What avenue can I take to get my packet submitted if my First Sergeant is holding onto my SFAB Packet?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 22:12:06 -0500

My first sergeant has my sfab packet hostage. He tells me that I won’t be able to turn it in until I come back from NTC. I submitted the packet in November just to find out a month later it never left the orderly room. The approving authority is the BC but it hasn’t even made into battalions. Is this an IG complaint, what can I do to at least get the fair chance?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 11 at 2022 10:30 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 22:30:02 -0500

Sometimes you have to walk your application through the COC.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 11 at 2022 11:13 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 23:13:34 -0500

I wouldn't start with an IG report. That would be like shooting a house fly when you haven't opened the windows yet.

Follow the paper trail and find out why it's hanging up in the system and talk to those causing the jam. It's amazing what a face to face conversation can solve that 100 emails can't. Follow the trail and get leadership involved if/when needed.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2022 11:21 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 23:21:20 -0500

To me, that is an absolutely silly reason to hold onto a packet, as admin processes tend to take time. Is there more to it then what you’ve written? If not, request an “open door policy” meeting with the Commander, so you can explain yourself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2022 2:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 02:09:20 -0500

The approval authority isn't the BC, it's your Brigade Commander, unless it has recently changed. SFAB is still a priority of the Army and FORSCOM. It sounds like your 1SG is concerned they will lose you before NTC. That won't happen unless you are on the same post as the SFAB. At that point, your Brigade Commander will have made an agreement with SFAB not to pull anyone until after your rotation.

Next step is to talk to the 1SG and explain that you can't go until after NTC, SFAB is not about burning bridges locally and will leave you in place. If that doesn't work, then talk with your CSM. If that hits a wall, then go talk to your IG. Remember, your IGs policy is to resolve issues at the lowest level and the first question they will ask you is did you talk with your chain of command first to give them a chance to resolve the issue

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2022 7:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 19:34:39 -0500

Go talk to the commander. If the commander won't listen, go higher until someone listens - so if the company leadership isn't helping, go to BN CSM/CDR. If they don't listen, go to BDE.