Reimbursement for Travel Expenses to OCS

[fren8115]

Question regarding travel to OCS.

I just got my orders to OCS and I leave in a month for Newport. My recruiter told me that I can drive and that she suggests that I do so because it just makes things easier. i.e. you can store stuff in your POV that you might need for your next training station.

My recruiter says that you won't get reimbursed for your travel / hotel expenses until you get to your NEXT duty station (mine being Pensacola, FL "NFO training") after OCS. That seemed a bit strange to me. It costs a lot of money to drive from Oklahoma to RI and we could use that money sooner than later. Especially since, like every other naval installation, there IS a PSD office there.

She (my recruiter) also said that she really didn't know how the reimbursement process worked. This is the way that she thinks it happens. Can anyone confirm this (those who have recently come from Newport OCS.)

I am just trying to plan for the next few weeks.

Thanks.

 

[snizo]

What exactly do your orders say? If you are PCS'ing to Newport, then you should be eligible to submit your travel claim on arrival. If Newport is TDY (training en route) prior to reporting to Pensacola, then it gets a little more complicated.

You could also call the PSD in Newport & ask.

Don't forget to save all your toll receipts....hooray New England....

 

[Tom]

You only receive money for travel (PCS money) once you complete the PCS. Sure, you could request an advance, but you can't do that because you're not on active duty. It does not make sense to get money you are owed for travel well after you actually move. Tough luck, that's how the Navy works. I didn't get my travel money for OCS until 9 months after. Save money pronto. Also expect your pay to be screwed up once you get commissioned, so have some savings.

 

[FlyBoyd]

FlyBoyd: 'Do you hear the grasshopper which at your feet?'

http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/jftr(ch1-ch10).pdf

Fren8115: 'Old Man, how is it that you hear these things?'
FlyBoyd: 'Young Man, how is it that you do not?'

Master Po wishes you to be familiar with chapter 7. It will serve you well.

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

You only receive money for travel (PCS money) once you complete the PCS. Sure, you could request an advance, but you can't do that because you're not on active duty. It does not make sense to get money you are owed for travel well after you actually move. Tough luck, that's how the Navy works. I didn't get my travel money for OCS until 9 months after. Save money pronto. Also expect your pay to be screwed up once you get commissioned, so have some savings.

Do you think if you're on active duty as BDCP would it be different circumstances and possibly allow for an advance?

 

[nugget81]

Do you think if you're on active duty as BDCP would it be different circumstances and possibly allow for an advance?

No. Tom & I were both BDCP and it worked the same for both of us....just as it will for you. If you're getting BDCP money, there's no reason for you to have an empty savings account.

 

[Tom]

I have heard that travel advances are the ways to end up owing the Man a lot of money. I have never taken a travel advance because of that, but then I again I did plan on saving money for the move. I moved in October and didn't get my PCS money till January. The DITY move money is still not here.

 

[MasterBates]

Remember, Uncle only TAKES money fast.

If you owe him $.01 he will take $250 and take 2 months to give back the underpayment.

If they owe you $8900, you won't see it for months. (what I am waiting on from my DITY move)