(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 20 May 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. 8

Big things are happening at HQ RIO, and I’m excited to tell you about some of them in this week’s buzz …

QUICK GUIDE FOR IDT LODGING REIMBURSEMENT NOW AVAILABLE
Our team is hard at work updating the IR Guide.  While that moves forward, HQ RIO is also developing a set of Quick Guides to assist IRs with common tasks and systems you have to use for pay, reimbursement, benefits, readiness, etc.  Our first Quick Guide, IDT Lodging Reimbursement, is now published.  I’m excited to start providing these resources to make it easier for you to submit accurate requests because it will help my staff process your requests quickly and get your reimbursement to you faster.  Click here to see the IDT Lodging Quick Guide (https://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/Portals/4/IDT%20Lodging%20Reimbursment%20Quick%20Guide_1.pdf). 

STEP II
STEP II is a commander’s program that selects outstanding and well-deserving Reservists who currently hold the rank of E-5 to E-8 to promote one grade above the authorized grade for their position. Only those Airmen who clearly demonstrate outstanding potential are considered for promotion under STEP II. The new STEP II Guide and accompanying paperwork are available on the HQ RIO website (https://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/HQ-RIO/Resources/#STEPII).  Nominations are due no later than 15 July 2020, but we strongly encourage early submissions. 

ANNUAL TOUR ORDERS REQUESTS NEED TO BE 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, but do your best to come up with an AT plan and get it loaded in the system as soon as possible.  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 telecommuting. 

ALSO … we see many AROWS-R requests submitted at the last minute.  Even if you submit a request for telecommuting orders, you still need to allow at least two weeks for those orders to process and the money to be budgeted.  Requests submitted without that buffer could be denied. 

CVR (MICROSOFT TEAMS) ACCOUNTS – HAVE YOU ACTIVATED YOURS?
With so much telecommuting happening right now, the Air Force provided a system via Microsoft Teams called CVR (the Commercial Virtual Remote Environment) that has a lot of great capabilities, including being accessible from personal computers and over commercial internet connections.  In your .mil email you received messages about activating your account.  If you haven’t done so yet, take care of this ASAP.   The emails contain a username and temporary password that you use to set up your account.  • If you can’t find the email with your account set up information, first do a search of your inbox for “cvr.mil.”  If you can’t find it, check to make sure your email is correct in MilConnect (https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect).  Update it if it’s not. If it is and you can’t find the email, open a ticket at https://ccpo.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/group/18.

CONGRATS TO NEW MAJORS
The promotion results just came out last week from the CY 20 Majors Board.  I’m thrilled to announce that 133 IRs out of 195 who were eligible were selected to promote to Major, which is a fantastic percentage of 68%!  We are proud of all you’ve accomplished and are honored to serve with you.

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

v/r,
Col Amy Boehle, HQ RIO Commander