MAJ/FA 90
HQ DLO/DSCOM
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Job Overview
Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements Group (DSCOM) is a tri-service (Joint) organization and the British equivalent of the US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), but on a much smaller scale. There are several divisions within the DSCOM, but operationally there are two main sections: DLOC and Movement Operations. In short, DLOC manages the strategic coupling bridge, Operations Division coordinates air, land and sea movement operations.
The exchange position has been changed in 2007 from contract managment to a more operationally focused position within the DLOC. The new job is SO2 JSC PM Middle East. The role is to provide accurate, timely performance managment (PM) data, analysis and information to enable Director DSCOM, the Performance Managment Board (PMB) and PJHQ to improve the Joint Supply Chain (JSC) in support of deployed operations.
OER Support Form Duties:
1. Collect, collate, and analyse Joint Supply Chain Performance Management.
2. Produce relevant input/output for the Chain of Command according to the PM for Operations battle rythm.
3. Provide and develop metrics and measurement of the JSC in the Ops environment, primarily in the Middle East.
4. Communicate rationale for change and promote a culture of continuous improvment to enable the PMB to drive JSC performance improvement.
5. Liaise with OF5 Board Memebers (O-6 level).
6. Provide SME advice to D DSCOM, PJHQ and JSC PMB.
7. Support Performance Management training to internal and external organizations.
Uniform
The normal duty uniform is ACUs. A military raincoat is a must. When traveling, suit and tie are the norm, as wear of military uniforms outside of the office is not accepted practice. In addition to two good quality suits, a quality dress raincoat would be a wise investment. For social occasions, Class As, Dress Mess Blues, and a tuxedo are required.
Physical Fitness
PT is done on an individual basis, and it is accepted practice to do it during duty hours if you wish. There is a small MOD gym within walking distance of the office, and it has a satisfactory variety of free weights, tread mills, etc. APFTs occur every six months in coordination with the other US Exchange/LNO Officers in the local area.
Overview: Your family status will partially determine where you reside while in Andover. If you are single, you will either reside on post in the Officers Mess or if no rooms are available, you may reside off post. If you have family and if quarters are available then you will reside on post in the "Patch" (housing area), and if quarters are not available, then you will reside off post in the local community. Regardless of where you live electric is 220V and plug connections are British, but if you live off base, the US Military Appliance Warehouse will issue you US sized appliances (fridge, freezer, washer, dryer, microwave) that have been converted to 220V and two transformers for your other US appliances. We are the third consecutive exchange family to occupy the same large off-post private house located only two miles from the installation.
Officers Mess
The Officers Mess is located just across the street from the DTMA and offers an officers suite that rents for roughly 150 GPB per month. The suite is three rooms: a bedroom, sitting room, and a bathroom. The bedroom and sitting room are moderately sized (roughly 12x14) and the bathroom has a sink, shower and toilet. Cable television and DSL can be coordinated through a local provider. There are no kitchen facilities in the rooms. There is a small kitchen on each floor, but it only has a hot water heater and is void of any cooking appliances. Additionally, there is a laundry area on each floor. Three meals a day are offered in the mess, but dress is formal by US standards, requiring a coat and tie or duty uniform.
On Post Housing
The Patch is also conveniently located across the street from the DSCOM. The quarters are old, but they are satisfactory and fairly well maintained. The Housing Authority does not know the exact size of Majors quarters, but they estimate that they are around 1500 square feet. Major's quarters normally have 4 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, a small living room, and a detached garage (too small for a US car). Depending upon the availability of housing when you arrive, it maybe possible to secure new quarters at the Middle Wallop Air Field, which is about 10 miles from Andover. Rent for quarters in Andover is roughly 360 GBP per month and you pay for utilities as well.
Off Post Housing
The third housing option is living off post in MOD leased housing. Housing in this program has been inspected by MOD and has met certain standards and pricing before being accepted, so you can be sure it will be acceptable.
Television
As far as television goes, you have a multitude of choices ranging from the free BBC channels, to cable and satillite dish that cost anywhere from £17 to £49 per month depending on what combination of programs suits your tastes. You can purchase and perhaps rent a AFN dish and decoder at one of the military bases if you desire to watch American TV. We enjoy the British programing, so we do not use this option. You also require a multi-system TV, as a basic US TV will not work in the UK. Lastly, to have a TV in the UK you must pay TV tax, which costs about £12 per month.
Military Health Care
Basic healthcare for military personnel is provided by the British military and the closest facility is at Middle Wallop Air Field a few miles from Andover. This facility can treat most minor health issues. For more serious health issues, I recommend using the US health care system as mentioned in further detail below. Dental care is provided at the US bases. While family members cannot use the British military health system, there are several options available for their healthcare.
Family Health Care
The most immediate family care is available through the National Health Service (NHS) provided by the British Government. Your family can enroll in the NHS immediately upon arriving in the UK and its services are free. For routine care, such as colds, earaches, etc., appointments can be had either same or next day on most instances; however, appointments for surgeries or to see specialists can take weeks or months to obtain. Pharmacies are plentiful in the Andover area and prescriptions for are filled at no cost for school age children.
For more in-depth health care, referrals to RAF Lakenheath can be obtained from West Ruislip. Lakenheath offers nearly every type of clinic necessary to treat more serious health problems. TDY travel is authorised for you and family members if a referal is obtained before travelling.
Lastly, Tri-Care Remote is available through participating providers but we have not used this system.
Facilities
There are several US bases in the UK, some large and some small. The larger bases are RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall, and they are about 3 hours drive from Andover. Both bases are within a couple miles of each other, and they together they offer a large hospital, commissary, BX, computer store, gardening center, auto repair, etc. RAF Fairford is located 47 miles or 1.25 hours north of Andover and offers a nice commissary and limited BX facility. Additionally, there is no medical center or car repair facility, and the post office is not open on weekends.
Cost: Currently, prices in the UK are nearly double what you pay in the US, but this varies depending upon the exchange rate. A prime example of this is eating out at restauraunts where an average family dinner might cost $50 in the states, the same menu in Andover will cost £50 ($100 at todays exchange rate). While you do receive a COLA to offset the exchange rate, it is not enough to fully cover your costs if you make all your purchases on the local economy. Because of this, most PEP officers in the local area choose to make the trip to RAF Fairford every two weeks to shop at the BX/Commissary and to check their mail. We tend to buy our meat products in bulk at the Commissary and stock our freezer (provided by US military); however, we do buy most perishable items (fruits, veg, bread, eggs, milk etc) on the local economy.
The local area offers a wide variety of religious choices and services to suit most denominations. We attend St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Andover.
You will need a US bank account and a UK Sterling account while in the UK. The Sterling account is required for paying your rent, utility bills, and other required fees. You can open a US and/or UK account at Nations Banks located at RAF Fairford, or you can open a Sterling account at a local bank. I do recommend having a Visa credit and debit card available, as it lessens the need for cash and you can get better exchange rates with the cards than you can directly through the bank. This way you can withdraw money (GBP) from local ATMs and deposit into your Sterling account as required.
Overview
The local Andover area offers several good public and private schools, and one should note that the definitions of public and private schools are reversed in the UK. It is also important to note that due to small classroom sizes, large demand, and strictly enforced catchment areas for each public school (US definition of public), securing a spot in the school of your choice is not always an easy task. It is possible you will have to apply to several different schools until you find one with an opening.
Public Schools
Public Schools (US definition) offer a sound education, are usually small, and are located in each local hamlet. Public schools accept applications for the next school year starting a year in advance; however, the catch is you must physically reside in the catchment area to apply. Because of this, if you PCS in the summer, you run the risk that all the local public schools will be full. This may result in having to apply to a school further away or of lesser quality. PEP personnel are authorized to send their children to a private school (US definition) and the US Government will cover the cost of tuition.
Private Schools
There are two preparatory schools in close proximity to the Andover area; Rookwood and Farleigh. Both schools have excellent reputations and they are more likely to have openings into the summer. My sons (age 9 and 11) attend Rookwood and we have been impressed with the quality of education they receive. They have adapted and now enjoy the experience (with the exception of neckties) and benefit from small class size. The boys play football(soccer) and rugby.
A few important notes on UK schooling
The age for school attendance in the UK is different than in the US, with children starting and finishing earlier. For instance, in the UK, pre-school starts at age 3, kindergarten at 4, and Year 1 at age 5. Children are legally finished school at age 16 but they can attend two additional years of schooling if they pass the required exams.
All schools have a dress code and require children to wear a school uniform so plan on spending $500 per child to outfit them correctly. Comprehensive (Public in US) schools usually have lower uniform costs than private schools.
School bus service should not be expected. Plan on driving your child to/from school. Reimbursement for the mileage is available through the US military.
We have found that if you are married and have children then two cars are essential. All cars are required to meet UK specifications in order to be registered, so it is possible your headlights, turn signals, or fog lights will need modified upon arrival. This could anywhere from $100-$500. Additionally, all cars must undergo an annual Ministry of Transport (MOT) inspection, which is rather rigorous, so it is highly recommend that all required maintenance be taken care of prior to shipping your car, as car repair is expensive in the UK. There is an annual road tax as well, and the rate is based on the size of your car's engine. We have a Chrysler van and it costs us £175 per year in tax, but you only pay the second year you are in country. It is also important to ship your car plenty early to ensure it is waiting for you upon your arrival in the UK. A good second car can be purchased locally for about $2000 and it can be driven immediately if it still has a valid MOT inspection. Fuel coupons are available at US Exchanges and can be used at select petrol stations within the UK.
Social Occasions
There are approximately 4 formal social events to attend per year. British social events can be more formal than US events, and the uniform is either Mess Blues or tuxedo, so you will need a tuxedo if you are to fill this PEP position. Ladies (spouses) generally wear long formal gowns or cocktail dresses.. While a suit/jacket and tie are required for work on occasion, they are rarely worn at military social events.
Other US Personnel
There are numerous PEP personnel stationed within 30 miles of Andover. Within Andover itself, there are two other US service members; one PEP Medical Officer and one CASCOM LNO. For US wives there is the Colonial Wives Group that meets once or twice a month and consists military & civilian spouses from the US, Canada, and Australia.
Last Thoughts
When considering this PEP billet, it is an extremely important to understand that this assignment is not your "normal overseas assignment" that you may have experienced in places like Germany or even Korea. The main difference is that you will be much more reliant upon the British Military, the local community- and yourself - for the support, services, and facilities that in most places are provide at a large US installation. This is not to say the support, services, and/or facilities offered locally are inadequate, but they are different in some respects (some good and some bad) and one needs to understand this before applying for this position.
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