Patience and Humility

This month’s unsolicited opinion on workflow improvement focuses on a major project I just completed: my retirement from active duty.

I used many resources (and Notion!) for my year long integrated master schedule. And, I found Patrick Kulakowski’s Navy Retirement & Separation Resource Guide to be the most useful.

I’ve shared his guide with at least a dozen people since coming across it. But, I always have to mention that they will need to translate from Navy to Coast Guard. So, I reached out to Patrick and offered my help with a Coast Guard–specific appendix. Below is my draft and I welcome your feedback in the comments.

Patrick provides this great resource guide for free and I won’t be updating this blog post with our edits. Please visit his website for the latest version and while you’re there, consider a donation!

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Section 2 – Retirement Planning Timeline

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent	Notes
Submit retirement request in NSIPS	Submit request memo to PSC (Officers: OPM-1; Enlisted: EPM-1; Reserve: RPM-1)	Process is managed by PSC (CAC required for templates)
Use NPPSC checklists/forms	Use SPO & PSC process guides/checklists
Verify record in NSIPS for DD214	Verify a pdf or hard copy draft DD214	SPO builds in DA
myPay/DS Logon setup	Direct Access Self-Service	Request retired login after; RAS has self-service guides
Retirement orders, final pay via DFAS	Final pay & accounts via PPC-SEP or PPC-RAS	PPC-SEP handles separation pay; PPC-RAS establishes retired pay; SPO finalizes orders
NAVADMINs	ALCOAST / ACN

Section 3 – Transition Preparations

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent	Notes
Navy COOL	Coast Guard COOL	Funded through Coast Guard appropriation
DoD SkillBridge	USCG SkillBridge	USCG mirrors DoDI 1322.29; see ACN 008/22 and TAP Skillbridge page

Section 4 – Separation History & Physical Exam (SHPE)

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent	Notes
NAVMED P-117	COMDTINST M6000.1	Recommend separate SHPE and VA exams

Section 6 – Financial Considerations

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent	Notes
DFAS Retired Pay	PPC-RAS establishes USCG Retired Pay
Navy retired pay worksheets	CG-4700 Retired Pay Account Worksheet & SBP Election	USCG worksheet used in addition to DD-2656 for pay/SBP setup
myPay allotments & taxes	DA Self-Service for retirees	Retirees manage account via DA; see RAS self-service guides

Section 7 – Understanding Your DD-214

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent	Notes
DD-214 in NSIPS	DD-214 built/completed by SPO in DA	SPO completes Blocks 11/13/14; system generates DD-214 from separation data
Lost DD-214 / records (NPC/MPR)	PSC-MR / Records requests	PSC MR lists how retirees request records

Section 9 – Additional Information & Benefits

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent	Notes
Retirement flag/certificate requests (Navy)	USCG Retirement Certificates via PPC-SEP (unit memo with 60-day lead time)	PPC page provides memo & timing; SPO/command submits

Section 10 – Legal Considerations

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent	Notes
DD-2945 (ethics “letter of opinion”)	Same federal form; consult District/Command Legal	Coast Guard JAG provides advice; form is DoD-wide.
Foreign Government Employment approvals	USCG Retiree Services Program (FGE approvals)	DHS delegated to USCG; allow ~6 months for approval

Section 11 – Digital Tools & Resources

Navy reference	Coast Guard equivalent
NSIPS	Direct Access (DA)
myPay (DFAS)	DA Retiree Self-Service
Navy COOL	CG COOL
NAVADMIN	ALCOAST / ACN