(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 21 April 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. 6
 
It has been another busy two weeks for HQ RIO, and I’m sure it is busy for you as well.  I hope you and your family are doing well through all this!  Now, the buzz …
 
HQ RIO CREATES THE COVID-19 RAPID RESPONSE CELL
In the last two weeks HQ RIO mobilized IMAs on 6-month orders in support of the military’s COVID-19 response to the east coast.  Most of these men and women had less than 48 hours from notification to arrival at their mobilized locations.  They are AMAZING!  As our country continues to fight this virus, we can expect more mobilizations, and a large group of IRs have volunteered to participate. 
In response to the mobilizations I directed the creation of the HQ RIO COVID-19 Rapid Response Cell.  I want to make sure these members have all the support they need to make it easy for them to serve.  To read more about the RRC, click HERE. 

YOU CAN NOW RETAIN UP TO 120 DAYS OF LEAVE FROM THIS FISCAL YEAR
The DoD just announce that service members can retain up to 120 days of leave at the end of this fiscal year through the end of FY23.  That means you won’t have “use or lose” leave at the end of this fiscal year unless you have more than 120 days on the books.  Keep in mind that the regular 60 days of leave will come back as we finish FY23, so you need to be below 60 days by Sept 30, 2023.  You can read more HERE.

MAKE SURE YOU’VE SUBMITTED YOUR ANNUAL TOUR ORDERS REQUEST IN AROWS-R NLT 31 MAY
Each year you’re asked to put your annual tour request into AROWS-R before June and this year is no different.  We are well aware that there are unknowns regarding travel restrictions in the future, but do your best to come up with an AT plan and get it loaded in the system.  If circumstances change, you can always modify your request.  You can also work with your owning organization to schedule AT via telework.  Your orders will reflect the fact that you are teleworking. 

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

v/r,
Col Amy Boehle, HQ RIO Commander