Can I legally be reimbursed for shipping gear back to old unit?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:29:22 -0400

I transferred across the US to a new unit and an E7 told me to bring my all my gear with me. It's been over a year and my old unit is just now transferring me and that E7 has gotten a promotion and left that unit. Now they are telling me I have to ship my gear home without reimbursement or I will be charged for it. Is there legally anything I can do to fight this? I don't make much and if I paid for shipping I wouldn't be able to pay for rent. I was just following an E7's orders. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Apr 7 at 2016 9:32 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:32:32 -0400

I would consult your IG office. they should have the resources to run down all of your options and provide you with the best guidance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 9:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:43:08 -0400

Why wasn't your gear turned in prior to you leaving? That's the first issue right there. Part of transferring is clearing your old unit. Can you get reimbursed? Nope. There are options that may be taken, but it is int between States, not units. You have to remember that each State is responsible for their own gear.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 9:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:52:33 -0400

If you're referring to CIF issued items, you should have been cleared before PCSing, if not, your current CIF should be able to assist you with that.

If you're referring to items that you signed a DA FORM 2062 for, you will definitely have to return those items, and will not be reimbursed for your shipping expenses. If this is the case, it's unfortunate that your leadership set you up for failure, but all you can do at this point is learn from it.

If you're referring to items that you received from your unit and did not sign a DA FORM 2062, you can not be charged for those. That would be another failure of your leadership by failing to sub hand receipt those items to you. Whoever signed for those items would be held financially responsible.

In my opinion, the right thing to do is send the items back to the hand receipt holder. That's looking out for your fellow Soldiers, unlike what happened to you. It's always best to leave any items that you receive from a unit with the unit. It saves the unit money and make sure that they have those items if needed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2016 10:22 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 10:22:35 -0400

It's my TA gear

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 7 at 2016 10:50 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 10:50:53 -0400

Ah, an opportunity for your current leadership to excel.... or fail. Good stuff on what you might have had to sign your life away for but it's a no brainer for the S1 to assist in proper documentation and the Command to ship it back. I'd also have my SEL have a chat with their SEL about how not to hose over the junior ENLs. But I'm not the Skipper....

Response by 1LT A. Uribe made Apr 7 at 2016 12:32 PM

1LT A. Uribe — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 12:32:16 -0400

You can claim that on your taxes provided it's over 100 miles from your last location.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 7 at 2016 3:18 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:18:25 -0400

Are you in the Reserves or NG, what is their SOP or regulation on shipping gear?

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 7 at 2016 3:53 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:53:37 -0400

Who died and made this E-6 the boss of the NG? You need explanations, regulations, and logic applied to your situation. It sounds like it was erroneously shipped, so they can ship it back to make it right. Don't go buy one NCOs words you need your chain of command involved. You hear me?