PR is a great place to raise kids.you'll have several options on where you can send your kids to school. College prep/ Christian and catholic schools are all options you will have to educate your kids.
you will not have time to practice before your check flight. I would suggest renting a Cessna at a local flight school and get some stick time.
No single engine commercial shouldn’t be a problem.

If you look back over this entire thread, the whole PR base seems to be a very mixed bag. Some immediately dismiss it (have they been?) and some say it is great.

I wonder if it would be possible for someone to reach out to a current AIA in PR and get them to weigh in on the topic as it stands TODAY.

I haven't made any contacts down there yet, or I would inquire. All I was told in February at my interview was that they are always looking for pilots there, they will give you a contract date as to when you can leave, and you will get an additional 25% pay on top of the new 35% locality. You can also use the AFB school (Rames) for your kids.

​​​​​​That is the latest info I have as of Feb 2020. That all came from the HR rep at the conclusion of my interview.

have you been to Aguadiila recently for AIA? Are you from PR? Not attacking you, just curious.

have you been to Aguadiila recently for AIA? Are you from PR? Not attacking you, just curious.[/QUOTE]
PR is a mixed bag plain and simple. I can tell you how great it is but you might not have the same experience. These are the two most important things you must do in order to enjoy your time here. 1) learn Spanish to at least a basic functional level. 2) accept the local culture for what it is. PR Is not the US, its a Latin American county that happens to be a US territory.
All the information you received and shared is 100 percent correct and up to date.

PreciousCargo

An important line item federal civil servants stationed in PR may want to inquire is the tax implications. I haven't heard of any override in pay, given PR is paid at "rest of US" locality rate, which is frankly uncompetitive as all get out. PR levies income tax to the tune of 33% for every dollar above 60K, which puts it at the highest bracket of any place in the US that taxes federal+state. As a federal civil servant you're given a tax credit on your taxes paid to the island coffers, to offset your federal tax burden. Essentially it always exceeds your federal burden so you end up owing nothing to the fed on your 1040. But it is not an insignificant tax burden. You're probably going to take home the least amount of all CBP locales. This "25% extra for PR" pay is news to me, would love a source to that claim. Housing costs are fairly CONUS-like, based on other DOD agencies' footprint in the Isabela/Aguadilla MSA and the Lufthansa employees now in the area. IOW, it's not inexpensive living for the after-taxes income, for someone accustomed to "rest of US" non-coastal CONUS housing COL. Just something to understand about the decision to work in PR as a non-Act20/22 type. Good luck.

They give 25% of your base GS pay up to 5 years for CAMB Retention Incentives.


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Which I’ve always been told isn’t intended to be a “bonus” for going there, but to help offset the tax burden (I believe your traditional TSP contributions are also taxed around 9%?). It was one of the first policies they implemented to get people in the door when the shortage first hit.

This has probably already been answered, but does this count prior active military service towards the Federal Retirement?

yes, with caveats. Title 10 active duty time can be “purchased” back at a rate of 3% of your lifetime military pay. Title 32 guard time (even AGR) isn’t eligible. If you retired from the military you’re not eligible.

The biggest immediate benefit is the years count for annual leave accrual. Often new hires get vaulted straight to the 6 hour or 8 hour categories (normal new hire is 4), per pay period. Makes a huge difference in your quality of life.

Long term, it can add thousands a year to your pension at 1% per year bought back.

Thanks for the info. What would that process look like? I was enlisted for 8 years. If we call it $100,000 Military pay (total guess, I have no idea) I would “pay back” $3,000 to get 8 years credit toward Federal Retirement?

Are you a USAA member? They may be able to answer this. Also google search Tammy Flanagan articles, she may have talked about this.