Author: Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE
Army Corps of Engineers Creates Alternative Care Facilities
Here’s a link to this interesting article about what the Army is doing. Is this where some of our Expeditionary Medical Facilities would go if activated?
Principal Deputy to the Assistant Director for Management, DHA – O6
There is a short fuse opportunity for an O-6 to become the Principal Deputy to the Assistant Director for Management, DHA. The desired report date is June 1, 2020; duty station is Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, VA. Although the position description says they want an MSC officer, it is open to applicants from any Corps. Nominations are due to DHA on April 1, so any potential applicants should reach out to CDR Melissa Austin (contact in the global) immediately.
Military Times – After Trump’s Order, DoD Reviewing How Many Guard, Reserve Troops to Bring Back for COVID-19 Fight
Here’s a link to this article that mentions activating the Ready Reserve:
After Trump’s Order, DoD Reviewing How Many Guard, Reserve Troops to Bring Back for COVID-19 Fight
Here’s a Washington Post article as well:
Trump issues order to bring former troops back to active duty to assist in coronavirus response
Message from the Navy Surgeon General
Esteemed Navy Medicine Shipmates,
As front-line protectors of our Sailors, Marines and their families against the coronavirus, I want to provide you with an update of our efforts, highlight the great work Navy Medicine is doing to support our country and share my intent for the way forward as we meet this unprecedented challenge with the full force of our Navy Medical Power.
PEOPLE: First, I want to thank all of you for your hard work and commitment to our nation in this time of great challenge as we face this global pandemic. We are taking all necessary measures to protect our active-duty, reserve, and civilian work force. Protecting our people is our top priority. To that end, all DoD installations are operating at HPCON level Charlie and starting March 31, all medical and dental treatment facilities will postpone most elective surgeries, invasive procedures, and dental procedures for 60 days. These actions will enhance medical staff safety, prolong the supply of personal protective equipment, and allow us to refocus our skills and expertise directly to the front lines of the COVID-19 response.
PLATFORMS: As I write this, USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) is pulling into the pier in Los Angeles. Tomorrow, the crew, which includes almost 100 volunteer reservists, will begin seeing patients. The goal is to unburden the Los Angeles Health Care System of non-COVID-19 patients so that its providers can focus on the care of those afflicted with the virus. USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), also supplemented with reserve volunteers, will sail from Hampton Roads this weekend and be on station, ready to see patients in New York City by the beginning of the week. Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) – Mike assigned to Naval Hospital Jacksonville has been activated, and an additional EMF is on standby awaiting notification. Combined with our existing deployments around the world, almost 4,000 Navy Medical personnel are out forward, protecting our nation. This will be the largest deployment since Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Those who remain at our medical treatment facilities are also on the front lines in this fight given the ubiquitous nature of this virus.
PERFORMANCE: As we collectively face this challenge head on, teamwork, and an even greater vigilance to ensure continued safe, high quality care will be critical. We also need to be willing to rethink our usual hierarchies of care. Those not directly involved in treating COVID-19 patients should seek out opportunities to support those who are. As our primary care clinics and emergency rooms get busier with COVID patients, I would ask our specialists to lean forward and treat conditions within their specialty areas without the requirement for a consultation where feasible. The unprecedented nature of this situation means that we must adapt quickly at the local level. As an organization that values high velocity learning as the means by which we continuously improve the quality of our performance, please practice rapid cycle feedback within your work teams and share the lessons you learn widely so that our entire organization can benefit.
POWER: You and the critical work that you are doing is the source of Navy Medicine’s power. Whether you are on the front lines treating patients; in the laboratory processing diagnostic tests, doing the science necessary to defeat this pathogen, or providing the support that keeps our system running, YOU need to stay healthy. This campaign will be a marathon, not a sprint. Find a sustainable battle rhythm and monitor your energy level. Know when to take a knee and recharge your batteries, both physically AND mentally. Practice all of the recommended preventative measures to protect yourself and your family. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement. Stay in close touch with those who matter to you and reach out virtually to those who would benefit from your moral support. We are the medical experts our Sailors, Marines and their families rely upon for their health and readiness. Preserve your health so that we can preserve theirs. Thank you for YOUR compassion, professionalism, and selfless dedication to duty.
The mission may be non-traditional, but you have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to fight and win. This challenge will be no different. To the people of the world, just the sight of Navy Medicine on the horizon fills them with a sense of hope. Now we get to instill that same sense of hope to our own Nation.
Stay strong America….We are on our way!
With respect and admiration, SG
Federal Tax Deadline Changed and Finance Friday Articles
Please note that tax day is now July 15th. This means you have until then to contribute to retirement accounts for 2019.
Here are my favorites this week:
How Are Diversified Portfolios Holding up During the Crash?
Should I Sell When the Market is Low? Dealing with the Bear Market
Here are the rest of this week’s articles:
6 Financial Takeaways From the Coronavirus Outbreak
9 Reasons NOT to Tax-Loss Harvest
A recession at hand—and a quick end
Bond ETF discounts during recent volatility
Diversification, Beating the Market, and Telling the Future
How Ben Carlson is Managing His Own Money Through the Crisis
How Does the Market Crash Impact Retirees?
How Much Time Does It Take To Manage Your Own Rental Properties?
How To Get Started in Telemedicine
Inject Discipline Into Your Investing Right Now
It’s Never Too Early to Start: The Rapid FIRE Approach of One Enterprising Medical Student
Random Thoughts on the Crash As We Catch Our Breath
The Impact of Coronavirus on Real Estate Markets
The Marginal Value of the Backdoor Roth. Is it Worth the Trouble?
The Market Is Rocky. Will Target-Date Funds Change Their Strategy?
The Military Has Suspended All Travel, Deployments, Exercises for the Entire Force
Here’s a link to this Military Times article:
The Military Has Suspended All Travel, Deployments, Exercises for the Entire Force
Voluntary Extensions for Those Separating or Retiring
Provided below is a new NAVADMIN announcing the Navy is accepting applications from officers and enlisted personnel who desire to delay their separation or retirement. Service Members with an approved separation or retirement date before 1 April 2021 are eligible to submit a request to their Detailer to have their separation or retirement date delayed between 6 and 12 months (duration specified by Service Member). All Service Members interested in extending, are invited to apply, but priority for approval will be given to those Service Members filling sea duty and critical billets. Requests must be received by 1 July 2020. Please see below for more specifics and contact your Detailer with questions.
UNCLASSIFIED//
ROUTINE
R 261427Z MAR 20 MID110000525665U
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS
NAVADMIN 089/20
PASS TO OFFICE CODES:
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
MSGID/NAVADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/MAR//
SUBJ/VOLUNTARY EXTENSIONS FOR ACTIVE COMPONENT NAVY MEMBERS WITH APPROVED
SEPARATION OR RETIREMENT DATES//
REF/A/NAVADMIN/OPNAV/212007ZMAR20//
NARR/REF A IS NAVADMIN 080/20, NAVY MITIGATION MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK UPDATE 3.//
RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the deliberate path of the Navy to mitigate
the effects of COVID-19 and maintain operational, Sailor and family
readiness. Due to the uncertainty regarding the duration of the COVID-19
Pandemic, the mandated all stop on PCS travel and the resulting effect on the
U.S. economy, the incentives and extensions in this NAVADMIN will help
provide some stability to both the Navy and our families.
2. The Navy is accepting applications from officers and enlisted personnel
who desire to delay their separation or retirement.
Service Members with an approved separation or retirement date before 1 April
2021 are eligible to submit a request to their detailer to have their
separation or retirement date delayed between 6 and 12 months (duration
specified by Service Member). All Service Members interested in extending,
are invited to apply, but priority for approval will be given to those
Service Members filling sea duty and critical billets. Requests must be
received by 1 July 2020.
Command endorsed requests to delay a separation or retirement date should be
initiated through the appropriate detailer.
a. Service Members who are separating or retiring due to High Year
Tenure (HYT) may apply for a waiver of their current HYT gate.
HYT waivers will be considered for up to an additional 12 months for enlisted
Sailors filling critical operational billets both at sea and shore. Requests
will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Sailors will submit a command endorsed Form 1306/7 Enlisted Personnel Action
Request (ePAR) to My Navy Career Center (MNCC) via MyNavy Portal or by
emailing the ePAR request directly to askmncc(at)navy.mil.
b. Service Members who are separating at their EAOS prior to 31 December
2020 due to Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) failures may request an
extension to their EAOS until 31 December 2020 to enable participation in the
fall PFA cycle and potentially regain reenlistment eligibility. Extension
requests under this guidance should be forwarded on a command endorsed Form
1306/7 to MNCC via MyNavy Portal or by emailing the ePAR request directly to
askmncc(at)navy.mil. Officers should contact their detailers.
c. Enlisted Sailors with an approved separation or retirement date who
are in billets that are eligible for Sea Duty Incentive Pay (SDIP) and who
are approved for a voluntary extension as described above will receive SDIP
for those extensions. Exceptions to the timeline to request SDIP and to the
length of extension for SDIP have been approved to accommodate these
requests. The latest SDIP eligibility chart can be found at
https://www.mnp.navy.mil/group/pay-and-benefits. This chart is updated
periodically so check for recent additions. For Sailors who are in an SDIP
eligible billet, a Form 1306/7 ePAR should be submitted to MNCC at
askmncc(at)navy.mil and your detailer.
d. While all Service Members are encouraged to apply, the following will
not be approved:
(1) Service Members pending mandatory separation or retirement for
age.
(2) Service Members approved for disability separation or retirement.
(3) Officers who twice fail to select for promotion and whose
separation or retirement is required by law.
(4) Service Members being separated for misconduct.
3. In addition to extensions for Service Members with approved separations
and retirements, the Navy is opening up opportunity for separated Service
Members to come back to Active-Duty.
Specifically, Service Members who have recently separated and are interested
in reentry are encouraged to contact their local prior enlisted or officer
recruiter.
4. Questions regarding delaying a Service Members separation or retirement
date should be referred to the appropriate detailer, community manager or by
contacting MNCC. The point of contact for questions regarding SDIP is Mr.
Keith Tucker, PERS-40DD, 1-901-874-3545 or Keith.Tucker(at)Navy.mil.//
5. Released by Vice Admiral John B. Nowell, Jr, N1.//
BT
#0001
NNNN
UNCLASSIFIED//
DoD Restarts Antivirus Home Use Program
DISA will be re-activated the DoD Home Use Program Monday. The DoD Home Use Program provides an annual subscription to McAfee’s Internet Security product for approved DoD employees via this website:
https://www.disa.mil/Cybersecurity/Network-Defense/Antivirus/Home-Use
Throwback Thursday Classic Post – How to Evaluate the Promotion Potential of a Billet/Position
Recently I advertised the USUHS Commandant position. A reader asked:
Any thoughts on whether you think this is a position that would make an O5 competitive for O6?
This is a common issue. A position is advertised, but you want to know if it will help get your promoted to O5 or O6 if you take it. Here is how I’d evaluate that situation.
First, you need to contact the incumbent in that position now, if possible. You’re going to need information that they have.
Now that you’ve contacted that person, you need to ask them some questions:
- Did they or anyone before them promote to O5/O6 while they were in the position or shortly thereafter? In other words, has taking the position led to promotion for those who’ve already done it? If the answer is yes, that is telling and indicative that the position advances people’s careers. If the answer is no, you should probably look elsewhere for a career advancing position.
- How large is their competitive group on their fitreps? You want a position with a large competitive group so that you can perform well and break out to the right with MP and EP fitreps. Competitive EP fitreps are probably the #1 most important ingredient for successful promotion, so if the position has a small competitive group or leads to a 1/1 fitrep, it would be a mark against that position’s potential to get you promoted.
- Were they able to get EP fitreps? They might not tell you this, but if they are willing to give you this info it can help you gauge the potential for you to get EP fitreps while doing the job.
- What do your mentors think about you taking the position? We all need mentors, and I always ask mine what they think when a potential position is in my crosshairs. If they don’t think it is a good idea, I usually pass on it.
That’s it. Those are the things I’d look at when trying to evaluate whether or not a position will help you get promoted. Most of the information needs to come from the incumbent or people who have previously done the job.
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 