Commandant

2100 Second Street, S.W.

United States Coast Guard

Washington, DC 20593-0001

Staff Symbol: CG-65

Phone: (202) 267-1798

COMDTINST 5375.1B

NOV 22 2004

COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 5375.1B

Subj:

LIMITED PERSONAL USE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICE EQUIPMENT

Ref:

(a) Standards of Ethical Conduct, COMDTINST M5370.8 (series)

(b) Personal Use of Government Office Equipment, DHS MD Number 4600.1

1. PURPOSE. This Instruction refines the policy on personal use of government office equipment by

all Coast Guard (CG) personnel in accordance with references (a) and (b). The use of government

office equipment for official purposes is authorized and is not addressed by this Instruction.

2. ACTION. Area and district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands,

commanding officers of headquarters units, assistant commandants for directorates, the Judge

Advocate General, and special staff offices at Headquarters shall ensure compliance with the

provisions of this Instruction. Internet release is authorized.

3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. Limited Personal Use of Government Office Equipment,

COMDTINST 5375.1A, is hereby cancelled.

4. DISCUSSION. Since the inception of the original policy on limited personal use of government

equipment, Information Technology (IT) systems and our IT infrastructure have become integral

components of daily operational and business activities in the CG. While limited use of the IT

infrastructure and the Internet by one person did not significantly impact official business, the

aggregate use by many has negatively impacted the CG network.

5. AUTHORITY. Personal Use of Government Office Equipment, Department of Homeland Security

(DHS) MD Number 4600.1; and, Article 92, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

6. DEFINITIONS.

a. Government Office Equipment: Office equipment and systems owned or leased by the

government. This includes, but is not limited to: IT equipment, pagers, Internet services, email,