Reservist

ISS2 2013

Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security

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13th District RFRS Staff: Stretching Dollars to Focus on Training Story by Lt. Marie Barry, 13th District (dxr), Reserve Force Readiness System Staff P roviding lodging for reservists who live outside of the reasonable commuting distance (RCD) at or below the government rate is a challenge. It's especially difficult in big cities and resort towns where visitors flock to the myriad summertime festivals, events and beaches. Prior to the current detrimental budget environment, the 13th District (dxr) staff was committed to finding creative solutions that addressed inactive duty for training (IDT) lodging obstacles. The staff identified three areas for opportunity; securing fixed, lowcost lodging, increasing double berthing, and maximizing the use of government quarters, and went about tackling them head-on. During fiscal year (FY) 2012, the UPH Manager AET1 Metusalem Fetalvere LEFT, with 13th District RFRS staff Lt. Marie Barry and SK1 Jose district saved $58,000 in berthing Luera at Base Seattle Galley-BEQ costs. Those savings were realized with no degradation to performance and were channeled into webpage is managed at the district and the automated additional training opportunities and competency attainment. reservations routing process ensures that requests are never lost One particular solution to meet Reserve lodging needs was to or overlooked. The on-line request form also helps berthing secure contracts with hotels at all major drilling locations. These managers stay on top of reservations and maximize double contracts, called Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (IDIQ), berthing. The results have been positive. Requests no longer slip are now in place and working well. IDIQ contracts benefit through the cracks and double berthing during FY12 was 46% reservists, vendors and the Coast Guard's bottom line. For and is on the rise. personnel, contracts ensure hotel consistency and availability Finally, the RFRS staff continues to use government lodging even during the height of the tourism season. Vendors are for reservists performing IDT. In many areas, the use of a Navy assured a steady stream of guests and income. Finally, the Coast Lodge, or a sister service BEQ/BOQ provides a significant savings. Guard is assured an indefinite number of hotel rooms at a cost Capitalizing on pre-existing resources is a great opportunity to lower than per diem. Working in concert with the Contracting provide lodging and incur valuable savings. During FY12 $35,800 Officer, hotel bids are solicited annually, vetted, with contracts in savings was realized by berthing reservists in BEQ and BOQ's awarded based on price, safety, distance to drill site, cleanliness rather than commercial hotels. and amenities. Planning, coupled with IDIQ contracts, made it Berthing is a hot topic. Sharing rooms and using government possible for the district RFRS staff to provide more than 1,500 facilities instead of full-service hotels can put a damper on nights of commercial lodging during FY12 at less than 75% of the morale. During tight times, however, we have to get back to full per diem rate. basics and focus on what is important -- training. A clean rack Streamlining the reservation process and focusing on doubleand a hot shower measured against a full per-diem hotel is berthing was another step taken to improve service and making the difference in the training opportunities provided to efficiencies. Using the on-line reservation form, reservists can 13th District reservists. request lodging from the convenience of their home or unit (for Our result is an all-star Reserve crew; proficient in craft and groups or individuals), specify the best email for reservation confirmation, and provide feedback on their stay. The reservation holding fast during these stormy and uncertain financial times. � 34 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2013

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