(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 3 June 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. 9
Happy June, IRs! There are a few things I’d like to tell you about in this week’s buzz …
DID YOU ATTEND OUR FIRST VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION? FEAR NOT!
Last week HQ RIO held its first virtual training class. The plan is for this to be an ongoing series of classes that cover what you want to hear about and learn. This first one was about IDT Lodging Reimbursement and, judging from the feedback we received, it was a big success! If you attended live, thank you! If you missed it, that’s okay. You can view a recording at this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MzNkODljY2ItOWUyYi00ZDkwLWE3NDgtY2VhMjVkMmYxY2Ni%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2221acfbb3-32be-4715-9025-1e2f015cbbe9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%222d811298-f7de-4345-a9ab-0b6a322aefe9%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d.
Our next training session is Friday, June 12th at 1200 EDT/1000 MDT. We are reading through your feedback to determine the next topic, so stay tuned to the RIO Connect app, myPers, and FB for the announcement!
I know some of our processes are cumbersome and time consuming such as the many documents, screenshots and tickets you have to submit to get IDT lodging reimbursed. Please know we are working hard to change the things we have control over to make it easier for you to serve while still ensuring integrity in the process. What I know we can control is the communication and education we provide to you and that’s why we started writing quick guides and doing virtual training.
AMAZING MEDICAL IMAs MOBILIZED TO SERVE IN NEW YORK
For the first time in HQ RIO history, we mobilized 13 medical IMAs and got them to New Jersey and New York within 48 hours of notification. We received a formal tasking through the Secretary of Defense’s Orders Book and the Force Generation Center and then reached out to IMAs with specific medical AFSCs to find volunteers. These tremendous Airmen were all volunteers to serve America in response to COVID. Check out a few of the stories about all our Air Force Reservists’ service and support here (https://www.afrc.af.mil/COVID-19/ … scroll down for AFRC COVID-19 News). I am honored and humbled to serve alongside these amazing doctors and nurses.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR iRS AND HQ RIO?
An opportunity exists for IRs to join the HQ Readiness & Integration (RIO) IR Advisory Council (https://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/HQ-RIO/IR-Advisory-Council/). The HQ RIO IR Advisory Council is a forum for HQ RIO leadership, RIO Detachment and Operating Location leadership, and a cross section of IRs to give a consolidated voice to all IRs. This council gives IRs the opportunity to identify issues experienced in the field, help identify IR-based solutions, and ultimately provide recommendations to me for action.
IMAs, MAs and PIRR members from any AFSC and rank are eligible to participate. Members serve for a period of 1 year starting each FY with the option to renew membership each year with a 2-year term limit. (NOTE: This is a volunteer additional duty, not an IMA position.)
The HQ RIO IR Advisory Council meets via VTC four times each year in Points-Only status. No travel is required. If you are interested, follow the instructions listed at the link about and submit an application via myPers.
The application deadline is 1 Aug 20. Please submit applications or any questions via myPers at https://mypers.af.mil/app/ask. Choose “Air Reserve” as the Component and “IMA Management” as the Category using the subject line: IR ADVISORY COUNCIL APPLICATION.
That’s the buzz for now. Thanks for ALL you do!
v/r,
Col Amy Boehle, HQ RIO Commander