Can army officer pull rank to get his kid stationed with him?

Johnathon Greer — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 11:05:01 -0400

Can a army captain pull rank to have his daughter who is also active duty to be station with him? I understand the military send people where they're needed. But someone is needed then can he make a request.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 14 at 2021 1:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 13:22:53 -0400

He would have to know somebody who has that kind of power.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2021 1:31 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 13:31:01 -0400

Good luck!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2021 2:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:01:42 -0400

An Army CPT doesn't have much rank to pull on.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2021 2:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:18:54 -0400

Hollywood gives Captains too much credit/power. Doing something like that for a General even has too much visibility. I'm guessing the only ones who could pull that off without raising too much ruckus is someone directly working with Human Resource HQ that covers all orders for soldiers Army wide.

I knew a 1SG that managed to get his son to follow him around in USAR units. Now, there are some administrative processes that make this possible in the USAR (since they both lived in the same area, and had compatible MOS's). But he burned a lot of bridges doing that for his kid, and all for the sake of being able to drill with Daddy.

That's not to say having friends in high places doesn't help, but generally that help comes in the early stages of lining up the better training, picking the better MOS and gaming the system within the rules of your own circle of influence. Getting orders changed AFTER the fact is much harder than laying the ground work to guide a path of improved chances of getting the orders you want.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2021 2:42 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:42:40 -0400

Any officer that uses his rank to satisfy personal objectives is abusing his rank.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 14 at 2021 4:52 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 16:52:29 -0400

If the Captain happens to know the right people in the right places to talk to, yes it could be possible. I say could be because it is one of those things I have seen happen before but it isn't something in a playbook that works every time it is attempted. I wouldn't bet the farm on it but I have seen stranger things happen.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2021 7:00 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:00:52 -0400

This is a who you know, not a what you know scenario. If the person who cuts orders for that MOS owes you a favor or you know their favorite drink negotiations are possible.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2021 1:57 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:57:12 -0400

If they know the exact right person, they could. But then, this would/could be seen as nepotism.