Can I take PCS leave before DEROS in Korea?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:16:01 -0400

If my deros date from Korea is 05 Jan, can I take PCS leave before that to be home for the holidays? Or am I screwed on that?

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Aug 2 at 2018 9:22 AM

MSgt Dale Johnson — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 09:22:43 -0400

When I was being sent to Alaska on a remote tour I had a report date in December, requested it be changed to January, but was turned down on manning requirements. Sorry, cant say with any degree of certainty but I doubt it, however, I think it would think that is up to your command. You can always request, worst they can say is No.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 12:02 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 12:02:38 -0400

Manning levels in ROK are critical, and while it may seem insignificant to grant one person an early DEROS, consider that if you leave two months early, your unit will have a manning gap where you were until your replacement shows up. Manning rosters are carefully planned and timed in ROK. It's not like CONUS as in ROK, each Military member is counted against a quota for each post, and a replacement can be grabbed from anywhere at any time. Travel time and logistics is also at play here too. So more than you may initially think goes into assignment and DEROS dates.

Response by LTC Mark Ensign made Aug 2 at 2018 12:11 PM

LTC Mark Ensign — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 12:11:42 -0400

If your DEROS is 5 Jan, that means you likely arrived on 6 Jan of the year you arrived. Thus, you most likely got the benefit of being home for the holidays on the front end. I’m no expert on policies in ROK, but most likely you’ll be there until DEROS. That said, ask your Chain of Command. Worst case is they say no, but no damage in asking.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 1:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 13:05:44 -0400

The way it works is that your DEROS is the earliest you can be placed on assignment to leave, it's not the day you get kicked out of country.
You'll be placed on assignment with a report date of 30-60 days following your DEROS. You will turn in a DA 31 when you receive your Levy brief. Your DEROS will he adjusted to your report date minus the number days of leave. Then you'll be given a flight based off your new DEROS.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 2 at 2018 2:06 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:06:00 -0400

It depends on your command.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 3:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 15:23:25 -0400

When u have a DEROS transportation can schedule your departure 5days before or 5 days after. If you’re trying to get home for Christmas you probably won’t be able to be home for Christmas because you have to be in the overseas location to sign out on your PCS leave. It’ll really be a waste of your money since you’ll have to pay to leave and return to the overseas location just to turn around and fly back out. My advice is to just take your leave upon DEROS and have the military to pay to get you back stateside and use your money to enjoy your leave...good luck to you.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 2 at 2018 4:42 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 16:42:47 -0400

If your leave does not leave you shy of your tour requirment your unit would most likely support your request as they are losing nothing in the exchange. Ask your command it is very likely they can adjust your dates to get you home. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 2 at 2018 6:02 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 18:02:34 -0400

Your CoC would have to make that call.