How can I get everything squared away before I leave for my first duty assignment if I don't have my orders yet?

2018-07-27T11:28:34-04:00

So for those that have been following me and those that are just seeing this.
I have been working on going active duty for about 7 months now from the reserves.
About 6 months ago I submitted my DA FORM 368. It was approved from the Army Reserves June 6. That day I went to my recruiter and started filling out paperwork. It has been a long road since then and with a few bumps in the road to the point that I didn't think that it was going to happen. Until it did.
Wednesday morning I went back to MEPS and received my soft orders for active duty.
There isn't a lot of information on my paperwork that I have from MEPS. However I do know that I have to go back to MEPS for my ship date 20180820. I get my hard orders from MEPS. I will return to my original MOS of 13B. From there since I am going straight to my duty station and not to any retraining. From what I am told I will have 10 days permissive TDY leave to get to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I'm excited because Fort Campbell was on my list to go.
However I am a little frustrated that I can't get anything done until after 20 AUG.
I can't get housing or any movers or uhaul or anything until I have my Hard orders due to reimbursement issues. Since my Active Duty orders don't go into effect until 20 AUG, and all receipts have to be on or after that date.
If anyone has any advice or information that could helpful.
This is my first PCS and I believe due to timing I'm going to have to do a PPM move.
Moving from Utah to Fort Campbell.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 11:57 AM

2018-07-27T11:57:02-04:00

Best advise I can give is you will most likely go to a reception battalion prior to your Perm station. I did the same thing when I was a PFC. I went from the guard to Active duty but my assignment was in Germany. I had to go to Fort Jackson first for all of the administrative stuff. You could always do a power of attorney to someone who you trust that can handle your stuff also.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 27 at 2018 12:30 PM

2018-07-27T12:30:46-04:00

You should be receiving your orders in time to plan your DEROS, not sure how many days but a minimum of 60 seems logical. You need to contact MEPS and inquire as to why you are so limited with time. Thanks you for your service.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jul 27 at 2018 2:38 PM

2018-07-27T14:38:43-04:00

OK, so I have been out for a long time but how can they send you directly to Fort Campbell without a current set of issued uniforms? I'd ask your Recruiter that because I don't think Fort Campbell does initial issue but maybe it does now. Also, somewhere the DoA needs to check your MEPS medical condition to make sure nothing has changed. For initial entry troops that is done at a Replacement Station where you spend a week or two getting inrprocessed. Fort Campbell not having BCT does not have a Replacement Station. So you might want to ask your Recruiter that as well. Unless you already know the answers to both. MEPS only accepts you to DoD and ensures you meet DoA requirements. Replacement station processes you rest of way into the Active Army and checks what the MEPS did.

As to the rest of the stuff you ask about. Can only be done once your on Active Duty officially either on Ship Date after you swear in OR at a Replacement Station. They will not set that stuff up until you swear in to Active Duty and very unlikely it will be done at the MEPS.......meaning Replacement Station......which might be a portion of that 10 days on your orders. Are you single or married? If your single without kids.........thats why it is only 10 days. They probably figure 3 days (min) at Replacement Station, 3 days (buffer) to travel to Replacement Station and 3 days (buffer) to get to Fort Campbell or something of that nature. Your Recruiter should outline how this all works prior to your ship date.

Also, technically NOT a PCS move since you have a break in service from the last time you were Active. I believe it is treated as Re Entry but I do not know for sure on this last point. If they still have replacement stations you might be stopping by Fort Leanord Wood, Mo for uniform issue.....since your comming from Utah.........thats if they still have BCT in MO ( I think they do).

A lot of this could have changed since I was in the service. You should ask your Recruiter. If your single and they have you on quick ship (fill-in for someone that didn't make it or cancelled). Then your not going to have a lot of lead time before you ship.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jul 27 at 2018 2:42 PM

2018-07-27T14:42:27-04:00

pray that your orders are delayed just like everything else in the Army Hurry up and wait.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 7:30 PM

2018-07-27T19:30:35-04:00

You won’t receive your orders until the effective date you start active duty since you’re switching from National Guard to active duty so there is no advanced issue. If orders are issued sooner than your effective date of active duty and you move HHGs prior to the effective date, the Army will not pay for it since it’s before the effective date of your enlistment and you will occur a cost. You stated you will have 10 days of permissive TDY to get to your duty location, so you should be able to coordinate your arrangements and still make it to Campbell by the time you have to report. I was in the same boat when I switched from National Guard to active duty and the transportation office was able to assist me in the tone period I needed.

Response by SSG Nathan Blair made Jul 28 at 2018 7:05 PM

2018-07-28T19:05:50-04:00

Patience grasshopper. You will deploy soon enough. Careful what you ask for, you just might get it. If the military is paying for a PCS move, let them move you. So much less stressful.

Response by SSG Nathan Blair made Jul 28 at 2018 11:01 PM

2018-07-28T23:01:57-04:00

As we say in the south son. Bless your heart. You are deploying, you just don't know it yet. I was assigned to the 101st for 4 1/2 years. Time on Ft. Campbell, if it was a full year I'd be really surprised.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2018 11:05 PM

2018-07-28T23:05:46-04:00

I also don't really understand, do I get reimbursed for the money spent to get there and my move or what?