Can I clear Fort Hood while I am on PCS leave?

2016-12-15T00:14:12-05:00

Sorry in advance if this is such a basic question. I am PCSing to Germany in 2017. I know i can take up to 30 days of PCS leave, does anyone know if I will be able to sign out on PCS leave and start the clearing process? Can I start clearing in advance and then sign out on PCS leave? any help would be appreciated!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2016 1:34 AM

2016-12-15T01:34:39-05:00

Why would you want to? Unless it has changed, Fort Hood policy for clearing is 5 days if you are single, 10 days if you are married. Clearing is part of the process for your PCS, you should not have to burn leave to clear. If your unit is requiring that, you need to talk with your NCOs and get that fixed.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Dec 15 at 2016 7:52 AM

2016-12-15T07:52:52-05:00

I have heard of it, but I would highly not recommend it, as leave is what happens at the end of the process and to be on leave during it, is burning your leave. So I would clear and go on leave once finished is my advice.
Part of clearing is being at the house to help your wife out and ready your affairs or tend to whatever you think you would be doing if on leave. Clearing is not only sitting in line at some station waiting to get records or a different block checked. Save the leave and use it once in Europe.
If you have something going on, some locations will allow you to clear very rapidly and go on leave once finished. The bulk of clearing can be physically done in a day or two, but often what holds people up is the movement of hhg's or they hit a snag at cif or finance. All across the Army people are given 14 days to clear and everyone knows the vast majority of that time is spent at the house readying the family and not just getting block checks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2016 8:32 AM

2016-12-15T08:32:13-05:00

There's no reason for it. Clearing Hood takes at around 3 days (if you are slacking). Whatever your report date is, back it up the amount of leave you are taking, then back it up 5-10 days for clearing. Why waste leave clearing if you don't have to. I do recommend going to transportation as soon as you get your orders, because that process can take a bit sometimes. I left Hood to go to Germany in 2011 and had little to no issue clearing in time.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 15 at 2016 9:11 AM

2016-12-15T09:11:19-05:00

You can take "Ordinary Leave" prior to your PCS as long as the Commander approves (decisions are typically based on mission requirements). However, PCS leave is taken once you've completed the requirements of clearing an installation. There are instances when you could begin clearing an installation early or someone else could clear for you however, those are very isolated instances and require a memorandum requesting this action - signed by the unit Commander.

To alleviate the if's and specifics, here's a link for the Fort hood SOP to help guide you through the process of transitioning to Germany, there are specific medical gateways built into the transition, you must complete these steps. Link to SOP FYSA:
http://www.hood.army.mil/dhr/files/OutprocessingISOP_20140904.pdf

OutprocessingISOP_20140904.pdf

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Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Dec 15 at 2016 9:19 AM

2016-12-15T09:19:06-05:00

Unless you are use or lose, then I wouldn't waste the days especially since you are going to Europe. Unless there is something forcing you to do this, save your days for European travel. Not to mention that the days you are clearing are practically the same as being on leave. You should not have any duty requirements other than showing up for first and last formation. Not to mention, if you schedule things properly, you can out-process in three days and then start your leave. Good luck and good travels!!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 15 at 2016 9:47 AM

2016-12-15T09:47:01-05:00

Leave is a unit thing, clearing is a III CORPS thing.. If your asking if the two can be done simultaneously the answer is yes.. But I doubt most units for most Soldiers would allow it. Part of clearing is unit level..if you're on leave, they have no control.. If you're on leave and welll you leave..having not turning in unit property, cleared the S2, signing that last counseling statement, paying that Federal traffic fine for having gone 26 in a 25 down Battalion Av, cleared CIF, ect ect ect..things get bad for the unit.. So no..I dont expect your unit to sign you out on leave while you stay and clear.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2016 6:20 AM

2016-12-16T06:20:36-05:00

Seeing how I just left there in October. You can go on leave to clear before your PCS leave but you're just wasting days. Once you get your orders is when you can start clearing. Make sure you go to Copeland center to let them know that you've got your orders and when you can send email them in order to get your clearing papers. You get get two weeks from the start of your PCS leave, however many days you want to take before your report date. However it only took me to clear post 4 days. For the rest of the time I poked my head in and out at my unit

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 7:55 AM

2016-12-19T07:55:44-05:00

I was in Fort Hood I was able to sign out on leave and continue my clearing process. If they have changed it, I am not sure. It would be a good ideal to ask your chain of command to ensure they will allow this. If so then you should have no problem do it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 2:57 PM

2016-12-20T14:57:00-05:00

Get a clear without orders memo signed by your commander and clear CIF 1st. Yes you can clear on leave but why would you want to. Your clearing papers will come 10 days prior to your leave start date. Dont forget to ensure that your lv ends exactly on your report date and youll be good to go.

Response by CPL Scott Young made Dec 23 at 2016 10:09 AM

2016-12-23T10:09:08-05:00

I wouldn't. I cleared Hood in 2.5 days. Just work hard and get it done. Motivation is the key.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2016 5:41 PM

2016-12-23T17:41:25-05:00

You have 10 days to clear, most things are precleared for you. I wouldnt waste my leave on clearing. I did it and it sucked lol. Just get your leave form complete and signed, with a control number. Take it along with orders to Copeland to get your clearing papers.