Marino13

They will pay for your storage, you proved yourself that it depends on who you talk to.

They HAVE to pay for your storage the entire time you are over seas.

WOW SPAIN, that would be a great follow on.

Have you been to Korea before?

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

We were under the impression that if the Air Force paid for our storage and/or moved our HHG (the family stuff, not the things going to Korea) before or during the remote, that we would lose the follow-on that we chose. The trade off for getting to choose the next assignment was that you would ONLY get TMO services when you PCS to the next station.

That was what we read. Any comments?

Kara

Kara, I think you're right. I just went through my old paperwork and it specifically says that I lose ALL PCS entitlements if I accept the follow on program. If I didn't accept my follow on, they would pay for my wife to move anywhere CONUS along with our HHG, or store HHG free of charge, and I'd get DLA. I was hoping I'd be able to still get the DLA at least, but no dice. And there's no way I'm letting my assignment to Spain go. Only question now is this. Let's say I "store" my HHG here at Patrick AFB for the first year. Shouldn't they pay for storage the next two years while I'm in Spain? That only makes sense to me. Hmm, another trip to TMO.

We're hoping for a Europe follow-on as well. Crossing our fingers, and anything else we can think of!

I would assume (dangerous, I know) that the AF should store your things while you're in Spain but you might run into a problem because TMO didn't move you into the storage space and find it themselves. I don't know for certain, but that seems like an Air Force problem to have.

We do have friends right now at the embassy in Egypt and the AF is paying for storage of the HHG that they could not take with them.

Our plan is to store our HHG at our own expense here at our losing base, move the kids and I home at our own expense, and then (depending on the follow-on) either transport the kids and I back to the losing base to collect our HHG and DITY to the gaining CONUS base or for my husband to return from Korea to the losing base and co-ordinate TMO for transporting our stored HHG to the gaining OCONUS base. I don't know if that helps you or not!

Let us know what you find out!

Kara

I'm sorry all, I just don't understand the difference between the AF and Army in this situation (PCS MOVE).

When I left my last duty assignment they shipped my HHG's to a choice that I made. They also stored a portion of my HHG's at my last duty station.(HHG's will be in storage for 3 years when I return to the states) They even sent my shipment to Korea.

With all that said, I just don't understand how their can be SUCH a difference when we fall under the REG. JFTR?

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

Chuck,
Yes, it is a little messed up. It IS an AF thing, it's an AFI (AF-instruction)36-2110-1. They made me sign it in order to get my follow on before I get to Korea. In the AF, we list 8 preferences and they try to match you with one. If you get it, and accept it, you lose all your benefits. Pretty messed up, but I guess it's one of those drug deals you make to ensure you get a nice assignment afterwards. If you elect no follow on, of course you get your entitlements, however, you will be given a list of job openings while in Korea, and hope there is one you like, and hope you get your first pick. The AF assignment process is a little bit messed up that way. But I guess it's worth it to some, to know where they will go next (especially in my case in getting Spain). But I agree with you, it doesn't seem right.

Regarding DLA, technically, even NCS folks are entitled to it, however, actually getting it is another story altogether. When my husband applied to move off base, he was told there was a waiting list of 14 or so other O-3s ahead of him. When he persisted, he was told that since his family was already here, he could go ahead and rent an apartment and all, BUT, in doing so (and by-passing the waiting list) he had to forfeit DLA and one other something or other that totalled over $3000. Losing the money hurt, but since we talked to the other O-3s ahead of us on the waiting list and found that some of them had already been waiting for 4 months, we really didn't have much choice. We kissed the $3000 good-bye and moved into our apartment within a week.

The Army payed for my storage back in the States while I was on active duty here in Korea, and continued paying for it for one year after I retired. After that, I got approval to continue storing, but I have to pay for it.

Here's the kicker ~ since I got approval to continue storing it, I only have to pay the gov't rate, and not the commercial rate. I don't know what the commercial rate would have been, but I was told it's a lot higher than the gov't rate. For 3,700 lbs. at the gov't rate, I have to pay $17/mth - and I pay it all at once at the time I finally decide to have it shipped somewhere.

Yes, folks, be afraid, be very afraid! :)
As of last night, 2 November, we're actually here..woohoo! :)

Annnd today, we made the trek around the base, and actually got more than a few things accomplished, including the dread ration card and even a relatively painless initial visit to housing! :) So far, so good..now to get on the ball, get over jetlag, and actually get in touch with the realtors!

Now that I'm here, let me once again say thank you to all who have been so kind, encouraging and informative to me over these past few months..you are, in a very big way, at least somewhat responsible for my being here.. :) I'm looking forward to these next 11 months, and to finally meeting you all in person! :)

*hugs*

Dee :)

Man YOU and JOE both here in the same week!!!!!!!!!!! RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY!!!!!!!

Just kidding!! Welcome Dee and hubby and little one.

Hope things are going good for you so far.

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey