Can orders be amended after getting married and reporting to FDS from AIT if you haven’t PCS yet?

B R — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 12:24:21 -0500

Is it possible for my (now husband) to get his orders ammended after reporting to his first duty station? He is active army and went straight from AIT to his FDS at Fort Bragg, NC (via secure transport) in June this year. He was then under lockdown at the base due to COVID. We wanted to get married sooner but we’re unable to as they wouldn’t approve leave. This continued as they were preparing for NTC and it was communicated that they would get plenty after. When he got back still no leave so I flew out there as he was able to leave base within 50 miles and we then got married. He immediately put me into DEERS and asked for an amendment to his orders. Conmand said no and brushed him off. It’s been very frustrating as he hasn’t even been able to come home and pick up his vehicle or any of his belongings. He put in a request for his PCS and they are going to approve it but not permitting time off to go handle any of it. So now I’m having to do it all for both of us. Any advice will help! PS coming from CA

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 12:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 12:33:05 -0500

I think you are mistaken about this entire process. Why would he need an amendment to his orders? If he just got to his duty station in June, he is not eligible to PCS yet. You aren’t the only one in this situation. There are hundreds of similar situations to yours. It’s the joys of marriage, sometimes you gotta do it all yourself.

My advice would be to not get your hopes up for something you want. You have the right to get married, but at the end of the day, the Army has a day in what he can do during a global pandemic

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 12 at 2020 1:15 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 13:15:28 -0500

No- You were not married until he arrived and was signed into a unit at Bragg. His unit will have to authorize time off to come get his stuff and you and it will probably be out of pocket- cost you. If you were married while at AIT, then his orders could be amended. Now it's a done deal.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 1:34 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 13:34:39 -0500

His orders to his first duty station will NOT be amended. If you choose to move to be with him it will be out of pocket. After 3 years, when he is eligible to PCS, his orders should reflect with dependents and the Army will pay for your move.
COVID has changed some of the way this happen. Such as going strait from AIT to the FDS - this is to prevent getting exposed. The commander at his duty station can choose to approve or deny leave. Your husband may not be able to come help you move.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 2:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 14:34:17 -0500

Are you asking about amending his FDS orders or his movement orders to include you as a dependent?

As for the first: Won't happen. His FDS won't change.
As for the second: Won't happen. He wasn't married when he reported to his FDS so he is not authorized to move dependents.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Nov 12 at 2020 3:09 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 15:09:39 -0500

He has already PCS'd, any thing that happened while on a pass will no way affect his orders.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 8:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 20:34:03 -0500

PCS and picking up Household Goods HHG are separate things. Your husband has already arrived to the unit and PCSed. You two were married after he arrived meaning that he wasn't married when he left and shouldn't be authorized to move you. He could still reach out to the MPD at his old AIT and ask to have his orders amended, but I don't see that being approved.

As for picking up his HHG that's when his command allows him to get his stuff. He should have flown to his house and picked up his stuff enroute to his PCS location. However depending on his units mission, the COVID level of his state and your state, it may require an exception from a General to allow him to go home to get his stuff.

Almost certainly you two will be financially responsible for moving you to Bragg