Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"July 26, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
July
26, 2002
An informal column about issues affecting the West Point community
MURPHY'S LAW
By Cpt. Laura Hidalgo
Officer of the Staff Judge Advocate
Summer is here, and many of you are PCSing. If you are PCSing, here are some things you should do to protect your family’s household goods and to ensure a smooth transition to your new duty location.
PRIOR TO YOUR MOVE
Before the movers pack and ship your household goods, you should take
photographs of your furniture, electronics, and other "big ticket"
items. Collect any receipts you have for these items and put them with the
photos. Don’t ship these with your household goods. Instead, take them with
you, along with uniforms and other items you will need upon your arrival at your
new duty station.
Having receipts and photographs of your household goods can be important once your goods arrive and you begin to unpack. If any of your belongings have been damaged, or if anything is missing, having documentation to prove the condition of your belongings prior to the move will help prove your loss when you file a claim at your local JAG office.
If you do have to file a claim, you may not receive the full amount claimed, but rather a depreciated amount based on how old the item was when it was lost or damaged. Photos and receipts can help establish the age and condition of your belongings as well as proof of ownership. Compensation you receive will be based on the value of your items at the time of loss.
If you are not satisfied with being able to file a claim for the depreciated value of lost or destroyed belongings, you can purchase full replacement coverage insurance at the time of your moving consultation with the Transportation Office. This protection provides full replacement value (not depreciated) for lost or destroyed items. If you choose this coverage, you must submit a claim to the moving carrier first, who can then repair the item, replace the item, or pay cash value for the item.
The government will accept a claim only if the carrier denies it, if delay will cause hardship, or if the carrier fails to settle the claim within 30 days. Keep in mind that your only opportunity to purchase this insurance is at the time of your initial counseling with the Transportation Office.
If you wait until the day the movers are packing up your household goods to decide that you want this additional insurance, it’s too late.
For more information on purchasing moving insurance, call George Callaghan at the USMA Transportation Office at 938-2713.
AFTER THE MOVE
When your household goods are delivered to your new home, the movers are
required to give you a pink form called a DD Form 1840, Joint Statement of Loss
or Damage at Delivery. The reverse side is called DD Form 1840R, Notice of Loss
or Damage. It is here that you must note all damaged or lost items. Once
completed, this form must be submitted to your local Claims Office within 70
days from the day your belongings were delivered.
This means that prior to the 70th day, you must unpack and inspect your belongings and note on the DD Form 1840R anything that has been damaged or is missing. You waive all right to reimbursement for lost or damaged items if you do not file your claim within the 70-day period.
Upon turning in your DD Form 1840R to the Claims Office, you will receive a Household Goods Claims Packet with forms and instructions for completing the documentation necessary to complete the filing of your claim. These forms and the supporting documents must be turned in to the Claims Office within 2 years from the date your household goods were delivered. If you have lost or damaged goods, the photographs you took prior to the move should be filed along with your written claim, as well as any receipts you have for the purchase of the items. For more information on claims, contact the Claims Office at (845) 938-4571.
FOR NEWLY-ARRIVED WEST POINT PERSONNEL
Here are some local rules and regulations you should be aware of.
- POV Registration: All personnel assigned to West Point are required to register their vehicles with the Provost Marshal’s Office within five (5) days of arrival. You must bring your military I.D., driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance with you. Vehicle registration hours are:
Mon.: 0900-1300
Tue., Wed., and Fri.: 0900-1300 and 1400-1600
Thurs.: closed for training
There are no vehicle registration hours on weekends or any federal holiday. For more information on POV registration requirements, see USMA Reg. 190-5 or call 938-2208.
- Weapons Registration: Incoming personnel who own pistols or rifles must register them with the Provost Marshal’s Office upon arrival.
If you own a pistol, you are first required to go to the Orange County Courthouse and obtain a New York State Pistol Permit. When registering your weapons at the PMO, bring your bill of sale or other proof of purchase along with your Pistol Permit if applicable. Once registered, cadets and soldiers residing in the barracks must store their weapons in their unit arms rooms.
Soldiers with rank of specialist and below who live in quarters must also store their weapons in their unit arms rooms. Officers and NCOs living in quarters may store their weapons in their residence. Weapons registration hours are the same as for POV registration (above). For more information, see USMA Reg. 190-3 or call the Provost Marshal’s Office at 938-2208.
- Pet Registration: Pet owners residing on West Point must register their pets with the USMA Veterinary Clinic within 10 days of arrival. All pets, except for fish, must be registered, to include dogs, cats, ferrets, and rabbits.
To register your pet, call the veterinary clinic and set up an appointment. Bring your animal and the animal’s shot records with you to the appointment. Your pet will be examined and its shots will be updated if necessary.
If you have a dog or a cat, a West Point tag will be issued, which is required to be worn on their collars at all times and which serves as proof of rabies vaccination in satisfaction of New York law. For more information or for a registration appointment, call the USMA Veterinary Clinic at 938-3817.
- Tax Considerations: Your state of legal residence does not change when you move from duty station to duty station. If you work in the civilian sector while stationed at West Point, at the end of the year you will file your state tax return for your home of record and your federal return as usual. You will also be required to file a non-resident New York income tax return for your New York wages. For more information, call the USMA Tax Center at 938-2640/4541.