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FY18 Medical Corps O5 Promotion Board Stats and Math Explained
Overall stats are here (and in PDF form – FY18 AO5S STATS):
The promotion opportunity was 75%. The number of people in zone was 143. In order to find the total number of officers they could select for promotion, you take the promotion opportunity x the size of the zone:
(75% promotion opportunity) x (143 officer zone size) = 107 officers could be selected for promotion, which is how many they selected…
Above zone – 47 of 155 selected – 30.32%
In zone – 57 of 143 selected – 39.86%
Below zone – 3 of 398 selected – 0.75%
FY18 Medical Corps O5 Promotion List
Here’s the list (link to the ALNAV is here):
Ableman Thomas B 0031 Agraz Javier Jr 0021
Atienza Arriel Elarmo 0105 Auten Jonathan David 0013
Ballard Sarah B 0074 Barker Patrick Dean 0079
Barlow Thomas K 0098 Bernhard Jason Robert 0081
Boller William A 0017 Burke Kim Elizabeth 0038
Canuso Amy Arnold 0070 Capra Gregory Gerard 0083
Carbone Peter Neff 0088 Childs John Michael 0025
Choe Anna Y 0068 Chung James 0039
Clark Delbert David 0008 Clark James K 0069
Coffey Debra D 0072 Connolly Randy Wain 0041
Cook Jerald L 0106 Cronyn Patrick Dager 0052
Cross Garfield 0029 Crossman Emily L 0048
Decker Lawrence C 0067 Degrado Justin James 0024
Dierksheide Julie E 0014 Dimmer Brian Matthew 0086
Douglas Mark S 0075 Elliott Adrian 0026
Fechner Kenneth M 0020 Fick Daryl Burton Jr 0087
Fowler Elizabeth Mae 0085 Gentry Shari Lynn 0012
Germana Antonino 0101 Gibson Lisa Kay 0104
Gomezleonardelli Domin 0047 Greene David Erik 0009
Grijalva Steven D 0033 Grossart Richard T 0005
Gudeman Suzanne Rae 0089 Heltzel David Andrew 0010
Hoover Khristina J 0030 Kazlauskas Kristofer A 0003
Kilfoil Terrence M 0043 Ko Charles C 0036
Koren Kelly Gray 0080 Krzyzaniak Michael J 0023
Lamme Jacqueline S 0034 Leibig Jonathan Scott 0046
Lodico Derek N 0061 Love Kathleen M 0076
Lunceford Martin W 0065 Mcadams Douglas C 0056
Mcdivitt Jonathan D 0078 Mcdonald Lucas S 0032
Mcgrath Sean F 0001 Mei Jian Ming 0007
Mentler Ellie Chiwon K 0084 Miletich Derek Matthew 0082
Miller Kyle Eric 0077 Mullins Lynita H 0095
Murphy Thomas J II 0019 Murphy Wayne Thomas 0006
Nassiri Joshua Darius 0064 Nelles Meghann E 0015
Nelson Benjamin E 0055 Nicholas Luke C 0092
Nork Justin J 0100 Owings Alfred John II 0050
Paz David Alexander 0018 Perez Angel J 0107
Peterson Jami Jo 0058 Phillips Christopher R 0071
Phun Huy Q 0060 Potochny Evelyn M 0049
Pryor Howard Irwin II 0004 Quartey Benjamin N 0028
Rappe Jodie Danielle 0090 Reynolds William W Jr 0002
Rice Nelly Kim 0022 Ripple James Randall 0066
Robinson Christa M 0045 Rose Matthew W 0011
Rupp Brianna L 0042 Sangiorgi Michelle J 0073
Schmitz Joseph William 0035 Schuette Albert J Jr 0016
Shah Anil N 0027 Singla Manish 0091
Smith Jason E 0040 Smith Monique E 0096
Spring Leah Kristina 0063 Stclair Kristina J 0093
Steelman Theodore J 0053 Stickle Edward T Jr 0059
Sweet Nicholas N 0062 Teti Virginia Plitt 0054
Uniszkiewicz Robert N 0103 Valentine Johannah K 0037
Vargas Marcel Moses 0044 Viola Shelton A 0094
Ward William Harrell 0102 Whaley John Gregory 0051
Wood Kristi M 0097 Worthley Jeffrey C 0057
Yee Bruce Arnold 0099
USSOCOM Surgeon Position – O6 Only
The USSOCOM Surgeon position is opening in June 2018 and is open to O6 only. Nomination packets are due to BUMED by 17 JUL via your Specialty Leader. The nomination packet must include:
- Flag officer letter of recommendation
- Photo
- CV and BIO
- Last 5 fitreps
- Detailer and Specialty Leader concurrence
Guest Post – Maximizing TSP Contributions During Deployment
[Editor’s Note – The process of contributing to the TSP above the $18K annual limit while deployed can be confusing. Thanks to Dr. Levi Kitchen for giving us a first hand summary of how it works.]
By LCDR Levi Kitchen (Levikk81 < at > gmail.com)
Deployment offers a number of financial benefits, including tax free pay which can be directly contributed to your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). However, this can be tricky. The following numbers are based on 2017 limits, which can be seen at this link.
Normally, the elective deferral limit is $18,000 annually. A deferral is defined as the money you elect to remove from your paycheck and contribute to the TSP. This includes either Roth or traditional TSP contributions. When deployed to a combat zone and therefore receiving combat zone tax exempt (CZTE) pay, the deferral limit for the current calendar year increases to $54,000. However, even when receiving CZTE pay, you cannot exceed $18,000 in contributions to your Roth TSP. The remaining $36,000 would have to be contributed to the traditional TSP. Also, in order to take advantage of the higher limit, the money has to come from your CZTE pay, which has to come directly from your paycheck. So, you can only take advantage of the higher deferral limits while receiving CZTE pay, not after.
Although the decision between the Roth and traditional TSP can be complicated (a matrix can be seen here), it’s probably smartest to max contributions to the Roth TSP first as, due to the CZTE, this money will never be taxed by the federal government. Once you reach a total contribution of $18,000 to the Roth TSP, DFAS will automatically stop deducting money from your paycheck. At this point, you need to change your contributions to traditional TSP in MyPay, because you’ve reached the limit of allowable Roth TSP contributions. Automatic deductions to the traditional TSP would again stop once you reach the total limit of $54,000 ($18,000 in Roth TSP and $36,000 in traditional TSP) for the calendar year, or you stop receiving CZTE pay.
As far as I know, once you stop receiving CZTE pay, your annual limit returns to $18,000 regardless of either Roth or traditional contributions. If you’ve already contributed over $18,000 while deployed, then you cannot contribute anymore to your TSP for that calendar year.
For any comments or questions, please email Levi at Levikk81 < at > gmail.com.
Navy to Issue Letters of Intent for Most PCS Moves
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Navy announced Friday in NAVADMIN 159/17 that beginning July 5, most Sailors will receive a Letter of Intent (LOI) that will help them coordinate a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) household good shipment much earlier, as well as complete other necessary screenings.
These mitigation efforts and innovative process changes will now allow most Sailors to complete operational (sea duty) screenings, update security clearances, take permissive Temporary Duty (TDY) to find a residence, and begin the entitlement counseling and application processes for the movement of Household Goods (HHG) before receiving funded orders.
“We understand the impact that compressed PCS lead times have had on Sailors and their families preparing to move,” said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke. “That is why we have been working hard to develop and implement solutions within our control that minimize the impact to our Sailors. Our focus and priority remains on manning the Fleet, and taking care of Sailors and their families.”
Previously, only Sailors receiving orders to an overseas duty location were issued LOIs to start the process of completing overseas and medical screenings, dependent entry approval, passport applications and security clearance requests. Now, most Sailors will receive an LOI.
“While we are working hard to ultimately provide Sailors six months of orders lead time, these are tangible changes that will help Sailors prepare for their upcoming move several months in advance,” said Burke. “We believe these changes will enable greater flexibility and help alleviate some of the challenges of the already stressful situation associated with a PCS move.”
Upon receipt of an LOI, Sailors should access the Defense Personal Property System (DPS), accessible through http://www.move.mil. If not in receipt of funded PCS orders, “NAVYLOI” should be entered as the PCS order number to begin the process of shipping their HHG. When funding is received and PCS orders are issued, NPC will provide the HHG offices with a copy of the Sailor’s PCS orders for upload into DPS and send the moving request to industry. Additionally, Personnel Support Detachments can make reservations for travel with the LOI.
However, because an LOI does not contain a line of accounting, it cannot be used to issue tickets, receive advanced military and/or travel pay, ship HHGs and Privately Owned Vehicles (POV) or place them in storage, or used to reimburse for a personally procured move.
While most Sailors will receive an LOI for their PCS orders, the following types of orders are not eligible to receive one: Temporary Limited Duty (TLD), Home Port Changes, Pre Commission units, Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC), Afghanistan-Pakistan (AFPAK) Hands, pregnancies, accessions, retirements and separations. These types of orders have defined release timelines well in advance, making an LOI unnecessary.
Service members are encouraged to visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/household/ for the schedule of Household Goods Entitlement Webinars and other valuable information. This website or the local Personal Property Office will provide families with detailed instructions on completing the online household goods move application. Commands are requested to proactively encourage members to begin the HHG move application process as early as possible.
Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) provides the following reminders to facilitate other aspects of PCS move planning:
Those Sailors applying for Navy family housing can be placed on the housing waitlist according to the date of detachment from the Sailor’s prior permanent duty station based on their PCS orders, provided that a housing application is submitted within 30 days of the reporting date. Advance applications will be accepted. However, placement on the list will not occur until the Sailor reports to the gaining Command. This ensures Navy family housing waitlists are independent of orders receipt date.
Housing also provides a tool that allows Sailors and their families to engage with Housing Service Center staff at one or more Navy installations worldwide earlier in the PCS process. The Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) can be accessed at http://www.cnic.navy.mil/HEAT, even before PCS orders are issued. No CAC is required to access the website.
Additionally, MilitaryChildCare.com provides a single online gateway for families to access military-operated or military-subsidized child care options worldwide across all Services. Due to the standardized request process and waitlist management tools, the DoD site offers a more streamlined approach for finding and requesting care and providing Anticipated Placement Time (APT) estimates. This allows families to submit requests for care at programs with an APT that most closely fulfills their needs. Since APT estimates may change, families are advised to review all their options on a regular basis and submit requests for all DoD child care operations that may meet their requirements.
For more information on PCS orders lead times and LOI issuance, read NAVADMIN 159/17.
Sailors can also contact the Navy Personnel Customer Service Center at: (866) U-Ask-NPC (827-5672), or via email at: UASKNPC@NAVY.MIL.
I Paid Off My Mortgage – Should You?
(Here is a pdf of this article, one of my personal finance columns I write for a national Emergency Medicine newsletter. Find more of them here.)
I cut a check and paid off my mortgage in February, making me debt-free. It cut my living expenses by about a third and ensured that in four years, at the age of 45, I’ll be financially independent and eligible for military retirement. What a glorious feeling! Should you pay off your mortgage as soon as you can?
Benefits of Paying Off Your Mortgage
You have one less thing to worry about! You’ve got food. You’ve got water. Now you’ve locked in your shelter and may be debt-free on top of that. You can move from “safety” to “love and belonging” on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
It reduces your fixed monthly expenses, which goes a long way toward setting you up for retirement, fewer shifts, or even an alternative career path. Housing is usually a large percentage of your monthly expenses, and everyone who decides to purchase their primary domicile should make being mortgage-free a major goal by the time of retirement.
It saves you money, since you’ll likely save tens of thousands of dollars in interest you otherwise would have paid. In addition, if you no longer have a mortgage you should be able to reduce the amount of life and disability insurance you are paying for each month.
Without a mortgage, you can save and invest more money every month. Before I paid off my mortgage I saved 30% of my gross income. I’m not sure how much I’ll save now, but it’ll be more than 30%.
When you pay off your mortgage, you are getting a guaranteed rate of return on the investment. In my case, the rate on my mortgage was 3%. I’m usually in the 33% tax bracket, which means that every dollar I put toward paying off my mortgage earned me a guaranteed return of 2%. This is a remarkably similar return when compared to most low-risk bond yields in recent years. In fact, this is exactly why I paid off my mortgage. I wanted to have a small portion of my retirement savings in bonds, but it made no sense to own bonds that would pay me 3-4% while paying 3% on my mortgage. Paying down your mortgage is a reasonable substitute for buying bonds.
There can be asset protection benefits to paying off your home loan. Some states provide unlimited asset protection for home equity, which makes it nearly impossible to lose your home if a lawsuit doesn’t go your way. Other states, however, protect very little of your home equity. If you want to see what your state protects, go to this link and look for each state’s “homestead exemption”:
http://www.assetprotectionbook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=142&t=1566
If you are paying a financial advisor who charges you a fee based on a percentage of your assets under management, by taking some of those assets and using them to pay off your house you reduce your investment expenses.
Benefits to Keeping Your Mortgage
When you make your mortgage payment, some of it goes toward principle and increases the equity in your home. For me this was about $2000/month of forced savings. If you are not financially disciplined, making a mortgage payment will ensure that every month you are squirreling away at least a little bit of money.
Mortgage rates are still near their all-time lows. If you can borrow money at 3-4% and invest it in something that will give you a higher net return, it makes sense to invest the money instead of paying off the mortgage. That said, you have to make sure that you actually invest the money. In addition, there are very few investments that guarantee a return greater than your mortgage. Actually, there probably aren’t any, because of the word “guarantee.” Yes – stocks, high-yield or corporate bonds, real estate, etc. will probably make more than 3-4%, and you can protect yourself by diversifying – but that is certainly not guaranteed.
The after-tax mortgage rate you are paying may be below inflation. For example, my after-tax mortgage rate was 2%. If inflation had been above 2%, I would have been getting paid (in real terms) to borrow money!
The value of real estate tends to rise with inflation but your mortgage payment is fixed, so when inflation increases the value of your house but your mortgage payment remains the same, you are paying the loan back with dollars that are worth less and less as time goes on. When your mortgage is paid off, you give up this benefit.
What Should You Do?
Like most financial decisions, situations vary and this decision can be complicated. The best on-line article I could find that goes through all the complexities of the issue, which my brief article does not, can be found here:
https://financialmentor.com/financial-advice/pay-off-mortgage-early-or-invest/7478
You should always maximize contributions to your retirement accounts, pay off all non-mortgage debt that has a higher interest rate, and save for your children’s education before you consider paying your mortgage off early. But if you find yourself having taken care of all of this, and weighing investing in bonds versus paying off your mortgage, you can’t beat the peace of mind that comes with being mortgage-free!
Conference Approval Made Easy
As put out by BUMED, here are the steps you need to take for the new/updated/easier conference approval process:
- Check the Conference Approval Website (you need to pick your e-mail certificate on your CAC card) for the most current ‘Requiring BUMED Approval’ List.
- If the conference IS NOT on the list, commands are authorized to approve travel. The member only needs to route a TAD request as per local command policy.
- If the conference IS on the list, members are required to work through their Specialty Leader or Quota Manager to be approved per the BUMED Conference Approval Process (similar to before).
The new process is supposed to be much easier for everyone. The intent is to make it easy for anyone to attend a conference costing < $100K, while still maintaining cognizance of conferences > $100K (without recreating an administrative burden).
NOTE – This is a summary of the new conference approval policy. Please refer to guidance posted on the Conference Approval Website (you need to pick your e-mail certificate on your CAC card) for directive guidance.
2017 Joint Service GME Selection Board Application Procedures
Here is the just released BUMED Note that spells out how to apply for GME in 2017 and which residencies/fellowships are anticipated to be available:
Nominations Call for MHS Female Physician Leadership Award
The deadline for nominations for the Military Health System (MHS) Female Physician Leadership Award is COB 10 JUL 2017. Here are three documents to help with completing the nomination package:
Command Letter of Recommendation Sample
MHS Female Physician Leadership Award Criteria
MHS Female Physician Leadership Award Nomination Form
Nomination packages should contain the Command Endorsement, CV, and Nomination Form. Package documents should be submitted in one consolidated PDF format with the following standardized naming – title the PDF “Last Name First Initial_Service_Jr or Sr_FPL_17”
Example: SmithB_Navy_Jr_FPL_17
The suspense for packages to be submitted for Service vetting is COB 10 JUL 2017, (1600 EST). This suspense is FIRM, as packages must be vetted and selected by Navy/SG for submission to MHS. Packages should be sent to the NAVY POC: CAPT Charmagne G. Beckett (e-mail address in BUMED global).
Military Times Article – Blended Retirement: Should I Make the Switch?
Here’s a link to another article about the new blended retirement system (BRS):
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 