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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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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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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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Travel Orders?

by Panda

Jul 16, 2016

Should I be concerned that my principal wants me on site by August 15th and I don't have an official passport or travel orders yet? I've submitted all my paperwork except for the health screening (scheduled for 8 am Monday), but my fingerprints are arriving with HR sometime Tuesday (FedEx couldn't do Mon). Will I be able to get my orders and passpo...See More

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TheMiddle Question, Panda. Did they have you submit your passport paperwork at the same time you submitted the acceptance papers? I received an offer on a Friday and both were started on Monday.

Also, how much time between submitting the acceptance papers and receiving the FedEx box with fingerprints? I'm just trying to figure out how behind I am. ...See MoreQuestion, Panda. Did they have you submit your passport paperwork at the same time you submitted the acceptance papers? I received an offer on a Friday and both were started on Monday.

Also, how much time between submitting the acceptance papers and receiving the FedEx box with fingerprints? I'm just trying to figure out how behind I am.

On 7/27/16, Panda wrote: > Still no orders or passport. I'm trying to be > patient but it's hard. Can't arrange my pack > out until I get my orders either. > > On 7/18/16, reality sheriff wrote: >> Penty of time still; not to worry. >> >> Caution re not conflating the "Recommended" > date to travel >> vs. the "Required" Reporint Date. Is the > Principal >> explicitly mandating an Early Reporting > Date? If so, then >> he can expect to be paid for those Required > extra working >> days. Otherwise, if the Principal is not > explicitly >> requiring an Eary Report Date, then he'll > start on salary >> as of the official Reporting Date of Aug 23 > irrespective >> of how many days earlier he arrives there. >> >> Even if not on salary, he can expect to be > able to draw >> TQSA for temp lodging & meals & laundry/dry- > cleaning. This >> is a good time of year to sightsee; check > out what MWR has >> on its schedule. If on base housing is > available >> immediately upon arrival, then you move in > ASAP, with free >> loaner furniture pending your shipment > arriving in a >> couple/three months, plus a free hospitality > kit (kitchen >> stuff, some bedding, etc.) you can check out > from on base >> Family Services/Fleet & Family Support. > Whether moving >> into an on-base home or moving into an off- > base home, the >> TQSA stops when permanent quarters are moved > into. If an >> off- base home is happening, then LQA starts > as of move-in >> day. Btw, an on-base home ~appears~ to be > completely free >> but behind the scenes, DODEA transfers LQA > funds to the >> military branch providing the on-base home. >> >> You life may seem a bit whirl-windy in the > next weeks to >> months, but do try to avoid becoming > overwhelmed - try to >> enjoy "the ride" - after all, tens of > thousands of >> families have successfully done this exact > same move, and >> so will you! >> >> >> On 7/18/16, Quick Question wrote: >>> My husband still doesn't have our orders > and we were told >>> they want us there by August 9th. I guess > I'll need to >>> have him >> check >>> on that pay issue also. >>> >>> When he called today, he was told they just > need to >>> "download >> his >>> orders and then send them to him." They > told him he >>> should >> have >>> them today or tomorrow. Of course, seems to > me if that >>> was all, it could have been done rather > quickly, but what >>> do I know, >> LOL.

Jul 27, 2016

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Panda SAE, Welcome to Bahrain. I'll see you there. My paperwork came in batches. Day 1 was the offer and acceptance paperwork, on a Wed (July 6). I submitted that the next day and then heard nothing until the following Tuesday. I believe on Tuesday I received the next packet, which had the stuff that had to be returned within one business day and more as...See MoreSAE, Welcome to Bahrain. I'll see you there. My paperwork came in batches. Day 1 was the offer and acceptance paperwork, on a Wed (July 6). I submitted that the next day and then heard nothing until the following Tuesday. I believe on Tuesday I received the next packet, which had the stuff that had to be returned within one business day and more assorted forms that weren't time sensitive. After I emailed that I received the passport and eQIP emails. A few days later my fingerprint form arrived. Now I wait.

On 7/27/16, SAE wrote: > Question, Panda. Did they have you submit your passport > paperwork at the same time you submitted the acceptance > papers? I received an offer on a Friday and both were > started on Monday. > > Also, how much time between submitting the acceptance > papers and receiving the FedEx box with fingerprints? I'm > just trying to figure out how behind I am. > > On 7/27/16, Panda wrote: >> Still no orders or passport. I'm trying to be >> patient but it's hard. Can't arrange my pack >> out until I get my orders either. >> >> On 7/18/16, reality sheriff wrote: >>> Penty of time still; not to worry. >>> >>> Caution re not conflating the "Recommended" >> date to travel >>> vs. the "Required" Reporint Date. Is the >> Principal >>> explicitly mandating an Early Reporting >> Date? If so, then >>> he can expect to be paid for those Required >> extra working >>> days. Otherwise, if the Principal is not >> explicitly >>> requiring an Eary Report Date, then he'll >> start on salary >>> as of the official Reporting Date of Aug 23 >> irrespective >>> of how many days earlier he arrives there. >>> >>> Even if not on salary, he can expect to be >> able to draw >>> TQSA for temp lodging & meals & laundry/dry- >> cleaning. This >>> is a good time of year to sightsee; check >> out what MWR has >>> on its schedule. If on base housing is >> available >>> immediately upon arrival, then you move in >> ASAP, with free >>> loaner furniture pending your shipment >> arriving in a >>> couple/three months, plus a free hospitality >> kit (kitchen >>> stuff, some bedding, etc.) you can check out >> from on base >>> Family Services/Fleet & Family Support. >> Whether moving >>> into an on-base home or moving into an off- >> base home, the >>> TQSA stops when permanent quarters are moved >> into. If an >>> off- base home is happening, then LQA starts >> as of move-in >>> day. Btw, an on-base home ~appears~ to be >> completely free >>> but behind the scenes, DODEA transfers LQA >> funds to the >>> military branch providing the on-base home. >>> >>> You life may seem a bit whirl-windy in the >> next weeks to >>> months, but do try to avoid becoming >> overwhelmed - try to >>> enjoy "the ride" - after all, tens of >> thousands of >>> families have successfully done this exact >> same move, and >>> so will you! >>> >>> >>> On 7/18/16, Quick Question wrote: >>>> My husband still doesn't have our orders >> and we were told >>>> they want us there by August 9th. I guess >> I'll need to >>>> have him >>> check >>>> on that pay issue also. >>>> >>>> When he called today, he was told they just >> need to >>>> "download >>> his >>>> orders and then send them to him." They >> told him he >>>> should >>> have >>>> them today or tomorrow. Of course, seems to >> me if that >>>> was all, it could have been done rather >> quickly, but what >>>> do I know, >>> LOL.

Jul 27, 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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There is a current military coup underway in Turkey

by Mary-Lorraine

Jul 15, 2016

The military reportedly, want to "Restore the constitution and human rights."

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happyteacher
It's getting pretty intense. Will the DoD order an
evacuation in Ankara?

On 7/15/16, Mary-Lorraine wrote:
> Istanbul is 7 hours ahead of the East Coast of the USA.
>
> One reason the EU pushed against admitting Turkey was the
role
> of the military includes keeping the government in line
> wit...See More

Jul 15, 2016

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HelpOthers It will be interesting to hear from those in the area. On one of my Facebook groups, people in Turkey at the time were saying that things looked different there than in the media and that some even speculated that is was staged. The government has announced that the coup has been thwarted and new military leadership put into place.

I do th...See MoreIt will be interesting to hear from those in the area. On one of my Facebook groups, people in Turkey at the time were saying that things looked different there than in the media and that some even speculated that is was staged. The government has announced that the coup has been thwarted and new military leadership put into place.

I do think that if they truly do not allow active duty military personnel to vote in their elections, they could continue to have problems and may want to consider allowing them to vote, as we do.

On 7/15/16, teach wrote: > > It's getting pretty intense. Will the DoD order an > evacuation in Ankara? > > On 7/15/16, Mary-Lorraine wrote: >> Istanbul is 7 hours ahead of the East Coast of the USA. >> >> One reason the EU pushed against admitting Turkey was the > role >> of the military includes keeping the government in line >> with the constitution. >> >> "When it has felt that the republic and its principles to >> be threatened, the army has in the past taken >> responsibility for its protection. This principle was >> written into the Turkish Armed Services Internal Service >> Code." >> >> "the duty of the armed forces is to protect and safeguard >> Turkish territory and the Turkish Republic as stipulated >> by the Constitution.” >> >> http://www.balkanalysis.com/turkey/2010/12/02/the-role- of >> -the- >> military-in-turkish-politics-and-european-union- membershi >> p- negotiations/ >> >> >> On 7/15/16, Mary-Lorraine wrote: >>> This page has a running feed with live updates. It is >>> currently 1:01 AM Saturday morning. >>> >>> >>> http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/turkey-coup- live >>> - updates-explosion-8431256 >>> >>> >>> On 7/15/16, teach wrote: >>>> I've been following this story on bbc for an hour but >>>> it's >>> not >>>> getting much attention in the states! Shocking. How are >>>> Turkish citizens reacting? I know Erdogan isn't as >>>> "democratic" as Ataturk was.... From what I've read >>>> this sounds like a well organized coup that reaches >>>> high levels of the military. State Dept is telling >>>> citizens to stay >>> indoors. >>>> Reports are that social media has been disabled in >>>> Turkey so it may be hard to contact friends there.... >>>> Prayers for safety for all! >>>> >>>> On 7/15/16, Mary-Lorraine wrote: >>>>> The military reportedly, want to "Restore the >>>>> constitution and human rights."

Jul 15, 2016

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ESL programs

by SAE

Jul 15, 2016

Is anyone knowledgable about ESL or teach it overseas at the middle or high school level? If so, can you tell me how extensive the program is? Are they direct classes, pull-out, or co-taught? In my area of the US, this is a growing field. Would you say the same for overseas?

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Jay22 I have taught ESL in DoDEA in the past but do not teach it currently. I have taught ESL at all three levels Es/MS/HS in DoDEA. When I taught it it was mainly pull-out but on a few occasions I would shadow some students and sit with them in their core classes at the MS/HS level. ESL is somewhat antiquated in DoDEA....just the idea that they still us...See More

Jul 15, 2016

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Ft Benning

by MrsBoyles

Jul 15, 2016

I have a TO for Ft Benning (Gifted, which is my preference, yay!) I read the previous post about Ft Stewart and how you don't need to take stateside bc of the lack of bene's and can't easily go overseas and unless unemployed/big salary jump don't do it. I fall into the later category so I accepted. Looking for any info on people who've been there. ...See More

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kgteach Can you update us on your process, please? How long after did you receive your start date?

Oct 13, 2016

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samantha Im going overseas, but I'm supposed to receive my start date on Monday the 17th, which will be 2 months after I started the process and accepted the position.

Oct 15, 2016

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