TRANSATLANTIC DIVISION

USACE candidates requesting reassignment at their current grade level will contact their Deployment Coordination Administrator (DCA) as indicated in the information on How to Apply. The employee should complete a Request for Deployment (RFD). The DCA will post the employee’s resume and approved RFD on the DCA Sharepoint site for the Afghanistan Recruitment Cell (ARC) to review.

Army employees (including USACE) wishing to be considered for promotion and all applicants from other Federal agencies should apply under the vacancy announcements on USAJOBS. Further information is in the How to Apply section.

Applicants not currently working for the Federal government should apply under the vacancy announcements on USAJOBS as indicated in the How to Apply section. Applicants not currently working for the Federal government who have a personal noncompetitive appointment authority, such as Veterans Readjustment Act eligibles, 30% Compensable Disabled Veterans, or reinstatement eligible, may contact the ARC directly at TAD.inquiries@usace.army.mil

The ARC reviews resumes and conducts reference checks and coordinates selections based on existing vacancies.

If selected based on resume submission through the DCA, the employee will be notified by the ARC and a tasker will be initiated in ENGLINK. Once the home station accepts the tasker, the Predeployment Process begins. If selected based on applications to USAJOBS or for appointment based on a personal hiring authority, the employee will be sent a tentative offer through e-mail. Once the employee accepts, the CPAC requests a release date from the employee’s home station (if applicable). When the home station provides release concurrence, the CPAC requests a tasker and the Predeployment Process begins.

Once the tasker has been initiated, the Administrative Personnel Process Office (APPO) in Winchester, VA sends a Welcome Letter to the employee. The Welcome Letter contains information on predeployment requirements and links to the training. Please note, training outlined in the welcome letter is in addition to training required through the CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Selectees should complete the predeployment requirements as quickly as possible, and send completed training, documents, etc. to the APPO as soon as they are completed. The APPO will monitor the employee’s status in completing predeployment requirements.

Completion of requirements is key in ensuring that the employee meets the requested date for reporting to the CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) at Fort Bliss, Texas.

When the APPO confirms that the selectee has successfully completed his/her predeployment requirements, the APPO will issue travel orders to the employee. The APPO makes travel arrangements, prepares travel orders, and performs timekeeping functions for deployees.

Employees will receive instructions on notifying the CRC of arrival and will be transported to the CRC.

USACE maintains two military Liaison Officers (LNOs) who are available to assist USACE employees.

Employees will complete CRC training activities as outlined on the CRC website.

Employees who successfully complete the training will be manifested on the Special Assigned Airlift Mission (SAAM)  flight to Kuwait.

After arrival in Kuwait, employees travelling to Afghanistan will be routed via the charter flight to Afghanistan.USACE has a Family Readiness Program (FRP) to provide support to deployees’ families. Information on the FRP can be found here.

Living and Working in Afghanistan

Work week: The regular work week is Sunday through Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays are scheduled overtime days.

Sunday-Thursday        0700-1730 (8 hours regular, 2 hours scheduled overtime, ½ hour lunch)

Friday                          0700-1100 (4 hours scheduled overtime)

Saturday                      0700-1730 (10 hours scheduled overtime with ½ hour lunch)

Housing:  Living conditions depend on a number of factors; however, USACE follows the base Garrison’s guidance and the USCENTCOM Sandbook standards when determining living arrangements, safety, and security for its employees.  Currently a majority of the District lives on Bagram Airfield, where GS-13s and above can anticipate having their own rooms.  In Kabul, regardless of rank or grade, employees will have a roommate.  Most of the other Resident and Project Offices have single billeting rooms for the USACE personnel, with some enjoying their own private bathroom.  Conditions do change, but the intent is to provide a quality living and working environment which enables employees to remain well balanced and maximize productivity.

Safety:  USACE employees have the benefit of having the most highly trained fighting force protecting them every day. Although Afghanistan is still a combat zone, civilian employees perform their duties behind the layered security of major bases.  If a base is postured to close, USACE employees are relocated to another office at a different location, well ahead of the actual closure date. Some USACE positions require travel to project sites. Prior to every mission, a very thorough risk assessment is conducted with implemented controls to mitigate risk. The District Commander may deem a mission too dangerous, in which case the mission is canceled. In cases where project sites are inaccessible, USACE hires Local National AQARs to monitor the work and report back to the Project Engineers. Other threats exist but the District maintains a vigilant watch and is constantly evaluating the force protection posture to provide the safest possible work environment. Safety is taken very seriously, and TAA currently has the lowest accident rate in all of USACE.  Additionally, all employees who are injured are provided quality care from some of the world’s most experience health care professionals.  Safety concerns, work orders, accident investigations, and workman’s compensation are all handled professionally and expeditiously.

Living and Working in Kuwait

Work week:  The regular work week is Sunday through Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays are scheduled overtime days.

Sunday-Thursday        0700-1730 (8 hours regular, 2 hours scheduled overtime, ½ hour lunch)

Friday                          0800-1200 (4 hours scheduled overtime)

Saturday                      0700-1730 (10 hours scheduled overtime with ½ hour lunch)

Other information on living conditions/deployment to Kuwait: Newcomer's packet

The APPO arranges employees’ travel for redeployment through the CRC at the end of the tour.

Employees will be required to complete a Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) as part of the redeployment process.

Employees will be contacted to complete a Post Deployment Reassessment (PDHRA) within 60 to 90 days of redeployment.