HeyWatchThis

This is hilarious. I am dumbfounded as to how it was even thrown on the table as a viable option without someone calling BS before it got that far. Never-the-less, it's at least good to see (or not) how AFRC values their new pilot graduates by throwing them a GS-9 job. We've got enlisted positions with higher pay scales than that. It should be GS-12 at a minimum. They start Public Affairs officers in the GS-11 to GS-12 range. There are 171 open pilot positions on USA jobs right now ranging from GS-12 to GS-15. I wonder why. I remember the day when there about 3. That's what is confusing me....we (an AFRC unit) were told that this idea died on the planning table because they realized they couldn't force someone to stay in a civilian job. I'm not sure if some wings are making it a handshake requirement or whatever but to my knowledge the original proposal at the headquarter level that had UPT hopefuls signing a contract saying they would be ARTs for 6 years after prog went away when the legalities of that demand were examined....

Looks like AFRC just jumped on the OCP band wagon....we are ordering the 2 pieces to completely replace our tan flight suits...supposedly we are are eventually going to replace the green bags with these things as well... Does anyone else feel a bit pissed (might be a strong word) about losing the bag and just blending in with everyone else? A part of me feels like this is a hidden big win for the shoes who hate the fact that aircrew get something they don't....

Interesting...I was told that "forced ART" program died when they realized they couldn't legally force someone to stay in a civilian job.... To add to the confusion our unit has been cutting 7 month Prog tours (granted we are a heavy unit though)...

Meaning maxing the Roth/Traditional TSP and a spousal Roth?

Either as far as I know..... it hits the wing/squadron and they decide from there who fills it....

I can confirm it is happening in the reserves. Travis got 5 deployments and lost 6 dudes because of it who turned paperwork in...WP just got one as well.... Here's the even better thing about them...they are calling them "emergent" taskings which means they can drop them on wings/squadrons whenever they want.....Meaning the deployments don't even have to fall during the wing/squadrons deployment window....Makes life planning fantastic....Already heard multiple guys discussing dropping paperwork before hitting 20 yrs because of this....

Is this something fairly new (individual involuntary mobilization?) for the guard/reserve? I thought the whole point of a mobilization was so it wasn't easy for AD to Chuck the grenade over the fence at the guard/reserve which is why they are "supposed" to mobilize squadrons/wings and not individuals. Its suppose to be a last option that is costly and weighed heavily...I've been wrong once before though...

We never use to file quick turns however our finance is trying to force us to because we have a GS06 running around claiming we are committing fraud by not claiming a quick turn location that we land at after crossing 2400 even though we return to Europe for crew rest that same day. The GS06 is basing her info supposedly from being told by some 3 letter (so, what a GS15 maybe??) at AFRC that has taken it upon herself to interpret the JTR paragraph as the next place we land or where we are at at 2400.

Even if we return to ETAR the same day as Khar? It seems to be 50/50 on people I ask....Problem it is causing us is it just gives our TR's more ammo to not fly trips and stick with their airline trips because now we get to tell them they get Khar per-diem when they are staying in ETAR for the night.....

I posted a similar thread over on the general forum (see below) but in light of new info I wanted to post it here. We are being told that AFRC, and AFRC alone has interpreted the following JTR paragraph 0203 "Per diem allowance rates are based on the TDY location, stopover point, or other authorized official duty points, but not on lodging location. Ordinarily per diem is based on a travellers TDY location at 2400 hours (midnight)" as meaning that if we are on an out and back from Ramstein to say, Kandahar, if we cross midnight while enroute to Kandahar/Bagram, etc or while on the ground at Kandahar that we get Kandahar per diem even though we are returning to Ramstein for crew rest (Kandahar is $12.50/day vs Ramstein at ~$109/day so our guys are being forced to buy food at Ramstein pricing on Kandahar perdiem). Are other reserve units doing this? It's causing some guys to get an increase in per-diem where they aren't supposed too (and are afraid its going to come back and bite them) and it's causing others to not get paid per-diem for locations where we are actually staying the night... Is @Finance_Guy still on here? )

To my knowledge that bonus list isn't the ONLY bonus docs are eligible for either. Board certified for example gets another bonus too I believe....

Trust me I have....been doing it for 2 days now.....this person has read paragraph 0203 that says "Per diem allowance rates are based on the TDY location, stopover point, or other authorized official duty points, but not on lodging location. Ordinarily per diem is based on a travellers TDY location at 2400 hours (midnight)." and taken it as law and it being the ONLY option for perdiem.... I've found the tables in Chapter 2 that further explain per diem being based on stop.over/tdy location.... At this point I'm trying to gather as much ammo for leadership as possible hence the thread post...

Quick question and I apologize if this had been covered before.... We are being told the "New" definition of a stop over point now forced you to get Per diem for where the jet is at midnight not where you crew rest... In point we have a trip where we drop into Guam to pick up pax, etc (cross midnight while doing so) and them go on to Hawaii for crew rest. Our good idea fairy in the FM shop wants us to get Guam Per diem instead of Hawaii where we are crew resting... Are we missing something here? Is this happening to other squadrons? To us it doesn't make any sense......we should be getting Per diem based on where we pay for a hotel, food, etc?

Well I guess we can hope that when the new pay tables release in Jan. we might get a bit of good news. I don't think we got the four year deal as it was explained to us that we were only getting this 25% for one year while they get the permanent raise pushed thru. Sadly for us we will lose ~7% because if the permanent raise is just simply pulling locality out of the 30% pilot increase our locality is only 17ish%......

That must be guard because AFRC is still GS-12 or lower unless you are an IP

And here we are extending guys 4 years to 58 or 60 or whatever oldest you can be is lol

No clue.....I didn't know that was an option....this particular bonus is a retention bonus on the civilian side, not military if that makes a difference.... SUPPOSEDLY they are/were going to update our pay tables with OPM but it has been radio silence on that front for a year now...most have simply lost faith and the few of us that were holding out hoping someone would pull their head out of their ass and actually do SOMETHING decent have started researching airline options since Big Blue even on the AFRC side seems unable and/or refuses to genuinely attempt to close the pay gap... To further stoke the fire I have heard both personnel and wing leadership mutter why we even have the bonus since nobody is staying anyway....to me that means you haven't offered ENOUGH, not go the opposite direction and think we should just cut the bonus out.....but sadly that mindset doesn't surprise me from a Big Blue perspective...

Same with ours so AFRC's brilliant solution was to cut all the open slots and voila! we no longer have any shortages (I wish I was kidding)...... That has now left us wondering if the 1 year 25% bonus they gave ARTs as a "stop gap" while they attempted to fix some of the pay discrepancies is going to disappear as well since you know, we don't have a "shortage" anymore....

I thought they were putting "meals available" on Altus orders....So if you elect to go off base you still get the $60/day vs if you opt to stay on base you get the "meals available"rate which is what $20 or something?

Are you talking about the 5 yr USERRA clock?

Sorry man but my standard issue Bellvilles were like wearing a brick strapped to a barge on each foot. I'll stick with my Rocky Sv2's that actually perform like a boot should.... This same guy also threw a fit over people not wearing issued sun glasses.... Needless to say the morale within the T1 squadron on both the studs and IPs was horrid under this guy.....

That place is a bastion of outstanding leadership.. I was tehre in 13/14 (yep with Hastings as the wing king) and the T1 DO was doing boot checks at the step desk on studs/IP's and turning them back if they didn't have "flight approved" boots....

That was my biggest problem with it....we don't book ANYTHING thru DTS so to slip some weak ass "catch all" claiming the condos/houses aren't up to fire code is asinine.......

Look at the newest gem the AF is hinging on to force us into the roach motels (attached and copied below in case the attachment doesn't work): So now we can't stay in Airbnb/crash pads because they weren't booked in DTS nor are they fire compliant. Who the $%*& is leading this push against us staying in decent places? Anybody else getting this letter in an email accompanied with the statement that the Air Force has to reimburse you but you will now be punished by your commander if you elect to stay in these places? MEMORANDUM FOR ALMAJCOM-FOA-DRU COMPTROLLERS AFIMSC/RM ALL WING AND SQUADRON COMPTROLLERS FROM: SAF/FMFC (AFAFO) SUBJECT: Lodging Reimbursement (Clarifying Guidance for AirBnB/Similar Lodging) Recent discussions regarding methods used for obtaining or reserving specific type lodging have caused confusion regarding the payment of claims. Some Airmen have acquired lodging outside of JTR mandated means or deemed to be not “suitable commercial lodging”, resulting in the need for further policy clarification for proper payment. There are several JTR references pertaining to AirBnB or similar type lodging that travelers and travel program administrators should be aware of...below narrative is from SAF/MRM and was coordinated with SAF/GCA and PDTATAC: 1. Online Booking Tool to Rent Private Residences for Short Term Lodging (Par. 4130-L): These accommodations are not commercial lodgings and travelers are not to use them (do not meet fire standards and are classified as “non-conventional lodging”). These are only authorized in the event of lodging shortages in a specific location. 2. Use of Defense Travel System (DTS) or Travel Management Company (TMC) (Pars. 4130-A4,A5); Fee Reimbursement (Par. 2830-G): DoD travelers are required to make commercial lodging arrangements through DTS/TMC unless exceptions apply. If a traveler does not have an exception and fails to use DTS/TMC, the traveler is authorized the actual and necessary costs of lodging but is personally responsible for any excess costs such as service fees, booking fees, etc. 3. Suitable Commercial Lodging (Pars. 4155-A, 4250-B): Travelers are responsible for ensuring lodging is safe, secure and within reasonable proximity to the TDY location. According to General Services Agency (GSA) guidance, expenses are payable (actual or limited to proper locality or flat rate) even if traveler failed to acquire suitable commercial lodging. Bottom line, a traveler’s failure to follow JTR guidance that requires use of DTS/TMC or suitable commercial lodging is not a reason to deny reimbursement. Appropriate disciplinary action by Commanders is expected for traveler’s failure to follow the regulatory guidance. Request widest dissemination to allow Airmen to make proper decisions IAW JTR while obtaining lodging. If a traveler was previously denied payment, they should file a supplemental travel claim via AFFSC. Depending on assignment level, questions should be directed to local Financial Services Office, AFIMSC Det, HQ AFIMSC or SAF/FMFC (AFAFO). Eric I. Cuebas Director, Air Force Accounting & Finance Office Lodging Reimbursement.pdf