(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 19 July 2024. 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.)
The RIO Buzz Vol 75
This introduction is a bit lengthier than normal, and that’s only because we’ve got a couple of noteworthy developments to share with you. We're thrilled to share that AFRC has successfully restored AROWS-R to its full functionality this week. This means you can now access AROWS-R from personal computers at home or using a non-Air Force access network at your unit. You can resume submitting your Tour of Duty Certification (TODC) through AROWS-R, which is the preferred method to expedite your payment process. More good news: the OKTA feature has been added to AROWS-R for non-CAC logins, similar to myFSS non-CAC access.
UTAPS is also functioning a bit better, however, the 30-day log-in requirement has been implemented to meet cyber security requirements. To prevent account lock-out, members can set up their personal challenge questions in case they are unable to log in every 30-days. These challenge questions can help you retain consistent access without having to ask the UTAPS HelpDesk to reset your account. Log in to UTAPS, reload in IE mode in Edge, then navigate to the Configuration Menu, then click Challenge Response Maintenance to establish your challenge questions.
Attention!! We need your assistance in submitting all actions for pay and travel conducted during the current fiscal year. When pay actions and vouchers are not submitted in a timely manner, we miss out on potential funds, which restricts our ability to allocate resources to other programs that support IR readiness. Included in this Buzz, you'll find quick guides to help you file vouchers for IDTs or annual tours, enhancing our organizational flexibility as the fiscal year comes to a close.
And, last, if you're still curious about how the Integrated Lodging Program (ILP) might affect your wallet, make sure to take a look at the paragraph about it in the announcements section – it’s worth a read!
Now, the Buzz …
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Customer Service Hour expanded to Tuesdays and Thursdays! We are excited to announce that on 16 July 2024, HQ RIO expanded both the availability of the Customer Service Hour, as well as the topics. The schedule is now different, so please read carefully so you can take advantage of everything we are offering! For dates, times, and rooms available, click HERE. There will be times the Customer Service Hour doesn’t happen, or certain rooms aren’t available. The page linked above will be kept up to date with any schedule or topic changes.
Integrated Lodging Program. In order to receive full reimbursement for any lodging associated with IDT or TDY travel, all reservists are required to utilize authorized accommodations. Failing to do so could result in members having to cover a portion of their lodging expenses personally. Should you decide to arrange lodging outside of the Defense Travel System (DTS), it is crucial that it aligns with the Integrated Lodging Program (ILP) standards. Otherwise, your reimbursement will be restricted. In circumstances where government quarters at ILP locations are unavailable, privatized lodging on the installation should be your next choice. If that option is also not feasible, choose a Department of Defense (DoD) Preferred lodging hotel. However, if a member opts for a DoD Preferred lodging hotel despite the availability of government quarters or privatized lodging, reimbursement will be subject to limitations.
FY25 IDTs. The FY25 UTAPS calendars are now available to project duty. IAW DAFMAN 36-2136, para 4.2.1.2., all IRs will develop a schedule of IDTs with their supervisor no later than 15 August for the upcoming FY. If you’re not sure which dates you’ll work, load the days at the end of the FY so that funds can be obligated. You can always reschedule them when you’re sure. To fulfill this requirement, the calendar only needs to be in SUBMITTED status (yellow).
SYSTEMS ACCESS
AROWS-R functionality restored. AROWS-R functionality has been fully restored. You can easily access both AROWS-R and UTAPS from your personal computer, Desktop Anywhere, or through non-Air Force networks, such as those linked with CCMDs, agencies like DHA operating on the health.mil domain, and Joint Staff. You can return to downloading orders, navigating to UTAPS, and certifying annual tour orders using Tour of Duty Certification (TODC) through AROWS-R. In case of any other issues, please refer to the troubleshooting options provided in the quick guides:
- TODC troubleshooting can be found HERE
- UTAPS Support Cell can be accessed HERE
- AFNET account reactivation information is available HERE
DTS Downtime. The Air Force recently awarded a new service contract for the Travel Management Company (TMC). As a result, DTS will update its connection structure July 21-22, 2024. During this period, all Airmen will not have access to DTS from July 21-22.
However, some organizations predict this blackout period to extend through Wednesday, July 24. We highly encourage those who will travel on or before July 24 not to wait and to submit their travel authorizations in DTS now. You can refer to the DTS Quick Guide
HERE for assistance in creating an authorization. DTS will be inaccessible, offline, or degraded during the blackout period. Reservists will still need to have official orders in AROWS-R before creating a travel authorization in DTS. Although DTS may appear online, however, the connections will not be operational and any actions taken WILL NOT be processed or recorded. For travel after 4 p.m. EDT on July 21, use the attached document which can be found
HERE. The DTS Blackout will affect voucher submissions. Please submit your voucher after July 24, 2024.
MAKING SURE YOUR RECORDS ARE RESERVE READY
Getting you paid. With less than three months remaining in FY24, the Command is entering a critical phase to ensure Reservists are properly compensated for official travel and duties performed. When pay actions and travel vouchers aren’t filed within a timely manner, RIO’s ability to purchase needed mission requirements becomes restricted. This is particularly challenging near the end of the FY when we have limited time to purchase essential items. Waiting weeks or months to file pay actions and/or travel vouchers limits RIO’s ability to pay those obligations to the member in a timely manner as we are required to ask for additional authority to do so outside of the current FY. Here are a few quick guides to assist you with the TODC process and filing your vouchers:
Discover "The Sweet Spot" for Meeting IMA Requirements. Have you heard of the elusive "Sweet Spot" for fulfilling IR participation requirements? To achieve a satisfactory service year, you must meet both the FY and R/R year requirements. The R/R year is considered "good" if you accumulate 50 points, regardless of the type of days you complete or how they're earned. On the other hand, the FY year is deemed "good" if you fulfill your AT and IDT requirements for your assigned IR position. Additional work, such as MPA, RPA, or points-only IDT, has no impact on your FY year. To satisfy both requirements annually, it's essential to perform your AT and IDTs within your individual "Sweet Spot." Watch the Sweet Spot video HERE to learn more about achieving both requirements as you create your FY25 IDT schedule in UTAPS.
RPA/MPA OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for RPA/MPA opportunities? Well, check out GigEagle (GE)! GE uncovers and matches talent across the DoD. Create a profile to match with short-term opportunities or search and apply for existing ‘gigs’. Like the Volunteer Reserve System (VRS), GigEagle is a tool for temporary duty only, not IMA/AGR/TR/ART assignments. Access GigEagle HERE.
HQ RIO Pay and Travel Opportunities. Civilian Employment Opportunity! HQ RIO has financial management positions available in the Travel Reimbursement Office. This is a great opportunity grow or begin your government civilian career. If you have previous finance experience, to include positions outside of the government, and are interested in supporting your fellow IRs, send your resume to Lt Col J. Darren Mattheis, john.mattheis.4@us.af.mil.
Want to help with the HQ RIO cause? Want to ensure we keep paying members in a timely manner? Want long-term orders? Remote telework may be considered. HQ RIO has multiple RPA opportunities to support financial operations. If you have previous DTS or military pay experience, and are interested in supporting your fellow IRs, send your resume, CDB, last 3 EPRs/EPBs, fitness assessment report, and ARCNet individual readiness report to SMSgt Roy Wunderlich, roy.wunderlich@us.af.mil.
v/r,
Col Nathan “N8” Day
HQ RIO Commander