Can I submit my own packet for schooling?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 19:34:56 -0500

**UPDATE**
I sent an email to the NCO of operations over at the school and he is willing to work with me regarding getting my packet processed. Yes, my chain of command is aware and is working with me getting this done. The problem was with my documents being completely missing from my packet not my unit not having money to pay for a slot or me not wanting my chain of command involved. Thanks for the info and for telling me S3 handles school packets I did not know that.

Here is the backstory. I want to go to Air Assault school so I put together my packet and got some feedback from my NCO to make sure I was doing everything correctly. I gave all my documents to the orderly room at my unit because I was told they would take everything from there. When I gave the CPL in the orderly room the documents for my packet she said that she already had all of the documents already completed and didn't need the ones I prepared (I know this is where I should have asked to see them myself). I gave her the packet back in November 2020 and the class I intended to join was in March of this year. I just came back from Leave and BLC and since I haven't been in the motor pool I asked her what the status on it was. She said my packet was kicked back and since she's in BLC now and can't remember why my packet was kicked she said I could get it back myself. When I get my packet I see that none of the documents that needed to be there were in the packet except for my PT card and the FC Form 4137. Now I am going to be rebuilding my packet for a different class date but my question is do I have to go through the orderly room to submit my packet to schools? Can I turn my packet in to S1 on my own and bypass them? I am not asking if I can bypass my chain of command, I know I have to have them sign off on my schooling and they have but can I physically turn in my own packet? Any help is appreciated.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Feb 8 at 2021 8:25 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 20:25:11 -0500

Have you spoken with the approving authority - your chain of command about the Corporals loss of your packet?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 2:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 02:13:43 -0500

SPC(P) Pugh,
I would put all your documents/packet into a single email & send it to your Orderly room (if that's what's mandated by unit SOP), but ALSO CC the S1 personnel, that way there's a digital paper trail & nothing gets lost in translation. In my opinion, this is not bypassing CoC, but instead CYA (covering your @$$). This allows more eyes on your situation & fewer possible points of failure. CC'ing chain of command in email traffic is a way to mitigate the notion of "bypassing chain of command". Instead, it simply increases awareness & is a way of giving the "heads up" as well. This is something I've done for at least a decade & it's how I've gotten shit done. By the way, ALWAYS be polite in your email traffic, no matter how frustrated you may be with the personnel or the process....this will go A LONG WAY.
I hope this helps.
- SFC Stace

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 9 at 2021 11:57 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 11:57:29 -0500

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, submit to S1 on your own.
First, S3 handles schools, not S1. SO sending to S1 is a waste of everyone's time.
Second, most BN Staffs have established routing and accountability procedures which you are not keyed in to. Many times, they won't even accept straight from a Soldier, and REQUIRE it to come from Orderly/Training Room or from 1SG/CDR.
Finally, doing so burns bridges. Never, ever burn a bridge that you don't have to. That person that you think is worthless and disrespect today may be in a position of power or authority over you three years later at a different unit.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 9 at 2021 1:45 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 13:45:08 -0500

Ok- 1. Very unwise, there should be a published policy on the route to go for schools and paperwork. 2. S3 has a schools NCO and that's their job- they will handle getting signatures and tracking it- S1 could care less- ain't their job. 3. Here is the big one- the slot must be paid for- it isn't free. Does your unit have any slots or needs for this? If it isn't the MTOE, then you will have to show the command why its's worth the money to send you, or anyone. Keep in mind, tho not the hardesrt school in the service, it does demand a lot, physical and mental. Luck!