How do I get my Command to reconsider Sponsorship for my daughter?

2019-07-09T09:50:45-04:00

I received unaccompanied orders to Korea in late 2018. My wife passed away while I was completing AIT. My information was updated when I got to my first unit. It showed me as widowed and EFMP dependent on ERB. After getting the orders I contacted HRC per guidance by my current unit's leadership. I was told that in the "system" I was listed as married and with a non-efmp dependent and that a clerical error wouldn't be terms to delete orders. He told be to update my information and if I was married I could apply for command sponsorship. Too easy, I got married and went through the application process. Months went by before finding out that my daughter was denied due to the amount of speech therapy required in her EFMP packet. After looking into it, I found out that all of her therapies haven't changed since my late wife filled out the original 2792. (I know that's my fault but every time I go to update her 2792 they ask if anything major has changed and use the previous packet to create the new one.) I went back to her PCM to get everything updated accurately. They had me go to each doctor and get a letter stating how often she is being seen and get copies of previous visits. Her teacher last year stated that she believed my daughter wouldn't need addition speech therapy outside of school and recommended having her re-evaluated at the beginning of the school year. With everything updated, I am requesting reconsideration for command sponsorship. Since there were significant changes made to her 2792 and resubmitting them today. If CS is denied again, would I be able to apply for CS only for the wife and her son and then re-apply for my daughter once she is re-evaluated at school? Should I just leave my daughter off and turn in the reconsideration with only the wife and son today? Another issue is that I had to extend my contract to cover my orders to Korea. I extended for command sponsorship and is listed on my DA 3340. Since the sponsorship was denied, what does that mean for my extension?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2019 10:20 AM

2019-07-09T10:20:34-04:00

You got a couple of questions here, so I'll try to break this down. First, the easiest one. If your sponsorship is denied, or you just don't bring out your family, you can cancel your extension. Your Career Counselor can do that and your ETS date will revert back. But you do have to request it.
Your sponsorship for your daughter isn't based on what she needs, but the ability of the gaining command to supply her needs. There may be inadequate speech therapy in Korea, even in school, or the school may be already be maxed out on therapists, or the current ones may be leaving.
You can apply for sponsorship for your new spouse, and again for your child later. I don't know what you plan on doing with your daughter for those six months or so, because I don't think you can get BAH for her once your family is with you. There may be an exception to policy for that somewhere, but that's a serious financial consideration. I would certainly turn in your EFMP for everyone at once. Splitting your family up is a pain. Plus you'll have to pay out of pocket to fly back to accompany your daughter on her flight to Korea.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2019 11:02 AM

2019-07-09T11:02:07-04:00

Even if my wife stays behind I planned on my daughter staying with my sister. The family will be separated no matter what the outcome is and I’m trying mitigate the extent of separation. With canceling my extension, what are the negatives of doing so? I’m not wanting to get out of my orders. I don’t see the point of unnecessarily separating the family. I’m just frustrated with the entire process. I signed away two bonuses while going through the reenlistment process because I’m trying to re-class. I was told that I couldn’t choose a location because of the command sponsorship process. Every MOS that I met the requirements for were ones that “no one gets” and were a “waste of time to complete the packet”.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jul 9 at 2019 11:24 AM

2019-07-09T11:24:45-04:00

Very complicated situation if you ask me. From my non-expert perspective I would suggest for you to arrange a one year Korea tour, leaving the family back in CONUS and your daughter receiving her therapy; the most important issue of you ask me. Trying to come up with a better plan could result in a waste of precious time that could be use on other things.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2019 12:30 PM

2019-07-09T12:30:48-04:00

Please give me a call at [login to see] after 2, east coast time.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Jul 9 at 2019 3:32 PM

2019-07-09T15:32:02-04:00

Let me add to SFC Boyd's comments as well. The gaining command also has so many CSP slots as well as so many Non-CSP Slots. And like he said also, it may not be that your child needs the services as it maybe the availability of the services.

Also as previously stated, if denied the assignment, you can request either a new assignment (based on the denied CSP), deletion of the assignment or chose to do a 12 month unaccompanied tour. Just keep in mind, that if you chose to PCS anywhere within CONUS, you will need to have 24 months SRR from REPORT month (some get confused by that). Some think that once you extend your ETS out to 24 months, you are good, but in actuality you need to have 24 months from when you arrive at the new duty station. The extension for to have 24 months from report dates was to make sure that IF approved, you had the SRR to complete the tour. If you go back to your MPD and fill out a DA 5121 Overseas Tour Election Tour Form, and elect to serve an "All Others Tour", your PCS orders will be published to stated that, (or amended to state that).

Hope this makes the mud a little bit clearer.