Navy Announces Changes to IA Rules

December 2010 Navy

The Navy is streamlining the way it assigns, tracks and supports “individual augmentees,” or Sailors selected for or who volunteer for extended solo assignments in support of contingency operations, generally in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to Navy Personnel Command, effective 1 Nov., IA assignments for enlisted Sailors will be handled through the Overseas Contingency Operation Support Assignments program, or OSA. Officers will continue to fall under the current Global War on Terrorism Support Assignments program, or GSA.

The new OSA designation comes in response to fleet and command concerns over inequities between those on involuntary orders versus GSA orders, according to NPC. Under OSA, IA Sailors will be on TAD orders from the existing parent command, and all will be eligible for per diem payments. Under the current system, those who volunteered for IA duty were not per diem eligible. GSA officers are entitled to per diem when they are on temporary additional duty orders from their Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center in San Diego or Norfolk, Va., while in training or in theater, if accommodations and food are not provided, according to Fleet Forces Command. The change also will make it easier for the parent unit to fill the billet temporarily, which is not now the case.

OSA business rules highlights include:

• Enlisted Sailors can apply for an IA assignment through the Career Management System/Interactive Detailing by selecting “OSA PREFERENCE” twelve-to-nine months before their projected rotation date and before negotiating permanent change-of-station orders.
• Sailors will be able to communicate directly with a dedicated OSA detailing team to discuss OSA opportunities and details regarding specific assignments.
• OSA orders are executed at the end of the Sailor’s normal PCS tour. However, Sailors on OSA assignments will be on temporary additional duty from the existing parent command, which will maintain the traditional command relationship for Sailor and family support.
• If Sailors elect and are accepted for OSA, they will be administratively extended at their present duty station for the period of the IA assignment plus an additional 60 days for rest, relaxation and to prepare for their next PCS move.
• Standard relief requisition procedures remain in effect to generate a requisition for OSA Sailors at their original PRD.
• Although Sailors remain assigned to the parent command, procedures are in place to adjust personnel accounting to count Sailors as deployed on OSA orders, vice as onboard and filling a billet.
• Sailors who volunteer for an OSA assignment will have choice of coast detailing for their follow-on PCS orders negotiation.
• Sailors may request intermediate temporary duty orders to facilitate relocation of their family while serving on the OSA tour.