In my squadron time, I was always lucky enough to dodge the admin jobs. I always worked in OPS, and that was just fine with me. Keep the pulse of the squadron, write the flight schedule, always know what is going on. I loved it.
Now, I am paying for it. Instead of dealing with a few admin issues, I get to deal with all of the Navy's admin screw ups. Don't get me wrong, some commands are really locked on when it comes to their admin shops. I would put the number at 20-25%. The rest...uh, not so much. It's fine though. I get that ships at sea and squadrons on deployment have other priorities. Still, each and every one here should know that you have to take some personal responsibility to take care of your affairs while you are enjoying a fun, but very dangerous profession.
I have mentioned the Page 2 before. Update the fucking thing. If your parents move, update it. If they get divorced. Update your page 2. You don't want to be lying in a hospital in Singapore and not have your family get notified. Oh, and we will bring them to you. It's called "bedside travel assistance". Ask your admin chief is he knows anything about it. I'll bet he doesn't.
On to SGLI. This form is just as important to keep updated. When you make an update, SIGN IT!!! If it's not signed, it's not valid. THIS PART IS REALLY IMPORTANT: If you have EVER, EVER, declined SGLI coverage for any reason, getting coverage is not as simple as filling out another form. You have to sign up again, AND fill out a statement of health. I am not going to tell you the form numbers because I want your admin department to look them up. But, trust me, if you do not have both of these forms in your record, then you are not insured. If your YN1 has them in a folder and they are not in the system, then you are not insured. If you have election form in the system (after having previously declined coverage) but are not paying SGLI premiums, then you are not insured.
By not insured, I don't mean that your survivors have to go through a legal battle to get the money. There is no money (other than death gratuity). They are not getting paid. End of story. It gives me no pleasure to tell the family of a dead sailor that they are not getting the insurance money that they thought mommy had signed up for because their YN1 didn't know the proper paperwork procedure. It sucks. It keeps me up at night. I fucking hate it. So fix your your damn paperwork so when you auger in I can at least find your family and cut them a check.
For bonus rep. Who can tell me what death gratuity is and who gets it?
If you get wounded in combat (OIF/OEF) where are you going to go and what is your family going to do?
Who does notifies the next of kin if a sailor is seriously ill or injured?
What if he is dead?
If you guys are senior, have your junior officers and admin shop look this stuff up and run a drill with your watch section.
Now, I am paying for it. Instead of dealing with a few admin issues, I get to deal with all of the Navy's admin screw ups. Don't get me wrong, some commands are really locked on when it comes to their admin shops. I would put the number at 20-25%. The rest...uh, not so much. It's fine though. I get that ships at sea and squadrons on deployment have other priorities. Still, each and every one here should know that you have to take some personal responsibility to take care of your affairs while you are enjoying a fun, but very dangerous profession.
I have mentioned the Page 2 before. Update the fucking thing. If your parents move, update it. If they get divorced. Update your page 2. You don't want to be lying in a hospital in Singapore and not have your family get notified. Oh, and we will bring them to you. It's called "bedside travel assistance". Ask your admin chief is he knows anything about it. I'll bet he doesn't.
On to SGLI. This form is just as important to keep updated. When you make an update, SIGN IT!!! If it's not signed, it's not valid. THIS PART IS REALLY IMPORTANT: If you have EVER, EVER, declined SGLI coverage for any reason, getting coverage is not as simple as filling out another form. You have to sign up again, AND fill out a statement of health. I am not going to tell you the form numbers because I want your admin department to look them up. But, trust me, if you do not have both of these forms in your record, then you are not insured. If your YN1 has them in a folder and they are not in the system, then you are not insured. If you have election form in the system (after having previously declined coverage) but are not paying SGLI premiums, then you are not insured.
By not insured, I don't mean that your survivors have to go through a legal battle to get the money. There is no money (other than death gratuity). They are not getting paid. End of story. It gives me no pleasure to tell the family of a dead sailor that they are not getting the insurance money that they thought mommy had signed up for because their YN1 didn't know the proper paperwork procedure. It sucks. It keeps me up at night. I fucking hate it. So fix your your damn paperwork so when you auger in I can at least find your family and cut them a check.
For bonus rep. Who can tell me what death gratuity is and who gets it?
If you get wounded in combat (OIF/OEF) where are you going to go and what is your family going to do?
Who does notifies the next of kin if a sailor is seriously ill or injured?
What if he is dead?
If you guys are senior, have your junior officers and admin shop look this stuff up and run a drill with your watch section.