Can someone clear post while on PCS leave?

Chelsea Armstrong — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 15:55:12 -0400

Husband has order to Korea. He dropped his leave packet with the starting date about 20 days from his report date. But will sign in 16 days after leave begins. We wont be traveling home during leave. And hoped to get HHG and other last minute incidents situated during said leave. We are currently stationed at Fort Drum.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 19 at 2019 4:39 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 16:39:30 -0400

I don't know the answer to the PCS leave and clearing. I do have a question for you, have you been to transportation? Sometimes the demand for transportation exceeds the capacity of transportation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2019 5:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 17:32:13 -0400

If you are staying at Drum while he goes to Korea, it's pretty easy to clear. If you're moving, he needs to arrange HHG as far out as possible. They dictate when they are available to pick up your HHG not the other way around. You have to be available on their schedule which is usually something like this: "Be on Standby Wednesday through Friday, 0800 - 1700, that's your window".

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 19 at 2019 7:34 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 19:34:16 -0400

Clear post or clearer housing? In order to conduct instalaciones clearance the Soldier must be on duty. HHG can be donee while on leave, Ive done it for most part of my career.

Response by PO2 Thomas Bodine made Aug 20 at 2019 9:07 AM

PO2 Thomas Bodine — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 09:07:19 -0400

Its been a while, but while I was on PCS in the Navy in the 80's I left the post often. I flew commercial from my Duty station, to my home, to Hong Kong, to my new Duty Station.
While at the port of call of my Duty station the USS Longbeach, I traveled around town seeing the sites, slept in the base enlisted mens quarters and ate in the chow hall.

While you are on Leave, you are free to do what ever needs to be done to serve your needs. After leave is over you serve the needs of the Navy, Army, Airforce etc.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Aug 21 at 2019 7:08 AM

SSG Keith Cashion — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 07:08:56 -0400

So I am going to guess that you have already received your "No Fee" Passport (government issued, not purchased) with Sofa stamp. But I wouldn't clear while on leave. If I am remembering correctly, Ft. Drum issues clearing papers 10-14 days prior to departure. Additionally, part of the final out process is the finance portion where they put you in a transit status for pay and entitlements. One thing to remember about CSP is that there are three different answers to the request 1. Concurrent: Meaning you fly with your spouse or within 60 days of there arrival. 2. Deferred: Meaning housing is will not be available for 61-140 days after spouse arrives, which means you would have to wait in the states, and once housing is available, you would receive a separate set of Family Travel orders on, to ship HHG's and POV on. 3. Denied: Which means just what it says. At that point the spouse can request a deletion from the assignment or serve an "All Others" tour (12 months alone). AR600-8-11, AR 55-46, AR 614-30.

Getting back to the Passports and Visa's. Based on the Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG), you must apply for your Special Issuance (No FEE) Passport with the installation, and if it doesn't arrive in time to meet the flight time, then you can use your Tourist Passport. But you will need something from the Post Passport Office showing that you applied for the official. Additionally, if you plan on doing any travelling while there each family member should have a tourist passport as you cannot us the Official for leisure travels.