CLC3 Day 57: Drama, OCONUS brief

COMMAND CONFUSION
Today's drama started off early.

Those of us with an OCONUS (Outside Continental U.S.) assignment had a 7:30 briefing. During class yesterday, some people received text messages from the administrative company commander saying that we didn't have to go to the formation at 5:45.

Before I left, I confirmed with the company commander that was the case. Yay! I didn't have to go to the earliest formation.

At 6:00 pm or so, a text message came in from the class leader saying we had to be at the 5:45 am formation. I didn't check my phone, though, until I set my alarm as I was going to bed. I responded with what the company commander had said.

At 1:33am, the class leader responded saying he would check with the instructor (our "homeroom teacher"), but I was asleep by this point.

At 5:25am I got word that -- yes -- I did have to be at the 5:45 formation, but there was no way I could make it by that point. I had to meet with the instructor after class, and he corrected my perception that the company commander was the one in charge of the formation.

So OK! I won't make that mistake again.

OVERSEAS BRIEF
The 7:30 briefing was helpful only in that I got a sheet of paper saying what I had to do to 1.) get myself ready for assignment to Korea, and 2.) get command sponsorship for my family. I asked about Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP), but it seems very few people are interested in that -- the staff didn't have any information about it.

For me, my first step is doing my annual Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) and getting my DA 4036-R filled out. I also need to schedule overseas screenings for my family to fill out the DA Form 5888. There might also be something for the EFMP office.

Once that's done, I can turn in the paperwork for command sponsorship. The adminsitrative office will send it to Korea for approval, and once that's done I can make travel arrangements.

For travel, the kids will need to get official passports, so I've scheduled photos and an application appointment for the coming week. My wife -- not being a U.S. citizen -- is not allowed to get a U.S. passport, and I'm not authorized one because my orders cover me, so it's just for the kids.

(That's kind of interesting, too, because my kids are dual citizens -- they've already got two passports. This will give them a third.)

CLASS
Nothing interesting about class today. Just more ILAP.