Hey, all!

We had our TMO outbrief today,and thought I'd pass along some news we found out, a change from the old policy of 1,500 lbs out, and the possibility of a waiver.

As of June 20, 2007, the amount you're allowed to ship home has been reduced significantly.. I believe the percentage went from somewhere around 5% points lower... no longer is the going rate 1500 lbs, but 700 lbs..and waivers? A thing of the past! Basically, there's no more allowance for acquiring more *stuff* once you get here.

While I'm not sure how the change affects those here with command sponsorship, or for those who may be Army NCS (this could be one of those AF policy supplements, instead of JFTR) , for those of us here NCS who anticipated that 1500 lbs capability on the trip home.. it's time to start rethinking that load! :) LOL :)

Mr. Fishe, TMO expert.. any insight? *G* If you can pull yourself away from the hooch that is! :)

Dee :)

Is this true even for folks who extended to stay 2-3-4 extra years?

While I really can't answer with 100% certainty, hence my request for fishe's insights, my understanding is that yes, the new stipulation does cover those who have extended. "Unaccompanied personnel" are "unaccompanied personnel" even if they've extended, so they get the same as a guy who's been here 1 year. The only change comes with "accompanied" status. It was presented as an across the board thing, no exceptions.

Again, I'm not 100% certain of that, so don't hedge any bets until we've heard from fishe, but that's the way it was presented this morning.

And again, keep in mind,this was at an AF briefing, and the AF uses a supplement to the JFTR, so it's possible that this may be an AF only thing,and not affect those in other services.

Dee :)

I'll do some research and post back later.

Thanks, fishe... If it helps you any in your research,the date we were given as the date of the change was 20 June 2007.

Dee :)

Hey I just happy period, I thought I was only going to get 500lb so stuff on the way home. I wonder why they changed it? The AF can be so stingy sometimes

I checked with TMO this morning and they said that, as a CS family with a 2 year tour we are allowed 3350 lbs when PCSing.

This is %&#cked up....I guess I'll have a whole bunch of stuff to sell when I'm ready to leave. I brought over about 1700 lbs when I came over. I was allowed 900 by boat, I guess it's 500lbs by air. I hope the 700 is by air and there is still extra weight allowed if it's taken by ship.

Okay wait what? Trying to understand this.

I know that we get to TAKE OVER more than 700 pounds, correct? So this is saying that we get to BRING BACK less than what we take over? How the banana peppers is that right?

Ginger,

This is speaking primarily of those here unaccompanied with family members here NCS. As I suspected, and as Ralu confirmed with her contact with TMO, this change will have no effect on CS spouse, so you should be fine, and not be expected to return with less than you came over with.

While those who come here command sponsored are allowed considerably more, though not their full normal allowance, those who are here NCS travel over with only the allowance that their unaccompanied member have, which is based on a percentage of their JFTR allotment.

Your average unaccompanied NCO gets 500 lbs. on the way over, if items are shipped by air, 700 lbs. if shipped by sea. In the past, an unaccompanied airman was allowed a substantially higher JFTR percentage on their return trip home, usually 1500 lbs. With this June change, the unaccompanied NCO can no longer do that, but is limited to the same amount they came over with...

In the past, an airman could also request a waiver to allow for more weight to be shipped from here, with the difference to be counted against his HHG shipment to the follow-on (I could be wrong about the difference thing), however, as of 20 June, you are allowed only the unaccompanied amount, period, waivering is not an option.

I hope this helps explain a little better... again, you,as a CS family, shouldn't be affected by this.

Dee :)