I'm being PCSed to Korea shortly before my ETS. How can I ensure that I return to this duty station after the unaccompanied tour?

2019-06-06T11:53:31-04:00

In February I was notified that due to my rank/TIS etc. that I would be put on orders for Korea and have approximately 5 months left after the tour until I ETS (my ETS is January 2021). In May I received the official notification from HRC that I would be reporting to Korea in September. I was initially promised that I would be able to return to my current duty station after my 1 year unaccompanied tour in Korea. When I received the notification in May, my assignment was to a different duty station (CONUS) than the one that I am currently stationed at now. Also, I just had shoulder surgery and am currently in the process of recovering and will be on a temporary profile/unable to take and APFT any time soon. My questions are as follows:

1. Is there a way I can request a compassionate reassignment/deletion of orders based on the fact that my wife (who is bi-polar and enrolled in the EFMP)?

2. If I were to sign a dec. statement now, I am aware that I can still be sent to Korea and kept there until my ETS date (which I do not want), but would there be a way to sign a dec. statement once I am in korea and get back to my current duty station to finish my time out?

3. Is there any way that my medical situation would prevent me from an overseas PCS move due to being on a temporary profile/still in the process of recovering?

4. If the worst case scenario happens (I end up going to Korea and having to PCS), what is the least amount of time that I would have to extend for so that I can get out as soon as possible.

Note: My primary concern is not so much getting out of the Korea assignment, but not being able to return to my current duty station once the tour is complete. The job market and cost of living are very good in the area that I am currently located in and I was planning on completing the tour and being able to ETS from here. Thank you all for your help and input!

Response by SGT Danny Strzyzewski made Jun 6 at 2019 11:55 AM

2019-06-06T11:55:35-04:00

What about calling branch and getting your orders amended? Just an idea. Would alleviate any of the other hoop jumping you may have to endureotherwise.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Jun 6 at 2019 11:56 AM

2019-06-06T11:56:38-04:00

I don't have any answers for your questions, but I can empathize with you on the shoulder recovery. I had mine on 20 December and recovery can be a bitch. I'm happy I didn't have to go to Korea while finishing up recovery.

Oh, I don't know where you are in the recovery process, but I went to Korea for my first time while still recovering from stress fractures in both legs....a year later I returned to the states while still recovering from a broken hand.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jun 6 at 2019 12:20 PM

2019-06-06T12:20:42-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member - Let me know if below gets a little confusing.

1. Yes, you can request compassionate re-assignment, especially if you find out that EMFP is not available in Korea; however, it may not be approved. Do this as soon as you can, but expect that it may be denied.

2. A declination statement would not be available to you until you reach Korea. Why? Because the Army has not said that you need to extend for Korea; however, on your way back, you will be given that option when you receive new orders. However, if they are giving you that option now, you may find that they station you somewhere else in CONUS, outside of your current location, or read #4 below.

3. Medically (temporary profile), no, you will have access to the medical unit in Korea. You would need a permanent profile AND orders from a physician preventing you from moving because of rehab.

4. This will depend on what orders you get coming back. I received orders while I was in Germany to Fort Hood. I declined after they required a six-year reenlistment (I had about a year left for a 2-3 year tour in Fort Hood), and started a Chapter 16 separation (AR 635-200, 16-4). However, if you are more than 60-days outside of your ETS, you will be required to spend 1-year in the Army Reserves (at minimum).

*Please note:* During your ETS, you may be eligible for certain travel reimbursements. https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/travelpay/armypcs/endofmilitaryservice.html

endofmilitaryservice.html

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jun 6 at 2019 12:23 PM

2019-06-06T12:23:47-04:00

Not sure how it works in the Army, but I was at a command where we had a sailor coming in with similar issues to yours. They wanted to give us a heads up, not wanting to get out of anything, but letting us know they had exceptional circumstances. Our XO talked to them, and was able to go back to the detailers and get them reassigned to something better for them, and frankly, for us a deployed unit. You might try talking to some of the senior NCO's where you are slated to go, and see if they can help. Best of luck.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 6 at 2019 12:28 PM

2019-06-06T12:28:55-04:00

1. Is there a way I can request a compassionate reassignment/deletion of orders based on the fact that my wife (who is bi-polar and enrolled in the EFMP)?

A. You can always try. Make sure you have some docmentation from your wife's doctor, it might help.

2. If I were to sign a dec. statement now, I am aware that I can still be sent to Korea and kept there until my ETS date (which I do not want), but would there be a way to sign a dec. statement once I am in korea and get back to my current duty station to finish my time out?

A. You are correct, you sign a dec but Big Army could just put you on the same orders.

3. Is there any way that my medical situation would prevent me from an overseas PCS move due to being on a temporary profile/still in the process of recovering?

A. Same as the EFMP answer. Get documentation from your ortho doc. The only way this would probably work is if you are unable to be treated for your injury in the ROK.

4. If the worst case scenario happens (I end up going to Korea and having to PCS), what is the least amount of time that I would have to extend for so that I can get out as soon as possible.

A. I'm pretty sure it is 9 months remaining before ETS to PCS. Check with your Reenlistment NCO on that one.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Jun 6 at 2019 1:09 PM

2019-06-06T13:09:13-04:00

You are going to have to go to Korea, and then separate over there. Decline your follow-on assignment. They will have to pay to return you to where you are now upon separation. You could also request a hardship discharge now.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jun 6 at 2019 8:24 PM

2019-06-06T20:24:33-04:00

1. My guess is this is your first tour to Korea?
2. I just got back from a quick trip to Korea 3 weeks ago. WOW, it keeps improving. Camp Hump is a heck of a installation. It is also the largest Army post in Asia. I have done 7 years and wrote a book about Korea that you will find on Amazon. It can be your best tour.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jun 6 at 2019 8:32 PM

2019-06-06T20:32:19-04:00

Remember, most tours are ACCOMPANIED tours in Korea. My wife was very impressed with the on post town square. It is a completely new post at Camp Humphreys. Amazing. I just got back on 13 May 2019.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2019 6:54 AM

2019-06-07T06:54:34-04:00

So I'm confused how due to your Rank/TIS.
TIS is 20 years as a SSG and can retire not ETS. So are you retiring?

Response by MSG William Weatherell made Jul 1 at 2019 12:20 PM

2019-07-01T12:20:06-04:00

Reenlist for return duty assignment. Used to be that way circa 1971-1992. Leaving your spouse behind helps as it saves money rather then having to move you and family just you.