Author: Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE
Fitreps in 18 Minutes
Here is the Powerpoint and screencast of a lecture I gave on Fitreps a few weeks ago at the NMCSD Transition to Practice Symposium for all the graduating residents and fellows. Without audience participation, the lecture went from 30 minutes down to 18. Enjoy!
Navy Medicine FY18 Milestone Opportunities
Here is a document that lists all of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) opportunities:
Here is the post with the application procedures:
FY18 Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Application Information
Bono: New TRICARE Laws, Contracts to Drive ‘Historic’ Reforms
Here is a link to another summary of comments made by VADM Raquel Bono, Director of the Defense Health Agency, about the future of the Military Health System:
Bono: New TRICARE Laws, Contracts to Drive ‘Historic’ Reforms
Top Military Health System Leaders Discuss Achievements, Priorities in the Defense Health Agency and National Capital Region
Here is a link to a summary of VADM Raquel Bono’s (Director, Defense Health Agency) remarks at the Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives course:
Top MHS Leaders Discuss Achievements, Priorities in the DHA, NCR
Personnel Chiefs Worry Over Deployment Pace, New Blended Retirement
Here is a link to an article that discusses two genuine concerns, the current operational tempo and the new Blended Retirement System (BRS):
Personnel Chiefs Worry Over Deployment Pace, New Blended Retirement
Navy Urges Patience for Sailors Waiting on PCS Orders
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) — Following passage of the 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Navy announced today that Sailors should continue to expect to receive permanent change of station (PCS) orders with approximately two months or less lead time through the end of the fiscal year.
While the Navy will make every effort to ensure PCS orders are released as expeditiously as possible, the service does not have sufficient funds to allow for longer PCS orders lead times.
“We recognize the impact this has on Sailors and their families preparing to move, and we’re working hard to remedy this situation,” said Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. Robert Burke. “Leadership is engaged at all levels to develop and implement solutions to minimize the impact to our Sailors. Our focus and priority remains on manning the Fleet, and taking care of Sailors and their families.”
Currently, the Navy is using a prioritization strategy, as it has previously done, to help minimize the impact on Fleet readiness, career timing, and families. Emphasis will remain on global support assignment rotations, career milestone billets, critical readiness fills, minimizing gaps at sea for deployed units and those working up to deploy, and keeping the training pipelines moving. Those Sailors who are going to operational units about to deploy, numbered fleet staffs, overseas billets, individual augmentees or must-moves (safety, early return of dependents, humanitarian) will be issued their orders first.
Additionally, Navy Personnel Command will continue to issue letters of intent for overseas moves. That way, while orders may not be in hand, individuals can start the process of doing overseas and medical screenings, dependent entry approval, passport applications and security clearance requests.
We encourage all Sailors who have not yet received PCS orders to contact their detailers with questions and concerns with the understanding that there may be a delay as we work through budgetary issues.
Those with questions regarding their Household Goods moves should contact householdgoods@navy.mil. Additionally, Sailors and family members are advised to go to http://www.navsup.navy.mil/household to review various “how-to” guides for using the Defense Personal Property System. The website also includes a schedule of webinars where those planning moves can interact directly with HHG staff.
Tricks for Long-Term Asset Protection
Here are the slides and a screencast of a lecture I recently gave at a national conference on tricks for long-term asset protection:
Tricks for Long-Term Asset Protection
FY18 O4 Staff Corps Board Membership and Promotion Opportunity
Here are the members of the FY18 O4 Staff Corps Promotion Board:
Here is the Convening Order. As you can read on page 2, the promotion opportunity was 100% again for Medical Corps:
Beta Test of the DoD’s Blended Retirement System Calculator
Here is a link to the beta test of the Department of Defense Blended Retirement System Comparison Calculator:
Blended Retirement System Comparison Calculator – Beta Version
You Were Selected for Promotion to O5 or O6 – Should You Accept It?
BLUF – If you are hoping to retire but are not willing to serve 3 years as a Commander or Captain, you should decline the promotion. (This is not applicable if you are resigning. Only if you are hoping to retire.)
The policy regarding promotions and retirements is governed by OPNAVINST 1811.3A. If you are lucky enough to be selected for promotion to O5 or O6, you should be familiar with this instruction and make sure you are willing to spend 3 years as a CDR or CAPT before you plan to retire.
Paragraph 4b of the OPNAVINST states:
“Officers must satisfy the minimum active duty time-in-grade requirement to retire in the highest grade satisfactorily served…Officers who desire to retire before completion of the minimum time-in-grade requirement must decline appointment to the next higher grade. Officers who have accepted appointment to the next higher grade must satisfy the retired grade criteria in paragraph 7.”
Seems like we need to go to paragraph 7…
“7. Time-in-Grade Requirements. Unless retirement in the next inferior grade is directed by SECNAV for an officer or warrant officer under reference (c), then officers, warrant officers, and enlisted members retired voluntarily or transferred to the Fleet Reserve shall be retired in the highest grade satisfactorily held upon completion of the following time-in-grade requirements…Three years for an officer serving on active duty in pay grade O5 or O6.”
Paragraph 5b states:
“Unless waived by proper authority, approval of requests for voluntary retirement or transfer to the Fleet Reserve will normally be denied until an individual has completed: (1) The applicable time-in-grade requirements of paragraph 7;”
In addition, paragraph 7e states:
“COMNAVPERSCOM shall normally deny retirement requests or Fleet Reserve requests of members serving on active duty in, whose length of service in the highest grade held while on active duty does not meet the time-in-grade requirements specified above.”
What’s the bottom line? There are certain exceptions spelled out in this policy, and you can get information on time-in-grade or next-lower-grade waivers here and here, but if you want to retire and accept promotion to CDR or CAPT you should be willing to serve in that rank for 3 years. Otherwise, you should decline the promotion.
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 