Can I sign a dec statement to cancel Oconus PCS orders?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 07:27:35 -0400

I am set to PCS to Korea in a month, this is all very last minute due to rona craziness, but I no longer want to go, and would like to ETS in fall of 21. Basically, the back end of my orders getting pushed out screws things up pretty bad as my husband (Navy) goes back on sea duty in May next year, leaving him unable to properly care for our young child by himself for a time. Also, since I now plan on ETS'ing, my HAAP will send my to WA for 3 months (where I'll likely have to extend, which I absolutely do not want to do) and then back to VA where we have a home. I tried pleading my case to HRC, and they pretty much told me tough luck; so, I've decided to get out due to ongoing medical issues, and the fact that apparently MACP doesn't mean anything if you're in separate branches and I don't want to spend 16 more years dealing with this. My husband outranks me, and has more TIS, so he gets to stay, and I'm getting out. At this point, the Army will be sending me to Korea to ACAP, and then back to WA for 3 mo. then back to VA. I don't see how this makes sense for them financially or sets me up for success in any way, especially since I had planned on participating in the skill bridge program before ETS'ing. What do you think? Sign a dec statement, or suck it up and hope the big green weenie is kinder during an extension?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 3 at 2020 7:34 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 07:34:43 -0400

All you can do is take this to your command. See what they say. From there is they are non supportive seek further guidance. Always give the leadership a chance.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Jun 3 at 2020 9:55 AM

1SG Charles Hunter — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:55:39 -0400

I don't see where a declination of continued service statement would help your situation. You still have enough time remaining on your enlistment to complete your overseas tour. And you're right, Married Army Couples Program doesn't help with different services. It's difficult to find a station where Army and Navy members can establish joint domicile. Regarding HAAP: can you change your homebase to a station near your Virginia home? By the time you return, your husband will already be on sea duty for about a month, but where will his ship be homeported? Ongoing medical issues: yours? Baby's? Many questions, few answers. Can your assignment be deleted based on impending hardship? I agree with CSM Darieus ZaGara that you need to address these issues with your command. Use every resource available to you. Find someone who will listen to your concerns and try to find solutions.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2020 11:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:41:21 -0400

A declination statement is a statement declining to reenlist, not a statement declining orders; you are never able to decline orders.
You don’t have to extend and return to the states where your HAAP is you can ETS from Korea if you choose. You could work with your branch manager for a different follow on assignment. You could even reenlist for the follow on assignment of your choosing to put you close to your husband and allow you all kinds of time to complete SFLTAP -there is no ACAP, that ended almost a decade ago.
It makes sense for the Army financially because it is a one year tour and they need someone to fill the spot. The Army’s job is not to set you up for ETS. There are skill bridge programs at every base you can utilize if you have enough time left.
As for your parenting issues, the Army view is that you have a family care plan being dual military. If you can’t support your family care plan, separate under a family care plan chapter. You’ve already stated that your spouse is AD and you will be able to take advantage of skill programs after you separate.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2020 5:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 17:11:16 -0400

MACP doesn’t have to be honored when it’s an one year hardship tour. The issue would be trying to get your HAAP changed to your desired location. If you will only have 3 months remaining once your tour end, you won’t PCS to any location, they will keep you in Korea to serve the last three months of your contract because you don’t have the time needed to serve the required 12 months at the next duty location.