USCG Pay & Personnel Center

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PAY & PERSONNEL CENTER (PPC)

Due to the heavy call volume and our phone systems limited capacity many customers are experiencing long wait times or being dropped from the call hold queue. We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this is causing. We encourage any customer with urgent support requests to submit a customer care ticket at PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil. In the Subject of the email please include the phrase URGENT TAX SEASON in all caps and the topic you need assistance with (example: 1099, W4, W2, etc.). In the body of your email please include your CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS. The mailing address must be able to receive FedEx packages.

DIRECT ACCESS

Direct Access (DA) is currently operational. Given the recent upgrades, the C5I Service Center is actively addressing residual access issues following the implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as announced in ALCOAST 105/25. Additionally, the C5I Service Center has assumed PPC’s previous role for DA password reset and other technical maintenance.

DA’s status will be updated accordingly on the logon screen once services are fully restored.

Common Access Card (CAC) users must login using their CAC. Username/password login is no longer available.
Non-CAC holders (Retirees, Annuitants and those without a CGOne account) should have received a password reset email from the C5I Service Center. If members have not received their password reset email or continue to experience issues logging in, they should contact the C5I Service Center Product Support Service Desk for assistance.

Product Support Service Desk can be reached by phone at 800-821-7081 (Mon-Fri, 6:30AM-6:30PM, EDT) or via email at SMB-USCG-KerWV-ProductSupportSD@uscg.mil for assistance with password resets, logon assistance or other DA technical issues. 

The Pay and Personnel Center (PPC) Customer Care Help Desk will continue to address personnel/administrative issues (not related to DA technical issues) and can be reached via email at PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil or by phone at 866-772-8724 (Mon-Fri, 7:30AM-4:00PM, CDT).

NOTE: At 0600 EDT, Monday, March 31, 2025, availability to Direct Access will be limited to only those users performing tasks associated with implementing the 2025 basic pay increases. Direct Access will be reactivated at 0600 EDT, Thursday, April 3, 2025.

RETIRED PAY

PPC is addressing a processing delay due to systematic issues and a shortage of personnel. This is causing a delay in response efforts for VA offsets, AEWs, CRDP, and CRSC disability. You remain our primary concern. We want to assure you that we are fully committed to resolving these issues promptly and handling your cases with utmost care and accuracy.

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Customer Service Feedback

Mailing Address:
Commanding Officer (Staff Symbol)
U.S. Coast Guard
Pay & Personnel Center
444 S. E. Quincy St.
Topeka, KS 66683-3591

Telephone:
(866) 772-8724
0730-1600 (Central time) M-F

E-Mail:
PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil

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ALCOAST 150/25 SUBJ: INCENTIVIZING THE OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) BOARD CANDIDATE PARTICIPATION FOR THE ACTIVE DUTY BOATSWAIN MATE (BM) RATING - BM1 AND BMC

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March 31, 2025 —

R 281945Z MAR 25 MID120001823633U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC TO ALCOAST
BT UNCLAS
ALCOAST 150/25 SSIC 1220
SUBJ: INCENTIVIZING THE OFFICER IN CHARGE (OIC) BOARD CANDIDATE PARTICIPATION FOR THE ACTIVE DUTY
BOATSWAIN MATE (BM)
RATING - BM1 AND BMC
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST 1000.8A
B. Officer In Charge Review Board, COMDTINST 1410.3
C. Enlistments, Evaluations, and Advancements, COMDTINST 1000.2C
1. This ALCOAST announces a temporary incentive for Active Duty Boatswain's Mates (BM) to earn
Officer in Charge (OIC) certification. Those with OIC certificates will receive twenty
(20) Servicewide points for the 2026 and 2027 BM Servicewide Exam (SWE). This is considered a beta
test impacting the 2026 and 2027 OIC Boards. This beta test impacts REFs (A) through (C) and is
intended to reinforce the importance of OIC Board Candidate participation and expectations for BM1s
and BMCs.
2. The BM rating is unique. A BM has the opportunity to serve as an OIC at one of 251 Coast Guard
stations, aids to navigation teams, and cutters throughout all nine districts. Unfortunately, a
steady decline in OIC Review Board candidates has led to a significant increase in difficulty
filling OIC and other senior enlisted
assignment vacancies. In Assignment Year (AY) 2025 there were 28 OIC and senior BM assignments
unfilled after the slate was completed.
It is the Service expectation for BMs to aspire to hold OIC command positions and to participate in
the OIC Review Board process as a necessary step.
3. Effective only for the 2026 and 2027 Active Duty SWEs and AYs 2027 and 2028, all BM1s
participating in the BMC SWE who hold at least one OIC certification described in REF (B) will
receive 20 additional SWE incentive points. These points shall be entered into Direct Access via
the incentive points module by unit administrative personnel. All entries must be dated on or after
1MAY2025 and entered prior to the PDE correction deadline.
4. This beta test will not prevent BM1s without OIC certifications
from advancing to BMC, however, their placement on the advancement list may be below those BM1s who
hold an OIC certification.
5. This policy does not apply to Reserve members and does not impact Reserve SWEs or Reserve
assignments.
6. Upon conclusion of AY2028, COMDT (CG-1M) will evaluate the efficacy of this beta test and
determine whether a permanent policy change is warranted.
7. All eligible BMs that have earned a recommendation to participate in the OIC Review Boards are
highly encouraged to pursue
this career-defining certification.
8. The BM Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC) is the POC for all questions pertaining to OIC
certification and this beta test at: Grant.D.Heffner@uscg.mil
9. Policy questions or changes may be directed to Office of Military Personnel Policy COMDT (CG-1M1) at:
HQS-PolicyandStandards@uscg.mil.
10. This message will be cancelled on 27 MAR 2026.
11. CAPT R.P. Matson, Acting Assistant Commandant for Military Personnel (CG-1M), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.

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