(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 26 Nov 2025. If you did not receive it in your personal email, please log in to the vMPF and make sure you have a good personal email in that system.)
RIO Buzz Vol 107
As we head into the holiday weekend, HQ RIO wishes all of our Individual Reservists and families a very Happy Thanksgiving. We hope the long weekend brings rest and time with loved ones. Please remember that HQ RIO will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the holiday and will resume normal operations Monday, 1 Dec.
Also, we’ve gotten reports that members are seeing a “NOT FOUND” error when clicking on links in the RIO Portal. If this happens, try refreshing – that usually clears it. We do have a ticket in to see what’s happening.
FY26 IDT Travel Guide
The new FY26 IDT Travel Guide is now available on the HQ RIO Portal. One of this year’s most significant changes is the reduction in authorized IDT travel from 12 round trips to 3 round trips per fiscal year. All IRs should review the updated guidance to understand how this impacts their travel planning before submitting IDT requests.
FY26 IDT Scheduling in UTAPS
Speaking of IDTs, there is still a significant number of IMAs who have not scheduled FY26 IDTs. PLEASE get those entered in UTAPS as soon as possible!
Updated Forms, AT Procedures, and MPA VOCO Changes
Several important updates have been made to streamline IR processes. Guidance Memorandums explain each of these new processes and associated digitally-fillable/signable forms. They can also all be found in the HQ RIO Document Library.
1) Guidance Memorandum 25-03 describes our new Exception to Policy (ETP) for all Late Orders & Late AT Requests – effective 1 October 2025 – the associated ETP template for these requests can be found here.
2) Guidance Memorandum 25-08 describes our new template for Substitution & Excusal Waivers for FY Requirements – effective 1 October 2025 – the associated template can be found here. NOTE: The Substitution & Excusal Memo supersedes the memo formerly known as the Participation Waiver.
3) Guidance Memorandum 25-09 describes our new AT Special Request Form – effective 1 October 2025 – the associated template can be found here. NOTE: ATSRFs are no longer required for Split AT at Home Station, but rather only for AT at alternate locations.
4) Guidance Memorandum 25-10 describes our new process for Verbal Orders to Proceed (VOCOs) – effective 01 October 2025 – the associated template for VOCOs – updated version effective 24 November 2025 – can be found here. NOTE: VOCOs for MPA orders no longer require RIO Detachment Commander signatures. VOCOs for RPA or AT will not be granted unless a system error in AROWS-R prevents timely production of orders. Members should review GM 25-10, Verbal Order to Proceed, to confirm current signatory authorities for their specific type of active-duty order.
Members should ensure they are using the most current versions for all submissions.
myFSS Orders Case Attachments
The myFSS orders request queue is no longer faulting; however, we have identified a new issue where attachments uploaded during the submission process may not carry over into the created case. After submitting a myFSS orders case, members should check their Open Cases and verify attachments in the Documents tab. If any files are missing, they can be uploaded directly to the case. We are actively working with system owners to resolve this issue.
School Orders Under the Continuing Resolution
Because the current Continuing Resolution expires on 30 Jan 26, HQ RIO will publish school orders only for classes beginning on or before that date. Requests for courses starting after 30 Jan 26 will continue to be processed, but orders cannot be published until Congress passes a budget that covers the class start date. We will continue to provide updates as new fiscal guidance becomes available.
Leave Record Reconciliation Project
HQ RIO/RPO is beginning a project to reconcile a backlog of master leave records. Members may receive communications from AFRC/A1 AFIPPS, but should wait for instructions from HQ RIO/RPO before taking action. AFIPPS notifications offer general background but do not reflect IR-specific processes. RPO will issue tailored guidance covering leave sellback, carryover, documentation, and submission procedures. Processing will begin once the team is fully stabilized following the recent government shutdown. Members with outstanding leave requirements will be contacted directly. Because breaks in orders create new master leave records, some may receive multiple notifications. Only one leave transaction can be processed at a time per member due to system limitations.
DD214 and DD214-1
The DD Form 214 provides an official summary of qualifying active duty service and supports administration of federal and state benefits. It is issued when a member completes at least 90 consecutive days of active duty, voluntarily supports a contingency operation for 30+ consecutive days, serves any amount of MEDCON/Med Hold time, or is involuntarily mobilized under applicable Title 10 authorities.
Effective 18 February 2025, ARPC released the DD Form 214-1, the Reserve Component Addendum, which supplements the DD214 and satisfies FY20 NDAA requirements. This form provides a standardized summary of each period of active and Reserve Component service under DoDI 1336.01. A DD214-1 will be issued to members separating or being released from a Reserve Component; those transferring to the IRR, Inactive National Guard, Standby Reserve, or Retired Reserve; and recalled retirees reverting to retired status. It is not issued for National Guard state-to-state transfers, Reserve Component service ending due to death, every issuance of a DD214, or members already retired or separated. IRs must request these documents through the myFSS DD214 Knowledge Article: https://myfss.us.af.mil/USAFCommunity/s/knowledge-detail?pid=kA0t0000000LHxMCAW.
Next IR All Call
HQ RIO will host the next IR All Call on 30 January 2026 and we anticipate sharing the latest on a possible government shutdown or update on the status of federal appropriations. Stay tuned for details!
V/r,
HQ RIO