SUBCHAPTER I—PERSONNEL RIGHTS AND BENEFITS

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(c)(1), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4229, inserted subchapter I designation and heading.

§2701. Procurement of personnel

The Coast Guard may expend operations and support funds for recruiting activities, including advertising and entertainment, to—

(1) obtain recruits for the Service and cadet applicants; and

(2) gain support of recruiting objectives from those who may assist in the recruiting effort.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, §468; Pub. L. 104–324, title II, §206(b), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3908; renumbered §2701, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8513(a)(4), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4760.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on the following language contained in the Coast Guard appropriation act for 1949, "Pay and Allowances" and preceding years: "expenses of recruiting for the Coast Guard; advertising for and obtaining enlisted personnel and applicants for appointment as cadets;" (June 19, 1948, ch. 558, 62 Stat. 562).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2701 was renumbered section 4901 of this title.

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, in introductory provisions, substituted "operations and support" for "operating expense" and struck out "but not limited to" after "including" and "in order" after "entertainment,".

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 468 of this title as this section.

1996—Pub. L. 104–324 amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Coast Guard may make expenditures as necessary in order to obtain recruits for the service and cadet applicants, including advertising."

§2702. Training

The Coast Guard may make expenditures for the training of personnel, including books, school supplies, correspondence courses, motion picture equipment, and other equipment for instructional purposes.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531, §469; renumbered §2702, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on the following language contained in the Coast Guard appropriation act for 1949, "Pay and Allowances" and preceding years: "motion picture and other equipment for instructional purposes; . . . training of enlisted personnel, including textbooks, school supplies, and correspondence courses;" (June 19, 1948, 62 Stat. 562).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2702 was renumbered section 4902 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 469 of this title as this section.

§2703. Contingent expenses

The Commandant may expend for contingencies of the Coast Guard a sum not to exceed $50,000 in any one fiscal year.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532, §476; Pub. L. 108–293, title II, §219, Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1039; renumbered §2703, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §15k (Apr. 20, 1939, ch. 75, 53 Stat. 582).

The limitation on the amount for such contingencies is increased, and the amount is made available to the Commandant rather than solely to the Superintendent of the Academy as now prescribed by law. The authorization is to cover expenditures incident to the offices of the Commandant and the Superintendent of the Academy. The intent is that the amount authorized will be administered in a manner similar to that now employed by the Superintendent of the Academy under the authority of 14 U.S.C., §15k. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2703 was renumbered section 4903 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 476 of this title as this section.

2004—Pub. L. 108–293 substituted "$50,000" for "$7,500" and struck out at end "The Commandant may authorize the Superintendent of the Academy to expend not to exceed $2,500 of this amount for contingencies of the Academy."

§2704. Equipment to prevent accidents

The Coast Guard may make such expenditures as are deemed appropriate for promotion and maintenance of the safety and occupational health of, and the prevention of accidents affecting, personnel of the Coast Guard, including the purchase of clothing, equipment, and other materials necessary thereto.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532, §477; renumbered §2704, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Derived from title 5, U.S.C., 1946, ed., §118g (Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 744, §13, 60 Stat. 809).

Because of the wide variety of tasks assigned to Coast Guard personnel it is deemed advisable to broaden this authority to the more general language as rewritten, insofar as Coast Guard personnel are concerned, thus giving complete authority to protect their health.

Said section would in no way be affected.

Inasmuch as the act cited above applies to executive departments generally, it is not scheduled for repeal by this act. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2704 was renumbered section 4904 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 477 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Hypothermia Protective Clothing Requirement

Pub. L. 107–295, title IV, §410, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2118, provided that: "The Commandant of the Coast Guard shall ensure that all Coast Guard personnel are equipped with adequate safety equipment, including hypothermia protective clothing where appropriate, while performing search and rescue missions."

[§2705. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–282, title III, §316, Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4250]

Section, Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 533, §482; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(3)(C), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; renumbered §2705, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226, related to clothing at time of discharge for good of service.

§2706. Right to wear uniform

When authorized by and in accordance with applicable regulations:

(a) any member who has served honorably in the Coast Guard during war shall when not in active service, whether or not on the retired list, be entitled to bear the official title and upon occasions of ceremony to wear the uniform of the highest rank or rating held by him during his war service, and

(b) any member on the retired list shall be entitled to wear the uniform of his rank or rating.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 533, §483; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(3)(H), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; renumbered §2706, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Subsection (a) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §167b–2 (June 21, 1930, ch. 563, §2, 46 Stat. 793).

Inasmuch as the act cited above applies equally to the Navy and Marine Corps as well as the Coast Guard, it is not scheduled for repeal but is being amended by section 12 of this act to eliminate reference to the Coast Guard.

Subsection (b) is new to the Coast Guard, although it has been the practice for retired officers to wear the uniform when they so desire. Such authority is granted to retired officers of the Navy (see title 34, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §389).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 483 of this title as this section.

1984—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 98–557 substituted reference to member for reference to commissioned officer, warrant officer, and enlisted man.

§2707. Protection of uniform

The provisions of law relating to the protection of the uniform of the United States Army, Navy, or Marine Corps shall apply to the protection of the uniform of the Coast Guard, in the same manner, to the same extent, and under the same conditions.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 533, §484; renumbered §2707, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §39 (Aug. 29, 1916, ch. 418, §1, 39 Stat. 649).

The assimilation is made in general terms, rather than by reference to the applicable section in title 10, U.S.C., 1946 ed. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 484 of this title as this section.

§2708. Clothing for officers and enlisted personnel

(a) The Coast Guard may purchase uniforms, accouterments, and related equipment for sale to officer personnel and cadets of the Coast Guard.

(b) The Coast Guard may purchase uniform clothing for sale to enlisted personnel of the Coast Guard. The actual cost of the clothing thus sold to enlisted personnel may be withheld from their pay.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 534, §485; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §33, 64 Stat. 408; Pub. L. 87–649, §14d(4), Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502; renumbered §2708, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Subsection (a) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §30 (Jan. 12, 1919, ch. 8, 40 Stat. 1054). Said section was changed to have application to the Coast Guard at all times, rather than when the Coast Guard is operating with the Navy.

Inasmuch as the act cited above applies equally to the Navy and Marine Corps as well as the Coast Guard, it is not scheduled for repeal but is being amended by section 9 of this act to eliminate reference to the Coast Guard.

Subsection (b) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946, ed., §13, and on title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §754 (July 1, 1898, ch. 346, §1, 30 Stat. 604; July 27, 1912, ch. 255, §2, 37 Stat. 239). Said section 13 was changed to have application to all enlisted personnel rather than to "crews of vessels in service" only. The provision of said section 754 which provided for the sale of clothing to civilian employees is eliminated as becoming obsolete.

Subsection (c) is new. Title 37, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §110 authorizes the payment of a cash allowance in case clothing is not furnished to enlisted persons of the Coast Guard. Clearly this presumes the authority to issue clothing to enlisted persons; this section makes the authority statutory. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 485 of this title as this section.

1962—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 87–649 repealed subsec. (c) which permitted the Coast Guard to purchase uniform clothing for distribution to enlisted personnel or to pay such enlisted personnel a cash clothing allowance.

1950—Subsec. (c). Act Aug. 3, 1950, struck out "to" after "or".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1962 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 87–649 effective Nov. 1, 1962, see section 15 of Pub. L. 87–649, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

§2709. Procurement and sale of stores to members and civilian employees

Such stores as the Secretary may designate may be procured and sold to members of the Coast Guard, and to the surviving spouses of such members. Such designated stores may also be procured and sold to civilian officers and employees of the United States, and to such other individuals as may be specifically authorized by the Secretary, at Coast Guard stations and other units beyond the continental limits of the United States or in Alaska.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 534, §487; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(2), (3)(D), (4)(D)(i), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865, 2866; renumbered §2709, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8505(a)(22), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4749.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Derived from title 34, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §533 (Mar. 3, 1909, ch. 255, 35 Stat. 768; Apr. 14, 1937, ch. 78, 50 Stat. 63; June 10, 1939, ch. 196, 53 Stat. 814; Jan. 23, 1942, ch. 15, 56 Stat. 13; Apr. 9, 1943, ch. 39, 57 Stat. 60).

Said section granted authority for the Secretary of the Navy to sell designated stores to officers and enlisted men. It is deemed desirable to grant similar authority to the Secretary having control of the Coast Guard.

Said section would in no way be affected. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "individuals" for "persons".

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 487 of this title as this section.

1984—Pub. L. 98–557 in section catchline substituted "members" for "officers, enlisted men," and in text substituted "surviving spouses" for "widows" and "members" for "officers and enlisted men" in two places.

§2710. Disposition of effects of decedents

All moneys, articles of value, papers, keepsakes, and other similar effects belonging to the deceased individuals in the Coast Guard, not claimed by their legal heirs or next of kin, shall be deposited in safe custody, and if any such moneys, articles of value, papers, keepsakes, or other similar effects so deposited have been, or shall hereafter be, unclaimed for a period of two years from the date of the death of such individual, such articles and effects shall be sold and the proceeds thereof, together with the moneys above mentioned, shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The Secretary shall make diligent inquiry in every instance after the death of such individual to ascertain the whereabouts of his heirs or next of kin, and prescribe necessary regulations to carry out the foregoing provisions. Claims may be presented hereunder at any time within five years after such moneys or proceeds have been so deposited in the Treasury, and, when supported by competent proof in any case after such deposit in the Treasury, shall be certified to Congress for consideration.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 538, §507; renumbered §2710, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8505(a)(23), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4749.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Derived from title 34, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §942 (Mar. 29, 1918, ch. 31, 40 Stat. 499).

Said section provided for the disposition of effects of deceased naval personnel. It is believed similar provisions should be made for Coast Guard personnel.

Said section would in no way be affected. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "individuals" for "persons" and substituted "individual" for "person" in two places.

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 507 of this title as this section.

§2711. Deserters; payment of expenses incident to apprehension and delivery; penalties

(a) The Coast Guard may, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, make such expenditures as are deemed necessary for the apprehension and delivery of deserters, stragglers, and prisoners.

(b) No individual who is convicted by court martial for desertion from the Coast Guard in time of war, and as the result of such conviction is dismissed or dishonorably discharged from the Coast Guard shall afterwards be enlisted, appointed, or commissioned in any military or naval service under the United States, unless the disability resulting from desertion, as established by this section is removed by a board of commissioned officers of the Coast Guard convened for consideration of the case, and the action of the Board is approved by the Secretary; or unless he is restored to duty in time of war.

(Added May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §16(a), 64 Stat. 148, §508; amended July 10, 1952, ch. 631, §2, 66 Stat. 540; renumbered §2711, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8505(a)(24), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4749.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "individual" for "person".

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 508 of this title as this section.

1952—Subsec. (a). Act July 10, 1952, authorized reimbursement of necessary expenses to persons other than civil officers, and added stragglers and prisoners to class of offenders.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective May 31, 1951, see act May 5, 1950, ch. 169, §5, 64 Stat. 145.

§2712. Payment for the apprehension of stragglers

The Coast Guard may offer and pay rewards for the apprehension and delivery of deserters, stragglers, and prisoners.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 547, §644; renumbered §2712, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §116(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4226.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §147 (May 26, 1906, ch. 2556, §5, 34 Stat. 200).

Said section has been divided. That part relating to rewards for the apprehension of deserters is placed in this section. That part relating to the acceptance of convicted deserters in the armed forces is placed in section 575 of this title. The first sentence of said section is eliminated inasmuch as it is believed that commanding officers in the Coast Guard are charged with the duty of apprehending deserters without special statutory authority therefor.

The limitation as to amount that could be offered is removed.

The provision concerning money due the deserter is eliminated. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 644 of this title as this section.

§2713. Employment assistance

(a) In General.—In order to improve the accuracy and completeness of a certification or verification of job skills and experience required by section 1143(a)(1) of title 10, the Secretary shall—

(1) establish a database to record all training performed by members of the Coast Guard that may have application to employment in the civilian sector; and

(2) make unclassified information regarding such information available to States and other potential employers referred to in section 1143(c) of title 10 so that States and other potential employers may allow military training to satisfy licensing or certification requirements to engage in a civilian profession.

(b) Form of Certification or Verification.—The Secretary shall ensure that a certification or verification of job skills and experience required by section 1143(a)(1) of title 10 is rendered in such a way that States and other potential employers can confirm the accuracy and authenticity of the certification or verification.

(c) Requests by States.—A State may request that the Secretary confirm the accuracy and authenticity of a certification or verification of job skills and experience provided under section 1143(c) of title 10.

(Added Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXII [LXXXII], §8206(a), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4649.)