Questions after commissioning

JeRDLe

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2011
Messages
45
Hello all,

Just got my commission last Friday, but now I have some questions about what happens next.

First - When do I get my new ID card?

Some details: When I looked at MyPay and milConnect today, they showed me as being "Separated Air Force ROTC" and "ROTC (Contracted)" respectively - So I'm assuming I'm not yet in the system as a 2nd lt. My EAD is 2 July 2014 - Will I have to wait until this date before I can swap my green ID for a CAC, or should I be able to get the new ID before then?

Second - Speaking of my EAD...

Moving! I've been doing some research on this and have concluded that when I do my move from home to my first station, there is no Dislocation allowance. However, I do not know if the government will pay for my move when reporting from home to my first assignment. I don't have much stuff, so I would be doing a Do it yourself move in any case, but it would be nice if I could get paid for it.
If I can, then the first step listed is "go to your Transportation Office/Personal Property Office" to get some paperwork - seeing as I don't currently have a base, would that mean go to a local base (Peterson AFB), or is this something I can get from the NCOs at my detachment before I leave my school apartment and head home?

Any other advice on moving is appreciated too :smile:

and on a final note - I'm headed to Wright-Patterson, for anyone who has been there recently: What do you think of the base?
 
I don't know a single answer to any of your questions, but just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!
 
Congrats

Wright Patt is a great base and the Miami Valley is a great place to live. You'll really like it here.
 
Hello all,

Just got my commission last Friday, but now I have some questions about what happens next.

First - When do I get my new ID card?

Some details: When I looked at MyPay and milConnect today, they showed me as being "Separated Air Force ROTC" and "ROTC (Contracted)" respectively - So I'm assuming I'm not yet in the system as a 2nd lt. My EAD is 2 July 2014 - Will I have to wait until this date before I can swap my green ID for a CAC, or should I be able to get the new ID before then?

Second - Speaking of my EAD...

Moving! I've been doing some research on this and have concluded that when I do my move from home to my first station, there is no Dislocation allowance. However, I do not know if the government will pay for my move when reporting from home to my first assignment. I don't have much stuff, so I would be doing a Do it yourself move in any case, but it would be nice if I could get paid for it.
If I can, then the first step listed is "go to your Transportation Office/Personal Property Office" to get some paperwork - seeing as I don't currently have a base, would that mean go to a local base (Peterson AFB), or is this something I can get from the NCOs at my detachment before I leave my school apartment and head home?

Any other advice on moving is appreciated too :smile:

and on a final note - I'm headed to Wright-Patterson, for anyone who has been there recently: What do you think of the base?

First off congrats.

For your first question...after I commissioned I didn't get a new ID until I EAD'd. The first stop on day one of active duty was to the MPF where took my orders and then they called AFPC to have me "swapped" in the system, whatever that actually means. Then they printed me an active duty Lt CAC and said go to Finance to set up all that stuff. So essentially between commissioning and EAD there's nothing you need to do. Just wait and try to enjoy your last summer.

Second, assuming you have your EAD orders in hand...just call your local TMO (in your case Peterson's) and tell them you're entering active duty soon and will be doing a DITY PCS to your first duty station at Wright-Pat. They'll probably have you do some paperwork online and then come in for an appointment/briefing. Or they might just have you do it all in person. But the TMO folks should be willing to help you out...the key is to have multiple (meaning like 10) copies of your PCS orders with you.

DITY moves are the easiest of all. Essentially the TMO at Peterson will help you with all the paperwork and all you have to do is get your car weighed empty, and then weighed full (of all your stuff). Save those weight scale tickets, all your gas receipts, toll receipts, etc. Then when you get to Wright-Pat one of your first stops (prob after MPF and Finance) will be TMO to complete your move. They'll take your original paperwork from Peterson, your receipts, etc. and finalize everything. And then several weeks later you'll get paid. For a DITY move with one carload of stuff, you're not going to get paid much.

Honestly your NCOs/officers at the Det should have explained this all to you. But its not that hard. Just be patient and don't be afraid to ask questions. The best advice I can give is to make millions of copies of every single official document you get, whether its from TMO, MPF, Finance, your unit's security manager, etc. Keep very good records and you should be alright.

Good luck!
 
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