2009-2010 Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Application Thread

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Can we get our cars moved along with our stuff as well?

Unless something has changed, no. The only pay for shipping your POV if you are stationed overseas, you are medically unable to drive it, your orders wouldn't allow you to drive it (you are in California you just got cut orders to be in North Carolina in 2 days), and I believe if they change the port of a ship. Otherwise you pay to ship it yourself or drive it. Grotto or NavyCy might know something I don't.
 
I hope Rebecca calls me today to tell me my waiver was approved so I can ask her if it's an April Fool's joke.
 
Can we get our cars moved along with our stuff as well?

Just to give you a solid answer, dru is right. They will not pay to move your car unless it's outside the continental US. I paid to have it shipped because I didn't want to drive across the country - it's expensive, but so is driving it across the country - I think when I did the math it came out to about the same cost either way (for me at least).
 
Did any non-priors get all their stuff yet?
I'm buying my beret now so I can work it into shape, but I think ill buy the rest of my uniform stuff closer to OBC, just in case I lose more weight working out.

Btw, does anybody know how the ACU works? I looked into buying them, and they're sized in S,M,L, etc. Do they not size them in normal waist increments (like 34/32 for example)? If they don't, I guess there's no point in waiting.
 
I hope Rebecca calls me today to tell me my waiver was approved so I can ask her if it's an April Fool's joke.

I just checked my dodmets account........waiver approved today!!! Seriously, I am not joking although I haven't heard the official word from Rebecca yet! It's time to celebrate!!
 
I am planning on driving to OBLC and I was wondering how exactly does the Army driving expenses work.

I know they pay you $.5/mile +$91/day per diem, but how exactly do we go about getting that money? Do we pay for gas and lodging on the way to OBLC and get recouped? Do we need to save reciepts? Or do give us the money up front?

And what's with the 350 mile/day thing? The regs say divide the mileage by 350 and take the integer, rounded up if the remainder is greater than 51, so a 1120 mile trip gets 4 days. But what if we don't take 4 days but make the trip in 2? Same with per diem? What if we spend $60/day on food and lodging?
Do we get to keep the difference or is this purely a "use it or lose it" proposition?

I remember reading someone made $4k by driving to OBLC and USUHS but I may be mistaken since that figure seems absurdly high.

Also, what does "shaving and working your beret" mean? How do we shave a beret? I think maybe Andrew has the right idea about getting the thing early and making sure its broken in.

But how do we know what size to get? And how many do we need?
 
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I am planning on driving to OBLC and I was wondering how exactly does the Army driving expenses work.

I know they pay you $.5/mile +$91/day per diem, but how exactly do we go about getting that money? Do we pay for gas and lodging on the way to OBLC and get recouped? Do we need to save reciepts? Or do give us the money up front?

And what's with the 350 mile/day thing? The regs say divide the mileage by 350 and take the integer, rounded up if the remainder is greater than 51, so a 1120 mile trip gets 4 days. But what if we don't take 4 days but make the trip in 2? Same with per diem? What if we spend $60/day on food and lodging?
Do we get to keep the difference or is this purely a "use it or lose it" proposition?

I remember reading someone made $4k by driving to OBLC and USUHS but I may be mistaken since that figure seems absurdly high.

Also, what does "shaving and working your beret" mean? How do we shave a beret? I think maybe Andrew has the right idea about getting the thing early and making sure its broken in.

But how do we know what size to get? And how many do we need?

You'll fill out a travel voucher after you have completed your travel with the departure and arrival dates on it and that is what you will be reimbursed for. The 350 mile/day thing is for safety and is the most time you are allowed for your travel. If it takes you less time to reach your destination, you are only paid for those days you traveled. As far as receipts, they usually don't collect gas receipts because you are being paid a set rate on your mileage anyways, but you should save any receipts for fees/tolls that you have to pay plus receipts for lodging. If there are any questions on whether to save something or not, I say save it and then you can ask the finance people about it when you file your voucher. Once you fill out your travel voucher and turn it in, you usually get reimbursed in a couple weeks. The timing really depends on the finance office that you are working with.

Hope that helps! Sorry, I can't help you with the beret... I am an AF girl! 🙂
 
You'll fill out a travel voucher after you have completed your travel with the departure and arrival dates on it and that is what you will be reimbursed for. The 350 mile/day thing is for safety and is the most time you are allowed for your travel. If it takes you less time to reach your destination, you are only paid for those days you traveled. As far as receipts, they usually don't collect gas receipts because you are being paid a set rate on your mileage anyways, but you should save any receipts for fees/tolls that you have to pay plus receipts for lodging. If there are any questions on whether to save something or not, I say save it and then you can ask the finance people about it when you file your voucher. Once you fill out your travel voucher and turn it in, you usually get reimbursed in a couple weeks. The timing really depends on the finance office that you are working with.

Hope that helps! Sorry, I can't help you with the beret... I am an AF girl! 🙂

So there is no reason to skimp on lodging and try to find something for $40 when the gov is paying a per diem of $91 and food at most will run you $15.

Thanks Dr.Funk, good to know, I will make sure to take my time and enjoy the 4 day road trip and nice motels😀
 
I just checked my dodmets account........waiver approved today!!! Seriously, I am not joking although I haven't heard the official word from Rebecca yet! It's time to celebrate!!

Congrats! Good to know people are getting processed. Do you know how long it was between them receiving your remedials and making a decision? I'm coming up on 2 weeks since they got my remedials. They say 30 days, but when I called them they seemed to suggest that 30 days was the maximum...
 
So there is no reason to skimp on lodging and try to find something for $40 when the gov is paying a per diem of $91 and food at most will run you $15.

Thanks Dr.Funk, good to know, I will make sure to take my time and enjoy the 4 day road trip and nice motels😀


The amount that you pay for lodging matters if you are TDY, but not for PCS. So, I guess it depends on if OBLC is considered a PCS or TDY. (I can't remember the minimum number of weeks training has to be for it to be considered a PCS.) If it is a PCS, you will receive the same per diem whether you stay at Motel 6 or the Hilton, so that's where you can make money. It's a good idea to find out which it is, so you can decide if you want to sleep in your car or at the Marriot. I'm guessing it's a TDY enroute?

Oh, and it's Dr.Funke, as in Dr. Tobias Funke of Arrested Development fame. :laugh:
 
Something I haven’t seen on this thread yet is state of residence. They will probably talk about this during in-processing, but it is good to research it now while you have the time. Basically, as an active duty member you will have the option of staying a resident of your home state or changing to a resident of Maryland while in school. Look up the tax laws of your state to determine the income taxes and how they apply them when you are in the military. Even though it may be a burden to remain a resident of your home state (you have to mail in your driver’s license renewals, absentee ballot, vehicle registration, etc), the tax benefits are probably worth it. Many states don’t charge income tax to military members stationed outside of the state, and some charge no income tax at all. There is a good explanation of the subject here: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/homeofrecord.htm. I don’t know what MD’s income taxes are like, or their emissions standards for cars, but they can’t beat Florida’s (none and none), so I’ll be keeping my FL residency.

Also, becoming AD gives you special rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, most notably that you can have all of your interest rates on debts incurred before you were on active duty lowered to 6% (Section 207). See here for more details: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/sscra/l/blscramenu.htm
 
I just checked my dodmets account........waiver approved today!!! Seriously, I am not joking although I haven't heard the official word from Rebecca yet! It's time to celebrate!!

At first, I thought you were a jerk. I checked dodmets and found nothing. Then today I got the call. 👍

From DQ to Waiver was ~ 3.5 months, but I was aggressively calling and pushing my request from start to finish, and it was just a hearing DQ, and I live in San Antonio so it was relatively easy to find a military audiologist for the remedial. Every case is unique, but the bottlenecks were GETTING the remedial appointment and then waiting for the USUHS waiver authority to review the remedial and make a decision. Rebecca was a BIG help throughout the process.

Snowpocalypse 2010 didn't help...
Guess who's got two thumbs and is psyched about this fall...! 👍👍
 
I am planning on driving to OBLC and I was wondering how exactly does the Army driving expenses work.

I know they pay you $.5/mile +$91/day per diem, but how exactly do we go about getting that money? Do we pay for gas and lodging on the way to OBLC and get recouped? Do we need to save reciepts? Or do give us the money up front?

And what's with the 350 mile/day thing? The regs say divide the mileage by 350 and take the integer, rounded up if the remainder is greater than 51, so a 1120 mile trip gets 4 days. But what if we don't take 4 days but make the trip in 2? Same with per diem? What if we spend $60/day on food and lodging?
Do we get to keep the difference or is this purely a "use it or lose it" proposition?

I remember reading someone made $4k by driving to OBLC and USUHS but I may be mistaken since that figure seems absurdly high.

Also, what does "shaving and working your beret" mean? How do we shave a beret? I think maybe Andrew has the right idea about getting the thing early and making sure its broken in.

But how do we know what size to get? And how many do we need?
I drove 1500 miles to OBLC last summer. The Army paid me $4949.92 for doing so. This money was in addition to the money they gave me to move my household goods to Bethesda, which was about another grand. They allotted me 5 travel days. Your per diem and milage rates look correct. You also get about $40 per day on the weekends during OBLC for food (they issue you a meal card for the weekdays); everyone gets this per diem whether they drive or fly. You are entitled to all the per diem money regardless of whether you actually spent it; so you can maximize your returns by sleeping in your car and not eating Ruth's Chris for dinner every night. The way it works is you pay your way until you get to USUHS in August, then you submit your travel voucher during inprocessing. It took about a week for them to process it and direct deposit the funds in my account. I didn't need to submit any receipts, but I saved them all anyway and encourage you to do the same just in case.

Also, be aware that you may have to pony up about $2k by the end of OBLC to pay for your lodging. This amount is of course reimbursed when you submit your travel voucher in August, but nonetheless it was a surprise to all of us last summer. When you inprocess at Ft. Sam they will give you the option to take a $2500 cash advance to cover any immediate expenses before you start getting your regular pay. The advance gets direct deposited in your account in just a few days after inprocessing. Then starting with your first pay check they deduct $208 for 12 months to pay it back. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of this, because 1) it's a free loan -- you don't pay any interest on it, 2) it will ensure you have enough liquidity to cover the lodging expenses at the end.
 
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Something I haven’t seen on this thread yet is state of residence. They will probably talk about this during in-processing, but it is good to research it now while you have the time. Basically, as an active duty member you will have the option of staying a resident of your home state or changing to a resident of Maryland while in school. Look up the tax laws of your state to determine the income taxes and how they apply them when you are in the military. Even though it may be a burden to remain a resident of your home state (you have to mail in your driver’s license renewals, absentee ballot, vehicle registration, etc), the tax benefits are probably worth it. Many states don’t charge income tax to military members stationed outside of the state, and some charge no income tax at all. There is a good explanation of the subject here: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/homeofrecord.htm. I don’t know what MD’s income taxes are like, or their emissions standards for cars, but they can’t beat Florida’s (none and none), so I’ll be keeping my FL residency.

Also, becoming AD gives you special rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, most notably that you can have all of your interest rates on debts incurred before you were on active duty lowered to 6% (Section 207). See here for more details: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/sscra/l/blscramenu.htm
That is exactly right. Stay away from Maryland taxes if at all possible. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax.
 
I think they made this shirt for you...too bad its not in Army green.
BMSTshirt.jpg

http://www.usualums.com/bookstore/clothingitems/bmstshirt.asp

And dont forget the entryway rug and chair to rest in post-volcano running
USUcarpet.jpg



USUchair02.jpg

http://www.usualums.com/store/index.asp


Looks like the USU Alumni Store site is down or moved...?

Never mind - I just read the USUHS newsletter and found the right link: http://www.usualumnibookstore.com/
 
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Something I haven’t seen on this thread yet is state of residence. They will probably talk about this during in-processing, but it is good to research it now while you have the time. Basically, as an active duty member you will have the option of staying a resident of your home state or changing to a resident of Maryland while in school. Look up the tax laws of your state to determine the income taxes and how they apply them when you are in the military. Even though it may be a burden to remain a resident of your home state (you have to mail in your driver’s license renewals, absentee ballot, vehicle registration, etc), the tax benefits are probably worth it. Many states don’t charge income tax to military members stationed outside of the state, and some charge no income tax at all. There is a good explanation of the subject here: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/homeofrecord.htm. I don’t know what MD’s income taxes are like, or their emissions standards for cars, but they can’t beat Florida’s (none and none), so I’ll be keeping my FL residency.

Also, becoming AD gives you special rights under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, most notably that you can have all of your interest rates on debts incurred before you were on active duty lowered to 6% (Section 207). See here for more details: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/sscra/l/blscramenu.htm

Thanks for the great advice, always better to get these things figured out ahead of time.

Maryland does tax active duty income, your home state might or might not, so its worth checking out.

P.S

Even if your home state has an income tax your status as active duty military might make you exempt. For example, my home state of Minnesota doesn't tax active duty pay made outside the state, so I am going to remain a resident there, (less paper work yay😀) So make sure to use that link to navigate to your home states tax website and make sure what your situation is, (before you go running off and trying to change your residency to a state with no income tax). It might be unnecessary.
 
At first, I thought you were a jerk. I checked dodmets and found nothing. Then today I got the call. 👍

From DQ to Waiver was ~ 3.5 months, but I was aggressively calling and pushing my request from start to finish, and it was just a hearing DQ, and I live in San Antonio so it was relatively easy to find a military audiologist for the remedial. Every case is unique, but the bottlenecks were GETTING the remedial appointment and then waiting for the USUHS waiver authority to review the remedial and make a decision. Rebecca was a BIG help throughout the process.

Snowpocalypse 2010 didn't help...
Guess who's got two thumbs and is psyched about this fall...! 👍👍

Given this and your rockin avatar I can see you are a man of impeccable taste. You wouldn't happen to be Army would you? (Hoping to hang with some cool people at OBLC this July)😀
 
Congrats! Good to know people are getting processed. Do you know how long it was between them receiving your remedials and making a decision? I'm coming up on 2 weeks since they got my remedials. They say 30 days, but when I called them they seemed to suggest that 30 days was the maximum...

It took me two months from the time my remedials were received by the waiver authority to a final decision. I haven't heard of anyone getting rejected due to a medical waiver so far. I'm sure it is just a matter of time before you get yours. Best of luck!
 
At first, I thought you were a jerk. I checked dodmets and found nothing. Then today I got the call. 👍

From DQ to Waiver was ~ 3.5 months, but I was aggressively calling and pushing my request from start to finish, and it was just a hearing DQ, and I live in San Antonio so it was relatively easy to find a military audiologist for the remedial. Every case is unique, but the bottlenecks were GETTING the remedial appointment and then waiting for the USUHS waiver authority to review the remedial and make a decision. Rebecca was a BIG help throughout the process.

Snowpocalypse 2010 didn't help...
Guess who's got two thumbs and is psyched about this fall...! 👍👍

Congrats!! See, I would never shine you on🙂
 
Just withdrew, and am taking the hpsp (army) with my hometown school. This was a really tough choice but I saw no point in dragging it out till may 15th. Might see some of you at Fort Sam this summer!
 
Do any current students know if pay advances are available? If so, is it at the beginning of COT/OLBC or when we arrive at USUHS? Thanks
 
Do any current students know if pay advances are available? If so, is it at the beginning of COT/OLBC or when we arrive at USUHS? Thanks


I am not sure about pay advances. However, unless the AF/Army are different than the Navy you should start getting paid while you're at COT/OBLC. I believe I got my first paycheck a little over half way through ODS. There were some people who had some pay mistakes, but no one had the problem of not getting money at all - some just weren't getting their E pay or the people in the office had messed up on what they're prior time in service was.
 
I am not sure about pay advances. However, unless the AF/Army are different than the Navy you should start getting paid while you're at COT/OBLC. I believe I got my first paycheck a little over half way through ODS. There were some people who had some pay mistakes, but no one had the problem of not getting money at all - some just weren't getting their E pay or the people in the office had messed up on what they're prior time in service was.


What kind of pay do you get while at OBLC? Is it just the rank pay or BAH and BAS?
 
I'm going to try moving to "the cloud" (via Google) before classes start in fall. By this I mean I'll be using Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar and hopefully Google Groups as well to communicate, collaborate, post notes, files, links - generally stay organized. Facebook groups and SDN forums are fun and useful, but in case anyone else is considering the broader "cloud" approach, I've made a "USUHS Class of 2014" Google Group.

For anyone interested in joining, I'll approve membership at first until someone else can help moderate (if necessary). It looks like the USUHS Class of 2011 Group went dead and the USUHS Surgical Interests Group was taken over by spambots... o.0

anyway... here is the link.

I'm assuming there will also be some kind of "blackboard" web sight where class materials and communications will be available...?
 
Do any current students know if pay advances are available? If so, is it at the beginning of COT/OLBC or when we arrive at USUHS? Thanks

The Air Force standard, and I'm assuming that of other branches, is to let you take a 2-month pay advance when you PCS. This is paid back over 12 months with payroll deductions. For anyone with any debt at all, it makes sense to take advantage of this advance, since it is basically a $6000+ interest-free loan. I'd just like to know if and when this is available to USUHS students.
 
The Air Force standard, and I'm assuming that of other branches, is to let you take a 2-month pay advance when you PCS. This is paid back over 12 months with payroll deductions. For anyone with any debt at all, it makes sense to take advantage of this advance, since it is basically a $6000+ interest-free loan. I'd just like to know if and when this is available to USUHS students.
Yup, read my post above about OBLC. They allowed us a $2500 advance. We got it within a few days of getting to Ft. Sam. and got our first real pay on 1 Jul.
 
I'm going to try moving to "the cloud" (via Google) before classes start in fall. By this I mean I'll be using Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar and hopefully Google Groups as well to communicate, collaborate, post notes, files, links - generally stay organized. Facebook groups and SDN forums are fun and useful, but in case anyone else is considering the broader "cloud" approach, I've made a "USUHS Class of 2014" Google Group.

For anyone interested in joining, I'll approve membership at first until someone else can help moderate (if necessary). It looks like the USUHS Class of 2011 Group went dead and the USUHS Surgical Interests Group was taken over by spambots... o.0

anyway... here is the link.

I'm assuming there will also be some kind of "blackboard" web sight where class materials and communications will be available...?
There is a faculty-managed blackboard website for class files and grades (usuonline.usuhs.edu) then there is a student-managed "pass down" site to post old exams, notes, etc (usucollab.usuhs.mil). You will get all this info during your academic orientation.
 
There is a faculty-managed blackboard website for class files and grades (usuonline.usuhs.edu) then there is a student-managed "pass down" site to post old exams, notes, etc (usucollab.usuhs.mil). You will get all this info during your academic orientation.

Good to know. Thanks! I'll keep up with the Google Groups thing and if usucollab.usuhs.mil turns out to be all I/we need then all the better. 👍
 
Weell, the Navy waitlist is moving. I got a call this afternoon. Hang in there.
 
I just got word from DODMERB that I am physically qualified...I didnt think I would make the April 15 cut off since I just had the physical last month. Now hopefully I hear good things from admissions...and that the AF waitlist moves a lot.
 
$1800/month +electric and water. Great place for families. 4 bed/3.5 bath. 15-20 minutes to school.

http://musicfl2002.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album01&page=1

Look here for pictures and contact me if interested!

Regards,

Dave
Dude I appreciate your enthusiasm to rent your home and help us out, but you have five posts and all of them involve renting property. Maybe chillax on the advertising and let us know a little of what we need to know about USUHS. Perhaps give us the rundown on its pros and cons.
 
Locke117 have you been sent any paper work other than the packet sent by Louise Tayor in late Feb? Have you filled out the NSA forms or the Army pay forms? Just wondering if we get those first and then orders or if they can come in random order. Also can you give us any details on what the orders say? I didn't know there would be 2 sets , one for USUHS and one for OBLC.

Does anyone know if getting orders for USUHS is sufficient to get access to an army post to buy uniforms? What about getting our offer letter from Rebecca, (to be used as proof of income when renting apartments).

Also something to note, when setting up your finances at USAA, (for credit cards, car insurance, checking ect) you need to have your orders (or so they tell me).

I wonder if the orders for USUHS give access to all those things or if we need OBLC orders as well.
 
Locke117 have you been sent any paper work other than the packet sent by Louise Tayor in late Feb? Have you filled out the NSA forms or the Army pay forms? Just wondering if we get those first and then orders or if they can come in random order. Also can you give us any details on what the orders say? I didn't know there would be 2 sets , one for USUHS and one for OBLC.

Does anyone know if getting orders for USUHS is sufficient to get access to an army post to buy uniforms? What about getting our offer letter from Rebecca, (to be used as proof of income when renting apartments).

Also something to note, when setting up your finances at USAA, (for credit cards, car insurance, checking ect) you need to have your orders (or so they tell me).

I wonder if the orders for USUHS give access to all those things or if we need OBLC orders as well.
i haven't filled out any forms other than one for Louise Taylor (i haven't even heard about those forms you mention, will we be getting those?) The orders are pretty cryptic.. here's an excerpt:
" YOU ARE ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE GRADE OF RANK SHOWN ABOVE FOR THE PERIOD SHOWN IN ACTIVE DUTY COMMITMENT BELOW. YOU ARE ASSIGNED AS SHOWN AND WILL PROCEED FROM YOUR CURRENT LOCATION IN TIME TO REPORT ON DATE SHOWN BELOW.
RPT TO: USUHS STUDENTS W3641A GENERAL DELIVERY BETHESDA MD 20814 4799 REPORT DATE/TIME: 03 AUG 2010
ASG TO: USUHS STUDENTS W3641A GENERAL DELIVERY BETHESDA MD 20814 4799 PURPOSE: RCLL/SAN/UCMJ

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: TVL BY POV IS AUTH. DETERMINED MED QUAL BY AUTH AGENCY. SEC CLR: SECRET REQUIRED. IND SHOULD INSURE PRES SVC CTR SUBMITS COPY OF OATH OF OFF, 1 COPY OF AD ORDERS AND ANY OTHER AVAIL DOCU, IAW CHAP 6 AR 624-100, TO CDR, HRC, ATTN: AHRC-MSP-D, 200 STOVALL ST, ALEX, VA, 22332-0443 FOR DOR DETERMINATION. LEAVE DATA AS STATED ON DA FORM 31. INDS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETEING THE PROGRAM WILL INCUR AN AD OBLIG OF 7 YRS WHICH UNLESS PRESCRIBED OTHERWISE BY PARA IV.E., DOD DIRECTIVE 6010.7, ADMISSIONS POL AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SCH OF MED, USUHS, SHALL BE ADDITIVE TO ANY OTHER UNFULFILLED OBLIG AS OF THE RPT DATE. MVMT OF DEPNS AND HHG AT GOVT EXPENSE IS AUTH. INDS ARE REQ TO RPT TO THE HOUSING REFERAL AGENT FOR THE USUHS PRIOR TO RENTING, LEASING, OR PURCHASING OFF-POST ACCOMODATIONS. OFCR'S MINIMUM AD SVC OBLIG IS 48 MONTHS. THE PROJECTED DATE OF GRADUATION FROM USUHS IS 17 MAY 2014. TDY ENROUTE"

So the TDY enroute means our OBLC orders are coming?
 
The orders are pretty cryptic.. here's an excerpt:

They aren't intentionally cryptic, just appear that way because you aren't used to reading military orders yet. After you execute a couple of sets of orders, you'll have it down no problem. What parts are confusing you? We have enough priors around that it should be pretty easy to remove the confusion.

On another note, I withdrew my acceptance this morning and will be taking an HPSP scholarship to my hometown school, so hopefully one of you on the Navy waitlist will get some good news soon. It was a tough decision (especially since I'm prior service), but despite the money, this is the best decision for my family. I wish you all the best of luck and I look forward to seeing you in the fleet in a couple of years.
 
They aren't intentionally cryptic, just appear that way because you aren't used to reading military orders yet. After you execute a couple of sets of orders, you'll have it down no problem. What parts are confusing you? We have enough priors around that it should be pretty easy to remove the confusion.

On another note, I withdrew my acceptance this morning and will be taking an HPSP scholarship to my hometown school, so hopefully one of you on the Navy waitlist will get some good news soon. It was a tough decision (especially since I'm prior service), but despite the money, this is the best decision for my family. I wish you all the best of luck and I look forward to seeing you in the fleet in a couple of years.

Traitor...😉. I'm not putting you in the inevitable Shipmate article, just out of spite....
 
They aren't intentionally cryptic, just appear that way because you aren't used to reading military orders yet. After you execute a couple of sets of orders, you'll have it down no problem. What parts are confusing you? We have enough priors around that it should be pretty easy to remove the confusion.

On another note, I withdrew my acceptance this morning and will be taking an HPSP scholarship to my hometown school, so hopefully one of you on the Navy waitlist will get some good news soon. It was a tough decision (especially since I'm prior service), but despite the money, this is the best decision for my family. I wish you all the best of luck and I look forward to seeing you in the fleet in a couple of years.

Enjoy growing out your beard for a little while. I enjoyed meeting you at our interview look forward to seeing you at an MTF one day soon.
 
Locke117 have you been sent any paper work other than the packet sent by Louise Tayor in late Feb? Have you filled out the NSA forms or the Army pay forms? Just wondering if we get those first and then orders or if they can come in random order. Also can you give us any details on what the orders say? I didn't know there would be 2 sets , one for USUHS and one for OBLC.

Does anyone know if getting orders for USUHS is sufficient to get access to an army post to buy uniforms? What about getting our offer letter from Rebecca, (to be used as proof of income when renting apartments).

Also something to note, when setting up your finances at USAA, (for credit cards, car insurance, checking ect) you need to have your orders (or so they tell me).

I wonder if the orders for USUHS give access to all those things or if we need OBLC orders as well.

I don't remember getting a packet in late Feb. What exactly was in the packet? I can't think of what else I may have needed to turn in. I have all my DODMERB stuff done, and have not received any other communication from the university after returning the unconditional acceptance and sending in my undergrad transcripts. Army just getting stuff out before Navy?
 
I don't remember getting a packet in late Feb. What exactly was in the packet? I can't think of what else I may have needed to turn in. I have all my DODMERB stuff done, and have not received any other communication from the university after returning the unconditional acceptance and sending in my undergrad transcripts. Army just getting stuff out before Navy?

What I am refering to is Louise Taylor emailing Army personel a bunch of forms we needed to fill out.

It may be that Navy will get different forms, or more likely the same forms just later.

Army HR is moving from St. Louis to Ft. Knox and will be closing on June 1, so they are rushing to get everyone's orders out as quickly as possible.
 
i haven't filled out any forms other than one for Louise Taylor (i haven't even heard about those forms you mention, will we be getting those?) The orders are pretty cryptic.. here's an excerpt:
" YOU ARE ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE GRADE OF RANK SHOWN ABOVE FOR THE PERIOD SHOWN IN ACTIVE DUTY COMMITMENT BELOW. YOU ARE ASSIGNED AS SHOWN AND WILL PROCEED FROM YOUR CURRENT LOCATION IN TIME TO REPORT ON DATE SHOWN BELOW.
RPT TO: USUHS STUDENTS W3641A GENERAL DELIVERY BETHESDA MD 20814 4799 REPORT DATE/TIME: 03 AUG 2010
ASG TO: USUHS STUDENTS W3641A GENERAL DELIVERY BETHESDA MD 20814 4799 PURPOSE: RCLL/SAN/UCMJ

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS: TVL BY POV IS AUTH. DETERMINED MED QUAL BY AUTH AGENCY. SEC CLR: SECRET REQUIRED. IND SHOULD INSURE PRES SVC CTR SUBMITS COPY OF OATH OF OFF, 1 COPY OF AD ORDERS AND ANY OTHER AVAIL DOCU, IAW CHAP 6 AR 624-100, TO CDR, HRC, ATTN: AHRC-MSP-D, 200 STOVALL ST, ALEX, VA, 22332-0443 FOR DOR DETERMINATION. LEAVE DATA AS STATED ON DA FORM 31. INDS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETEING THE PROGRAM WILL INCUR AN AD OBLIG OF 7 YRS WHICH UNLESS PRESCRIBED OTHERWISE BY PARA IV.E., DOD DIRECTIVE 6010.7, ADMISSIONS POL AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SCH OF MED, USUHS, SHALL BE ADDITIVE TO ANY OTHER UNFULFILLED OBLIG AS OF THE RPT DATE. MVMT OF DEPNS AND HHG AT GOVT EXPENSE IS AUTH. INDS ARE REQ TO RPT TO THE HOUSING REFERAL AGENT FOR THE USUHS PRIOR TO RENTING, LEASING, OR PURCHASING OFF-POST ACCOMODATIONS. OFCR'S MINIMUM AD SVC OBLIG IS 48 MONTHS. THE PROJECTED DATE OF GRADUATION FROM USUHS IS 17 MAY 2014. TDY ENROUTE"

So the TDY enroute means our OBLC orders are coming?

As far as I can determine your orders state the following:

1. Report to USUHS Aug 3, (8 days after OBLC ends)
2. You need to have a secret security clearance by that time.
3. Senate must approve the bill naming you as commissioned officer, signed by POTUS and you must be commissioned by this time, (fill out the paper work and have commissioned officer administer the oath).
4. Bring a copy of your orders to USUHS
5. Obligation is 7 years, (restating the contract you signed).
6. You need to contact someone at USUHS about housing prior to renting, (I believe this means getting Rebecca to send you an offer letter, which lists you income, needed to sign a rental lease).
7. TDY enroute means if you drive you get paid $91 per diem + $.50/mile instead of PCS of $.165/mile + $109 per diem.

As to whether or not your OBLC orders are coming I believe so, since these only apply to USUHS.

BUT I would recommend you try to use these current orders to the fullest, ie call Rebecca, get your offer letter, call USAA and open a checking account, (get the career starter loan if you want it) and get all your finances in a row now, ie car insurance, credt cards, ect.

As far as I can tell you need orders from USUHS to get these things and you are lucky enough to have yours.

Of course I could be dead wrong, so if any prior service see a glaring mistake in my logic please let me know.
 
I don't remember getting a packet in late Feb. What exactly was in the packet? I can't think of what else I may have needed to turn in. I have all my DODMERB stuff done, and have not received any other communication from the university after returning the unconditional acceptance and sending in my undergrad transcripts. Army just getting stuff out before Navy?


If you're Navy, don't expect to get ANYTHING until June (other than your acceptance letters). The paperwork the Army gets, you won't get - it might be some of the same stuff you'll fill out at ODS but I'm not sure. We never got it last year, and it hasn't been an issue so I don't worry about it.

In terms of orders and other paperwork, from here on out it'll be service dependent. I.e. if you're Navy and Army or AF gets something you don't then don't panic!

For Navy, we had one set of orders that included both ODS and USUHS, but the Army may do it differently.

Again, if you're Navy, don't expect anything until the middle of June - you'll do everything in about a week before heading out to ODS. It's a little nerve wrecking since we tend to be the type of people who are very organized and plan everything early - welcome to the Military! 😛
 
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