Evacuations may carry financial entitlements Published May 30, 2012 By 81st Training Wing 81st Comptroller Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Do you know what you're entitled to if the Wing commander issues a mandatory evacuation order for base personnel in the event a hurricane is forecasted to impact operations at Keesler? Just like establishing a budget or saving for the future, pre-planning and knowing your entitlements is the key to financial success. Evacuations may be ordered as early as HURCON 3, when the storm is just 48 hours away, or as late as HURCON 1, when the storm is 12 hours from hitting the base. Regardless of whether or not one may receive reimbursement for evacuation expenses, leaving voluntarily, if at all possible, isn't a bad idea. For safety purposes, a voluntary evacuation could be a very viable option, especially for families with small children or elderly members. "Keesler members need the 81st Training Wing commander's authority to evacuate before they can begin traveling on reimbursable entitlements," said 1st Lt. Semira Moore, 81st Comptroller Squadron. "Dependents are also authorized entitlements, but if they choose to leave before the evacuation order is given, some expenses will not be reimbursed." An important thing to remember in making this decision is that the order is the official document authorizing reimbursement for travel. Evacuating before the order does not preclude a member from receiving reimbursable entitlements. Once an official order is issued, the member will start receiving entitlements effective the date/time specified on the order. Once the evacuation order is given and initial accountability is taken, members in temporary duty and leave status who are outside the local area must check with their commanders to determine whether they should remain at their current location or return to Keesler. Some members on leave status may be ordered to TDY status until it is safe to return. "It behooves us all to remain reasonable prudent and modest in the use of our advances," Moore advised. When the evacuation order is issued, there'll be an allowed mileage radius -- for example, evacuate no closer than 150 miles, but no further than 600 miles. Anyone who travels outside of the allotted radius will have to pay out of pocket for the extra miles. The bottom line, the lieutenant stated, "is that all Keesler members should include finance in their hurricane plans. It's too late to begin planning when a storm is on its way."