Fast Facts 2008 February
February 2008 Fast Facts
Hotel Parking for Rental Cars: If you are authorized a rental car and staying at a hotel that charges for parking, the total cost for the room and parking cannot exceed the per diem rate for lodging in that area. For example, you are staying in San Diego. The maximum rate for a hotel room in San Diego is $146 per day. You are staying at the Holiday Inn and they give you a room for $140 per day but charge you $15 per day to park (total $155). You would be reimbursed for the $146 and the remaining $9 per day would be at your expense. Keep that in mind if you have to stay at a hotel vice the BOQ.
Overseas Travel: There has been a recent clarification of the rules on overseas travel for members of the Individual Ready Reserve. If you are leaving the United States you are required to have a security brief. This brief can be done via e-mail and phone with the NM MPT&E Security Officer, but you need to plan ahead. Contact MDAD at least 6 weeks prior to travel at oh@med.navy.mil.
Officer Development School for Graduating Students: If you are graduating and have not completed ODS, LT Bristol (your detailer) will be giving you orders to go. You do not need to (and you can’t) apply via NROWS.
Changes in NROWS: The method for getting to the NROWS site has changed and there have been changes in the actual application. The new instructions are attached to this e-mail.
Information for Graduating Students
1. PAY: Student stipends end on the day of graduation. The Navy will provide no additional pay until you report for active duty. Please plan ahead to have funds available for expenses occurring during this time. Since a pay record is required to obtain advance pay, members must wait until reporting for active duty to make such a request. Even under the best of circumstances it can take 1-2 months for pay to normalize.
For information regarding military pay, go to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service web site at http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay.html. To view Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) go to http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/bah.html .
2. ORDERS: Orders to active duty will be prepared by the intern/medical student detailer, Lieutenant Raymond Bristol at BUPERS-4415P at (901) 874-4045 or Raymond.bristol@navy.mil. Your original orders will be available at the Naval Recruiting District office closest to your medical school. LT Bristol will send orders to you directly via e-mail. Students should have orders in hand by approximately 1 April. If you have not heard anything by 7 April, contact MDAD at oh@med.navy.mil.
3. TRAVEL ALLOWANCES: Information on travel allowances and reimbursements can be found at the Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee web site at http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/perdiemrates.html HPSP students are not authorized Dislocation Allowance.
4. MOVING: Once you have received your orders (e-mail orders are acceptable as original orders), contact the local Transportation/Personal Property Office to arrange for shipment of household goods. To determine the nearest Personal Property Office, call the Naval Supply Systems Command at 1-800-444-7789 and tell them the location from which you are shipping your household goods. Plan your move and ship early to ensure that your household goods arrive prior to the start of your internship, but they can arrive during orientation. Time off to arrange delivery of goods becomes difficult once actual internship commences. The cost of the move is covered by the Navy. The movers used by the Navy are generally very good. Two things to note: First, if you do not watch them they will pack your trash and second, keep track of small pets (occasionally they pack curious cats by accident.)
The publication “It’s Your Move,” has useful information about arranging a military move, and can be found on the Web at: http://www.usapa.army.mil/PDFFILES/P55_2.PDF. Additionally http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/itsyourmove/ has a wealth of information on moving.
5. DOCUMENTS: There are a number of documents that you should hand carry to your new duty station in order to establish your pay record and training/credentials file and get your family into the DEERS system for health care: a.A minimum of 3 copies of your orders to active duty b.Oath of Office to Lieutenant c.A copy of all DD214s if you have prior enlisted or officer service d.Your diploma or an official copy of your diploma (notarized), an official copy of transcripts that demonstrate graduation with degree or a letter (on letterhead) from your school stating you have graduated. e.Copies of additional degree substantiation, such as a Master’s degree f.Birth Certificates for member and any children g.Marriage certificate if married h.Divorce decree if now divorced and former spouse is still listed on your service record’s Page 2 i.Copies of your BLS and ACLS if you have successfully completed them.
6. UNIFORMS: Students should have one clean set of Summer Whites ready for inspection on the first day of orientation and two sets of Khakis. These should be kept separate from your household goods. Do not rely on your household goods arriving by the time you check-in. They may be there, but you will be embarrassed if you have no uniforms to start orientation.
7. GME COORDINATORS: Students will be contacted by the hospital’s GME Coordinator in mid-February. If you have not been contacted by 21 February, you should initiate contact. The GME coordinator should be kept informed of any changes in your report date or contact information. If you have any special needs such as a family member with health/school issues or restrictions on travel due to pregnancy, the GME coordinator should be informed and can assist with special arrangements. The GME coordinators have a wealth of knowledge. Do not hesitate to ask them questions. They are far more likely to have the correct answer than another classmate. If traveling to the area of the hospital, stop by and meet the GME coordinator.
8. TRAVEL CLAIMS/REIMBURSEMENTS: All travel claims and reimbursements accrued while in the HPSP MUST BE COMPLETED prior to graduation and the start of active duty. Please submit all claims to the HPSP office AT LEAST 60 days prior to graduation.
9. THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN/MONTGOMERY GI BILL: All officers are offered participation in these programs once on active duty. If you plan to pursue residency after you leave active duty, you may want to consider the GI Bill program. It can be used in conjunction with an accredited residency. To learn more about these programs check these websites:
