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New Military Spouse Preference Program Begins
The Military Spouse Preference program undergoes a change on June 1,
removing some restrictions and providing greater flexibility in
Department of Defense employment options. U.S. Air Forces in Europe
News Service reports that a new trial program, called MSP Choice,
allows military spouses within the European Theater to accept more
positions without loss of their military spouse preference. Under the
current program, spouses lose their eligibility whenever they accept
any permanent position, regardless of work schedule, or whenever they
accept a time-limited position lasting one year or longer. MSP Choice
removes this constraint and is the first significant change in DoD
policy on military spouse preference since 1989. Under the new
provisions, military spouses retain their MSP unless they accept (or reject the offer of)
a continuing position. A continuing position is
now defined as a permanent full- or part-time position. Military
spouses may therefore, accept an unlimited number of temporary
positions, term positions, intermittent positions, or non-appropriated
fund flexible category positions without loss of the MSP. All European
theater-appropriated fund and NAF positions within the DoD are covered
by this guidance. Program guidelines will also make it possible for
spouses who lost preference by accepting a time-limited, flexible or
intermittent position to have their MSP reinstated. For more
information on MSP Choice, contact local human resources offices or
visit the following Web site:
http://www.eucom.mil/programs/awards/civilian/fme/_index.htm
For information on careers resources for military spouses, visit
http://www.military.com/Careers/Spouses/0,11754,77,00.html
More Choices for Re-enlisting Airmen
Airmen will soon have a new way to re-enlist, offering them more control over
separation and retirement and possibly bringing more money into the pockets of
those eligible for bonuses. Air Force Print News reports that upon implementation
of the Air Force's Military Personnel Data System Modernization program,
tentatively set for the beginning of June, airmen re-enlisting will fall under
the Full Enlistment Program, allowing them to specify the number of years and
months they wish to re-enlist. There is a re-enlistment minimum of four years and
a maximum of six. This program allows re-enlistment to high-year-tenure, using a
combination of yearly and monthly increments. Senior airmen may not exceed their
high-year-of-tenure (HYT), and those eligible to retire may not exceed their HYT
plus one month. The program also has another major change from the current system
in that airmen are required to fulfill their entire re-enlistment contract, said
Master Sgt. Mai Pederson, chief of enlisted skills management. "Under the current
program, any unserved obligation from the previous enlistment contract is absorbed
within the new contract. Full enlistment will require airmen to add any unserved
obligation to their re-enlistment contract," she said. "This revised re-enlistment
policy requires re-enlistees to fulfill all unserved contractual periods along with
their new re-enlistment contract." For more information on the Full Enlistment Program,
contact your local military personnel flight. The Air Force Personnel Center Web
site is at
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/default.htm
Free Money For College
Military.com's education services has a listing of $300 million in scholarship funds.
All personnel in the military community, including dependents, are encouraged to search
the scholarship database. In addition to the scholarship search available, the educational
services also provide comprehensive and updated information on educational benefits, such
as the G.I. Bill, Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), and Survivors' and
Dependents' Educational. Assistance Program. To access these education services, visit:
http://www.military.com/Careers/Education/0,11754,112,00.html
What You Can't Bring Home
The American Forces Press Service reports that inspectors from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are working to safeguard U.S.
agriculture and natural resources from pests and diseases by checking for items belonging
to passengers from overseas at Customs. Consequently, service members and their families
need to know USDA rules on items they can bring home to the United States from foreign
countries, as well as those brought to the mainland from Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. When entering the United States, travelers are required to declare any
meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, animals, and plant and animal products with them.
That declaration must cover all items carried in baggage, hand luggage and in vehicles.
Most foreign fresh, dried and canned meats and meat products are prohibited. Some plants
may be imported legally and safely if USDA guidelines are followed. The USDA's biggest
battle now is against the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into the United States.
The USDA is working with the Defense Department to ensure military personnel and their
equipment do not come home with anything that could cause problems. All personnel and
their baggage are subject to inspection before their departure and again upon arrival
in the U.S. to protect against the threat of foot-and-mouth disease. USDA officials
also said that military personnel, DoD civilian employees, and their families should
ensure that their personal property, including privately owned vehicles, do not harbor
pests. For up-to-date USDA travel information, call (866) SAFGUARD (723-4827), or :
http://www.aphis.usda.gov
PCSing With Pets
The Navy Wire Service reports that the Navy Passenger Transportation Officer (NAVPTO)
is a service organization dedicated to making the travel arrangements for the entire
family, including the family pet(s). According to Jeanette White, Transportation Officer
for Personnel Support Activity Europe, the key to making arrangements is to make them early,
especially during the busy summer months. "If NAVPTO can secure pet spaces on AMC during the
peak travel season, you should try to keep these flights with confirmed pet spaces except for
emergencies," White said. DoD regulations allow for a maximum of two pets per family (dogs
and cats only) to travel with their owners on Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights. A 14-day
travel window is required. The pet is limited to a total of 99 pounds (including carrier).
The cost is $80 per pet up to 70 pounds, 71 pounds and up to 99 pounds cost $160 per pet,
paid at the owners' expense. Waivers are required to transit more than two pets. There are
no travel entitlements for pet transportation or pet preparation for travel. NAVPTO requires
some necessary paperwork to book flights on AMC or commercial flights. "Before you leave the
European area, you should see the military veterinarian on base who has all the information
you would need to get your animal(s) out of the country," White wrote in a recent message to
European Personnel Support Detachments. Required documents include a veterinary health
certificate (DD 2209), which must be issued within 10 days of your departure and a rabies
vaccination certificate (DD 2208). This must be issued at least 30 days prior to your
departure but cannot be more than one year old." Pet owners are responsible for all pet
shipment requirements such as documentation, immunization and country pet entry requirements.
Owners must provide a hard-shell U.S. approved International Air Transport Association
(IATA) kennel. The cage must be large enough for the animal to be able to stand up, turn
around, and lie down with normal movements. White says the rules governing pet travel
are very specific, and travelers should pay close attention to details and plan accordingly.
Pet travel may be problematic depending on the season. "Summer months are typically high
travel months, and space is at a premium," White said. If no pet space is available on AMC,
NAVPTO will book the service member and family on the lowest cost commercial air carrier
and will do a courtesy reservation for the pet traveling as accompanied baggage in the
cargo hold of the aircraft. Some U.S. air carriers have already announced a "pet embargo"
between May 15 and Sept. 15. Service members should personally confirm all pet travel
arrangements in the event of short notification by airlines, which could change pet shipment
plans. A simple phone call to check can make all the difference.
More Installations Get New ID Card
Following more than six months of beta testing at several Department of Defense locations,
including four Army installations, the new Common Access Card (CAC) is set to expand to more
posts in coming months. The Army News Service reports that in the next two months, the
following Army installations and organizations will begin issuing the CAC: Fort Monmouth, N.J.;
Fort Meade, Md.; Somerset-National Guard, N.J.; Tobyhanna, Pa.; 352nd Civil Affairs
Command-Reserve, Md.; Fort Hamilton, N.Y.; Fort Detrick, Md.; and Fort Myer, Va.
Designed to capitalize on "smart" card technology, according to Army officials, the
CAC will eventually replace the standard military identification card, DD Form 2
(for active-duty and selected Reserve component service members), DoD civilians and some
contractors across all services. Retirees and military family members will continue to
use DD Form 2, 1173 or 1173-1 as appropriate. In addition to the privileges and access
the DD Form 2 currently permits, such as entrance to the commissary, post exchange, MWR
facilities and military medical services, the CAC will allow users to log onto DoD computer
networks and systems, digitally sign and encrypt e-mail and is eventually intended to allow
keyless entry into equipped DoD buildings and controlled spaces, according to program
officials. Fielding of the CAC to all Army installations will continue through July 2002.
For more information on the CAC, visit the Army Electronic Commerce Homepage at http://armyec.army.mil
MTMC Web site Provides Moving Information
The American Forces Press service reports that the Military Traffic Management Command's
Web site provide detailed and easy-to-read help for service members, movers and transportation
personnel. The Web site provides essential information about moving everything from household
goods to privately owned vehicles, boats, mobile homes and pets. The MTMC Web site contains
links to other Web sites where users can get forms, information from finance and the per diem
office for every branch of the services, including the Coast Guard. The new site has nine
listings -- latest updates, domestic advisory, international advisory, personal property,
carrier approval, non-temporary storage, privately owned vehicles, personal property shipments information and personal property consignment instruction guide. For more information, visit the MTMC Web site at
http://www.mtmc.army.mil/
Handy pamphlets are available in .pdf format at the following Web sites:
http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/p55_2.pdf
http://www.mtmc.army.mil/property/POV/POVPAM.PDF
The POV tracking system is at http://www.whereismypov.com/ . You key in your orders number,
Social Security number, and last name into the Web site to access the tracking system.
Navy Launches New Navy Cash System
For U.S. Navy sailors and Marines, managing personal finances will now be smooth sailing
thanks to Navy Cash, a new financial system introduced by the Naval Supply Systems Command
(NAVSUP) and developed by The Chase Manhattan Bank. A Business Wire press release reports
that the new system enables sailors and Marines to buy virtually anything they need on or
off ship without carrying cash and to access checking and savings accounts at ATMs around
the world. The Navy Cash card uses a computer chip to store value for purchases at sea
(e-purse) and a magnetic strip for debit purchases and ATM account access. Sailors and
Marines can use the e-purse feature to buy items at point-of-sale terminals in the
on-board store, post office, morale-welfare and recreation wardrooms and other retail
locations, including vending and game machines - without the need to carry cash. The debit
feature can be used to withdraw cash at more than 529,000 ATMs or to make purchases wherever
MasterCard is accepted. Navy Cash also provides electronic access to personal checking and
savings accounts ashore, regardless of where banks or credit unions are located. Sailors and
Marines can transfer funds to and from their Navy Cash accounts, e-purse and personal bank
accounts as needed and can have pay deposited directly into these accounts. Navy Cash provides
these financial services to sailors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Navy Cash system is
currently being piloted with 170 crewmembers of the USS RENTZ.
AFRTS Upgrading Services
Stars and Stripes reports that decoder owners who view their American Forces Radio and
Television Service (AFRTS) channels via satellite need to download software as the military
network prepares to upgrade its services. AFRTS is planning on breaking NewSports into
two separate channels, one for news and one for sports, in early August, said Roger Williams,
a spokesman for AFN-Europe. Those with decoders must perform the 15-minute download before
Aug. 7 to ensure continued service. This applies to the Scientific Atlanta Power-Vu model
9234 decoder, although those who recently bought or rented a system may already have the
upgrade. For details on how to upgrade, visit
http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/may01/ed051801i.html
For additional information on the download, customers can call the AFN-Europe operations
center 24 hours a day at DSN 329-4444, or commercial, in Germany, at (49)69-15688444.
AAFES Changes Overseas Gasoline Pricing Policy
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service have implemented a new overseas gas price policy
to help minimize annual price fluctuations. Air Force Print News reports that, under the
new policy, the sell prices for gasoline and diesel fuel are established by grade, based
on the Department of Energy averages from the previous month, plus each region's incremental
dispensing costs. The purpose of the new policy is to have both a pricing policy that is
consistent as well as one that minimizes big price fluctuations from year to year, AAFES
officials said. Gasoline is priced in the world market daily. Having a yearlong price is
the reason for the big fluctuations seen in the past, such as 42 cents last year. The new
policy will minimize that effect. "The price will be adjusted up or down, on the first of
each month," says Col. Les Chang, AAFES Pacific Region commander. The AAFES Web site is at
http://www.aafes.com/
Air Force Civilian Leadership Program
The Air Force is looking for about 164 GS-12 through GS-15 civilian employees who are
interested in developing their leadership and management potential. Under the Air Force
Civilian Competitive Development Program, the service will select 104 candidates nominated
by senior leaders to participate in a variety of management development activities. The
Defense Leadership and Management Program (DLAMP) will select an additional 50 to 60 qualified
Air Force candidates. The DLAMP is designed to cultivate select employees from GS-13 through
GS-15 grades into leaders and managers through a comprehensive program of training, education,
and professional development completed over a six-year period. Participants must finish a
12-month rotational assignment, senior-level professional military education, and at least
10 graduate-level courses in a broad range of subjects appropriate for defense leaders.
Commanders must submit their nominations for either program to the Air Force Personnel Center,
HQ AFPC/DPKD, by Aug. 3. CCDP selections will be announced in November while DLAMP selections
will be announced after the DoD makes final selections in December. For more information visit
the following Web sites:
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cp/ccdp/default.htm
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/cp/dlamp/default.htm
Headline Military News
http://www.military.com/News/FeatureArticle/0,11145,NONE,00.html
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Thursday
May 24, 2001