Is it possible for your unit to change once you have been assigned a sponsor?

2017-12-05T07:11:31-05:00

I am pcs’ing to Korea as a 68W, and I’d sent an email to the 65th MED BDE CSM requesting to be assigned to the CSH. He replied with an email to the S1 NCOIC instructing him to ensure I was slotted to that unit, however I received a welcome letter from another battalion at Camp Walker. I’ve been told that you don’t receive pinpoint orders until you get there, so is it possible that it will change?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2017 7:26 AM

2017-12-05T07:26:24-05:00

Your pinpoint can change up until you get here... I was slotted for Camp Henry and wound up in Yongsan. They can also do an inter-theater transfer if necessary once you're here. My advice is to be patient.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2017 8:11 AM

2017-12-05T08:11:10-05:00

Absolutely. Concur with SFC Private RallyPoint Member. About the only way you could get close to a solid bet is if you convinced the CSM to go fight for you with the other CSM's. Other than that, you are up for assignment upon arrival. It allows the replacement center to manage MOS strength across the force.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2017 8:49 AM

2017-12-05T08:49:39-05:00

Yes, I just recently PCS'd to Fort Benning and my sponsor and unit changed 3 times. it's all a numbers game for us.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Dec 5 at 2017 11:49 AM

2017-12-05T11:49:55-05:00

Email sometimes works faster than snail mail... Check the dates. Might consider scanning the welcome letter and forward to the CSM as a follow-up courtesy, just double-checking, and saying thanking for his efforts. One, you are saying, “Thank you”, but two, letting him know that if he made a decision and told his S1 to do something, it should have been completed and followed-up with an action and it fell through, at least from your end it appears to have happened and he can handle. Or, you can wait until you get there and roll the dice with your next unit.
Another, pick up the phone, you’ve already started communication. Do people talk anymore?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2017 12:52 PM

2017-12-05T12:52:28-05:00

It can happen

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2017 8:28 PM

2017-12-05T20:28:16-05:00

Yes, in Korea your sponsor has nothing to do with where your pinpoint orders take you. Once you get to Yongsan, you will in-process for a few days, then receive pinpoint orders stating whether you will remain with a unit in Yongsan or end up in one of the outlying areas. The best way to give yourself the greatest chance of working at the CSH or hospital would be to know an NCOIC or OIC of one of the departments that needs a 68W and have them try to snag you up. Even then, that is still not a guarantee.
Best of luck.