Travel to OCS

[jznavywife]

I can't find info on how our travel is reimbursed to OCS and my recruiter doesn't know, so maybe those who have already gone can help me out here. How is travel paid for nukes, is it per diem for certain number of days (which is what I heard, but the recruiter couldn't confirm how much or how many days if so) or is it paid back by travel claim once we get to OCS?

Thanks!

[bme2nuke]

It is 15 cents per mile and 91 dollars per day diem. I believe it is all sorted out at OCS.

[jznavywife]

Thank you. Do you know how I can go about finding out how many days travel I'm authorized? I'm trying to decide if I can stay two nights in Newport or just one, and I need to do it soon so I can book my hotel.

[Tacereus]

My recruiter told me. Don't remember exactly. I think he said there were only a fixed number of days they compensate you for. Its based on distance of the travel so even if I did remember it may be different for you. If you want to make it one day longer it comes out of your pocket. I'll bet your recruiter can get the info for you if you ask him to check with his resources.

Don't forget to keep receipts.

[SSN_Seawolf]

May I suggest Hotel Viking in downtown Newport. It is 5 minutes from the base. It is also historic hotels of america, unless you prefer the usual Howard Johnson. Parking is "at a premium" in Newport so the hotel has Valet. The town has a very English feel to it with brick buildings and stone roads and hills. The food is awesome in town and plenty of things to do in town before you start OCS. I imagine you are class 15-10. Almost half of 13-10 stayed at the Viking, to mingle and get acclimated before you spend 3 months together.

[jznavywife]

Thanks all. I finally found info on the days calculations. For anyone else looking or questioning it, it's 400 miles/day when going TDY. So I have two days based on that. I'll definitely keep my receipts, I'm used to that from the couple of times we have PCS'd already, I just like to plan ahead to know what I can and can't get reimbursed for.

Asking my recruiter is not helpful... when I emailed her, she just said she didn't know, save my receipts and they'll take care of it at OCS for me. Well thanks a lot for that... So much for planning ahead I guess.

I'm still going back and forth between a nice hotel off base and the Navy lodge, I better decide quick though.

[admin]

I've moved a ton of times and have never really figured out the system. It seems like it changes a little each time. The best advice is to just save all of your receipts and figure it out at the gaining PSD when you liquidate your travel claim.

As for planning ahead - I'll give everyone here the same advice my enlisted recruiter gave me.

Start saving up for your transition out of the Navy. If you stay in 5, 10, or 20 years it is best to be financially ready to get out. I know a couple of guys who did not want to stay in the Navy but hadn't planned ahead...so, they signed a contract because their choices required them to get a 30K/year pay increase instead of taking a small temporary decrease.

I've saved about 1/3 of my pay since I joined for just that reason. It is really making the transition much easier and less stressful. So, NUPOCs...try to keep your spending at the E-6 level as long as you can, then save the rest. You never know when you might need the cash.

[SSN_Seawolf]

I am royally screwed.

[daltonnnn]

Haha... Me too.... =l

[bme2nuke]

I booked a stay at the Navy Lodge right near OCS. I thought it would be the easiest and it is the cheapest by far. Whereas for winter classes and early spring classes the hotels are cheap and readily available, it is crazy how expensive they get for the classes right in the dead middle of summer.