Army Contracting Deployable Cadre FAQs

ARMY CONTRCTING COMMAND (ACC)
CADRE PROGRAM FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Email questions to usarmy.redstone.acc.mbx.hqacc-deployable-cadre@mail.mil
1 of 6 6 June 2014
Contents
1. How do I become a cadre member?......................................................................... 2
2. What happens if I match a position requirement?..................................................... 2
3. How long are deployments? ..................................................................................... 2
4. What hours will I be expected to work? .................................................................... 2
5. Where will I deploy from? ......................................................................................... 2
6. How do I obtain my deployment orders? .................................................................. 2
7. What can I bring with me on deployment?................................................................ 2
8. Am I required to have an official (red) passport? ...................................................... 2
9. Where will I live once I arrive in theater? .................................................................. 3
10. What is the difference between TCS and TDY assignments?............................... 3
11. What is the difference in pay and entitlements for TCS and TDY assignments?... 3
12. If I accept this position, do I have return rights back to my original organization?. 3
13. Will I be issued a weapon?.................................................................................... 3
14. What kind of equipment will I be issued?............................................................... 3
15. What kinds of premium pay will I earn?................................................................. 4
16. What other types of pay benefits will I receive?..................................................... 4
17. What is the Annual Pay Limitation?....................................................................... 4
18. Is my pay excluded from being taxed? .................................................................. 4
19. What method of travel will I use to travel overseas (military or commercial)? ....... 4
20. How do I calculate overtime when traveling into theater?...................................... 4
21. How long is travel compensation time earned during deployment travel and
reintegration travel valid (last on the book)?.................................................................... 5
22. How many R&R trips will I be authorized?............................................................. 5
23. What is Home Leave? ........................................................................................... 5
24. How is leave accrued while deployed?.................................................................. 5
25. I am returning from deployment, what is the policy for Administrative (Excused)
Leave for redeploying Civilians? ..................................................................................... 5
26. What type of medical evaluations must I have before deploying?......................... 5
27. What is the Deployment Health Assessment Program?........................................ 5
28. What if I require any kind of medical care while in theater?................................... 6
29. Do I have to complete the screening for my Post-Deployment Health
Reassessment (PDHRA) at an Army Military Treatment Facility (MTF)?........................ 6
30. Do I need to have a will or power of attorney? ...................................................... 6

2 of 6 6 June 2014
1. How do I become a cadre member?
You can go to www.armyhire.com to apply for membership.
2. What happens if I match a position requirement?
Your resume will be referred to the hiring official in theater of operation for consideration and possible
selection. If we receive concurrence from the theater supervisor, we will notify you directly by phone
and/or conduct an interview with you. You may be one of several candidates under consideration so your
quick response is appreciated. If you receive an interest email/phone call, you will have 3 days to
respond to this inquiry. If you accept the position, a request will be sent for concurrence to your
deployment POC. Your Deployment POC will contact your Supervisor and Commander/Director and
obtain concurrence for your release. Your supervisor has a limited number of days to respond to this
request. If you are endorsed for deployment, you will receive an official offer letter. If you are not
selected, your resume will stay active unless you decide to withdraw it.
3. How long are deployments?
Deployments are typically NTE 179 or 365 days. There are some exceptions that do not extend over
13 months.
4. What hours will I be expected to work?
This varies depending on your specific mission. The workweek and hours of duty are set by the theater
Commander or theater supervisor. Often, overtime hours and weekend hours are expected and you will
be compensated for these hours accordingly. Currently, for ACC positions in Kuwait and Qatar you will
receive a minimum of 20 hours of overtime a pay period. Positions in Afghanistan can receive up 57
hours a pay period.
5. Where will I deploy from?
You will deploy from the CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) located at Ft. Bliss, TX.
6. How do I obtain my deployment orders?
Once you receive final notification of your selection, you must prepare your orders using the Defense
Travel System (DTS).
7. What can I bring with me on deployment?
This varies depending on the specific location to which you will be deploying and your specific mission
requirements and expectations. You will likely be allowed to bring some personal items.
8. Am I required to have an official (red) passport?
A passport is required. An official passport is the preference for deploying civilians.

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9. Where will I live once I arrive in theater?
Field conditions are the same for civilians as the military personnel. There may be a general lack of
privacy and limited opportunity for recreation during non-duty hours. Housing examples are open bay
area and container housing unit. Housing may also consist of tents or other communal structures.
10.What is the difference between TCS and TDY assignments?
A Temporary Change of Station (TCS) means the relocation to a new official station for a temporary
period while performing a long-term assignment, and subsequent return to the previous official station
upon completion of that assignment.
A Temporary Duty (TDY) location is a place, away from an employee’s official station, where the
employee is authorized to travel.
11.What is the difference in pay and entitlements for TCS and TDY assignments?
a. TCS assignments are authorized Non-Temporary Storage (NTS) of household goods. You are
also authorized all other pay benefits as if you were on a TDY assignment except you are not authorized
locality pay. This will impact the amount you can earn with special pay benefits such as Danger pay,
Hazardous Duty pay, Post Differential pay, and Relocation/Recruitment incentives: these pay benefits will
be computed using ONLY your base pay.
b. TDY assignments are NOT authorized NTS of household goods. All other pay benefits are
authorized. TDY assignments are also authorized locality pay. This will impact the amount that you
can earn with special pay benefits such as Danger Pay, Hazardous Duty Pay, Post Differential pay and
Relocation/Recruitment incentives: these pay benefits will be computed using your base pay AND
locality pay.
12.If I accept this position, do I have return rights back to my original organization?
Yes, per Department of Defense Directive 1404.10. “Those who are reassigned from their normal position
to serve expeditionary requirements will be granted the right to return to the positions they held prior to
their deployment or to a position of similar grade, level, and responsibility within the same local
organization, regardless of the length of deployment. There shall be no retaliation because of an
employee’s expression of interest in serving an expeditionary requirement or because of such service.
This includes threats or denial of rights to return to pre-deployment positions, promotions, training
opportunities, or other career enhancing opportunities.”
13.Will I be issued a weapon?
Most Department of Army (DA) Civilians are not issued a weapon. Combatant Commanders or Task
Force Commanders will determine if circumstances warrant the issuance of weapons to civilians. For
further information, contact your servicing Human Resources Specialist or hiring official.
14.What kind of equipment will I be issued?
You will be issued whatever equipment is essential for the performance of your job and the safe
completion of your mission. Department of Army (DA) Civilians are authorized to be issued military
uniforms and protective equipment. All DA Civilians are also provided with individual body armor (IBA)
and corresponding helmets for protection purposes.

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15.What kinds of premium pay will I earn?
Premium pay includes overtime, post or night differential, Sunday and holiday premium pay governed by
5 CFR 550. Your job and mission requirements, as identified by your theater supervisor, will dictate
whether or not you will be expected to work overtime, Sunday, or holiday hours and therefore will dictate
whether or not you will earn premium pay.
16.What other types of pay benefits will I receive?
Danger Pay: Determined by the State Department; begins on the day of arrival in country; currently 35%
for Afghanistan and none for Kuwait; rates may vary depending upon duty location.
.
Post differential: Determined by the State Department; TDY retroactive to the first day after serving 42
consecutive days OCONUS (Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan; for other locations see the State Department
website); TCS begins on date of arrival in country; currently 35% for Afghanistan.
Hazardous Duty Pay: Hazardous Duty is applicable only when an employee is working on a site which
has been identified by the Command’s safety office as meeting the regulatory standards. Will I receive an
Incentive for deploying?
Yes, if you TCS to Kuwait, Qatar or Afghanistan you will receive a 20% relocation incentive upon
completion of your deployment. For those that are TDY for 179 days are eligible for a 25% relocation
incentive upon completion of your deployment.
17.What is the Annual Pay Limitation?
Annual Pay Limitation is the limit on pay a federal employee can earn in a given calendar year. The
annual limitation for 2014 is $233,000.00. This limitation ONLY applies to the amount of base pay,
plus locality pay and premium pay. Premium pay includes: the dollar value of compensatory time,
overtime, Sunday and holiday pay. The calendar amount cannot be waived; it is a statutory limitation. If
your payments in a calendar year exceed this amount, you are indebted to the federal government and
will receive a debt letter, as you would with any other overpayment. You may also be eligible for a
recruitment or relocation incentive.
18.Is my pay excluded from being taxed?
All salary earned by Department of the Army (DA) Civilians during a deployment is subject to income tax
(unlike military personnel).
19.What method of travel will I use to travel overseas (military or commercial)?
DoD civilians in CENTCOM AOR area authorized fully funded transportation from their home into Theater.
Most travel will be on military chartered flights leaving from Atlanta, Georgia or Dallas, TX into the Theater
Gateway and commercial air from military chartered flight to home address. Once at the Theater
Gateway DoD civilians will travel via intra-theater airlift to their assignment.
20.How do I calculate overtime when traveling into theater?
Overtime is not accrued when traveling into theater. Travel compensation time is earned when traveling
into theater for deployment and returning on reintegration. For additional information see the Office of
Personnel Management’s Compensatory Time Off for Travel guidance at OPM Time Off for Travel.

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21.How long is travel compensation time earned during deployment travel and reintegration
travel valid (last on the book)?
After earning compensatory time off, the employee must use their accrued compensatory time off for
travel by the end of the 26th pay period after the pay period in which it was credited or the employee must
forfeit the compensation time except under certain circumstances.
22.How many R&R trips will I be authorized?
R&R for Kuwait and Qatar has been rescinded effective 1 June 2014. Employees will be eligible to use
their own annual leave for travel. Employees in Afghanistan who serve 6 or more months but fewer than
12 months are eligible for 1 R&R trip. Employees who sign up for 12 consecutive months are eligible for 3
R&R trips within the 12 month service period. Employees must serve a minimum of 60 days in country to
be eligible. Employees outside of Afghanistan must be on orders for 12 months to be eligible for 1 R&R
within the 12-month service period.
23.What is Home Leave?
Home Leave is leave earned independently of your annual leave. Home Leave is earned at the rate of 15
days per year. If you are on a TCS assignment, you will automatically earn Home Leave. If you are on a
TDY assignment, you must be on a 1 year tour at an approved overseas location to earn Home Leave.
You must have served 24 consecutive months in a foreign location or served 12 consecutive months in
Afghanistan since 15 June 2006 to be eligible to use Home Leave. Home leave must be used on US soil
and you must be returning to an overseas location.
24.How is leave accrued while deployed?
Annual leave is accrued at the normal rate with a ceiling for TDY and TCS assignments to an overseas
location of 360 hours for the calendar year.
25.I am returning from deployment, what is the policy for Administrative (Excused) Leave for
redeploying Civilians?
ACC follows AMC formal Administrative Leave policy for redeploying Civilians; however, it is important to
ensure Civilians are properly reintegrated into the workplace upon returning from deployment.
Administrative Leave is discretionary and an organizations Commander may authorize up to three (3)
days administrative (excused) leave (paid leave) for this purpose. Paid leave greater than three days is
authorized under other provisions, e.g., Time-off award. See 5 CFR 610.301 - 610.306 (5 CFR 610.301-
610.306) for more details.
26.What type of medical evaluations must I have before deploying?
You will need to have a complete medical evaluation prior to deploying. Typically, you will be expected to
have a military health care professional conduct this complete medical evaluation and then these records
will be reviewed by a certified physician designated to validate deployment readiness.
27.What is the Deployment Health Assessment Program?
The Deployment Health Assessment Program (DHA) is a method of determining your overall health, to
include physical, psychological, and sociological components of your health. There are three phases to
the DHA: Pre-Deployment Health Assessment (conducted no sooner than 60 days prior to your
deployment date); Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) (conducted within 30 days before or
after your redeployment date); and the Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) (conducted
within 90-180 days after returning from your deployment).

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For each phase there is a form which must be completed by you followed by a face-to-face screening with
a Health Care Professional.
The DHA Program is particularly important to help you ensure that you are healthy physically, mentally,
and socially. The Pre-Deployment Health Assessment (along with your other pre-deployment medical
screenings) serves as a baseline of your overall level of health. The PDHA and PDHRA then serve to
alert you to any problems that may have been caused by your deployment. This is beneficial both for your
overall health and also if you need to file a Workers Compensation claim as such claims require detailed
documentation linking your health-related problems to on-the-job factors. If you do not complete your
PDHRA you will not be eligible for redeployment until you complete your health assessment.
28.What if I require any kind of medical care while in theater?
Civilians requiring treatment while deployed are eligible for medical evacuation and healthcare treatment
and services in Military Treatment Facilities (MTF). Such treatment will be at the same level and scope as
provided to military members and will be at no cost to the employee.
Civilians may be entitled to medical and disability benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation
Act (FECA). If not covered by the FECA, civilian medical coverage is subject to provisions of the health
insurance provider.
Illnesses/diseases (heart attack, stroke, cancer, skin disease, psychiatric illness, etc.) require persuasive
medical rationale that the claimed medical condition was caused by employment factors. Simply being at
work or in a theater of operations when a medical condition arises does not constitute a factor of
employment (e.g. having a heart attack while sitting at a computer in an air conditioned office building
would not be covered by the FECA – unless some factor of employment that precipitated the heart attack
occurred).
Upon return from theater, DoD civilian employees who were treated in theater continue to be eligible for
treatment in an MTF until their condition is stabilized or they choose to be treated at a civilian medical
facility, if they have filed a claim for FECA benefits and it has been accepted by the Office of Workers’
Compensation Program (OWCP).
DoD civilian employees are also eligible for treatment in an MTF or a civilian medical facility if a medical
condition (caused by employment factors while deployed) surfaces after they return from deployment.
Medical costs are paid by OWCP if the claim for FECA benefits is approved by OWCP.
29.Do I have to complete the screening for my Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA)
at an Army Military Treatment Facility (MTF)?
Yes, the face-to-face screening portion of the PDRHA may be completed at any MTF regardless of
service affiliation, per Department of Defense Directive 1404.10 and Department of Defense Instruction
6490.03 guidance.
30.Do I need to have a will or power of attorney?
It is not mandatory for you to have a will or power of attorney. However, you will likely be deploying to a
combat environment, so it is recommended that you have an updated copy of each document prior to
deploying.

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