special pays intended to encourage officers and
enlisted personnel to consider career fields or assignments of
particular importance to fulfillment of Coast Guard missions. SDP
and AP funding resources are limited and must compete for the scarce
funding available to the Coast Guard for this purpose. Requests for
SDP or AP will be evaluated on the following basis:
a. SDP: Authorized as an incentive to retain members who perform
duties requiring special qualifications and having difficulty and
arduousness of a greater degree than that expected of the majority
of the Coast Guard personnel.
b. AP: Authorized as an inducement for members to pursue
assignments that are extremely demanding of time and impose a
greater degree of responsibility than that expected of other
members of similar grade and experience.
4. In accordance with REFs (A) and (B), and considering the
FY25 SDP and AP authorizations announced by REF (C) for precedent
and context, the SDP/AP Panel will:
a. Evaluate all FY26 SDP and AP requests, and recommend FY26
authorizations based upon received requests and Coast Guard
Headquarters program manager (CGHQ PM) endorsements.
b. Consider continuation of FY25 AP authorizations in FY26, with
no submission required by the appropriate CGHQ PM. FY25 AP
authorizations may be reduced or eliminated in FY26 based on
Service needs.
c. Consider continuation of FY25 SDP authorizations in FY26,
based upon revalidation by the appropriate CGHQ PM. FY25 SDP
authorizations may be reduced or eliminated in FY26 based on
Service needs.
d. Consider requests to change an FY25 SDP or AP authorization
for FY26. Such requests must include appropriate justification
from the requestor and positive endorsement from the appropriate
CGHQ PM.                     
5. All SDP and AP authorization requests must be validated and
affirmatively endorsed by the appropriate CGHQ PM and include a
list of position numbers prior to panel consideration. Commanding
Officer assignments will not be considered for SDP or AP. All FY26
SDP/AP requests, including CGHQ PM revalidation of FY25 SDP and
requests to change FY25 SDP/AP authorizations for FY26 must be
submitted by email, via CGHQ PMs, and received by COMDT (CG‐1M12)
at smb‐comdt‐compensation@uscg.mil NLT COB on 14 APR 2025.
Submissions arriving after the deadline, without the list of
position numbers or lacking CGHQ PM endorsement will not be
considered by the panel. Waivers of the SDP/AP request submission
deadline will not be considered.
6. CGHQ PMs must provide effective oversight for all requests and
revalidations under their purview. All FY26 SDP/AP requests and
FY25 SDP revalidations must utilize the appropriate memorandum
template located in the Templates folder at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://uscg.sharepoint‐mil.us/sites/USCG‐CG‐1M/CG‐1M1/SitePages
/CG‐1M12.aspx?csf=1&web=1&share=EfQqPve1J91GrwYZygHuDRwBzr62OCRs
UHeMqF1KDx_1iA&e=yKPWqW
7. Questions regarding this ALCOAST may be directed to Division
of Military Compensation Policy (CG‐1M12) at:
smb‐comdt‐compensation@uscg.mil.
8. CAPT Ryan P. Matson, Acting Assistant Commandant for Military
Personnel (CG‐1M), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.