During Operation River Wall last November, three families of newly mobilized Coast Guard reservists were involved in automobile accidents. The service members had already reported for duty, but their orders hadn’t reached the necessary administrative status to activate their healthcare coverage.
Enter the Reserve Mobilization Team (RMT). Despite holiday schedules and a high operational tempo, the RMT rapidly worked with commands to process the orders, ensuring these families received immediate medical coverage and support during a highly stressful time.
That is the core of the RMT: reservists helping reservists. Composed of highly qualified Reserve yeomen, to bring reserve-specific administrative expertise to the forefront. With the Coast Guard increasingly relying on rapid response missions, like Operation River Wall and Operation Border Trident, there is a critical need for this specialized support. The RMT ensures that mobilized members experience minimal disruption to their pay, benefits, and orders, providing vital stability for families suddenly adjusting to a loss of civilian income.
During those recent mass-mobilizations, the RMT achieved a 98% success rate in processing pay transactions. To date, the team has supported over 600 mobilized personnel and processed more than $50 million in travel and pay entitlements.
When called upon for contingency support, the RMT reports to LOGCOM (specifically LOG-1) in Norfolk, Virginia. Stepping away from their own civilian careers, they serve as a vital link between mobilized members, commands, and home unit administrative staff.
Chief Petty Officer Julia Skrabacz of Sector Upper Mississippi River was recruited to the RMT when it launched as a pilot program three years ago. The concept immediately resonated with her.
“This was an opportunity to take care of our own,” said Skrabacz. “Reservists understand the pressures that come with being recalled. You’re balancing civilian careers, family obligations, and military duties with very little notice.”
The team proved its ability to handle those pressures during 2024 FEMA operations. Facing a massive, short-notice recall with only a 48-hour reporting window, six RMT members mobilized to streamline functions across six different states. Working around the clock, they provided real-time notifications, resolved systemic communication issues, and supported members facing personal hardships.
This level of efficiency is the result of rigorous preparation. Even before deployment, RMT members keep their administrative skills sharp through monthly remote training, mentorship, and yeoman qualification oversight. They also proactively vet recall messages to verify medical readiness, Government Travel Charge Card status, and dwell time requirements. This resolves issues well before orders are ever issued.
When a mobilization ends—and after ensuring members receive their DD-214s without unnecessary delay—RMT members return to their home units stronger and better prepared, enhancing the administrative readiness of the entire Coast Guard Reserve.
For Skrabacz, the team's mission is simple.
“If we are not setting our people up for success and taking care of our members, then what are we here for?” she said. “When you take care of your people, everything else falls into place.”
For more information about the Reserve Mobilization Team, please reach out to SMB-Logcom-Log1-RMT@uscg.mil.
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