Rumor Mill

PDMRA

2009-11-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

Question:
In regards to PDMRA, if an NG Soldier is also a federal, state, or local government employee, they can’t receive pay from PDMRA and simultaneously from their GOVT job. (Double Dipping) The documentation in the PPG states that the soldier could elect to receive Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP) at a rate of $200/day, not to exceed #3000/mo. (This is about 15 days PDMRA)

In regards to PDMRA, if an NG Soldier is also a federal, state, or local government employee, they can’t receive pay from PDMRA and simultaneously from their GOVT job. (Double Dipping) The documentation in the PPG states that the soldier could elect to receive Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP) at a rate of $200/day, not to exceed #3000/mo. (This is about 15 days PDMRA)

If a reservist or guard member is also a GOVT employee, has of PDMRA, How are the benefits paid out with the AIP? Question #2: Do soldiers also receive BAH while on PDMRA?

Answer:
The Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP 37 USC, section 307) is applicable to members of Reserve Components who are federal, state or local employees who are precluded by law from being paid while simultaneously on active duty. The option exits for those employees to “ELECT” to receive AIP in lieu of being awarded administrative absence days. AIP is valued at a rate of $200 per day not to exceed $3,000 per month.

Example: 45 days of accrued PDMRA First Month Pay = $3,000 (30 days x $200 = $6,000 but is capped at $3,000) Second Month Pay = $3,000 (15 days x $ 200)

Soldiers electing AIP will accomplish payment through used of a DA Form 4187 indicating election of AIP as follows: “I am a federal, state or local government civilian employee who is not permitted to return to my federal state or local government civilian job during the PDMRA period while in a military status. I elect to receive Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP) at a rate of $200 for each day of administrative absence that otherwise would have been authorized under the PDMRA Program.”

Yes- You continue to receive all pay and entitlements for your active duty status while on normal PDMRA leave.

◦Note All situations regarding PDMRA require individual calculation and attention.
References: NGB PDMRA Policy Letter, Dated 1 May 09, Subject: Implementation Guidance for Unused Post Deployment/Mobilization absence (PDMRA) for National Guard Personnel. Personnel Policy Guidance, Dated 11 Mar 09, paragraph 8-4f.(5) (d) 3.

Uniform/Equipment Turn In

2009-10-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Question:
Will soldiers have to turn in the four sets of FRACUs that were issued at Ft. Lewis?

Answer:
No, the SM will retain all four sets of FRACU's. The FRACUs issue is annotated on the individuals clothing record.

Question:
What is required for turn-in at Ft. Lewis?

Answer:
As of today, if you drew an item from the CIF at FT. Lewis, you will turn it back in at Ft. Lewis. Items may include, wet weather bag, laundry bag and duffle bag. Additionally, the IOTV and E-SAPI plates will be turned in at FLWA, make sure you plan accordingly. You will wear your PPE to Kuwait, at that location, you will pack/stow in your checked duffle.

PDMRA

2009-10-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

Question:
If a Soldier redeploys early, will they be denied PDMRA even though they were deployed with the 1BCT?

Answer:
A Soldier will not be denied PDMRA. A soldier will receive PDMRA for previous deployments and current deployment.

The issue is that FLWA does not recognize the additional PDMRA days that are owed to Soldiers that demobilized during the period 19 January 2007 to 18 August 2007 that did not receive PDMRA for that deployment.

The guidance on Soldiers receiving previous PDMRA days is not written in the Personnel Policy Guidance (PPG). The new guidance was published on 1 May 2009 in DA and NGB Policy Memos; Subject: Implementation Guidance for Unused Post Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence (PDMRA for National Guard Personnel). These memos established the policy for reimbursing Soldiers that have not received their PDMRA days. FLW does not recognize this policy because it has not been added to the PPG.

Minnesota’s CSM and J1 Director are working the issue now with NGB and HQDA.

LTC Seaquist

Emergency Leave

2009-09-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Question:
Is it true that in order for a soldier to come home on emergency leave to see a child being born, they have to be married? If so, why?

Answer:
Childbirth does not constitute emergency leave. A soldier should plan his R&R leave around the time of the birth of a child. Only if there is documented severe life threatening circumstances surrounding the birth would there be an exception and in this situation ordinary leave should still be considered.

(Reference: 600-8-10, Chapter 6, Emergency Leave, Section I, Task: Requesting Emergency Leave)

Rolling Blackouts

2009-09-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

Question:
Why does the Red Bull LSA suffer from rolling power outages on an almost daily basis?

Answer:
The cause of the power outages have been identified by our engineering contractor. We are moving forward with a plan to redistribute power loads from our existing generators; additionally, we are ensuring that the new LSAs are engineered to avoid similar shortfalls.

LTC Kelly Nelson
Camp Basra Mayor's Cell

Combat Stress

2009-08-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

Question:
Why are the hours at combat stress clinic so limited during the week and closed on Sunday?

Answer:
The hours of operation at Combat Stress Control are not limited. The staffing available within the Iraqi Theater of Opertions is limited. With a team of two providers (one psychologist and one social worker) and two mental health techs, their patient load is full. The division psychiatrist and mental health non-commission officer, whose mission is to provide oversight over all mental health care throughout Multi-National Division-South and advise the Commanding General, contribute to Combat Stress Control by manning the clinic and seeing patients in addition to their regular duties. Outside of clinic hours, the Combat Stress Control staff has responsibilities to review casework, dictate and record their findings, track trends, medications, respond to reports and inquiries from their USAF and Army chains and all that is required to run a clinic. The patient load at Contingency Operations Base Basra is heavy, and the staff has not been able to circulate around to the eleven camps on the Contingency Operations Base.

Normal clinic hours are for scheduled appointments and walk-ins. Currently, 100% of appointments are filled for a week at time, so no walk-ins can be accepted. Emergency care is available 24/7. Any soldier who presents himself to sick call and in need of mental health services will receive that care from the on-call mental health professional.

COL Mike Rath, 34th Division Surgeon LTC John Kuzma, 34th Division Psychiatrist

Education Center

2009-08-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

Question:
Why does the Education Center have to be closed on Sunday when that is the only day soldiers have down time to accomplish personal educational tasks?

Answer:
The Education Center opened in early July with the help of some volunteers. The current hours are Monday through Saturday, 0900-1800 for counseling and 0900-2100 for the computer lab. Additional staff have been requested and should soon provide the ability to keep the Education Center open 7 days a week.

Taco Bell in Basrah

2009-08-12T21:50:00.000-07:00

Question:
Will we get a Taco Bell at COB Basra?

Answer:
No, we will not get a Taco Bell. When DFAC 4 is converted into a PX, we will have a Charlie's, Burger King, Pizza Hut and another Green Beans.

Colonel Curley Albrecht Deputy Chief of Staff

Half Staff for Fallen Heroes

2009-08-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

Question:
"Shouldn’t we fly the flag at half staff to honor our fallen Soldiers?"

Answer:
"No. In accordance with United States Flag Code only three people may order the flag to be flown at half staff: The President of the United States, The Governor of a State and the Mayor of the District of Columbia.(Sec 7, M) Because we are not in the State of Minnesota the Governor has not control over the flag, therefore, only the President of the United States may order the flag to fly at half staff. When the President of the United States gives the order it applies to all American Flags. We will fly the American Flag at half staff whenever the President orders to do so. This order will apply only the US Flag and not the Division or Iraqi Flag. (AR 840-10, 2-4, g)

2LT Kenneth Toole Red Bull Visitors Bureau

Tainted Water

2009-08-05T21:44:00.000-07:00

Question:
“Are Soldiers at COB Basra drinking tainted water?”

Answer:
There is/was a rumor floating around about 'bad' bottled water. Rest assured the bottled water we are drinking here on COB Basra is completely safe.

The Class I Point received water marked "WPS 3" which means it was produced in March. Some people complained it tasted like plastic, so they stopped distributing it. There is nothing actually wrong with the water. Bottled water is good for up to a year, and actually we've tested some older than a year that was just fine.

The Class I yard does not have any more of this water, and they haven't for a while. There has not been a recall and there are no reports of anyone getting sick from the water in question.

Sgt. Maj. Douglas J. Wortham BN CSM, 34th DSTB