I don't mean to bash anyone, that's not what this forum is for...we all have challenges in our jobs, and I know the CT people in Ottawa do too. But if it looks like you are going to get your ETP message a few days before your reporting date,
DELAY it. That will be your mission verb in this situation. I wish I had known this was even an option. I put in my application in April, 4 months before I was to CT. My file is a god awful mess due to an extreme lack of communication wherein I didn't know what my options or entitlements were and counldn't for the life of me find out anything solid, only that nothing happens until after you get your ETP msg, I got my ETP message 4 days before my COS date, had nowhere to stay after those 4 days were up, no guidance from above, so I threw my stuff in storage on my own dime and drove 14 hrs to report. Do not do this; I can't emphasize this enough, you may or may not get your money back. If you rent, don't give notice to your landlords until you have your message so at least you have somewhere to live(if req) and aren't forced to spend way bigger bucks trying to be proactive. If you haven't gotten your message a month prior to your start date, expect the worst. IRP takes a minimum of 2 weeks to assess and move you, they can't fix your situation last minute, and rightly so. I have 4 friends from tour who have also CT'ed and every one of them was a dog's breakfast to varying extents. The saving grace of the new system is that you
will get to the regs, but it clearly still has some bumps to iron out. Remember, the name of the game is communication, if you aren't getting answers from your unit or DMCA, keep prodding until someone gets you the information you need. It is, after all, your life and the happiness and well being of your family. I don't think anyone can get pissed at you for trying to take care of the home front. PM me if you need anymore somewhat bitter advice!
Best of luck to you
One last thing... I am not entirely up to speed with how the paperwork behind the scenes actually works, but make sure your reserve orderly room forwards the right documents so you can actually, you know, get paid. It's kind of a big deal.
