Can a deploying unit make their soldiers pay to ship bags?

2016-06-08T10:08:06-04:00

Unit deploys shortly and is giving out an address telling soldiers they need to find a way to ship their duffel bags to the forward location. Can a unit tell soldiers they must do this. Not my first deployment. Normally some bags go in containers and others go on plane. Unit put out packing list of 3 bags. After containers shipped they put out that only one bag can be checked on plane. Telling new and young soldiers they must pay out of pocket to ship the rest. Is there a regular or anything that can help?

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Jun 8 at 2016 10:11 AM

2016-06-08T10:11:37-04:00

That is a new one. Usually put the excess in the CONEX's (sp?), and then whatever else you may want, you would pay for, such as niceties as candy, specific items of interest, etc. I have never heard of this occurring.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 10:22 AM

2016-06-08T10:22:58-04:00

Thats a new one to me.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 8 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-06-08T10:24:11-04:00

What is the military becoming like the airlines now...?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 10:26 AM

2016-06-08T10:26:49-04:00

So were you given an opportunity to fill the quadcons with baggage or no? Did the unit explain all this before the quadcons where shipped? You question is actually quite vague and difficult to answer.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jun 8 at 2016 10:28 AM

2016-06-08T10:28:17-04:00

New one on me as well; there must be more to this story. If your container shipment has gone and you were told that you are allowed only one bag on the plane I suspect you may be inquiring about additional bag(s). If that's the case, yes you can be told to send the extras at your expense. If you really can't limit yourself to the one bag on the plane limit, pack your extra bags go to UPS, DHL etc. and have it weighed and get a rough estimate of cost to ship to your location. Then leave bags and money with family or friend. Once you get to your location and have an address have the bags shipped to you.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jun 8 at 2016 10:34 AM

2016-06-08T10:34:49-04:00

Something doesn't add up here. This doesn't sound right.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 10:42 AM

2016-06-08T10:42:54-04:00

This doesn't sound right. More times than not usually the remaining baggage is loaded into a container to be shipped at a later date by rear d. No one should be shipping bags into anywhere that a unit is deploying as there are several methods to get them there as a unit.

References: BN S4 NCOIC who is the BN movement officer

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 11:25 AM

2016-06-08T11:25:27-04:00

No, a unit can not require you to pay to ship MILITARY equipment (TA-50, OCIE).
However, if you have laptops, and other creature comforts, and they just don't have the room, yes.
I have actually never heard of a unit being out of room to ship bags.

Now, for late deployers. If the unit does not have the means to ship your TA-50, OCIE, then you can MPS it for free. This is usually done at a post military post office.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 12:07 PM

2016-06-08T12:07:33-04:00

Are you fucking kidding? Hell no you need to go up the chain on this one, maybe poke your head in the Battalion/BDE trans office and say something to the effect of: WTF

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Jun 8 at 2016 4:20 PM

2016-06-08T16:20:26-04:00

5 deployments and um....no. now they can make it a pain and do full layouts ensuring that you're not putting any BS in the containers other than OICE. That's what we did when we found ourselves with space issues. Laptops, guitars, and other personal crap had to be mailed, which is only fair since the army didn't tell you to bring it on deployment.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2016 9:33 PM

2016-06-08T21:33:25-04:00

The only thing I can give you advise on is shipping through a military post office because I currently work at one now. If what you are shipping is personal in nature or has one item in there that's personal (you have to put a customs form on everything being sent out overseas) now if it's all official military issues gear then your admin/supply personnel should know how to send it out officially or get reimbursed when you do a travel claim. Hope that helps!

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 9 at 2016 1:28 PM

2016-06-09T13:28:13-04:00

NO! What moron came up with that? My first unit, 10th MTN was VERY strict on the two deployments I went on with them. 2 duffels, Aid Bag (medic), issued gear from a list for the deployment, 3-day assault pack and 1 personal bag (black or green) which was our carry-on. If we packed our duffels right, we could get extra personal stuff.