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Pets- Bahrain

by chem/bio/science guy

Jul 24, 2016

Can a dog go to Bahrain? Can service pets be declined entry?

I read the insightful post a few weeks ago about staying at a hotel. Any other useful tidbits or Intel available?

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chem/bio/science guy On 7/24/16, reality sheriff wrote: > > > Yes, but ensure you comply with EVERY requirement you > can see in the link below >

Thank you. This made me think of something else. If I ever get remarried how does that work? Would I have to pay to ship spouse and household goods?

Jul 25, 2016

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If/when you marry while you are assigned overseas, plan to ask a personnelist for the current situation at that time as the regs governing all entitlements & benefits do get updated/changed through time as the need to do so dictates.

In general however, a newly acquired dependent *spouse* (vs. newborn children who are added immediatel...See MoreIf/when you marry while you are assigned overseas, plan to ask a personnelist for the current situation at that time as the regs governing all entitlements & benefits do get updated/changed through time as the need to do so dictates.

In general however, a newly acquired dependent *spouse* (vs. newborn children who are added immediately at birth) will not acquire gov't paid personal travel and/or shipping until officially added to your next PCS orders or next RAT orders and assuming you've applied to add him/her and submitted the proof of the marriage. Btw, a PCS is Permanent Change of Station and is an official transfer to a new location), and RAT is Renewal Agreement Travel which is the gov't paid round trip home (only during summer for DoDDS teachers) when you've promised to teach another tour of one more or two more school years, which length of time depends on the given location's RAT tour status. So, if you marry when it's not your PCS or RAT time then *you* will pay out of pocket, i.e. not be reimbursed by the gov't, for your new spouse's travel and etc. costs *and* your new spouse must stay in compliance w/ the host country's entry permissions/restrictions (each country is different so you'd need to ask to that country's embassy or consulate for those particulars) *and* due to spouse not having official "command sponsorship" for the overseas military location you are assigned to during the interim time before spouse is officially added to your upcoming/next PCS/RAT orders, s/he will not have routine access to the base (temporary permit systems exist) nor any access to the base's official services, e.g. no on-base housing for spouse; if off- base, then your LQA amount won't take spouse into account; no exchange/commissary/etc. for your spouse; etc. As far as your new spouse's Household Goods are concerned, shipping date must wait until spouse is added to next orders and the weight of these things is counted against your authorized 18,000 pounds limit per assignment location, for all that you have shipped at gov't expense plus all that is in Non-Temp- Storage, NTS, at gov't expense. However, some federal benefits can be acquired by your new spouse *at* or very clsoe to the marriage date; health insurance coverage, FEHB, is an example but you'd still need to apply to add your spouse and submit the proof of marriage and do this within the allowed window, which is one month before marriage date to not later than two months after marriage date, else, you must wait to add new spouse to your federal insurances until the annual "Open Season" which usually is in the late Fall.

On 7/25/16, chem/bio/science guy wrote: > On 7/24/16, reality sheriff wrote: >> >> >> Yes, but ensure you comply with EVERY > requirement you >> can see in the link below >> > > Thank you. This made me think of something > else. If I ever get remarried how does that > work? Would I have to pay to ship spouse and > household goods?

Jul 25, 2016

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NTE question

by JC

Jul 24, 2016

As a local hire and NTE, I know basically what to expect but my question is this... I finished the first year of a 2 year NTE,but my principal hasn't told me if I'm not coming back next year (no talking to me or written word) but I am not on the schedule as of yet...am I required to get some sort of notice about not returning for my second year? An...See More

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Missed your last Q...immediately accept the offer even with Step 1 indicated. Once your prior experience documentation supports that you're warranted a higher Step, then that Step change will become official, backdated to yoru start date, and your pay will also be adjusted and, if needed, adjusted retroactively to your start date - no worries, just...See MoreMissed your last Q...immediately accept the offer even with Step 1 indicated. Once your prior experience documentation supports that you're warranted a higher Step, then that Step change will become official, backdated to yoru start date, and your pay will also be adjusted and, if needed, adjusted retroactively to your start date - no worries, just submit your documentation asap.

On 7/24/16, Nathan wrote: > It's a permanent job offer, not an NTE offer. If overseas > DoDDS, then it appears (per your "tour length of 1 year") you > are headed to a one-year RAT area - reply with what base and > someone here will quickly confirm for you. NTE apointments > are clearly worded as such, plus NTE jobs don't come with > hardly any benefits, especially not transportation nor shipping > from the States. Btw, a "One year RAT" (Renewal Agreement > Travel) area just means that when you agree to serve one > more school year then the government will pay your > summertime round trip home for you and dependents. The > other kind of tour length/area for DoDDS is the "Two year RAT" > area which just means you must agree to teach two more > school years prior to gaining that paid round trip RAT. > > Your first 2 years in DoDDS will be a Trial Period, also known > as Provisional Teacher status (aka "Probation"), during which > time you can be terminated, no reasons necessary, so, "walk > on eggshells" for this entire 2 year time. At the end of that > successful 2 years, you will be a Permanent/Professional > teacher in DoDDS. (Those with veteran hiring preference > serve a one year Trial Period as a Provisional Teacher; not all > veterans have veteran hiring preference as this depends on > when the service was and the highest rank attained and > whether retired, etc.) > > Submit asap the official documentation from your prior > district(s) re your years of prior teaching in accredited P-K/12 > schools. If you have any half-time years, be sure to submit > proof for those as well because two half years will be counted > as a whole year for salary setting purposes. In DoDDS, the > max number of prior (non-federal) teaching years you can > bring in is 10, so it sounds like you can expect to be placed at > Step 11 assuming all your documentation is accepted. Submit > sooner rather than later so that you're more accurately paid > from the beginning, or as near as possible to that. > > (fyi, The DDESS schools are DoDEA>stateside< plus Guam & > Puerto Rico, official territories. These DDESS jobs allow only 5 > of your prior non-federal teaching years for salary setting.) > > On 7/24/16, SAE wrote: >> Sorry to chime in on someone else's strand, but I have a >> question on this topic. I was recently given a tentative offer, >> and the email reads, "This is a full time, permanent position >> with a tour length of 1 year." Is this the same as NTE, or if all >> goes well, might I be elligible for permanent status after the >> two years? >> >> Also, my offer places me on Step 1, though I have 12 years >> experience. Can this be changed if I submit my proof of >> employment form from my current district? I plan on emailing >> it to the HR person Monday a.m. Should I be concerned >> about signing the agreement with the wrong figure on it? >> >> >> On 7/24/16, reality sheriff wrote: >>> Meet with your Principal asap and explicitly ask him/her >>> your question: whether or not you are expected to return >>> this Fall. Heads up: s/he may not be able to give you an >>> explicit answer pending knowing the enrollment numbers >>> that support needing an NTE teacher in the first place. >>> >>> Not to Exceed, NTE, as it relates to the Term Appointment >>> you have, technically does not guarantee that the job lasts >>> *until* that expiration date, rather the stated end date is the >>> maximum term of the appointment, i.e. not the minimum >>> term of the appointment. Technically, NTE appointments >>> can be ended at *any* point during the term although >>> ~usually~ DoDDS NTE jobs do last the entire term. >>> >>> If you are seeking a career with DoDDS, or even if you >>> want to position yourself to be able to make the choice to >>> go for a DoDDS career, when you meet with your P, I >>> recommend you also ask whether your position is >>> considered a "Continuing Position". Only if it is a >>> "Continuing Position *and* you are holding it during your >>> 3rd year, can you be "Converted to Permanent" status at >>> the end of your 3rd school year. Once Converted, you can >>> then apply for an official Transfer to a new commuting area >>> and gain the usual assortment of valuable recruitment >>> incentives/benefits like LQA, Shipping, RAT, etc. >>> Conversely, if you are not in a "Continuing Position" during >>> the 3rd school year, then you cannot/willnot be Converted >>> to Permanent. Consider: *if* "Conversion to Permanent" >>> status is something you seek, *but* you learn that your >>> position is projected to *not* be this required kind: a >>> "Continuing Position" then explicily ask that you be >>> placed/appointed into any vacancy you are qualified for >>> that *is* projected to be a "Continuing Position". >>> >>> >>> On 7/24/16, JC wrote: >>>> As a local hire and NTE, I know >>>> basically what to expect but my >>>> question is this... I finished the >>>> first year of a 2 year NTE,but my >>>> principal hasn't told me if I'm not >>>> coming back next year (no talking to >>>> me or written word) but I am not on >>>> the schedule as of yet...am I required >>>> to get some sort of notice about not >>>> returning for my second year? Any >>>> notice at all? I just don't want to >>>> talk to my principal without knowing >>>> what I should expect. Any insight >>>> would be great...thanks! >>>> >>>>

Jul 24, 2016

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HelpOthers For everyone reading this thread who has not yet received an offer, Go ahead and get the employment verification form completed by your district now. You would would write "present" as the end date. Let your HR know that this is just part of an application for a district where you might not get hired for years and you are NOT giving notic...See MoreFor everyone reading this thread who has not yet received an offer, Go ahead and get the employment verification form completed by your district now. You would would write "present" as the end date. Let your HR know that this is just part of an application for a district where you might not get hired for years and you are NOT giving notice to leave- you are continuing (if you are).

When I received my offer, I had already scanned and uploaded my employment verification forms, so only needed to have my current district complete a new one with updated year.

If the forms you turn in show at least 10 years experience, you would not even need to get them updated, because only 10 years is accepted for DoDDS and 5 for DDESS anyway.

On 7/24/16, Nathan wrote: > Missed your last Q...immediately accept the offer even with Step > 1 indicated. Once your prior experience documentation supports > that you're warranted a higher Step, then that Step change will > become official, backdated to yoru start date, and your pay will > also be adjusted and, if needed, adjusted retroactively to your > start date - no worries, just submit your documentation asap. > > On 7/24/16, Nathan wrote: >> It's a permanent job offer, not an NTE offer. If overseas >> DoDDS, then it appears (per your "tour length of 1 year") you >> are headed to a one-year RAT area - reply with what base and >> someone here will quickly confirm for you. NTE apointments >> are clearly worded as such, plus NTE jobs don't come with >> hardly any benefits, especially not transportation nor shipping >> from the States. Btw, a "One year RAT" (Renewal Agreement >> Travel) area just means that when you agree to serve one >> more school year then the government will pay your >> summertime round trip home for you and dependents. The >> other kind of tour length/area for DoDDS is the "Two year RAT" >> area which just means you must agree to teach two more >> school years prior to gaining that paid round trip RAT. >> >> Your first 2 years in DoDDS will be a Trial Period, also known >> as Provisional Teacher status (aka "Probation"), during which >> time you can be terminated, no reasons necessary, so, "walk >> on eggshells" for this entire 2 year time. At the end of that >> successful 2 years, you will be a Permanent/Professional >> teacher in DoDDS. (Those with veteran hiring preference >> serve a one year Trial Period as a Provisional Teacher; not all >> veterans have veteran hiring preference as this depends on >> when the service was and the highest rank attained and >> whether retired, etc.) >> >> Submit asap the official documentation from your prior >> district(s) re your years of prior teaching in accredited P- K/12 >> schools. If you have any half-time years, be sure to submit >> proof for those as well because two half years will be counted >> as a whole year for salary setting purposes. In DoDDS, the >> max number of prior (non-federal) teaching years you can >> bring in is 10, so it sounds like you can expect to be placed at >> Step 11 assuming all your documentation is accepted. Submit >> sooner rather than later so that you're more accurately paid >> from the beginning, or as near as possible to that. >> >> (fyi, The DDESS schools are DoDEA>stateside< plus Guam & >> Puerto Rico, official territories. These DDESS jobs allow only 5 >> of your prior non-federal teaching years for salary setting.) >> >> On 7/24/16, SAE wrote: >>> Sorry to chime in on someone else's strand, but I have a >>> question on this topic. I was recently given a tentative offer, >>> and the email reads, "This is a full time, permanent position >>> with a tour length of 1 year." Is this the same as NTE, or if all >>> goes well, might I be elligible for permanent status after the >>> two years? >>> >>> Also, my offer places me on Step 1, though I have 12 years >>> experience. Can this be changed if I submit my proof of >>> employment form from my current district? I plan on emailing >>> it to the HR person Monday a.m. Should I be concerned >>> about signing the agreement with the wrong figure on it? >>> >>> >>> On 7/24/16, reality sheriff wrote: >>>> Meet with your Principal asap and explicitly ask him/her >>>> your question: whether or not you are expected to return >>>> this Fall. Heads up: s/he may not be able to give you an >>>> explicit answer pending knowing the enrollment numbers >>>> that support needing an NTE teacher in the first place. >>>> >>>> Not to Exceed, NTE, as it relates to the Term Appointment >>>> you have, technically does not guarantee that the job lasts >>>> *until* that expiration date, rather the stated end date is the >>>> maximum term of the appointment, i.e. not the minimum >>>> term of the appointment. Technically, NTE appointments >>>> can be ended at *any* point during the term although >>>> ~usually~ DoDDS NTE jobs do last the entire term. >>>> >>>> If you are seeking a career with DoDDS, or even if you >>>> want to position yourself to be able to make the choice to >>>> go for a DoDDS career, when you meet with your P, I >>>> recommend you also ask whether your position is >>>> considered a "Continuing Position". Only if it is a >>>> "Continuing Position *and* you are holding it during your >>>> 3rd year, can you be "Converted to Permanent" status at >>>> the end of your 3rd school year. Once Converted, you can >>>> then apply for an official Transfer to a new commuting area >>>> and gain the usual assortment of valuable recruitment >>>> incentives/benefits like LQA, Shipping, RAT, etc. >>>> Conversely, if you are not in a "Continuing Position" during >>>> the 3rd school year, then you cannot/willnot be Converted >>>> to Permanent. Consider: *if* "Conversion to Permanent" >>>> status is something you seek, *but* you learn that your >>>> position is projected to *not* be this required kind: a >>>> "Continuing Position" then explicily ask that you be >>>> placed/appointed into any vacancy you are qualified for >>>> that *is* projected to be a "Continuing Position". >>>> >>>> >>>> On 7/24/16, JC wrote: >>>>> As a local hire and NTE, I know >>>>> basically what to expect but my >>>>> question is this... I finished the >>>>> first year of a 2 year NTE,but my >>>>> principal hasn't told me if I'm not >>>>> coming back next year (no talking to >>>>> me or written word) but I am not on >>>>> the schedule as of yet...am I required >>>>> to get some sort of notice about not >>>>> returning for my second year? Any >>>>> notice at all? I just don't want to >>>>> talk to my principal without knowing >>>>> what I should expect. Any insight >>>>> would be great...thanks! >>>>> >>>>>

Jul 24, 2016

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debt

by Lena

Jul 23, 2016

I am being considered for a position . But I have federal debt (IRS) should I decline or will they check for this and take the offer back

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More than $50K owed to IRS? Or, has the IRS notified you that it is now seeking to "certify" you to the Dept of State as "seriously deliquent"?

FMI:

http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f268e7ee-4367- 484f-ac68-d4131bbc7a69

U.S. Passport Denial or Revocation Where Taxes are Owed to the IRS ...See More

Jul 23, 2016

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haha This is actually excellent advice (for this situation and in general).

When we were getting serious about trying for DoDDS (I finally had my Masters and was qualified in a fair amount of SPED areas) it compelled us to make sure that we cleaned up our credit as well as we could, ensured that student loans were not in default, etc. We were f...See More

Jul 23, 2016

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EAS Referrals OCONUS

by Confused

Jul 18, 2016

Hello All! This time last year I was receiving EAS Referrals for Sped / Classroom 1-6 / Sped Assessor almost daily for worldwide positions. This year, I have only received a few referrals for stateside positions. Are candidates being considered using old lists? I confirmed with HQ that my application was in order. Their response was that everything...See More

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haha There have actually been a fair amount of referrals, interviews and offers made if the posts on this board (and the DoDDS Teachers Facebook page to a lesser extant) are any indication.

Of the ones that I know/have heard of most have been either SPED or a combination of secondary subjects. Hang in there!

On 7/18/16, Confused wrote:...See More

Jul 19, 2016

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HelpOthers Make sure you have resubmitted your transcripts and educator certificate in the files/documents folder. Just download the one that is there, save it, then upload it again. This will change the date interested to the 2016-2017 school-year from the year you submitted it previously. This is something I didn't realize I needed to do. Luckily, I took so...See More

Jul 22, 2016

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Fort Stewart

by Lindaloo

Jul 14, 2016

I received an email from DODEA this morning informing me that there will be 2 positions for gifted/talented teachers opening in Ft. Stewart and to be sure I have updated my EAS application to include the Ft Stewart geographic location. I do not have Ft. Stewart selected, our goal was to apply for overseas positions.

However, I noticed the...See More

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daner Thanks! I'm also secondary and Middle school certified in social studie, humanities and distance learning. Picking up English certification for HS and Ms this fall.

n 7/22/16, haha wrote: > Cool. I will keep and eye and ear out and post anything > interesting that you might have missed. Other than TAG what > areas would you be int...See More

Jul 22, 2016

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daner On 7/22/16, daner wrote:

And AP European history. 16 years in DODDS, and I'm
willing to do any job to be near my girl.

> Thanks! I'm also secondary and Middle school certified in
> social studie, humanities and distance learning. Picking
> up English certification for HS and Ms this fall.
>
>
...See More

Jul 22, 2016

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Planning/Hypothetical

by travelingohana

Jul 19, 2016

I am hoping for some insight from some of the gurus out there. I am a local hire, LI Mild/Moderate. My husband has been active duty for 25 years and nearing retirement. Last night we were discussing him retiring at 27 rather than 30 years. If he opted to retire at 27 would it be possible for me to switch from a local hire to status where I could st...See More

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From just what you have written, you won't, repeating, WILL NOT, be eligible for LQA, nor for any of the other CONUS-Hire recruitment incentives. That said, there are several exception situations and you might match one, but, the routine retirement of the military sponsor-spouse who intends to remain in the location is *definitely* *not* one of the...See MoreFrom just what you have written, you won't, repeating, WILL NOT, be eligible for LQA, nor for any of the other CONUS-Hire recruitment incentives. That said, there are several exception situations and you might match one, but, the routine retirement of the military sponsor-spouse who intends to remain in the location is *definitely* *not* one of the exceptions (but, see below for an exception to this exception re your own retirement date's potential impact).

The FEA is responsible for the legal victories that authorize *all* of the exception situations, so if you are not an FEA member now, you need to join *today* because even if you're a perfect match to one of the exceptions, you will definitely need FEA's assistance to advocate and negotiate the process *correctly* with DoDEA HR Benefits Section.

(My experience over MANY years with MANY other Converted-to-Permanent (but never transferred so without the CONUS-Hire incentives/benefits) local hires in your *exact same* situation is that DODEA Benefits Section will do whatever it can to delay, obfuscate, frustrate, and even *improperly* deny your application. Their stance basically is: why grant benefits to this local hire when we can just hire another local hire when this one resigns in frustration? (and DoDEA won't have to pay a new local hire any benefits either, so there's no down-side to preventing your goal from the agency's point of view)

Some of the exceptions do get routinely approved, notably when the sponsor dies or is otherwise permanently incapacitated. Legal divorce situations also exhibit a somewhat higher routine approval level. But, yours is a completely discretionary/just-because-we-like-it-here situation so you will need to "gird your loins" for a long drawn out process with setbacks being routinely encountered, and, until your fight for benefits is won, you need to be able to afford living where you are without any LQA at all, and then, if this process lasts more than two years from date of husband's retirement then at that point *he* forfeits *forever* his own gov't paid shipping and transportation entitlements, which directly impacts you and any dependents entitlements for gov't-paid return to States transportation ... are you feeling just a bit vulnerable yet?)

DoDEA's form to see the exceptions is linked below. Be aware that *none* of these exceptions rise to the level of entitlement, i.e. even if you are a perfect match, you can still be denied benefits by the agency. When, not before, your husband is actually retired, use this form to apply to HQ's Benefits Section for grant of the benefits you seek. You may be thinking of submitting it earlier than the date of spouse's retirement, i.e. ask for a "pre" determination whether or not you will get the benefits, but you will 99.94&37; of the time receive an unhelpful non-answer saying, in essence, "no determination can be made until/unless you submit actual/valid documentation of the exception being applied for". BTW, the DoDEA gory details webpages are still unavailable, but the form is normally there too.

I note that an additional exception, also won solely by FEA's legal efforts, is not (yet) on this linked form. This additional exception is if *you* will be within 7 years of *your* own retirement as of the date of sponsor's retirement and loss of these benefits. Some/all of these benefits such as LQA, Shipping, Transportation, etc. might be authorized, however, in this exception situation, you would be OBLIGATED to actually retire from DODEA not later the end of that allowed 7 years. Again, none of the exception situations are guaranteed entitlements.

http://www.feaonline.org/media/transfers/Eligibility_determi nation_request_form.pdf

If/when this link breaks then manually remove any spaces (erroneously inserted by this chatboard's obsolete software) and retry, else Google for "REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FOREIGN ALLOWANCES AND TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS"

My ~standard advice~ is avoid the above process, if at all possible, by officially transferring to a new commuting area and gain all the benefits that way. A different method, a. no-doubts-about-it method, is for you to permanently return to the States via your husband's PCS a/o Retirement/Separation orders. If you want, youn elect to return sooner rather than later using Early Return of Dependents (ERD) orders that your husband can arrange. Once back in the States, apply as a CONUS-Hire from there. Assuming have left DoDDS on excellent terms, when you are CONUS-Hired then you will have all the CONUS-Hire benefits you are seeking and this will be true irrespective of your husband's location, or his retirement from active duty date, or even his possible continuation on active duty. (FYI: should your husband become a teacher and become a DoDDS local hire, he will then have an opportunity to more fully appreciate the challenges of maintaining/improving a career while partnered to another federal employee ;))

On 7/19/16, travelingohana wrote: > I am hoping for some insight from some of the gurus out there. > I am a local hire, LI Mild/Moderate. My husband has been active > duty for 25 years and nearing retirement. Last night we were > discussing him retiring at 27 rather than 30 years. If he opted > to retire at 27 would it be possible for me to switch from a local > hire to status where I could stay working overseas and get living > quarters allowance? He would like to get his teaching credential > and thought he would be stay at home dad/house > husband/student for a couple of years. We love it here and I > would love to stay longer if he retires. Thanks for any input, > guidance, etc.!

Jul 20, 2016

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travelingohana Thank you for your responses. That information is exactly what we needed to make some decisions. The best option (okay the only viable option lol) is for my husband to stay active duty and retire from Marine Corps at 30 years. He should be able to extend in our current location so I can remain at my school and our children can remain at their schoo...See More

Jul 20, 2016

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Request for Travel Orders Form

by H

Jul 20, 2016

I have a question about the Request for Travel Orders. What do the following lines mean:

Hold baggage from: Hold baggage to: Remove storage from: Non-temporary storage:

Thank you.

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haha Good to know. Thank you.

On 7/20/16, reality sheriff wrote:
> Your personally arranged storage is actually not what the
> item "Remove storage from" refers to. In your case, you
> just need to inform TMO that you have two, or more than
> one, HHG pick-up locations, then you or your spouse (or
> you...See More

Jul 20, 2016

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You're welcome. Just to clarify a bit, on TMO's forms, any mention of "Storage" is always and only about storage that was/is arranged for and paid for by Uncle Sam (I.e. *not* about personally arranged storage of any type).

DoDDS teachers and pretty much all federal employees being moved at government expense, can always elect to...See MoreYou're welcome. Just to clarify a bit, on TMO's forms, any mention of "Storage" is always and only about storage that was/is arranged for and paid for by Uncle Sam (I.e. *not* about personally arranged storage of any type).

DoDDS teachers and pretty much all federal employees being moved at government expense, can always elect to have more than one pickup location. For many DoDDS teachers, this means the movers can be arranged to come not just to one's house but also to the classroom to pack-up and ship all the teacher's classroom supplies there. In a (more rarely used) situation, it is even possible to vacation travel, at one's personal expense, from say, Japan or Korea to, say, Hong Kong, and have furniture made/purchased in HK which is then, at the employee's official transfer time, packed-up and shipped from Hong Kong to the onward assignment location at gov't expense - timing is Important in that these purchases must have occurred prior to issuance of the next PCS orders, and, the same possible "bean- counter bill" for the possible extra costs of shipping from HK, vs. cost when shipping from the assignment location, still do apply but, hey, it's an entitlement to do these "Drop Shipments" from random other places.

On 7/20/16, haha wrote: > Good to know. Thank you. > > On 7/20/16, reality sheriff wrote: >> Your personally arranged storage is actually not what the >> item "Remove storage from" refers to. In your case, you >> just need to inform TMO that you have two, or more than >> one, HHG pick-up locations, then you or your spouse (or >> your Power of Attorney holding person) must meet the >> movers at these locations on the day(s) arranged. Two >> hours away will unlikely have any impact whatsoever, just >> be aware that the gov't bean-counters will send you a >> bill when/if those items that > are >> 2 hours away actually cost more to get to the assignment >> destination than items shipped from your HOR. >> >> Yes, Uncle Sam will ship your piano, but be sure you tell >> TMO that you have such an item so they can advise the >> moving company of this special packing needs item. Same >> for any other large a/o heavy items you have, like a boat >> or > motorcycle >> or a riding lawn mower or etc. that you intend to ship as >> household goods - tell/ask TMO if you have any doubts - >> assume nothing. >> >> On 7/20/16, H wrote: >>> Thank you for your quick response! Most of my stuff is >>> in storage, but it is two hours away. For "Remove >>> Storage From" would I put the name of the town where my >>> storage unit is? And they would collect it from there >>> (even though it > is >>> two hours away)? >>> >>> As long as they can ship a piano then I won't need non- >>> temporary storage. I'm sure with how little I own, my >>> HHG including the piano will be well under the >>> allowance. >>> >>> >>> On 7/20/16, haha wrote: >>>> I believe Hold Baggage should refer to your >>> Unaccompanied >>>> Baggage: >>>> >>>> "Unaccompanied baggage authorized is limited to 350 >>>> Ibs. for each adult and dependent 12 years of age and >>>> older, >>> and >>>> 175 Ibs. for each child under 12 years of age. No more >> than >>>> 1,000 Ibs. thereof may be shipped by air. Weight of >>>> unaccompanied baggage is considered part of the >>> household >>>> goods (HHG) weight allowance (JTR, Vol 2. C2304.D and >>>> C5160.B.)" >>>> >>>> UB is basically a smaller shipment that will (in >>>> theory) arrive before your larger household goods >>>> shipment. Most people ship sheets, towels, a selection >>>> of clothes, some kitchen goods, maybe a TV (32 inch or >>>> less), etc. >>>> >>>> From to should be where it is coming from and going to. >>>> >>>> The storage lines should apply only if you have goods >>>> in storage (as opposed to in a house) or if you plan on >>>> putting items into storage rather than shipping them >>>> (if you are eligible for that benefit). >>>> >>>> On 7/20/16, H wrote: >>>>> I have a question about the Request for Travel Orders. >>>>> What do the following lines mean: >>>>> >>>>> Hold baggage from: Hold baggage to: Remove storage >>>>> from: Non-temporary storage: >>>>> >>>>> Thank you.

Jul 20, 2016

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Transportation Agreement

by hoping

Jul 19, 2016

I am very excited to have been offered a job! But now I am filling out a whole bunch of paperwork. I am not sure what location to list on the Transportation Agreement. I currently live in Germany and my job offer is for the Pacific. I moved here in September to teach with a two year contract, which I am breaking to accept a position with the DOD. I...See More

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The Transportation Agreement form is asking for your Home of Residence so enter your address in the States. Your HOR in the States *is* your "Actual Residence at time of Appointment". Then, be sure you travel on your own dime back to your HOR. Bring your orders when you go see the TMO nearest your HOR to arrange the gov't-paid shipping an...See MoreThe Transportation Agreement form is asking for your Home of Residence so enter your address in the States. Your HOR in the States *is* your "Actual Residence at time of Appointment". Then, be sure you travel on your own dime back to your HOR. Bring your orders when you go see the TMO nearest your HOR to arrange the gov't-paid shipping and to also arrange the gov't-paid official travel for self and dependents to your new DoDDS job. Both shipping and gov't paid personal transportation will start from your HOR.

The background eqip/forms are *not* the Transporation Agreement and serve different purposes than the TA. Enter all the requested addresses and when you lived at each and etc, *including* the temporary address for the temporary time spent being a temporary contract teacher in GE.

Check your Junk/Spam folder often as your orders may end up there when they are emailed to you.

Welcome to DoDDS!

On 7/19/16, hoping wrote: > I am very excited to have been offered a job! But now I > am filling out a whole bunch of paperwork. I am not sure > what location to list on the Transportation Agreement. I > currently live in Germany and my job offer is for the > Pacific. I moved here in September to teach with a two > year contract, which I am breaking to accept a position > with the DOD. I have been told by a DODEA employee, and > have read on chat boards that I should try as much as > possible to use my contact information back home. I have > my EAS, driver's licence, bills, taxes, mail, voter > registration, bank accounts, inheritance/investments all > listing my mother's address. That, and as I have been in > Germany for less than a year, I am trying to receive > benefits such as LQA, RAT, etc. Of course for the back > ground investigation I listed my physical address for > these past months of being in Germany. I know no one has > a magic 8 ball to foresee if I will be entitled to these > benefits, but I am trying. > > My bottom line question is on the Transportation > Agreement which is "used to establish Government time in > service requirements in order for the employee to be > eligible for travel and transportation expenses when > transferred to positions outside the Continental United > States". What do I list for "Actual Residence at Time of > Appointment (to be determined at time of initial > agreement"? > > Thanks!

Jul 19, 2016

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Subbing while on LWOP?

by Koreatchr

Jul 16, 2016

Hi,

I am currently on LWOP due to a PCS move. It's looking like a full time, teaching position may not happen this year. Is it possible to sub while on LWOP? If you sub, does that mean that you forfeit your LWOP status? My old school said "no" but the new one says "yes." Now that I am on LWOP, I don't really see the adv...See More

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Yes, introduce yourself to *all* the players, secretaries too (especially the senior secretaries), and don't beat around the bush in saying why you should be hired. Coming from a school in the same district, also call your old P to ask that s/he call the Asst DSO, and also call the new P who will be known soon, in your behalf.

You clearly...See MoreYes, introduce yourself to *all* the players, secretaries too (especially the senior secretaries), and don't beat around the bush in saying why you should be hired. Coming from a school in the same district, also call your old P to ask that s/he call the Asst DSO, and also call the new P who will be known soon, in your behalf.

You clearly recognize the difficulties of being a 1-year newbie to DoDDS, and now in a place where there are "lots of" other Locally Hire-able qualified teachers. These other teacher- spouses have likely had helpful facetime there as Subs so in that sense you're below their curve. But, your positives are very significant. You have your 1 year of successful experience/ratings in a school in that same district, and you've met the Asst DSO already, and you have your prior P to toot your horn to the Asst DSO and to the new P, and you have your spouse hiring preference, besides others.

A caveat: You haven't indicated whether you were a CONUS- hire last year or, instead, were a Local Hire. I'm assuming you were a CONUS-Hire because departing Local Hires don't usually request LWOP status and LHs also normally aren't Converted to Permanent until end of 3rd year. So, be aware now, if not already, that not a few P's and DSOs will *not* look positively at any new application from a prior CONUS-Hire who resigned after just one year elsewhere. Hopefully, your new P and the Asst DSO there do not share that dour attitude; if they do hire you as a FT teacher this August, then you keep all your CONUS-Hire recruitment incentives, but if you aren't FT hired this August, then you'll have to work your way back in as a Sub, then Local Hire, then, hopefully, Conversion, then transferred to regain that lost CONUS-Hired status.

And, some thoughts for the long term: it's not uncommon for a DoDDS teacher who is married to an active duty person to make the decision you made. Don't second-guess your decision now; it's done. But, plan/decide, based on all the circumstances, whether a decision for you to resign should ever be made again. E.g. your military spouse might be ~near enough~ to their own retirement, or some other end to their service. A year or two of family separation may be an acceptable trade for you to reach your own career, income, and retirement security needs/wants which then become whole family supports. A DoDDS career can easily last MUCH longer than the normal ~20 or so years of a military career so it may well be that the best decision is your DoDDS career becomes the primary "driver" for where your family is and your selected DoDDS transfers/assignments become the locations that your spouse applies to be assigned to for their remaining years of that military service, IOW, your spouse follows you, not the other way around as is the usual (and IMO, incorrect) course.

On 7/16/16, koreatchr wrote: > Thank you for the advice! Reality Sheriff- The problem is that I am > still a probationary teacher. I only completed one year at my "old" > school. In hindsight, I should've stayed at my school and separated > the family for the 2nd year to gain permanent status. My union rep > said that being on LWOP shows up as a note when the other > principals pull a referral list.Unfortunately, I am in an area where > there are many other military spouses that are elementary teachers > and I am trying to think of every competitive advantage. I am Dodea > qualified in 6 areas but still I wait. :( > > On a side note: Both the principal and AP of the "new" school have > moved on to new locations. The new admin team hasn't been > announced yet but in the meantime the asst. superintendent has > been doing some hiring. Should I contact the asst. superintendent > to introduce myself and send him a resume? My "old" school and > "new" school are in the same district so I have met him before. I > don't want to violate protocol but I also really want to teach this > upcoming year too.

Jul 17, 2016

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koreatchr Thanks haha and reality sheriff, you were the two that I
was hoping would comment. I know that my old principal
called and he introduced me face to face to the new
schools departing principal at the district teacher of the
year reception. (I won TOY at my old school and have had
both superintendents and the director in my room. Being...See More

Jul 17, 2016

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When to fly out?

by H

Jul 7, 2016

I got the TO today!!! I'm so excited! We're off to Ikego Japan! But I'm a little confused about timing of flying out and starting. The offer says:

Recommended Travel Date: Aug 9 Reporting Date: Aug 23 Classes Begin: Aug 29

But I understand it can take about 2 (or more) weeks before I get the official offer and travel orders, and t...See More

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Teaching Thank you for the info! Looks like my future base has
Community Bank and Navy Federal. I am a Bank of America
customer, so I can probably just use the Community Bank
ATMs for free, right?

On 7/15/16, Jay22 wrote:
> I agree with Nathan. I have not used a regular bank since
> joining DoDDS in 2000. I have two credi...See More

Jul 16, 2016

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TANSTAAFL, JJO. Bank of America may be the contractor for most overseas bases' Community Banks but that doesn't mean those Community Banks are branches of Bank of America, so, ask when you get there and exercise your choices as you see fit. Good luck!

On 7/16/16, JJO wrote: > Thank you for the info! Looks like my future base has > Co...See MoreTANSTAAFL, JJO. Bank of America may be the contractor for most overseas bases' Community Banks but that doesn't mean those Community Banks are branches of Bank of America, so, ask when you get there and exercise your choices as you see fit. Good luck!

On 7/16/16, JJO wrote: > Thank you for the info! Looks like my future base has > Community Bank and Navy Federal. I am a Bank of America > customer, so I can probably just use the Community Bank > ATMs for free, right? > > > On 7/15/16, Jay22 wrote: >> I agree with Nathan. I have not used a regular bank since >> joining DoDDS in 2000. I have two credit unions: Pentagon >> Federal and Navy Federal. Rates are better and they have >> good deals on auto and home loans. As for ATMs in the >> states, many Target, Walgreens, and 7-11 stores have >> fee-less ATMs for Penfed or Navy Federal but you have to >> check online with your zipped and the symbol on the back >> of your debit card. It has worked for me since there are >> no actual Penfed or Navy Fed branches near my stateside >> home. In general, you will find Penfed on Air Force >> bases; DOD Community Bank on Army bases and naturally >> Navy Federal on Navy bases. I started with PenFed on an >> Air Force base but have been on navy bases for a long >> time so reason why I opened a Navy Federal account. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 7/15/16, Nathan wrote: >> >> >> >> >>> I've found it convenient to set up automatic allotments >>> at MyPay to send some of my pay to the local on base >>> credit union and the rest to credit union accounts back >>> in the States. (I've not used an actual bank in decades; >>> I've found credit unions are more personal and have >>> always met every financial need, but that's my choice.) >>> However, some overseas DoDDS locations/bases don't have >>> a credit union that dispenses cash nor have any ATMs >>> (begs the question: what's the point? but I digress) but >>> these locatiions will ~usually~ have ATMs at the on-base >>> "Community Bank". I think that Bank of America is still >>> the main contractor-bank for most of these overseas >>> on-base Community Bank branches, but cannot say for sure >>> because I have not found it either useful nor necessary >>> to ever set up an account at one of these on-base >>> Community Banks when my Stateside cards work fine to >>> obtain cash, for a ~$1 fee, from their ATMs (there's no >>> ATM fee if one does set up an account at a local >>> Community Bank). But, each location has some quirk or >>> another that drives one's banking choice so it's best to >>> ask colleagues at the specfic DoDDS location you are >>> beign assigned to. >>> >>> On 7/15/16, haha wrote: >>>> We have had great luck with the on base/post credit >>>> unions. In Europe the credit union was very helpful >>>> with car loan, credit line and benefits for having >>>> direct deposit. >>>> >>>> In Japan we have also had good experiences although we >>>> have not needed as much assistance. We have one check >>>> going to the credit union in Europe and one going here. >>>> Check it out and if it seems like a good idea for you >>>> then I would recommend it. >>>> >>>> On 7/15/16, JJO wrote: >>>>> Haha, would you recommend getting a credit union >>> account, >>>> then? >>>>> Does your paycheck go to the credit union account or a >>>>> bank account in the states? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 7/14/16, haha wrote: >>>>>> I don't know if you are still in Japan or if we are >>>>>> in the same area but that hasn't really been our >>>>>> experience. 7 11 ATMs generally seem to give better >>>>>> exchange rates (although admittedly it is tough to >>>>>> really track it unless you are purposely pulling >>>>>> money out from multiple locations on the same day). >>>>>> As for fees, we have several accounts (from the >>>>>> credit union >>> on >>>>>> base) that credit a certain amount back in fees every >>>>>> month so we don't really need to worry about it. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, many/a majority of restaurants etc seem to take >>> US >>>>>> credit cards these days (much more than when we >>> were >>>>>> here in 2008). I would agree that it is always a good >>>>>> idea to have cash in any case. >>>>>> >>>>>> On 7/14/16, wanderer wrote: >>>>>>> Reality Sheriff, I wasn't recommending waste. The >>>>>>> fact is, when you grab a local restaurant map from >>>>>>> your onbase hotel, you have no idea which dot is >>> expensive >>>>>>> and which ones are cheap until you find them (side >>>>>>> note: in Japan, you should always buy into a >>>>>>> contract on a smartphone just for the mapping >>>>>>> functions. Drop lots of pins to mark places you want >>>>>>> to return to!) During my hotel stay time, my goal >>>>>>> was to go to a new place every day. Don't get into a >>>>>>> rut. Make yourself explore. In Japan, that meant I >>>>>>> figured out which was my favorite ramen shop and >>>>>>> that I found out how truly wonderful Japanese beef >>>>>>> can taste compared to the protein slabs of American >>>>>>> steaks. That place became >>> my >>>>>>> go-to "special occasion" place to bring visitors to. >>>>>>> Meanwhile, there were french and italian places I >>> never >>>>>>> visited again during my stay there that were just as >>>>>>> expensive as the Japanese beef place. I learned that >>>>>>> while in the hotel stay. And yes, I am grateful that >>>>>>> I learned >>>>>> that >>>>>>> while it was subsidized. What we really end up doing >>> is >>>>>>> finding favorite affordables and favorite special >>>>>>> occasion destinations. The hotel time is the best >>>>>>> time to figure >>>>>> that >>>>>>> out. It's not premeditated exploitation of the >>>>>>> government dime, targeting the expensive ones. (who >>>>>>> knows which dot is expensive?) It's making yourself >>> not >>>>>>> get in a rut and go out and explore offbase and >>>>>>> learn even though it might seem easier to sit at the >>>>>>> base food court every day. Going to a new restaurant >>>>>>> from >>> a >>>>>>> map provided to every military and civilian visitor >>>>>>> staying at the base hotel is rational behavior. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> BTW, learn to always carry lots of yen in cash in >>> Japan >>>>>>> preferably pulled out from the ATMs on base. The >>>>>>> only other ATMs that will spew out yen at the daily >>>>>>> rate from your American debit accounts (but with >>>>>>> greater fees) are the green Japan Post ATMs and the >>>>>>> ones at 7-11 convenience stores. American credit >>>>>>> cards are useless or at the least, problematic, at >>>>>>> most restaurants. Cash is >>>>>> king >>>>>>> in Japan. Learn it early and learn it well. And >>>>>>> enjoy! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 7/07/16, H wrote: >>>>>>>> I got the TO today!!! I'm so excited! We're off to >>>>>>>> Ikego Japan! But I'm a little confused about timing >>>>>>>> of flying out and starting. The offer says: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Recommended Travel Date: Aug 9 Reporting Date: >>> Aug 23 >>>>>>>> Classes Begin: Aug 29 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> But I understand it can take about 2 (or more) >>>>>>>> weeks before I get the official offer and travel >>>>>>>> orders, and that I shouldn't do anything too >>>>>>>> serious before then (sell cars, pack up, give >>>>>>>> notice of current job, etc). That would take be to >>>>>>>> about July 22. Then that only leaves me about two >>>>>>>> weeks to pack up a household >>> and >>>>>>> sell >>>>>>>> everything before the recommended travel date. Is >>> this >>>>>>>> everyone else's experience? I knew it was going to >>> be >>>>>>>> crazy, but two weeks seems very crazy! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> How much say do we have on when we fly out? And >>> has >>>>>>> it >>>>>>>> been other people's experience that the DOD will >>>>>>>> reimburse you for hotel & meal expenses up to 10 >>> days >>>>>>>> before you fly out? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks!

Jul 16, 2016

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