Coast Guard modernizes bonus program with BATS

The Coast Guard recently launched BATS, a start-to-finish bonus processing system designed to cut paperwork and speed up payments, while giving everyone involved real time visibility into where a bonus stands. 

BATS, which is short for Bonus Accountability and Tracking System, turns the entire bonus process into a seamless digital workflow.  Here’s what you need to know:  

How BATS works 

You can find detailed user guides for BATS on the BATS SharePoint site, but the process basically looks like this:  

• Members start the request.  By going to the BATS Bonus Home Dashboard Screen (which you can access from the SharePoint site), you can log in, review eligibility, and have BATS generate the correct FY26 form for you. (EB Annexes still use PDFs, which you’ll upload.) 

Once logged in, members can look up bonuses to review eligibility requirements and then automatically generate the correct bonus form by clicking a button.

• BATS routes the request. All members need to do is select the Unit POC, YN, or CO’s name and the request is routed automatically. If you’re unsure who to send it to, just enter the Unit POC and they can add the rest of the routing chain. No emailing forms or guessing the next step. 
   
• Approvers work from a built-in inbox.  Unit POCs, Yeoman, COs and Program Managers see exactly what needs their attention, review it, sign it digitally, or send it back for fixes. 

BATS allows members to see details of bonuses and track approval progress in real time.

• You track it in real time. At any moment, you can see where your request is and who has it. No waiting and wondering. 
   
• PPC processes payment. Once fully approved, PPC pays the bonus through BATS. If something is off, they return it with comments you can read immediately. 

The best part? Everything happens in one shared system. 
 

What you can expect 

Here are the changes that take effect immediately: 

• All FY26 bonus requests must be submitted in BATS. 

• Any new submissions sent not using BATS will be returned for resubmission. 

• Don’t resubmit anything already at PPC. 

• FY26 forms are generated in BATS (except EB Annexes). 

• Prior-year requests must be entered into BATS by a yeoman. 
   

Who does what 

• Members: Create request, confirm eligibility, sign. 

• Unit POCs: Verify routing chain. 

• Yeoman: Confirm eligibility, review accuracy, enter prior-year requests. 

• COs: Approve or deny in BATS. 

• Program Managers: Validate eligibility and funding; finalize approval. 

• TRACENs: Enter and validate EB and DCFB requests. 

• PPC: Process and pay. 

• ASC/CG-WMM-2: Handle corrections, waivers, and system updates.  
   

Training and Guides 

• CG-WMM-2 worked with the RFMC to coordinate six (6) training sessions for the Yeoman prior to the release of the message and launch BATS on Apr. 3.  

• Desk Reference Guides will be located on the link below.  

Where to find BATS 

Portal link, job aid, and technical support: 
https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USCG-CGCC-R3/SitePages/BATS.aspx 

Need help? 

Submit questions or issues through the New Inquiry form inside BATS. 

-USCG-