Posted on Apr 6, 2023
How can I ensure that I PCS from my current duty station?
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I re-upped and stabilized at my duty station for 2 years. That window is ending in February 2024; my NCOIC says to wait until July or so for the "market" to open and for an email to appear in my inbox.
Branch says to speak with a career counselor within my company to ensure I don't automatically lock in with Ft. Bliss for a second time (I'm from Alaska, and I despise deserts).
This is my first traditional PCS (I changed MOSs, went to school, and was automatically sent to Bliss) so I don't know the process. My ASK is updated with my three preferences but I was told by my NCOIC that there's a list of 15 or so bases that I can arrange in order of appeal (not that that means anything over needs of the army) but since I can't establish best-of-3-pattern for guidance, I'm left wondering who's right in this case? I'm just trying to get ahead of this because I don't want to miss any window to do so. Any help is appreciated, thank you.
Branch says to speak with a career counselor within my company to ensure I don't automatically lock in with Ft. Bliss for a second time (I'm from Alaska, and I despise deserts).
This is my first traditional PCS (I changed MOSs, went to school, and was automatically sent to Bliss) so I don't know the process. My ASK is updated with my three preferences but I was told by my NCOIC that there's a list of 15 or so bases that I can arrange in order of appeal (not that that means anything over needs of the army) but since I can't establish best-of-3-pattern for guidance, I'm left wondering who's right in this case? I'm just trying to get ahead of this because I don't want to miss any window to do so. Any help is appreciated, thank you.
68V: Respiratory Specialist
79S: Career Counselor
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 6
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If you volunteer for Alaska, you should be able to get it. I did a full enlistment as an 11B at Wainwright. and did TDY at Bassett Army Hospital there after I reclassed. When I was retiring 8 years later, I came down on assignment at Wainwright again with a report date of 1 day after my retirement terminal leave ended. I helped HRC fix the oversight.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
I'd love to go back home to Alaska, but I have braces now so I don't see it as especially likely. Still, going home would be phenomenal because my wife and I would take advantage of our VA Home Loan and build our permanent home.
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SGT(P) (Join to see) I sent you a direct message I can give you the specific points of contact for your career counselor.
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SGT(P) (Join to see) - The lowest level career counselor is at the Battalion level in most all cases, some units operating separately may have someone at the company level, but really that's the company commander's job.
I see you are at Bliss but working at the community health center, that is a unit structure and location I'm not familiar with, but I guarantee your 1SG and CDR are. Go ask them who and where your supporting career counselor is...it may be in your command, or you may need to use the post career counselor.
I see you are at Bliss but working at the community health center, that is a unit structure and location I'm not familiar with, but I guarantee your 1SG and CDR are. Go ask them who and where your supporting career counselor is...it may be in your command, or you may need to use the post career counselor.
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Your instinct to not wait is spot on. Be proactive and work with your career jammer. They will be able to get you moving down the road where you can get something within your preference list and not be assigned by the needs of the Army. Anyone who waits to see what the Military gives them is just asking to be disappointed.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
SGT(P) (Join to see) That would be a question for you to answer. In the Marine Corps each Battalion or Squadron has a Career planner. I assume it would be a similair position in the Army
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGT(P) (Join to see) - The lowest level career counselor is at the Battalion level in most all cases, some units operating separately may have someone at the company level, but really thats the company commander's job.
I see you are at Bliss but working at the community health center, that is a unit structure Im not familiar with, but I guarantee your 1SG and CDR are. Go ask them who and where your supporting career counselor is...it may be in your command, or you may need to use the post-career counselor.
I see you are at Bliss but working at the community health center, that is a unit structure Im not familiar with, but I guarantee your 1SG and CDR are. Go ask them who and where your supporting career counselor is...it may be in your command, or you may need to use the post-career counselor.
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The single best way to guarantee a PCS is to re-enlist for it. It sounds like you may be outside your window for that, though. So your #2 best option is continuous contact with Branch. And by continuous contact, I mean like once a month, not every day.
Of course, I let branch send me wherever they wanted - I was needs of Army for every single assignment, and I never once asked branch for anything in regards to PCS. For me the surprise and adventure were half the fun. So take my advice for what it is worth.
Of course, I let branch send me wherever they wanted - I was needs of Army for every single assignment, and I never once asked branch for anything in regards to PCS. For me the surprise and adventure were half the fun. So take my advice for what it is worth.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
I’m not opposed to the “mystery duty station”, but I need orthodontic care now and only a handful of stations provide that.
Do you know a specific number for 68V branch? I think the biggest problem I’m having is that I’m contacting a general number versus one specific to my MOS.
Do you know a specific number for 68V branch? I think the biggest problem I’m having is that I’m contacting a general number versus one specific to my MOS.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
SGT(P) (Join to see) I do not. But your career counselor should be able to hunt it down.
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Extending for a critical school is one method. Volunteering for an overseas tour is another, especially if its a hardship tour that no one wants or is a difficult assignment.
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