PCS
Throwback Thursday Classic Post – How to Manage Your PRD and Not Get Stuck with a “Hotfill”
(I’m going to start re-posting some of the better and more popular blog posts on the site on Throwback Thursday. Much of the content is evergreen or requires minimal updates, and the blog has a much larger readership than when many of these posts first ran.)
There are many important dates in your Navy career. One of the most important and neglected dates, though, is your projected rotation date or PRD. Your PRD is the month and year that your current orders will expire and you are scheduled to rotate to a new command. If you don’t manage your PRD and pay close attention to it, you can find yourself with few career options and in a situation you never thought you’d be in. With that in mind, here are my tips for managing your PRD.
Know Your PRD
First, know when it is because many physicians don’t know their PRD. If you are in this crowd, the easiest way to find your PRD is to login to BUPERS On-Line and look at block 14 of your Officer Data Card:
The other way to find your PRD is to contact your Detailer because they can look it up in the detailing system. Many physicians don’t know their Detailer, so here is a link to a page with “Contact Us” in the middle.
Manage Your PRD
Once you know your PRD, the easiest way to manage it is with whatever calendar you use (an app, web calendar like Google Calendar, Outlook, a date book, etc.). Place reminders in your calendar to correspond with these time frames:
13-18 Months Before Your PRD – This is when you should start thinking about your next career move. Although the normal time period to request an extension (find a template here) at your current command is 9-12 months before your PRD, many physicians request an extension during this time period if they are sure they want to extend. This is also a great time to talk to the Operational Detailer about operational billets you might have interest in or the Senior Detailer about what I’ll call “alternative billets” like those at DHA/BUMED, BUPERS, global health engagement billets, NAVMEDWEST, NAVMEDEAST, etc. If you act on your PRD in this timeframe, you’ll be well ahead of the game.
9-12 Months Before Your PRD – This is the traditional detailing window where you contact your Detailer and Specialty Leader to negotiate your next career move. This is when physicians normally submit an extension request as well as explore potential billets for their next set of orders. The one caveat is that the availability of billets is often contingent on the results of the Graduate Medical Education Selection Board or GMESB. Since these results are not finalized until January, people with summer PRDs will find that they may have to wait beyond this time period to find out what billets are available and get orders.
6-8 Months Before Your PRD – This is when the list of billets that are actually available will solidify and most physicians will get orders. If you want to extend at your current command and you haven’t submitted an extension request yet, you should do that ASAP.
1-5 Months Before Your PRD – Many physicians will get into this period without orders. If it is because you were waiting on the results of the GMESB, you are probably fine. If you are in this period for another reason, you should get nervous. The truth is that unanticipated things always happen. Commanding Officers don’t endorse extension requests. Unanticipated openings cause a Detailer and Specialty Leader to have a “hotfill” billet. When things like this happen, a Detailer goes looking for officers close to their PRD to fill the need. If you are in this window without orders, you are low lying fruit for filling these needs. And just so you know, most of these “hotfills” are not in Rota or San Diego.
At Your PRD or Beyond – Physicians let their PRDs “expire” all the time. Sometimes it is because they submit an extension request that never gets approved because it gets lost somewhere in the process. Other times they don’t know when their PRD is. Realistically, there is often no consequence if your PRD expires, although some commands will pick up on this fact and get your attention by threatening to take away your computer access. The biggest threat, though, is the aforementioned “hotfills” that inevitably show up. If your PRD is expired, you are going to rise to the top of the list when the Detailer goes looking for people to fill that need. Have fun wherever that “hotfill” is.
The Bottom Line – Know when your PRD is and manage it according to the above timeline. This will give you the maximum chance of getting what you want and reduce the chance that you are selected for a “hotfill” you don’t want.
My PCS Checklist – Taking Stress Out of PCS
WASHINGTON (NNS) — The latest upgrade to MyNavy Portal (MNP) includes a checklist to guide Sailors and their families through their next Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. My PCS Checklist allows Sailors to easily create their own personalized move checklist, and can be found in the Assignment, Leave, and Travel section of MNP under the Career and Life Events drop down menu.
There is no question that PCS moves are challenging, whether it is a single Sailor heading across country or a family moving overseas. The process of relocating can be a source of personal, financial and family stress and it requires a great deal of logistical planning. My PCS Checklist makes the process better. Sailors can now create their own personalized checklist by using an intuitive, web-based program, to guide them through the PCS process and help eliminate unnecessary stress.
“Creating the checklist is easy,” said Capt. Chris Harris, director, distribution management division, Navy Personnel Command. “Sailors answer a few questions in the online checklist, starting with their official detachment date, which automatically generates a personalized, step-by-step checklist that calculates the number of days to complete each item until their move from their current command. Sailors can print out their checklist at work or email it to a spouse, parent or anyone with whom they want to share the information.”
The checklist is broken down into four categories – Shipping Household Goods, Family Move, Money and Sailor Admin. Based on the detachment date selected, the checklist outlines necessary activities, due dates and includes tips and sources of support for each category. The program includes a taskbar that indicates how far along Sailors are in completing their activities and they will receive alerts to remind them to complete the tasks to stay on their PCS timeline.
“MyNavy Portal addresses one of the major issues Sailors face when managing their careers – they have to use too many websites to complete routine tasks for managing their careers,” said Dave Driegert, PMW 240 assistant program manager, Single Point of Entry for MNP. “My PCS Checklist is the newest tool for Sailors and joins other recently-available applications like MyRecord Web 1.0 and electronic Personnel Action Request (ePAR)/1306. MNP is growing all the time. In the months ahead, Sailors will be able to access an increasing number of new features and tools.”
Sailors should work with their command pay and personnel administrator if they have any questions concerning PCS policies and procedures. They may also contact MyNavy Career Center 24/7 at askmncc@navy.mil, or toll-free at 833-330-MNCC (6622).
In addition to PCS information, MNP provides Sailors links to other webpages and resources – all in one convenient location.
Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
Military Times – How to Execute a Military Move: Top 10 Rules to Get a PCS Done
Here is a link to this useful article:
How to Execute a Military Move: Top 10 Rules to Get a PCS Done
Potential Delays Associated With Personally Procured Moves OCT-DEC 2018
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) — NAVSUP is asking Sailors performing a Personally Procured Move (PPM) during October through December 2018 to be aware of potential impacts to the PPM overall process – from advance payment request to claims settlement.
The software used to validate, reconcile, and authorize payment for Sailors’ PPMs will be upgraded in December 2018. Settlement of PPM claims submitted for reimbursement during November and December may be delayed due to the system being taken offline. All PPM packages submitted will be prioritized based upon the date received and processed accordingly once the system comes back online.
Claim submission scenarios and more details are available online at https://www.navsup.navy.mil/public/navsup/hhg/time_to_move/ppm/.
For questions specific to your individual claim, call 888-742-4467.
Learn more from Navy Household Goods online at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/navyhhg
YouTube: www.youtube.com/navyhhg
Twitter: www.twitter.com/navyhhg
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/navyhhg
Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP’s mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/navsup and http://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.
Family PCS Travel Flexibility Expanded
WASHINGTON (NNS) — Navy has expanded the eligible categories for advanced dependent travel (ADT) and delayed dependent travel (DDT), personnel officials announced September 13.
For permanent change of station (PCS) moves within the 50 states, the policy allows for dependent travel of up to six months before or after the sponsoring Sailor’s PCS move in the following situations: spousal employment or education, dependents in elementary or secondary school (K-12), dependent enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, or caring for an immediate family member with a chronic or long-term illness. The previous approved policy that allowed DDT for the length of the school year is unchanged by this expansion.
For moves from the 50 states to overseas locations, only DDT will be authorized. For moves from overseas locations to the 50 states, only ADT will be authorized.
Sailors will only receive one housing allowance, either for their location or their dependent’s location, under delayed or advance travel. Sailors or dependents may be assigned government quarters if available, but may not displace a member or dependent in government housing.
Requests for DDT or ADT must be submitted to Navy Personnel Command (PERS-451).
For information and answers to questions on this policy, email NXAG_N130C@navy.mil.
Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
Guest Post: Read Your Orders – Executing a Close Proximity Move
By Dr. G. Adam Jakubek*
I am in the process of a PCS from NH Jacksonville to Kings Bay, and noticed that my Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) would drop significantly based on the change in duty station zip codes. The BAH rates vary depending on your duty station zip code, not your address, so you could see a dip in a few hundred dollars if your duty station changes but elect to keep your home in your prior, higher BAH rate zip code.
I’ve had colleagues PCS to close proximity duty stations and elect to not move their family and miss out on keeping their BAH at their old duty station. Some examples I’ve seen where people see a drop in BAH are PCS moves from San Diego to Camp Pendleton, or the Bethesda/National Capital Area to places like Annapolis or Baltimore where rates drop by $200-300/month.
The current order writing system authorizes funding for a household goods shipment by default if your new duty station is farther than 30 miles away from your prior duty station, but you might prefer to make the commute if it means staying in your home, keeping your kids in the same schools, etc.
My current orders have the following statement attached:
‐ MEMBERS WHO RECEIVE PCS ORDERS WHEN THEIR OLD AND NEW PERMANENT DUTY STATIONS ARE WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER (BASED ON A REASONABLE COMMUTE DETERMINED BY THE GAINING CO) MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A CLOSE PROXIMITY WAIVER AND RECEIVE BAH BASED ON THEIR OLD PDS LOCATION. SEE NAVADMIN 101/10 FOR WAIVER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES. GO TO: HTTP://WWW.PUBLIC.NAVY.MIL/BUPERS‐NPC/ REFERENCE/MESSAGES/PAGES/DEFAULT.ASPX.
If you follow the instructions in the NAVADMIN, it is a relatively simple process, but the key is completing the request through your gaining command BEFORE you execute your orders. Your gaining command needs to endorse your request stating that your commute is ‘reasonable’ and you forfeit your household goods shipment, making it a no‐cost PCS move for the government.
Once you receive the signed endorsement letter from your gaining command, you forward that letter directly to your detailer. You’ll get an order modification that drops your household goods shipment funding and states that you’re authorized BAH at your prior duty station rate. Again, make sure you follow up with your detailer prior to checking out of your old command if you haven’t seen your order modification come through in NSIPS. Once you check into your new command PSD or Human Resources department with your modified orders, you’ll be locked into that BAH rate and cannot retroactively request funding for a household goods shipment if you decide to move later on in your tour.
Here are some useful templates to help you with this process:
Close Proximity Approval Letter
Close Proximity Request Letter
*The views expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense or the United States Government.
Navy Revises Delayed Dependent Travel of School-aged Dependents of Sailors Undergoing a PCS
WASHINGTON (NNS) — Effective immediately, to minimize the disruption to the education of school-aged children and increase family stability, Navy has revised the delayed dependent travel policy for Sailors who are undergoing a permanent change of station (PCS) and have school-aged dependents.
In line with Joint Travel Regulations, when PCS orders have been issued, a Sailor’s dependents may perform PCS travel at a different time. The Sailor may also be authorized a housing allowance based on the location at which the dependents maintained a permanent residence, at the previously approved designated place or the old permanent duty station.
Sailors with school-aged dependents frequently request delayed dependent travel. Under the old policy, approval for requests to delay dependent travel were normally limited to the end of the current school term, which is usually the end of June or December (depending on the member’s detach date). The new policy allows Sailors with school-aged dependents to request delayed dependent travel until the end of the school year.
For questions on this updated policy, contact the Military Pay and Compensation Policy Branch via email at Nxag_n130c@navy.mil.
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
No More Letters of Intent Due to 6 Month Lead Time for PCS Orders
The navy released a NAVADMIN about PCS orders. In summary, it says:
- With increased orders lead time (OLT), letters of intent (LOI) are no longer as impactful and less critical for Sailors and their dependents.
- OLT is expected to remain around six months in aggregate for the foreseeable future. Sailors should receive orders with adequate time to complete the required documentation and logistical planning for both continental United States (CONUS) and overseas/remote assignments before beginning the permanent change of station (PCS) process, negating the need for the LOI.
When orders were being released less than 2 months before a PCS, officers were able to get a LOI so they could get on waiting lists for base housing or child development centers. It sounds like we won’t need those for the foreseeable future.
Military Times Article – Personnel Bosses are Latest to Weigh in on Limiting Military Moves
Here’s the link to an interesting article on Military Times:
Personnel Bosses are Latest to Weigh in on Limiting Military Moves
Navy Increasing Orders Lead Times
Here’s a link to this Navy Times article that discusses additional money that was approved to improve the release of orders:
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