Finance_Guy

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Hello all. Now my turn to ask a question. For those around Ramstein, what are some of the best options for cell phone plans. We have iPhone 4s and will get unblocked before moving. Will those work? Don't have an issue with getting new phones provided the service is good and priced right. And while I'm at it, what are the best options for high speed internet? Thanks FG

Anyone ever used RoadRunner Auto Transport to ship a vehicle in the CONUS? www.RRAutoTransport.com FG

Don't see in that guidance where there is a limit to only 4 weight tickets. Ask them to show you in the Regs where there is a limit. http://www.move.mil/documents/dod/Revised_AF_Sup_Attachment_14.pdf I read this as well: *A14.7.1.2. Advise members to provide separate weight tickets for each segment of their moves

Maybe Hagel should stop reimbursement for temp storage of HHGs during deployments. Sure the BAH can cover that cost. BAH is to pay for a Place for your Stuff. , oh, and for you too.

I would suspect those stateside bases aren't as familiar with OCONUS booking. Cost of rotator isn't probably a factor here. Are they just giving you one-way costs or round trip. Try this website and see if there is a GSA rate. http://cpsearch.fas.gsa.gov/cpsearch/search.do?method=enter I plugged in Frankfort to Austin, TX and got a YCA fare rate of $721 one-way. Always use the YCA rate. Really shouldn't be an issue if the Ramstein TMO is giving you the figure--that figure gets put on your PCS orders and the gaining base really can't dispute it.

DITY W2s on my pay were wrong. DFAS is fixing the corrupted file and will post tomorrow

That is correct after checking my facts, it is the qualified hazardous duty areas (QHDA ) that would not get CZTE if IDP/HFP goes away. But there could be a difference in designating a CZ and authorizing CZ benefits. This is an interesting read: https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/Reports/11th_QRMC_Supporting_Research_Papers_(932pp)_Linked.pdf A few highlights I got out of it: #1. "HFP/IDP cost the Department of Defense $789 million in 2009 while the cost to the Treasury for CZTE was $3.6 billion—approximately 4.5 times the cost of HFP/IDP. #2. "An option for administering combat zone benefits more efficiently could be a distinction drawn between termination of the combat zone and termination of combat zone benefits. CZTE and combat zone benefits could be made contingent on the receipt of HFP/IDP in a manner similar to QHDAs. Since receipt of HFP/IDP is subject to the authority of the Secretary of Defense, the DoD could terminate CZTE benefits without actually terminating the combat zone. By not relying on the issuance of an Executive Order, the termination of combat zone benefits could be more timely and coincident with combat conditions. Once combat zone benefits are terminated, the process of terminating the combat zone should be easier to accomplish (7.A pg. 33). After noting those two, don't discount seeing a PEO or congressional action to remove CZTE for those areas that are no longer imminent danger areas according to OSD. The Obama administration needs to find more revenue to help distribute the income. I think the OSD action is only the first step. Sucks but I think we'll see the CZs be changed, but let's hope I'm wrong.

Well the going in position for CPTS is that when IDP for those locations goes away effective 1 June '14, so will the CZTE. So the question to OSD is to determine if there will be an exception granted to keep CZTE even though there is no IDP. So plan on IDP and CZTE going away on 1 Jun unless you hear otherwise. Rules would have to be changed to specifically authorize CZTE even though the area is not an IDP area. So Fuzz, if you continue to receive IDP and CZTE for one of those areas after 1 June consider yourself notified you will owe money.

If not claiming TLE then no receipts are required for the PCS CONUS land travel. PCS moves get what we call "MALT Plus". The "Plus" is the standard CONUS per diem rate. If the CPTS still insists on receipts ask them to show you in the JFTR/AFI that a lodging receipt is required for PCS MALT Plus travel. See JFTR ref below which basically says you get the standard rate--doesn't matter if you spent money on meals/lodging or not. U2025 STANDARD CONUS PER DIEM RATE A. Definition. The Standard CONUS per diem rate is the rate for any CONUS location not included in a defined locality (county/area) in the CONUS. B. CONUS PCS. The Standard CONUS per diem rate is used for all CONUS locations when PCS is involved. U5105 TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS B. ‘MALT Plus’ for POC Travel. Other than for transoceanic travel, PCS travel by POC is to the GOV’T’S advantage. A member traveling by POC is authorized ‘MALT Plus’. The MALT (par. U2605) is paid on a "per mile" basis for the official distance of each portion of the ordered travel (par. U3010). The ‘Plus’ (per diem) portion is paid on a whole day calendar basis for the allowable travel time. 2. Per Diem. A flat per diem at the Standard CONUS per diem rate is paid for each PCS travel day between authorized points, NTE the allowable travel time computed under par. U5160. If used, GOV’T QTRS and/or mess have no effect on the per diem amount paid. Each member traveling in a POC is authorized the Standard CONUS per diem rate.

TMO is the OPR to answer that question, not finance. I checked the AF Supp to the JFTR and don't really see anything clearly stating you don't also get the HHG shipment in addition to the NTS. I do see the 180 day reference. See page 23. http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4_7/publication/jftrv1-jtrv2_afsup1/jftrv1-jtrv2_afsup1.pdf

Don't need them for the driving portion within CONUS but would need lodging receipts on nights staying at the APOE/APOD when going to or coming from OCONUS locations.

New CY 2014 DLA Rates attached. SYNOPSIS: Increases the DLA rates effective 1 January 2014 based on the monthly pay raise of 1.0% IAW 37 USC §1009 and Executive Order signed by the President on 23 December 2013. UTD MAP 245-13(I) DLA Rates 1-1-14 Revised.doc

Typically you have to be authorized IDP to get CZTE--only a few rare cases which are the airspace over a few seas (Red & Arabian?) . If they have decertified IDP then most likely the CZTE goes away too. Would be hard to claim an area remains a combat zone while taking away the IDP. Double banger here--DoD saves $108M and the FEDs (IRS) gets a lot more. RE: DODFMR Vol 7a, Chapter 44, para 440103.b.5.b Edit: I sent the question to our AF Pay Policy POC--they are asking OSD if any executive orders on combat zones will be changed.

Can say I've never heard of that. First, as mentioned above, this is privatized housing so essentially the same a renting an apartment. Dependents being with you has NO affect on your lodging entitlement--so they are dead wrong on what they told you. So get a copy of the lease and/or rent receipts and use that as the receipt/support and they should reimburse up to the cost of a single VOQ room--which should be about $53.25/night. You should also be able to do a lost receipt form for the rent, but I'm sure the company should have no problem getting you some kind of document to show you paid the monthly rental amount. In rental situations you do not need the daily itemized receipt. FG