(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 23 June 2023. 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 50
Some great news in this issue of the Buzz. We will start with a report that the TODC process to certify short tour orders seems to be working. Fingers crossed it stays that way. Now, the Buzz:
NEW: ALL E-7 AND BELOW NOW ENTITLED TO IDT TRAVEL PAY
We have some excellent news to share. Beginning now through the next FY, all IMAs in ranks E-7 and below are entitled to IDT Travel reimbursement, regardless of AFSC. E-8, E-9, and officers can still qualify if their AFSCs are on the critical skills list. The HQ RIO website has the updated information. You can read more about it HERE.
There is a quick guide HERE. Note that the quick guide hasn’t been updated yet with this new information or the fact that the submission goes in myFSS and not myPers. In myFSS, search “IMA Management” to find all the submission links you need for HQ RIO processes.
REMINDER TO ONLY TRAVEL WITH APPROVED ORDERS/HAVE GTC READY TO GO
Just a reminder that all IMAs should have a GTC to use for travel. If you need assistance, contact your active component unit of assignment’s GTC Manager. In addition, IRs may NOT begin orders-based travel until those orders are fully approved or with a VOCO from your Det Commander. If you’re close to departing, contact your detachment orders writer for assistance in getting your orders routed. Once you submit your orders request, be sure to follow up in myFSS to ensure you’ve provided all the necessary paperwork for the orders writers to route your request for approval. Don’t “fire and forget”!
A WORD ABOUT OPENING CASES IN MYFSS
We appreciate you opening a single myFSS case to address each issue separately. This allows our technicians to review and triage each case to a queue for action. In order to maintain continuity of your myFSS cases, we request that you refrain from opening multiple cases to address the same issue. Some IRs are opening up to six myFSS cases for the same issue. Doing so extends the timeline to resolve your myFSS case because multiple cases must be reconciled prior to taking action.
If your myFSS case was closed, you can still respond to the closed case and attach new information or documentation. Please make every effort to maintain continuity for each issue in a single myFSS case. We do understand that occasionally opening multiple cases for the same issue may be necessary and those can be worked as needed.
APPLY SOON FOR FUTURE NCO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Those interested in applying for upcoming NCO Leadership Development Course dates, please keep reading. Open to SSgt/TSgt with NCOA completed 3+ years ago. This course is designed to prepare you for expanding your role as a leader and provide you with tools to assist in decision making and effectiveness as an Air Force Leader. A working CAC and Commercial Wi-Fi enabled laptop or tablet to accomplish the course work is needed. The course is unit funded through HQ RIO RPA.
COURSE DATES and Application Due date to Det workflows (1st and last days are travel days) :
30 July – 4 Aug – Applications due: 30 June // 20-25 Aug– Applications due: 20 July
The following needs to be sent to your assigned detachment (emails below): Career Data Brief, ARCNET report (MUST BE GREEN IN All AREAS), Fitness Report, Last 3 EPRs (if missing EPRs an email/memo from supervisor with justification), email concurrence from supervisor/rater, best way to notify you if selected, preferred dates.
NOTIFICATION: Notification of selection will occur 20 days before class date/
Det 2: arpc.hqriodet2@us.af.mil
Det 3: rio.det.3.1@us.af.mil
Det 4: arpc.hqriodet4@us.af.mil
Det 5: HQRIODet5ReadinessInt@us.af.mil
Det 6: riodet6.readiness@us.af.mil
Det 7: arpc.hqriodet7@us.af.mil
Det 8: eucom.stuttgart.eccs.mbx.rio-det-8@mail.mil
CMSAF BASS TALKS STANDARDS
Check your .mil email if possible to read the letter sent my CMSAF Joanne Bass regard standards, sent Tuesday, 20 June. Excerpt: “When any of us walk by or tolerate something below our high standards, we damage our credibility. Our Nation is counting on us to remain the world’s greatest Air Force. Together, let’s rise to the challenge of upholding the highest standards.”
TRY SMARTVOUCHER TO ASSIST WITH RTS FILING
A new tool has been made available to assist IRs with filling out the paperwork associated with an RTS voucher filing. The information about how to use SmartVoucher can be found HERE on the HQ RIO website. Give it a try the next time you need to file RTS (myFSS filing) for travel.
v/r,
Col Edward “Chad” Segura
HQ RIO Commander