Discussion: Permissive TDY?

Hey all- if you don't know what the heck the subject line means, you probably can't answer my question.

If you do know what it means, then you're probably an Air Force member. So the question is, as an orienteering athlete & Air Force member, have you been able to attend orienteering races on Permissive TDY status? The Air Force allows athletes competing in various events to have time off to compete without it coming out of their leave (PTDY). There is an oversight office in the Air Force that decides these things, so I'm curious if orienteering is already cleared for permissive TDY, and if so, is it just for W or A events, or can it include Bs or Cs also?

Just figured I'd ask before I start making a million phone calls to Air Force people that are probably going to say "you want PTDY for what!??". =)

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer, in case anyone else ever has the same question: I use PTDY about once per month. I have only used it for A meets and international events, because those seem like no-brainers on the competitive side as far as justification. The regs (AFI36-3003 Table 7, Line 33) talk about HQ AFSVA approval of events (they generally approve, but you can get a memo from them if your CC wants it) and about the local services squadron (same) but ultimately it'll depend on your commander.

If you want more specifics, like contacts or sample memos, email me directly.

Also, if there are other mil, or AF specifically, people on AP who are interested it would be nice to get the heat on about some military orienteering teams. It's silly for the US to miss out on the World Military O Champs all the time.

Sweet!!! Thank you for the info. I'll definately hit you up for the memo & contacts.

World Military O-champs would be cool to get some US representation. I can't commit to anything past Dec 07 since I'll be moving (where I don't know) possibly in Dec, but will keep the possibility open.

I have understood that TDY means a person is temporarily assigned to an alternate duty. However, no one has been able to tell me what TDY stands for. What does it stand for?

Temporary Duty.

I suppose asking why it isn't TD is not really effectual?

That's easy. It's not "TD" because that would make sense. If military acronyms made sense then there would probably be a few Airmen Snuffys without jobs.

SNAFU makes sense.

As does FUBAR, but I'm not sure there's an Airman Snuffy out there paid to enforce the correct usage and application of those acronyms.

What are SNAFU and FUBAR?

Situation Normal: All F*cked Up and F*cked Up Beyond All Recognition

Both used regularly in many lines of work. Not good if used to describe someone's orienteering.