IS ASK Really being used?

2013-11-01T22:34:55-04:00

As I enter my 17th year of service, Ive seen the transformation from perscom messages for orders to email of AI. Throughout this transition; however, the one puzzling question remains, how much is ASK really used in determining a soldier's next duty station? The common complaint that I have heard since the inception of ASK is " I didnt even put this location on my ASK". With the constraints of what the system allows you to put for PCS options, one would think that he/she would be able to get one of the four requests selected. To add to the dilemma, a soldier tries to be proactive and calll or email his/her branch manager as instructed by most branch home pages when window opens for PCS, and are told to make sure their ASK is updated. Do these Branch managers remember what it is like to be on the other end???

Response by SFC Josh Watson made Nov 7 at 2013 10:00 AM

2013-11-07T10:00:29-05:00

In my opinion, I don't think that ASK is an "end all, be all" of the assignment selection process. BLUF: The Army will send you where they need you. My understanding is that if your selections on ASK are up to date, when something opens in that location requiring your pay grade and MOS, there is a possibility of you "popping up on the radar". I don't think the Branch Managers look at the ASK profile of all the Soldiers in their branch. I know that if you can get through on the phone to speak with your manager, they will tell you what is available. There is no magic button they push. Most of the time there is a 4187 involved (provided on your end) that has to state the request and your Brigade Commander's signature on it, then it gets sent up, the DA Civilians have to process it and after all that, your manager makes the recommendation to the SGM or Chief. Call your manager, have the 4187 ready and see if that works. I came down on assignment for Benning, and that isn't listed on my ASK. I needed a deferment and my manager was more than willing to assist me in the process. I know my manager remembers what it's like to be on the line, and I'm sure that was why he was so willing to help.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 11:04 AM

2013-11-07T11:04:30-05:00

I've never heard of anybody getting what they want based off of what they put on ASK. I chalk it up to getting to put your top 10 duty stations when you go to Basic. It's so you feel you have some sort of control over where you go. The best thing I've heard for getting the assignments you are looking for is to keep you ORB/ERB up to date and to contact the S1 for where you are trying to go.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 8 at 2013 11:31 PM

2013-11-08T23:31:40-05:00

Back in 1998-2001, I know...a long, long time ago, I was the Schools Manager for Armor Branch at what was then called PERSCOM (now HRC). I worked side by side with the PDNCOs and Assignment Managers in Armor Branch. ASK had just come on board and it was a tool for the PDNCOs to use. From personal experience at the time, and I know it is a little dated, ASK entries were used in parts of the assignment process. An example would be when a PDNCO was looking for a Soldier to fill a specific assignment. I would get the assignment criteria from him...a certain rank, so much time on station, so much time in grade, any special skills required, etc...and their ASK choices. I would use a program called Data Query and I would scrub the ranks using the program. Once the data came back, I would package it into a spreadsheet and send it to the PDNCO. The way it works in the assignment process is the needs of the Army first, professional development of the Soldier and then preferences. If there was a Soldier who met the prerequisites for the assignment AND it was one of his ASK preferences, then it was a win-win. If not, then needs of the Army trumped.

Now that it just a specific example of how the ASK program was used. I am not sure if it is used that way now. There has already been some great responses with references to good communication with your PDNCO and I believe that nothing replaces that. Keep your ASK updated though. It can't hurt.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2013 9:59 AM

2013-12-30T09:59:59-05:00

I know for a fact that it isn't used. At all. I volunteered to come to Korea for a year on the premise that I would get to choose my duty station when I PCSed (choosing from whatever was available, of course). At no point during my time here and my many, many phone calls with Branch have they ever offered me anything close to what was on my ASK. I think I've been offered every duty station BUT the ones I put down.

When I got promoted, my options became extremely limited. As in Bliss or Drum. Yuck.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2013 10:28 AM

2013-12-30T10:28:09-05:00

ASK is just another section of AKO that's a waste of time and effort. Call branch. Branch managers understand.

Well I assume so. I've always discussed with my branch manager before a PCS. My current branch manager is a buddy of mine but even before him, there was a dialog.

As a SSG it's a little more difficult, honestly. But I can promise you once you hit SFC it's a lot easier.

Worst case, have your 1SG call. When I was the company 1SG I called branch ALL the time, for each of the intel MOS, and they always talked to me.