PCS
Navy-Specific Travel Guidance
The SECDEF extended the world-wide Stop Movement through 30 June 2020 and the Acting SECNAV released an associated ALNAV. As such, the Navy updated its consolidated COVID-19 NAVADMIN to reflect the new stop movement date, and provided updated information on a number of topics, to ensure the NAVADMIN is a “one-stop shop” reference for our Navy leadership, Sailors, civilians, and their families.
Major updates include:
- Consolidates guidance.
- Incorporates Fleet feedback and provides clarifying language throughout.
- Incorporates updated force health protection guidance.
- Addresses Fleet mission essential training and Midshipmen summer training.
- Addresses pregnancy, leave, Common Access Cards (CACs)/ID cards, Navy Medicine service updates, selection boards, and casualty and mortuary affairs.
- Provides a bibliography of other important COVID-19 policy updates.
- Moves reporting criteria and requirements to a separate and stand-alone NAVADMIN.
I will have more than a few e-mails and phone calls today to try and sort out what this all practically means for those coming into and leaving GME, promotion boards, etc. and will put out specific guidance on those topics once I can. I wanted to get this out there, but I may not have answers to your questions right away.
As always, if you have questions about your orders your Detailer is your go-to resource, not this blog. My Detailer hat is 5 years old.
Update to Travel Restrictions
Here is a Military Times article about it and the text of the DoD press release below. Many people will have questions, but until we get the Navy specific guidance (like a NAVADMIN) it will be hard to answer them:
Effective today, Secretary Esper approved an extension to the stop move order through June 30 to aid in the further prevention of the spread of COVID-19. While the Department acknowledges that this order will have great impact on our service members and their families who are looking to proceed with their lives, the rapidly changing environment has created significant risks to service members, as the DOD continues personnel movements and travel. The decision was made in order to protect U.S. personnel and preserve the operational readiness of our global force. The Department now has procedures in place to allow for additional waivers and the resumption of travel for several categories of travelers that were previously suspended, including deployments.
The guidance can be found here and helpful information can be found here.
Update to Restriction of Movement (ROM) Guidance and PCS Moves
While we have no official policy yet on PCS restrictions, the following story from Military.com seems to indicate we’ll get it soon:
Military Travel Ban Extended Until June 30; Some Restrictions Eased
We have a new NAVADMIN, though, about restriction of movement (ROM) with a press release here:
From Commander, Navy Installations Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) — Even during unprecedented times, defending the nation is what the Navy does best, while ensuring those who don the uniform remain safe.
In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and keep Sailors healthy, unit commanders now have the authority to place personnel on a 14-day Restriction of Movement (ROM) period prior to deploying, getting underway or conducting operations.
According to NAVADMIN 113/20, which provides an update to previous guidance regarding ROM, unit commanders can also place new personnel on ROM status prior to integrating them with their shipmates.
When personnel are on ROM, they will be directed to remain in their homes, quarters such as unaccompanied housing, or temporary lodging that meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance. Sailors in a ROM period may conduct essential tasks, such as laundry and outdoor exercise, while maintaining six feet from others.
Complete details are available in NAVADMIN 113/20, which was released April 17.
Military Times – The Military’s Travel Ban is Getting an Extension, SECDEF Confirms
Here’s a link to the article, which doesn’t confirm the length of the extension, simply that an announcement is coming later this week:
The Military’s Travel Ban is Getting an Extension, SECDEF Confirms
Team at Naval Personnel Command Works 24/7 to Help Sailors, Families With PCS Questions
MILLINGTON, Tennessee (NNS) — Since the Navy’s first announcement in mid-March to stop movement due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic, Sailors with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders have been worried what that will mean for them and their families.
According to Navy Personnel Command’s Career Management Department, the questions have been rampant and consistent: “Can I move?” “I’ve already checked out so what do I do now?” “Do I need an order modification?” “Do I go to my next school?” “What about my household goods?”
To answer Sailors’ questions, the Navy has relied on NPC’s Career Management Department (PERS-4) to be the repository for answers.
“We understand that this is a very stressful time for all of our Sailors and PERS-4 is doing everything we possibly can to take care of our Sailors and our Navy,” said Rear Adm. Rick Cheeseman, assistant commander, NPC for Career Management. “We are a customer service business, and our business is taking care of our people.”
More than 700 Sailors, officers and civilians make up PERS-4, representing every Navy rate and designator. Detailers work with individuals to manage their careers, and placement officers represent commands to ensure that they are properly staffed. The two halves of PERS-4 have worked hand-in-hand to ensure that both the Sailors and the Navy have what they need.
With the release of NAVADMIN 064/20 in mid-March, the PERS-4 stood up a round-the-clock duty to proactively initiate contact with every member immediately impacted by the 60-day stop movement order. This 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service reaches out to this group of almost 23,000 Sailors and officers which includes anyone already in the middle of a PCS move as well as anyone with PCS orders for March or April.
While adding this level of service, PERS-4 continues its normal service to all constituents.
“Normal business has changed and the way that we conduct business has changed,” said Cheeseman. “While we are doing what we normally do we are just doing it faster. Like an emergency breakaway on a ship.
“We must be flexible and able to adjust to match the needs of the Sailors.”
As COVID-19 issued have progressed, PERS-4 needed to adjust to take their our own safety into account to keep the staff healthy and available for the Sailors.
“At the moment, about 80 percent of our staff is teleworking, but we remain fully able to care for the Sailors and the Navy,” said Cheeseman.
Many Sailors ended up in various situations – some were stuck in airports waiting to board overseas flights, and some had their household goods packed out in limbo – that required waivers to complete their transition from one duty station to another.
Cheeseman holds the waiver authority.
“The waiver process is a very intensive one and he has not delegated his authority to anyone. He personally looks at each waiver request himself with the goal of turning each round as fast as possible,” said Capt. Chris Harris, director, Distribution Management Division, Career Management Department. “There is a three-pronged test for movement waivers; mission essential, humanitarian, and economic burden. So far more 1,100 have been approved.”
All Sailors with outstanding questions are Sailors are encouraged to contact the MyNavy Career Center (MNCC) for questions. They can be reach at 1-833-330-MNCC (6622) or askmncc@navy.mil. For more information about MNCC Services and other contact information, go to https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/organization/npc/publicaffairs/news/Documents/MNCC_flyer.pdf
“Even though this situation is extremely stressful, Sailors need to remain patient. If you have an issue, we will take care of you,” Cheeseman said. “The bottom line is that we absolutely will not leave anyone behind.”
For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.
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
Restriction of Movement Guidance NAVADMIN
Provided below is a new NAVADMIN message that contains COVID-19 Restriction of Movement (ROM) Guidance. It discusses ROM-related definitions, applicability, guidance, responsibilities, entitlements, and reporting requirements. This NAVADMIN also provides a series of ROM FAQs:
https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2020/NAV20083.txt
PCS On Hold? Why You Might Want to Visit Legal Now
Here’s a link to this article for anyone who is trying to PCS and renting:
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 