Are all PCSs Necessary?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 05:16:56 -0400

I've been thinking … how many have had to PCS to take a position that is/was available in their current location. The Army is PCSing me to the States to take a Senior NCO position that is vacant right here. And, has been vacant for quite some time. The institutional knowledge could be sustained with me staying here longer. Note, we had an extremely successful accreditation survey. Considering that I had a key role in that survey, it would be "Value-Added" to have me and others pass that on to hundreds, which would only enhance our organization. Immediately after the survey, many PCS'd. The US gov't would save thousands of dollars by avoiding the PCS. And, it could truly be a win-win situation; I would still have the needed professional growth. AR 614–200 speaks of swapping assignments. That's not feasible when both slots are vacant. What is a reasonable means of working with HRC on this matter? Even ACT shows some assignments. How one addresses this is another.

Many of us may have felt the effects of furlows and fiscal solvency. Some of us even watch the news reports on the same and/or related topics. We (I) have also felt the effects of frequent leadership turnovers. Well, I would like to make things better in my sphere of reference. This PCS aspect is one that I'd like to see explored.

Feel free to post your thoughts/experiences. Remember to be professional and constructive.

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Sep 10 at 2014 6:35 AM

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 06:35:17 -0400

I once PCSd to a position that didn't exist and ended up doing nothing but trying to find a job for three years. That was the impetus for putting in my WO packet.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 10 at 2014 7:18 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:18:52 -0400

Without all the information, I am forced to make a couple of assumptions. The first is that you are approaching your DEROS and therefore received assignment instructions, and the second is that you did not apply for an IPCOT or FSTE prior to receiving assignment instructions, which could have left you in place for up to a full second tour.

While I agree that PCS moves are expensive and should be reduced, I don't envision a time where they will be eliminated, especially when it comes to overseas assignments (which are keyed off of the individuals DEROS dates).

Keep in mind, from a 'Big Army' perspective, it's not just YOUR move. Each personnel move sets into action multiple events, a replacement for you there, a replacement for the guy or gal that's replacing you, and on and on which is why timely applications for FSTEs and IPCOTs are important. AND, of course, the needs of the Army is always the first consideration.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2014 12:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 12:10:14 -0400

In short; No, not all PCS moves are necessary. However, due to the nature of the military people must move, and sometime too often. Nobody owns a position, and people should NOT homestead in any one place.
When I worked in the Pentagon, it was the best of times, I could have stayed there for another four years. But... there is but one position of its kind in the Pentagon, and whilst I occupied it; as effectively and efficiently as possible, my presence there prevented another NCO from the opportunity to serve at the highest level. Unit supply SGT's are 'dime a dozen,' and please! don't misconstrue what I mean; unit supply SGT's are VERY important. However, every unit has one. they come and they go and the Army keeps marching on. Medical Policy NCO is one in a lifetime, once in a career type of job, if people don't move, the opportunities are sometime gone forever. while you wrote that "The institutional knowledge could be sustained with me staying here longer" at a certain point you will be replaced, and the inevitable is postponed. If you are as great as you say, you have commenced mentoring somebody AND you have created an SOP and a 'Smart Book' for your replacement. If you have not done that, I question your genuine concern and sincerity.
I used to tell officers and senior NCO's the same thing over and over again; "Arlington National Cemetery is full of those we thought were irreplaceable" SFC Lorna Libert, keep on keeping on and do that you do in the new place! remember, I wanted to go to Europe, and I couldn't because a competent and productive NCO kept a position from getting filled.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 6:23 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:23:22 -0400

Being Navy I'm sure I lost a lot in translation for all of the posts and responses I read. However, I think I get the gist.

While you hold a lot of institutional memory, much of the concept of PCS moves is to allow as many as possible to gain, express and transfer as much of that insitutional knowledge one has. The military does not "gain" all that much when only ONE person has all the knowledge about a particular position. Were you to stay in that position for say....8 or 10 years...what happens when you cross the street and some idiot runs you down? Where is all that institutional knowledge? Answer: Lying on the roadway bleeding out.

No one is irreplaceable. No one. What would be the cost of having to retrain someone on the fly if you do somehow stay there for 8 to 10 years and die as indicated above? It's not the expense of the move - it's the expense of the institutional knowledge that is the greater loss. The more people that can fill that billet the better - having only one person that knows anything about the local situation and position is a disaster waiting for a time to happen - nothing more.

'Nuff said.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 23 at 2014 6:32 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:32:51 -0400

Beyond the issues of career progression and cost/benefit, let's look at it from the fairness aspect. It's easy to say "don't move me!" when you're stationed at a desirable/popular assignment location vs. that person who took one for the team to go somewhere like Ft Polk or is somewhere that they hate. In the pursuit of fairness, we should all get opportunities to go someplace "nice" and we all need to have our turn at "taking one of the team".

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 12:33 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:33:27 -0500

SFC Lilbert--no, not at all. I moved more frequently as an E9 than at any other time, averaging every 21 months for many years.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Feb 10 at 2015 12:46 PM

MSG Scott McBride — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:46:35 -0500

I was never anywhere longer than 3 years while many of my peers had been a same location for 5 years or more. I PCSd 3 times in my last 6 years of my career. Needless to say, it sucked but that's job. Good luck to you and your family.