Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS) Household Goods (HHG) explained specific benefits concerning authorization to ship household goods afforded to military retirees, May 3.

"Our military retirees are entitled to many HHG benefits that they might otherwise not be aware of, or might not even consider, as they contemplate how they will spend the next chapter of their lives after a career of honorable Naval service," said Deborah McGlennon, NAVSUP GLS HHG program manager.

For example, military retirees can ship their HHG from last or any previous continental United States (CONUS) including Alaska and Hawaii, duty station or anywhere the member elects to include from storage as long as the move is setup within one year from the actual date of retirement.

In addition, for those service members who entered active duty from a location overseas, their HHG can be sent back to their Home of Record (HOR) or from which the member was initially called/ordered to active duty at no additional cost to the service member.

For those service members who entered active duty CONUS, but wish to retire overseas, their moves may incur an additional, out-of-pocket expense.

"An example of HHG shipment costs incurred for service members who would like to retire overseas would be if the last duty station is in San Diego, the HOR is in Virginia, and the service member desires to retire in the Philippines," said McGlennon. "This is an example where the Navy can arrange the HHG shipment, however, any excess costs above what the government would have paid for a cross-country move - in this case from San Diego to Virginia - will be the retiree's responsibility to cover."

In addition, for an overseas retirement move, all entry requirements and payment of all duties and taxes is the retiree's responsibility.

What about service members who are unsure about where they are going to retire, or are still looking for a job?

Navy policy strongly recommends placing HHG items into non-temporary storage (NTS) at the service member's current location, usually their last duty station. Once HHG items are shipped to a destination, post-retirement, that equates to a final move and only 90 days of storage would be authorized at destination

"For service members who are unsure of their final retirement location, NTS is a great benefit," said McGlennon.

Items can be stored in NTS for up to one year from the date of retirement, at the origin location. Retiree benefits do not cover authorization to ship from NTS at origin to storage in-transit to a final destination.

What if service members need an extension of NTS beyond their one-year entitlement? Examples include if the service member is pursuing additional education or training, or is under hospitalization or receiving medical treatment (neither is applicable to dependents).

In either situation, the following actions are required to accommodate these special circumstances:

* Education/Training - not applicable to dependents
* Medical (hospitalization or treatment) of member - not applicable to dependents
* Send below information to: navyhhgshippingext@navy.mil
- Orders
- DD214
- Education request: signed letter on letterhead from school describing the program of study and projected completion date.
- Maximum time for education extensions is two years after retirement date, or one year after training is completed, whichever is earlier.
- Medical request: Signed letter from doctor on letterhead stating nature of treatment preventing the member from accepting their items with a projected/actual completion date.

All other deserving case shipping extension requests must be submitted to NXAG_N130C@navy.mil, ensuring to include retirement orders, DD214 and any additional information to support your request.

Building a home is not considered a valid reason for extension.

If a shipping extension is approved, storage fees will be converted to the service member's expense at the COMMERCIAL rate.

For additional references, retiree service members should refer to Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), paragraph 5318 and NAVSUP Publication 490 (P490), paragraph 5.57.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

For more NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, visit http://www.navsup.navy.mil/navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news/ or http://www.facebook.com/navsupgls/.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/.