BOTC 144 underway

BOTC 144 discussing shared values and determining their group’s definitions for Honor, Respect and Commitment. PC: LTJG Lesser

BOTC 144 is officially underway. The class, along with their Coast Guard shipmates in OCS 1-25, have completed Indoctrination week and begun the “leading self” phase of the program. BOTC 144 has learned military customs and courtesies and important NOAA policy. They have been introduced to the NOAA line offices, ships, aircraft, and more to prepare them for billet decisions and their future career tracks as officers. They have begun their maritime training with Basic Safety, CPR and survival at sea training, and begun their leadership training with coursework in core values, public speaking, conflict management, and group development.

Thank you to RADM Cary, BOTC 144’s class sponsor, for taking the time to visit and meet with both OCS and BOTC to discuss leadership, the future of the NOAA Corps, and the importance of inter-agency partnerships, as well as for providing candid advice and sea stories from his own career.

Upcoming important dates include Billet Night September 5th, Graduation October 11th, and BOTC post-graduation training October 14th- November 8th.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Reminders

We are well into the busy summer PCS season! Your OPMD team has identified a few recurring PCS process speed bumps, and we wanted to provide you all with some friendly reminders to ensure that your NOAA Corps PCS move goes as smoothly as possible:

• Prior to submitting via an HR Action Request, please ensure all PCS travel requests are fully completed and signed by your supervisor, including all requested pet expenses.
• All travel details should be included on the PCS travel request, such as mode of travel for the officer and their dependents, one or two privately owned vehicles (POVs), and if the travel is accompanied or unaccompanied.
• All travel requests must be authorized by CPC prior to the execution of PCS travel.
• During PCS travel, please ensure all receipts are retained.
• When submitting the PCS travel voucher via HR Action Request, remember that the endorsed PCS orders, a signed travel voucher (DD Form 1351-2) and all receipts must be included.
• Under the current structure of HRMS, endorsed orders must be submitted TWICE: (1) for the PCS travel voucher, and (2) to the Assignment Coordinator.
• For Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) and Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA), reimbursement is authorized only for itemized costs in daily receipts for approved hotels and motels per the Joint Travel Regulations (Appendix A) and the List of Approved Hotels and Motels for Federal Travelers; other establishments such as Bed and Breakfasts (B&B), VRBO, and AirBnB rentals are not authorized.

• Days authorized for TLE:
  • TLE Reimbursement is limited to 14 days for a CONUS to CONUS PCS
  • TLE Reimbursement is limited to 7 days to an Out of the Continental United States (OCONUS) PDS
  • TLE Reimbursement is limited to 14 days from an Out of the Continental United States (OCONUS) PDS to a CONUS PCS
  • TLE is capped at $290 per day
• Days authorized for TLA (Lodging at OCONUS locations):
  • CONUS to OCONUS 10 days at OCONUS location
  • OCONUS to CONUS 10 days at OCONUS location

Please reach out to your servicing HR Specialist for any questions or more information.

Did You Know? PCS Pet Expenses

• Eligibility: A Service member on a PCS order with an effective date of January 1, 2024 or later, as defined in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) Appendix A, may be authorized reimbursement for the costs related to the relocation of one household pet that arises from a permanent change of station. A household pet is a cat or a dog, owned for personal companionship. A Service member is responsible for following rules for importing and exporting a pet to and from the United States in order to be eligible for reimbursement. Denial of entry could result in denial of reimbursement.
• CONUS PCS: A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new Permanent Duty Station (PDS), and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all expenses is limited to $550 per PCS move.
• OCONUS PCS: A Service member may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, quarantine fees, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, testing titer levels for entry, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. For transoceanic travel, use of Government or Government-procured transportation must be used if available or reimbursement for transportation costs is not authorized. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all necessary expenses described above in connection with the movement of a pet is limited to $2,000 per PCS move.

Pet expense information and TLE information can be found in the JTR.

ACO Dining out

On September 21, 2024, the NOAA DC Association of Commissioned Officers will host its first official Dining Out event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will take place at the Manor Country Club. Please find the invitation here. Kindly RSVP by August 31st.

We are pleased to announce that a distinguished keynote speaker will be present, with details to be revealed at a later date. Officers who have recently been promoted are encouraged to consider making a wetting down donation and celebrating their event alongside our fellow officers. Additionally, we ask those that can to donate in order to subsidize tickets for individuals who wish to attend but may not be able to cover the cost of admission.