VTU - How to manage a Navy Reserve VTU career while living overseas?

[jagM3]

Hey fellas, i'm an 1835 with about 12 or so good years of service and was planning to head to the IRR and finish out the remaining 8 years doing correspondence courses -- the new Navy regulations on the IRR really through a wrench into my life plans and now I need to figure out how to appropriately adjust. My issue is pretty simple but poses some clear issues for the Navy reserves: My civilian job is taking me overseas for the next several years where i'll be working in a U.S. Embassy in Asia and will remain overseas for probably the next 8 years. I'm currently SELRES and was planning on transferring to IRR-ASP once I went overseas, but now in order to reach 20 years, I will instead have to transfer to a VTU. Does anyone have experience with being in a VTU overseas? Can I support the VTU and drill remotely or do I need to physically show up to DWEs? I've done my due diligence on the civilian side as every Embassy has a defense attache office (DAO) and I figured I could perhaps drill out of a DAO, but the State Department has a policy that if you are a civilian you CANNOT perform reserve duty in the same Embassy you are posted to because of conflict of interest issues (i.e. I advocate for part of the Embassy's budget as a civilian and can't represent DOD on the weekends in the same Embassy). What are my options here? What can I do that is as close to the IRR as possible without a major time commitment several times per year physically traveling in-person? It is likely not going to be feasible for me to travel more than about once a year for any Navy VTU type in-person obligations, am I SOL? Any help, advice, guidance, ANYTHING is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance for any insight you guys can offer from your expertise and experience.

A bit unrelated, but I'm currently registered for my first class doing the NWC JPME Phase 1 online program, but just dropped out because it will be important to save this opportunity for years down the road when I need the points as I close in on 20 years.

 

[jason0231]

Hey jagM3, can you pm me? I think I might be able to help you out since I am in a very similar situation.

 

[Buffmeyer]

I'm in a similar situation, but first, yes, you can support the VTU and drill remotely, and you will likely be a member of NOSC Guam (since you said you're a PAC guy). You need to find a way to get your 50 points per year in. They (NOSC) will provide further guidance, but most VTU drillers work out a relationship with a command in their rate/design in their vicinity vice having to travel to "home base" so often. You are not SOL; the SELRES guys who are remote can get it pretty rough though due to whether your regular CO is willing to accommodate you. A fact of life with the reserves is, however, people move! People don't just hang out around fleet concentration areas waiting to drill. There's a big world out there. Check out the CNRFC 1001 instruction 1001.5 RESFORMAN (overseas administration, section 1300-020), 1001-150 (sat participation).

As far as points go, this just came out a few days ago. I'm still reading, but everyone has to do the math and chart how many points are truly available via correspondence and etc. The code is still being cracked.


________________________________
From: Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command [navyreserve@public.govdelivery.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 23:06
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Retirement POints for FY18

The ability for RC personnel to receive retirement points for voluntary completion of correspondence courses is an important aspect of the Navy's Total Force Continuum of Service concept. It enables the Navy to retain personnel with strategically valuable skills, expands the flexible service options for those unable to conduct regular drills due to short-term conflicts, and provides a method for crediting completion of electronically available training. To enhance this capability, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC) generated a new list of courses, which has been approved by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASN M&RA).

The new list of approved courses is located on the Navy Reserve Homeport at: https://private.navyreserve<https://private.navyreserve/>. navy.mil/cnrfc/N-Codes/N7/correspondence_courses/. This list breaks down the courses into 17 distance learning (DL) programs which include the course number, Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) entry code, course name as well as the retirement point value to be awarded upon successful completion. Non-pay retirement points for completion of correspondence courses shall be credited at the rate of one point per four hours of instruction. Courses which contain less than four hours of instruction are not eligible for retirement point credit. If a course is not currently listed on the master course listing, it may be submitted to COMNAVRESFORCOM (N7) for possible inclusion on a future list.

Service credit compensation for Hybrid DL programs: The Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) and U.S. Army War College (USAWC) Distance Education Hybrid programs DL portions qualify members to receive correspondence point credits in keeping with DoDI 1215.07 and RESPERSMAN 1500-010. The course completion dates for these courses should be entered into the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS) as the day following completion of the final in-residence portion of the course.

Reserve Personnel Manual (RESPERSMAN) Article 1500-010 provides processing procedures for completion of correspondence courses for retirement point credit. The RESPERSMAN Article 1500-010 can be found on the Navy Reserve Homeport at: https://private.navyreserve.navy.mil/cnrfc/N-Codes/N1/ RESPERSMAN%20ARTICLES/1500-010%20%28Correspondence%20Courses%29.pdf.

Correspondence course procedures for IRR-ASP/S-1 members will be provided on the PERS-9 website accessible without a Common Access Card at: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/ reservepersonnelmgmt/IRR/Pages/default2.aspx.

Continuing Medical Education (CME), as described in BUPERSINST 1001.39F, will be reviewed and approved by Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) prior to forwarding to PERS-9 for crediting. CME activities pertain to medical professionals maintaining their licenses and certifications and are not included on the approved correspondence course list. Medical personnel completing correspondence courses on the approved list follow procedures delineated in RESPERMAN Article 1500-010.

Sailors currently enrolled in other correspondence courses that were on the previous years list and which are no longer on the FY 18 list will have until 120 days from the release of this message to complete the course and receive credit

________________________________________________________________________

*"This email was sent using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command 1915 Forrestal Dr Norfolk, VA 23551 1-866-830-6466"* GovDelivery logo [ https://insights.govdelivery.com/Communications/Subscriber_Help_Center ]

 

[jason0231]

Since I just transferred into the IRR (four days before they signed off on the new rules, in fact) I called Millington with my questions. Bottom line, they are thinning the herd of IRR types who can't/won't support Navy missions. This is part of a larger downsizing trend that we have seen over the past few years in the Reserve. PERS is still working out the details, especially communication and implementation. However, they may start sending out letters as soon as 30 Nov 17. The individual I spoke with at Millington was very helpful, but also very matter-of-fact about what is going to happen. His advice to me was simple: find a VTU slot or get back to the SELRES ASAP.

That said, Buffmeyer is right: we are still cracking the code, and to be honest so is the Navy. But I think we can all agree on which way the wind is blowing here ...

 

[jagM3]

PM sent.

 

[jagM3]

According to the NOSC locator ( http://www.public.navy.mil/nrh/Pages/nosc-locator-map.aspx ), the only overseas NOSCs are Hawaii and Guam. There is a NAS Sigonella is reflected on the map, but it does not indicate that it is a NOSC, only that it is a Naval Air Force Reserve entity of some sort. Is there any Navy reserve support available in Molesworth, Stuttgart, or elsewhere in Europe? Easier to go from Asia to Europe than Asia to the U.S.

 

[Hair Warrior]

There is the “USS MOLESWORTH” with plenty of Navy reservists working there as civ/ctr, but not sure what they do on their DWEs.

 

[matrose64]

Hey fellas, i'm an 1835 with about 12 or so good years of service and was planning to head to the IRR and finish out the remaining 8 years doing correspondence courses -- the new Navy regulations on the IRR really through a wrench into my life plans and now I need to figure out how to appropriately adjust. My issue is pretty simple but poses some clear issues for the Navy reserves: My civilian job is taking me overseas for the next several years where i'll be working in a U.S. Embassy in Asia and will remain overseas for probably the next 8 years. I'm currently SELRES and was planning on transferring to IRR-ASP once I went overseas, but now in order to reach 20 years, I will instead have to transfer to a VTU. Does anyone have experience with being in a VTU overseas? Can I support the VTU and drill remotely or do I need to physically show up to DWEs? I've done my due diligence on the civilian side as every Embassy has a defense attache office (DAO) and I figured I could perhaps drill out of a DAO, but the State Department has a policy that if you are a civilian you CANNOT perform reserve duty in the same Embassy you are posted to because of conflict of interest issues (i.e. I advocate for part of the Embassy's budget as a civilian and can't represent DOD on the weekends in the same Embassy). What are my options here? What can I do that is as close to the IRR as possible without a major time commitment several times per year physically traveling in-person? It is likely not going to be feasible for me to travel more than about once a year for any Navy VTU type in-person obligations, am I SOL? Any help, advice, guidance, ANYTHING is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance for any insight you guys can offer from your expertise and experience.

A bit unrelated, but I'm currently registered for my first class doing the NWC JPME Phase 1 online program, but just dropped out because it will be important to save this opportunity for years down the road when I need the points as I close in on 20 years.

.02 cents here. To begin with VTU should be your last option if you are in the selres. IMHO. unless its a very short (less than a year) period. Once in, it becomes hard to get out.

Check out the following for actual categories. IIR is somewhat of a misnomer.

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/milpersman/1000/1000General/Documents/1001-100.pdf

Not sure which Asian country, but there should be a number or reserve units that are effectively drill or do their annual training in that AOR.

While there may be travel associated, depending on which country you may you live in you may be able to fairly easily drill in the same country.

And might be viewed as an asset to a unit there.

In fact many units effectively limit whom can belong based on where they live.

If you want to remain selres then you will need to do at least 12 days of active duty (AT/ADSW/ADT) as well as the majority of your 48 drill periods.

If its not an option for time distance reasons, then VTU might be an option, but not one that is going to last you another 8 years without making significant effort. In addition, not sure of your paygrade, but to be promotable significant time in the VTU is not going to help and you may effectively run up against time in grade issues.

PM me if you want to discuss further

 

[bubblehead]

Discussion here https://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/major-irr-policy-change.45332/

BT

By the way, we had some people promoted to O4 out of the VTU but not many.

Which leads me to my next rant.. ReServe Promotions. For the previous board, selection rate was over 87.5% my designator: 1825.

As an 1835 good luck, the promotions to O4 on the last selection board was 66.6%. People with multiple mobilizations were not selected. Selecting to O4 is not as easy as it used to be given the sheer number of 1835's in the Reserve.

If you want to make O4 as a Reserve 1835 you have to be in SELRES status and after your 2 year mobilization deferment start packing your bags.

There is now a new National Mobilization Short List for the information forces (1815, 1825, 1835, etc.) that racks and stacks us for the entire nation. It is grouped by rank, and is then sorted by Pay Entry Base Date. If there are people in your rank you have previously mobilized as a reservist, they are sorted by their mobilization return date.

There are currently 113 O3 1835's who have never mobilized with the earliest pay entry base date of 1993. There are 5 out of 172 O4 1835's who have never mobilized. You get the picture, as a Reserve 1835 you will mobilize after your 2 year deferment coming from active duty.

https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/boards/reserveofficer/04line/Pages/FY-18.aspx

 

[jagM3]

FYI, I am a Mustang prior enlisted officer with enough active duty enlisted years to not absolutely have to be promoted to O4 to reach 20. So I just need good years and will be a happily retired O3.

 

[matrose64]

Discussion here https://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/major-irr-policy-change.45332/

BT

By the way, we had some people promoted to O4 out of the VTU but not many.

Which leads me to my next rant.. ReServe Promotions. For the previous board, selection rate was over 87.5% my designator: 1825.

As an 1835 good luck, the promotions to O4 on the last selection board was 66.6%. People with multiple mobilizations were not selected. Selecting to O4 is not as easy as it used to be given the sheer number of 1835's in the Reserve.

If you want to make O4 as a Reserve 1835 you have to be in SELRES status and after your 2 year mobilization deferment start packing your bags.

There is now a new National Mobilization Short List for the information forces (1815, 1825, 1835, etc.) that racks and stacks us for the entire nation. It is grouped by rank, and is then sorted by Pay Entry Base Date. If there are people in your rank you have previously mobilized as a reservist, they are sorted by their mobilization return date.

There are currently 113 O3 1835's who have never mobilized with the earliest pay entry base date of 1993. There are 5 out of 172 O4 1835's who have never mobilized. You get the picture, as a Reserve 1835 you will mobilize after your 2 year deferment coming from active duty.

https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/boards/reserveofficer/04line/Pages/FY-18.aspx

Actually, that's a very good point, you can get promoted to 0-4 out of the VTU, and you can get promoted while in any category that comprises the active status of the reserve. which is comprised of the SELRES, IRR (VTU and ASP), and S-1 (Standby Active reserve) . While the regulations may change, right now that means if you are on the active status you can be considered for promotion. In addition you will be continued to be looked at.

Myself, I separated from active duty as an 0-3 and was in the "email big navy once a year" IIR for nearly two years. I was not affiliated and had not worn a uniform. I was promoted to 0-4. Was a little surprised, but very happy.

But that was a long time ago. Now I have seen multiple really good 0-3's not get promoted. Some feedback from (not me) but a recent senior officer visit is that doing at least one mob per paygrade is important, being able to run a reserve unit and have successfully completed (best all, or at least one) OPS, ADMIN and Training Dept Head roles is important. Significant, long term orders (ie back to back to back) are not necessarily considered advantageous.

 

[jason0231]

There is the “USS MOLESWORTH” with plenty of Navy reservists working there as civ/ctr, but not sure what they do on their DWEs.

If anyone is interested in Molesworth, PM me and I will give you the straight gouge.

 

[snake020]

Looking for the latest gouge on this. Thanks to the joys of being in a managed community and making O5, I need to look at this option for the Pacific in case I don't get a billet. Anyone know if you get an option here, i.e. Hawaii vs Guam? How often do they make you come on site?

I've got four more years to the finish line and I am starting to struggle to see a path. Help please.

 

[vxc961]

I was hoping somebody more knowledgeable than I am could answer, but I’d start by calling the NOSC and finding out what units are there. Then you could ask for the POC of any unit that looks like it might be friendly toward your situation and start negotiating.
I’ve been out for a few years, but I finished with a NR recruiting unit that was fine with me calling my local recruiting area and helping out. I had to take my PRT and sit through NOSC baloney twice a year, but my CO was awesome and as long as the NRD was happy, he was happy. That was a paid billet, but I think the spirit of it probably applies to VTU; find your own work and present it on a silver platter, and hopefully you can live with the terms until retirement.
Good luck!

 

[nodropinufaka]

Looking for the latest gouge on this. Thanks to the joys of being in a managed community and making O5, I need to look at this option for the Pacific in case I don't get a billet. Anyone know if you get an option here, i.e. Hawaii vs Guam? How often do they make you come on site?

I've got four more years to the finish line and I am starting to struggle to see a path. Help please.

Pming u