Correspondence Course Review

[Randy Daytona]

So am I reading this right? The benefits of trying to go from O-4 IRR to SELRES and hustle to O-5 generally outweigh the costs?

Depends on how much your retirement means to you. An O-4 reserve point is generally worth $6.37, and O-5 reserve point is close to $7.52. Add in the fact that O-4's are done at 20 years of commissioned service and O-5's can go to 28 and thus accumulate more points, there can be a substantial difference in retirement income.

(for reference, 7200 points equates to a 20 year retirement, i.e. 50%)

 

[MrSaturn]

With an O-4 reserve retirement, the main thing is to get 60 points a year (10 points extra to CYA).

Just curious what kind of mistakes would cause a 10+ point swing? Im needing to float out another 9 years so Im certainly in it for the long haul.

Related question I can't reach bupers online from home this month. Are there any alternative ways to check my points?

 

[Randy Daytona]

Just curious what kind of mistakes would cause a 10+ point swing? Im needing to float out another 9 years so Im certainly in it for the long haul.

Related question I can't reach bupers online from home this month. Are there any alternative ways to check my points?

10 points may be an excessive cushion, I just don't want anyone to have a wasted year in the 40 point range.

You can telephone PERS-912 and they can give you a verbal point total - you can also have them mail you a copy of your point total for your records.

 

[vxc961]

10 points may be an excessive cushion, I just don't want anyone to have a wasted year in the 40 point range.

You can telephone PERS-912 and they can give you a verbal point total - you can also have them mail you a copy of your point total for your records.

The 10 point swing is never in your favor, so it might save you some heartache and time on the phone if you aim a little high.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Has anyone done anything with JKO classes recently?
I'm coming up on my anniversary in a few weeks and I realized I never completed a JKO class I started last summer. However, I notice that the JKO classes aren't currently listed on the IRR page.

 

[Randy Daytona]

Has anyone done anything with JKO classes recently?
I'm coming up on my anniversary in a few weeks and I realized I never completed a JKO class I started last summer. However, I notice that the JKO classes aren't currently listed on the IRR page.

For some reason, JKO did not appear on the latest list of approved courses. Then again, NETC went away and came back so don't give up hope. Speaking of which, getting ready to submit enough courses for 65 points and my 5th good year in the IRR (however still shooting for the maximum 130)

 

[Duncan Idaho]

For some reason, JKO did not appear on the latest list of approved courses. Then again, NETC went away and came back so don't give up hope. Speaking of which, getting ready to submit enough courses for 65 points and my 5th good year in the IRR (however still shooting for the maximum 130)

Congrats, Randy.

For what it is worth, I knocked out the last of the class last night and submitted the certificate today. I got an email back saying that the course is on the current approved list and it would be forwarded for processing. I'll see what really happens over the next few months and let you all know.

 

[Randy Daytona]

I just submitted a bunch of courses via email instead of my traditional snail mail US Postal Services. Anybody have an estimate on how long it takes them to reply via this method?

 

[Sam I am]

Shouldn't be long...certainly this week unless Frost is on leave. I'm unsure if he's the only one admining the courses...

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Shouldn't be long...certainly this week unless Frost is on leave. I'm unsure if he's the only one admining the courses...

I've had it take over a month even with this "new and improved" email method; however, I'll certainly agree that PS2 Frost is on the ball. He got back to me in 2 or 3 working days.

 

[sniksnak]

Can you continue to log correspondence courses while in the VTU? Or only on ASP? I am not interested in doing another MOB once my dwell time from the last MOB expires, so looking at IRR options. Thanks in advance for any info ...

 

[bubblehead]

Can you continue to log correspondence courses while in the VTU? Or only on ASP? I am not interested in doing another MOB once my dwell time from the last MOB expires, so looking at IRR options. Thanks in advance for any info ...

In the VTU you can earn points, same with ASP.

VTU is the better option, IMHO, because you still have a CAC card, etc. So long as you do not mind drilling for free while maintaining standards (GMT, PFA, etc.) and not promoting.

 

[BirdDog]

Hello Everyone,

Just completed both of the DISCS courses I posted on previously and I can say they offer a good balance of juice v. squeeze. Keep in mind that since these courses are run on a Blackboard site, no CAC is required to log in and complete them.

Study materials for the International Programs Security Requirements course (which is longer and slightly more difficult than the Security Cooperation Mgmt course) are attached for your reference.

Happy New Year,

Jason

Jason - where are you seeing these as qualifying courses, and also their point value?

 

[jagM3]

In the VTU you can earn points, same with ASP.

VTU is the better option, IMHO, because you still have a CAC card, etc. So long as you do not mind drilling for free while maintaining standards (GMT, PFA, etc.) and not promoting.

It was my understanding that you could still be promoted to O4, O5, etc. while in the VTU, the issue is that it was just a bit more difficult to be competitive against your SELRES peers with whom you would be competing against on promotion boards.

 

[Flash]

It was my understanding that you could still be promoted to O4, O5, etc. while in the VTU, the issue is that it was just a bit more difficult to be competitive against your SELRES peers with whom you would be competing against on promotion boards.

Getting promoted to O-4 while in the VTU or IRR is realistic and happens, getting promoted to O-5 is 'possible' when in the VTU's but not realistic.