On Base Billeting Non Available
09-18-2012 | 07:19 PM
#11
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 510
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From: Work
I searched--hence the thread revival. My question is different though. I'm a new IMA Reservist doing my first tour on mandays. My Resource Advisors (RA) tried to reserve a room for me on base, but they had no availability so I got a non-A letter for the three weeks I am here (OCONUS). Well, a couple days ago one of the RAs comes up to me and says they have availability on base now, so I need to move and give up the rental car. I looked at the thread on baseops.net and the JFTR, and it says the member is only required to check once for on-base availability. However, the RAs have kept checking and now on-base is available. The JFTR also says: "2. Who uses other lodgings as a personal choice, when adequate GOV’T QTRS:
a. Use is directed on that U.S. INSTALLATION, and
b. Are available on that U.S. INSTALLATION,
is limited to the GOV’T QTRS lodging reimbursement cost on the U.S. INSTALLATION to which assigned TDY." Also, the RAs included on my orders a paragraph that says: "in the event a non-A statement is issued member will reside off base until on base lodging becomes available then member is directed to move into lodging. If member chooses to continue to reside off base it will be at member's expense and GMR and OCONUS per diem rates will apply." So is this legal? Do I have to move on-base? It seems to be in direct conflict with AFI 36-246: "If space becomes available in on-base lodging after CL reservation confirmation or NA number issuance, lodging should make an effort to maximize occupancy by attempting to notify the traveler of the change and encouraging the traveler to stay on base.
NOTE:
The traveler is not required to stay in on-base lodging after he/she has already received a NA number or been issued a CL reservation confirmation."
Does the statement on the orders trump the AFI? Or is it considered "use is directed on that U.S. INSTALLATION" per the JFTR?
a. Use is directed on that U.S. INSTALLATION, and
b. Are available on that U.S. INSTALLATION,
is limited to the GOV’T QTRS lodging reimbursement cost on the U.S. INSTALLATION to which assigned TDY." Also, the RAs included on my orders a paragraph that says: "in the event a non-A statement is issued member will reside off base until on base lodging becomes available then member is directed to move into lodging. If member chooses to continue to reside off base it will be at member's expense and GMR and OCONUS per diem rates will apply." So is this legal? Do I have to move on-base? It seems to be in direct conflict with AFI 36-246: "If space becomes available in on-base lodging after CL reservation confirmation or NA number issuance, lodging should make an effort to maximize occupancy by attempting to notify the traveler of the change and encouraging the traveler to stay on base.
NOTE:
The traveler is not required to stay in on-base lodging after he/she has already received a NA number or been issued a CL reservation confirmation."
Does the statement on the orders trump the AFI? Or is it considered "use is directed on that U.S. INSTALLATION" per the JFTR?
What has been said regarding Non As (except the remark about having to stay where the form says) are true. You must weigh that against ****ing off your RAs, but you are in the right.
Realize, if you are given a Non-A or off-base billeting for IDT/UTA you HAVE to stay there as the Base/WG has contracts with those hotels. On AD orders, basically the JFTR says lodging cannot have contracts. You can stay at any hotel and will be reimbursed to the Govt rate. You will have to fight the 1 striper robots at Finance.
If you want to appease your RAs, move back on your last day
09-18-2012 | 09:42 PM
#12
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: B717 CA
Thanks for all the input. I read through the JFTR last night. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything since I found the verbiage "use is directed" (U2560, para D) in the JFTR and I am being "directed" by the orders even after a non-A has been issued.
09-19-2012 | 07:00 AM
#13
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,923
Likes: 698
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Like everyone says, one you have the Non-A you are good for the dates specified, individual units cannot make local policy that conflicts with JFTR (unless there is some operational reason, ie security).
But you are new to unit and it sounds like they are trying to save coin. You might want to talk to some of your peers or more experienced guys...if this policy is some JO or NCO shoe clerk's idea, don't worry about it. But if it's something the Boss mandated or supports you might be muddying your own waters. I wouldn't move just yet, but ask around to get a feel for what's behind this.
But you are new to unit and it sounds like they are trying to save coin. You might want to talk to some of your peers or more experienced guys...if this policy is some JO or NCO shoe clerk's idea, don't worry about it. But if it's something the Boss mandated or supports you might be muddying your own waters. I wouldn't move just yet, but ask around to get a feel for what's behind this.
09-19-2012 | 04:31 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 1
From: A320 CA
What has been said regarding Non As (except the remark about having to stay where the form says) are true. You must weigh that against ****ing off your RAs, but you are in the right.
Realize, if you are given a Non-A or off-base billeting for IDT/UTA you HAVE to stay there as the Base/WG has contracts with those hotels. On AD orders, basically the JFTR says lodging cannot have contracts. You can stay at any hotel and will be reimbursed to the Govt rate. You will have to fight the 1 striper robots at Finance.
If you want to appease your RAs, move back on your last day
Realize, if you are given a Non-A or off-base billeting for IDT/UTA you HAVE to stay there as the Base/WG has contracts with those hotels. On AD orders, basically the JFTR says lodging cannot have contracts. You can stay at any hotel and will be reimbursed to the Govt rate. You will have to fight the 1 striper robots at Finance.
If you want to appease your RAs, move back on your last day
09-19-2012 | 06:05 PM
#15
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,923
Likes: 698
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Yeah, if in a drill status vice active duty JFTR may not apply...basically they can do whatever they want, including making O-6's and O-5's shack up (ask me how I know).
09-19-2012 | 07:21 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 840
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I can always find another unit! Shacking up is BS. So are contract quarters. AF has gotten rediculous. When we take the students X/C they double up and so do the IP's. Except those of us in the reserves. Can't wait to get back to the airline where there is some sanity. Did I just say that?
09-20-2012 | 05:35 AM
#17
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: B717 CA
On a separate subject, is there any way to get my family out here with me OCONUS unaccompanied while either on mandays or drill? I've received different answers from different passenger terminals. The way I read the regs though is there is no way for them to fly round-trip unaccompanied unless I am "deployed" for 120 days or more (mandays are considered a TDY, correct?). Any other ideas? If I have to pay for my family's tickets, can I get them at a govt rate since I'm on orders?
09-20-2012 | 05:54 AM
#18
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,923
Likes: 698
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I can always find another unit! Shacking up is BS. So are contract quarters. AF has gotten rediculous. When we take the students X/C they double up and so do the IP's. Except those of us in the reserves. Can't wait to get back to the airline where there is some sanity. Did I just say that?
For clarity, I'm navy reserve, I don't know that the AF/ANG makes people shack up.
09-20-2012 | 06:03 AM
#19
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,923
Likes: 698
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
On a separate subject, is there any way to get my family out here with me OCONUS unaccompanied while either on mandays or drill? I've received different answers from different passenger terminals. The way I read the regs though is there is no way for them to fly round-trip unaccompanied unless I am "deployed" for 120 days or more (mandays are considered a TDY, correct?). Any other ideas? If I have to pay for my family's tickets, can I get them at a govt rate since I'm on orders?
Space A is not available for reserve family members (until you retire and are out of the grey area).
The only provision that I know of for private use of govt rate tickets is traveling to/from between your drill site and home.
Non-rev to Europe and then buy a ticket? Do you have ZEDs on EK?
09-20-2012 | 02:07 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 484
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The GSA City Pairs is ONLY for gov't travel. They guard this one jealously and viciously. There is no wiggle room. Even if you take leave somewhere and want to travel from your leave location AND it is cheaper, they still won't do it. I've gone round and round with them over this - saving thousands of dollars doesn't make them bat an eye.
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