Helpful contact info for Reservists

In our busy day-to-day operations, there are a lot of different agencies and personnel we contact in regards to career opportunities, benefits, TRICARE, travel, retirement, and more. The below list is provided as an updated one-stop shop of websites and phone numbers that ARPC has put together as beneficial to Reserve members. 

Even if you aren't a Cat A, B, or E, you may find this information useful when navigating post-career or post-retirement questions. 

- Jen

Websites and Phone Numbers Listed in ARPC Briefings - as of April 2013

ARPC Information:

ARPC Briefings for Guard and Reserve are located at:  http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/library/guardandreservebriefings/index.asp

Total Force Service Center:  Toll Free 1-800-525-0102

E-Mail: tfsc@mailds01.csd.disa.mil

myPERS online to vPC-GR Quick Link at: https://mypers.af.mil

ARPC Public Web Site: www.arpc.afrc.af.mil

Link to ARPC FAQs: http://www.afrc.af.mil/questions/index.asp

Promotion Board Information:

ARPC Board Letter Online at myPERS: https://mypers.af.mil

EPR/OPR/PRF Writing Guide: http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070607-086.pdf

Education Information:

Air University: http://www.au.af.mil/au/schools.asp

CCAF - https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/ep/globalTab.do?channelPageId=s6925EC13447C0FB5E044080020E329A9

ACSC degree  - http://www.au.af.mil/au/dlmasters.asp

DANTES Testing: http://www.dantes.doded.mil/DANTES_Homepage.html

Veterans Affairs, Education  - http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Post 9/11 Education Assistance eligibility: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

Retirement Information:

RCSBP Calculator: log into myPERS, click on vPC-GR Dashboard, click on Action Requests, then click on RCSBP Calculator

AD Retired Pay Calculator at: http://www.defenselink.mil/militarypay/retirement/calc/index.html

DEERS Web site: www.dmdc.osd.mil

VA Benefits Information:

Toll Free 1-800-827-1000 http://www.va.gov

TSGLI/VGLI: http://www.insurance.va.gov

SGLI: 1-800-419-1473 http://www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/default.htm

SGLI Conversion Procedures:  http://www.insurance.va.gov/sglisite/converting/SGLI.htm

Burial and Memorial Benefits (VA):  http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/

ESGR: Contact ESGR Ombudsman Representative 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.esgr.mil.

To file a complaint electronically visit the Dept. of Labor site at: http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/

SCRA: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/military/scra_summary.htm

Interest Rates on FHA loans: www.hud.gov  Toll Free (888) 297-8685

Homeowners Assistance Program: http://www.usace.army.mil/CERE/Pages/HomeownerAssistanceProgram.aspx

TRICARE Information:

TRICARE:   http://www.tricare.mil/

Regional Offices:  http://www.tricare.mil/             

1-888-TRI-WEST

1-877-TRICARE (North)  

1-800-444-5445 (South)

TRS information:  http://www.tricare.mil/

TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR):  www.tricare.mil/trr

TRICARE Retired Reserve Enrollment: www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/reservetricare

Visit TRICARE on YouTube:   http://www.youtube.com/TRICAREhealth

Visit TRICARE on Twitter:   http://twitter.com/TRICARE

Visit TRICARE on Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/TRICARE

Career Opportunities Information:

Reserve Management Vacancy System (RMVS): https://w20.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AFPCSecureNET20/CheckPortal.aspx

Visit ANG Web site:  http://www.goang.com

ANG Recruiter @ 1-800-TO-GO-ANG
                                     (1-800-864-6264)

RRPS: Managed by HQ AFRC/Readiness Mgmt Group

                  1-800-223-1784 ext 72286 or rmg.workflow@afrc.af.mil

CAPRAP:  Managed by HQ CAP, Maxwell AFB AL
                  DSN 493-5225/Comm 334-953-5225 or http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com

ALO Program: Managed by Air Force Academy

DSN 333-2644/Comm 719-333-2644

Key Employee Program: Managed by HQ ARPC/DPAAR

1-800-525-0102

Active Duty Guard Positions:  Managed by Organizational Management (NGB/OM)

DSN 278-8884, Comm 301-836-8884

E-mail:  om.om@ang.af.mil

Website: http://www.goang.com  or   http://www.nationalguard.mil/resources/states.aspx

ART Program Website: http://www.afrc.af.mil/library/jobs

1-800-223-1784 ext 7-0113, or e-mail SEU at afrc.seu@afrc.af.mil

Lodging Information:

1-888-AF LODGE    - http://dodlodging.net/

1-800-NAVY INN    - www.navy-lodge.com

1-800-GO ARMY 1 - www.armymwr.com

Coast Guard           - www.uscg.mil/MWR

Marines                  - www.usmc-mccs.org/lodging/

Space “A” Travel Information:

 http://www.amc.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=380

Emergency Data

Virtual Record of Emergency Data (vRED):  http://w11.afpc.randolph.af.mil/vs/

FAQ: Admin, admissions, and more

1) Can reservists or Soldiers/Sailors/etc from other services go through the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development program (LEAD), or are they put into regular selections?

The LEAD program is an ongoing effort to give our best and brightest airmen the opportunity to excel by offering them appointments to the US Air Force Academy and the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The program, initiated by General Fogleman in 1995, delegates authority to unit and wing commanders to nominate highly qualified airmen to attend the Prep School with the intention of Academy appointment to follow.  Commanders have the opportunity to identify outstanding, deserving airmen with officer potential for this commissioning program. 

It is not intended for members of other services. Those members would fall under regular selections and the standard application process.

2) Will a student lose the chance of an appointment to USAFA if they receive an AFROTC scholarship offer first?

USAFA will hold regular selections in March and students will be notified of direct and Prep School offers mid-March through April.  Our standard guidance to high school students is to tell them to do what they feel is in their best interest, whether it is to accept another service academy appoint or an ROTC offer.  All offers can be declined later if an appointment from USAFA comes late and the student decides it is in his or her best interest to change plans.  We do have candidates accept, then decline offers to USAFA - it is understood that can happen as all offers sort themselves out.  A student is not penalized for accepting somewhere else - they will receive an offer of appointment if that is what was originally intended by USAFA.

3) How can I receive a copy of my past OPRs?

The Total Force Service Center at the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) can give you the definitive answer on how to receive personnel records that you are unable to download from the Air Force Portal. You can reach them at (800) 525-0102. 

One of the easiest ways to receive copies of OPRs is to log into the AF Portal. In the Portal, you can go to your personnel reports and download OPRs and awards directly to your desktop.

4) I have a new ALO in my area. How can I ensure they receive a CAC card reader?

There are two options for receiving a CAC reader.  You can either go to a local base and purchase one at the Base Exchange, or you can go to ALOWEB and request one at no charge.  The form is located under ALOWEB > Toolboxes > Reserve Personnel > CAC information.

5) Where can I find the scripts for the Prep School, USAFA appointments, and AFROTC?

AFROTC acceptance speech - ALOWEB > Toolboxes > ALO Toolbox > AFROTC Scholarship speech

USAFA, Prep School, and Falcon Foundation appointment speech - ALOWEB > Toolboxes > ALO Toolbox > USAFA Appointment Speech OR USAFA Prep School Appointment Speech

6) Why do I need to complete a 4060 on a student who receives disqualifying remarks on his or her application?

When you are in a student's profile, you will see "<>" around areas that the student is "disqualified" in; for instance, medical/DODMERB.  The 4060 must still be accomplished because a student may be able to get a medical waiver from DODMERB, or can retake the ACT/SAT to submit higher scores before the application deadline, thus making the student "qualified" in said areas.  Our job as ALOs is to evaluate and mentor every student in our system, unless the student chooses to no longer pursue a USAFA appointment - and it is Selections' job to make the appointment and admissions decisions from ALL of the data.

7) I am working with a student who really wants to be a doctor. Is USAFA really the right place for them?

There is information on USAFA Health Professions opportunities on ALOWEB > Toolboxes > ALO Toolbox > Miscellaneous > Health Professions Guide. 

Provide the students with the guide to read through, and talk to other ALOs or LODs to see if they can put the student in touch with an AF doctor (preferably a USAFA graduate) - one who may be willing to talk/email with the student to discuss their experiences.

It is important for the student to understand that the Air Force Academy mission is to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. They need to understand that it is not a guarantee that they will gain a medical slot upon graduation, and that they can be placed in any of the Air Force career fields, depending on choices they picked and the needs of the Air Force. 

The student must want to become an Air Fore officer first, and then a medical professional.  There are also many opportunity while in the Air Force to apply for medical school. Provide all of the information to the student, and let them make an educated decision on whether or not it is the right path for them personally to pursue USAFA.