(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 23 March 2020.  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. 4
 
This is a longer than normal RIO Buzz … as you can imagine, much has happened since Vol. 3.  While there is some Coronavirus-specific information here, there are also a few items not related that are important to pass on. 

ARE YOU UP TO DATE ON HOW COVID-19 AND THE STOP MOVEMENT AFFECT YOU?
We have been working hard to push out much needed information regarding the COVID-19 virus and the stop movement now in effect.  If you haven’t seen our messaging, please see the following to stay connected:

RIO Connect phone app – Any new guidance is sent via the app as a push notification.  There is also a COVID-19 button with necessary information, documents, and forms.  For more information on how to get the app and join your detachment’s group, click here.
HQ RIO Website – This COVID-19 IR Update page is an IMA/PIRR-specific page with all the information we have and is updated almost daily.  Keep in mind that information on the main Air Force page and any new guidance there may apply differently to Individual Reservists.  It’s best to check our website to make sure what you’re hearing is accurate.
HQ RIO Facebook page – If you’re on Facebook, be sure to “like” our page.  You can also select “follow” and choose “see first,” which makes sure you never miss a post!

HELP MYPERS TECHNICIANS SEND YOUR MESSAGES TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE
If you have a question about a pay or travel issue, it’s best to use the specific submission links found on the IMA Management tab in MyPers.  However, if your question isn’t related to pay, you may want to submit a general message.  If you do, be sure to put “IMA” in the subject line; that makes it faster and easier for the ARPC staff to route your question to the correct person or department at HQ RIO.

SPEAKING OF MYPERS … DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ACCESS SOME OF ITS FEATURES WITHOUT A CAC AND ON YOUR PHONE?
MyPers is a CAC-enabled site, but the next time you CAC in, take a moment to set up a user name and password.  Once you do that, you’ll have the ability to set up mobile access into MyPers on your phone.  The instructions are right here for Android and iPhone. 

A QUICK TIP IF YOU ARE CHANGING YOUR ADDITIONAL TAX WITHHOLDINGS IN MYPAY
With tax season upon us, some of you may need to change the amount you are having withheld from your paycheck. One option is to change or add an “additional amount” to withhold for taxes.  ***** When you do this in MyPay, what you are asked to enter is a DAILY RATE.  Example: $10 additional for a 4 period UTA will be $40.  $10 additional on a 30 day-long tour will be $300.  Some people mistakenly think it’s a pay-period, the result of which is having much more money withheld than you anticipated. 

That’s the buzz for now.  Thanks for ALL you do!

v/r,
Col Amy Boehle, HQ RIO Commander