Ever wondered who drives the change behind our reserve policies? The answer is simple: it’s you, and your ideas can shape the future. Submit a request for policy change concern or participate in the decision process by applying to be a member of the Coast Guard Reserve Policy Board (RPB). The RPB serves as an independent working advisory body that reviews strategic matters and provides policy recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commandant of the Coast Guard on issues affecting the Coast Guard Reserve Component.
Submitting a request for policy change
We need your policy recommendations. The RPB ensures the issues affecting the Reserve Component are addressed directly with HQ Program Managers, and the submission process has never been simpler! Simply fill out this form and your input will go directly to the RPB for deliberation. In 2023, the RPB made recommendations to change policy for 10 out of 45 submissions and the remaining items were returned with current policy clarification or referred to the appropriate office for further consideration.
Here are two submissions that resulted in actionable changes:
Submission #1 – 14-year cumulative active-duty waiver:
The requirement for members to obtain a 14-year total active-duty waiver resulted in significant administrative burden and often caused delays in member's being able to start orders on time. Additionally, the 14-year waiver was not recorded in Direct Access, unlike, the 16 and 18-year total active-duty waivers. The RPB determined that the 14-year waiver caused more issues than the requirement solved and recommended the 14-year waiver be eliminated. Upon the RPB's recommendation for change, COMDT (CG-R55) removed the 14-year waiver requirement from Commandant Instruction.
Submission #2: – Training (IDT) berthing for nursing mothers:
The RPB received a request to amend current IDT berthing (lodging-in-kind) policy to allow nursing mothers with their child and an adult caregiver to stay with the member in Coast Guard provided lodging. Training Center Yorktown was highlighted as an example of change as their new policy allowed members with a nursing infant and adult caregiver to stay in the barracks. The RPB recommended a policy amendment be made to allow single occupancy lodging for nursing members with an infant and adult caregiver. Upon the RPB's recommendation for change, COMDT (CG-R55) and (CG-R82) worked with District (DXR) to allow District lodging-in-kind managers to use discretion and provide appropriate IDT lodging-in-kind single rooms to nursing mothers.
Join the board
Consider applying for RPB membership! Your ideas, voice, and experience are needed to explore policy areas that can be improved to better support the Reserve workforce and enhance Reserve readiness.
The RPB is currently looking for new Board members, both active-duty and reserve, to serve on the Board from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025. If you would like to have a vote on recommending policy changes, now is the time to apply.
For the full RPB list of eligibility requirements review Reserve Policy Board, COMDTINST 5725.1E. When you are ready, submit an application to reservepolicy@uscg.mil using the template found in Appendix B. Membership on the board is open for qualifying members to apply through Oct. 31.
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