Don't forget, almost every question you have can be answered by visiting the official USCG website.
While we are not supported or endorsed by the Coast Guard in any official capacity,
we defer to the official site for the most current and accurate information.
USCG Reserve Personnel Management Division
(official link)
New to the Coast Guard?
Spouse recently activated?
Seasoned spouse looking to brush up on information?
Spouses and some family members need to have an Identification Card.
In order to get one, you must be enrolled in DEERS
(Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System).
Your spouse can get this done for you at the local base or other DEERS
locations. If for some reason your spouse cannot accompany you to obtain
an ID, you can do so on your own. Oftentimes, you will need a Power of Attorney
and/or a signed form authorization you as the spouse to get an ID. Some bases
are real sticklers (as they should be), so make sure you have everything ready
before you make the trip to the base otherwise it might be a wasted trip.
You can locate your nearest ID center online by visiting the Rapids Site Locator:
http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/owa/home
When you have a baby and/or adopt a child, you will also need to make sure they
are in the system too. This is very important because even though they won't
need an ID until a certain age (10 or so), they must be in DEERS for medical and
pay reasons.
Trying to figure out a Leave an Earnings Statement (LES)?
Questions about pay?
Check out the Money Page here on CGFO.
Want to learn more about the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), you can go directly to TSP.GOV. The USCG Personnel Service Center has some great information for you too. Just visit their page on the web concerning TSP for Coast Guard/NOAA Military Personnel.
Of course, if you have particular questions let us know. If we can't assist, we can put you in touch with someone who has the information you seek.
I have no idea what my spouse is talking about!
What on earth are they saying?
Well, the Coast Guard put together a list of common terms and acronyms used by members of the Coast Guard and other military branches. You can find the list in Sea Legs (online), but for your convenience, we've provided it here on our Acronyms page. (We didn't come up with this list, but we wanted to share it).