14 U.S.C. § 2514 — Career flexibility to enhance retention of members

(a) Programs authorized. The Commandant^* may run a program allowing members to be inactivated from active duty for personal or professional needs and returned afterward.

(b) Period and effect. (1) The agreement sets the period, which may not exceed 3 years. (2) A Reserve officer’s service during participation is excluded from total service years under section 14706(a) of title 10. (3) Participation does not count toward (A) retirement or transfer to the Ready Reserve under chapter 841 or 1223 of title 10, or (B) retired or retainer pay under chapter 71 or 1223.

(c) Agreement. Each participant must agree in writing to (1) accept an appointment or enlist and serve in the Coast Guard Ready Reserve during inactivation; (2) complete required inactive-service training to retain sufficient military skills, professional qualifications, and physical readiness; and (3) after the period, serve 30 active-duty days for each month of inactivation.

(d) Conditions of release. The Commandant must regulate guidelines for conditions of release addressed in the agreement, including procedures and standards to instruct the member about subsection (c)(2) obligations.

(e) Order to active duty. Under regulations, the Commandant may require a participant to end the program and order the member to active duty.

(f) Pay and allowances. (1) Each participation month, basic pay is two-thirtieths of the monthly basic pay otherwise due under section 204 of title 37 for the member’s grade and service years when participation began. (2)(A) During participation, no special or incentive pay or bonus is paid under a chapter 5 title 37 agreement in force at the start. (B) Inactivation is not failure to perform service required by that agreement. (3)(A) On return after completion, the agreement is revived for its remaining term and the pay or bonus is payable under it. (B) This does not apply if the pay is no longer authorized by law or the member fails current eligibility rules; it stops if authorization later ends. (C) A member ineligible because of the eligibility rule must repay as the agreement requires. (D) Service required after return is additional to subsection (c) service. (4)(A) Subject to (B), the member receives the travel and transportation allowances authorized by section 474 of title 37 for travel from the residence at release to one designated United States residence and back on return. (B) Only one residence is covered. (5) The member may carry forward the leave balance at the start, accumulated under section 701 of title 10, up to 60 days.

(g) Promotion. (1)(A) An officer may not be considered for promotion under chapter 21 or 37 during participation. (B) On return, the Commandant may adjust the date of rank by regulation, and the officer may be considered when officers of the same grade and seniority may be considered. (2) An enlisted member may not be considered for advancement from inactivation until after return when eligible based on time in grade and other prescribed requirements.

(h) Continued entitlements. During participation, the member is treated as on active duty over 30 days for (1) member and dependent medical and dental care under chapter 55 of title 10; (2) disability retirement or separation under chapter 61 of title 10 and chapters 21 and 23 of this title; (3) member and survivor death benefits under subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 10; (4) family travel allowances for a deceased member’s repatriation, burial, or memorial ceremony under section 453(f) of title 37; and (5) general benefits under part II of title 38. (6) For a victim of an alleged sex-related offense, as defined in section 1044e(h) of title 10, the Coast Guard must, as practicable, maintain access to (A) behavioral-health resources, (B) sexual-assault prevention and response resources and programs, and (C) Coast Guard legal resources, including special victims’ counsel when practicable.