Tap any paragraph to write a margin note. Your notes collect in the Desk below the text and file under cases with @. The side-by-side margin rail opens on a larger screen.

Code · U.S. Code · Title 14 - COAST GUARD · CHAPTER 25— PERSONNEL; GENERAL PROVISIONS · SUBCHAPTER III— COVERED MISCONDUCT · § 2538

§ 2538. Inclusion and command review of information on covered misconduct in personnel service records

496 words·~2 min read·/usc/title-14/section-2538

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)Information on Reports on Covered Misconduct.—
(1)In general.— If a complaint of covered misconduct is made against a member of the Coast Guard and the member is convicted by court-martial or receives nonjudicial punishment or punitive administrative action for such covered misconduct, a notation to that effect shall be placed in the personnel service record of the member, regardless of the grade of the member.
(2)Purpose.— The purpose of the inclusion of information in personnel service records under paragraph
(1)is to alert supervisors and commanders to any member of their command who has received a court-martial conviction, nonjudicial punishment, or punitive administrative action for covered misconduct in order—
(A)to reduce the likelihood that repeat offenses will escape the notice of supervisors and commanders; and
(B)to help inform commissioning or promotability of the member;
(3)Limitation on placement.— A notation under paragraph
(1)may not be placed in the restricted section of the personnel service record of a member.
(4)Construction.— Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit or limit the capacity of a member of the Coast Guard to challenge or appeal the placement of a notation, or location of placement of a notation, in the personnel service record of the member in accordance with procedures otherwise applicable to such challenges or appeals.
(b)Command Review of History of Covered Misconduct.—
(1)In general.— Under policy to be prescribed by the Secretary, the commanding officer of a unit or facility to which a covered member is assigned or transferred shall review the history of covered misconduct as documented in the personnel service record of a covered member in order to become familiar with such history of the covered member.
(2)Covered member defined.— In this subsection, the term “covered member” means a member of the Coast Guard who, at the time of assignment or transfer as described in paragraph (1), has a history of 1 or more covered misconduct offenses as documented in the personnel service record of such member or such other records or files as the Commandant shall specify in the policy prescribed under subparagraph (A).1
(c)Review of Personnel Service Record to Determine Suitability for Civilian Employment.— Under policy to be prescribed by the Secretary, the Commandant shall establish procedures that are consistent with the law, policies, and practices of the Department of Defense in effect on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 to consider and review the personnel service record of a former member of the Armed Forces to determine the suitability of the individual for civilian employment in the Coast Guard.
(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXV, § 7511(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1806.)
Connections4 off-index
4 references not yet in our index
  • 1
  • Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXV, § 7511(a)
  • 139 Stat. 1806
  • Pub. L. 119–60
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 2538
Inclusion and command review of information on covered misconduct in personnel service records
Cite1
Pub. L.Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXV, § 7511(a)
Stat.139 Stat. 1806
Pub. L.Pub. L. 119–60
Cites 4Cited by 0 across 0 sources
★   the supreme law of the land   ★
Don't Tread on Me
E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one

"If you don't know your rights, you don't have any."

Marginalia · a citizen's law index
A research desk, not legal advice. Always read the cited source before relying on a summary.
Questions or an issue? support@self-law.org
disclaimerMarginalia is a research index, not a law firm. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, or financial advice and no attorney–client relationship is formed by using it. Statutes, regulations, and case law change; summaries, search results, AI output, and member posts may be incomplete, out of date, or wrong. Any interpretation drawn from material on this site should be validated by a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before you act on it.