Is it possible to take leave after you finish inprocessing into your new unit?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 02:46:25 -0400

I just transferred from national guard to Active duty and I just spent the last 3 weeks in Missouri inproccesing into active duty. I have a pov sitting in my home state that I need here In Alaska so I have no way of getting to the nearest port for the Army to ship it. Would it be possible to be put on leave to retrieve my vehicle?

Response by TSgt Scott C. Brammer made Apr 28 at 2017 4:11 AM

TSgt Scott C. Brammer — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 04:11:11 -0400

I can't believe that you didn't drive it up there from Missouri in the first place. It will take you about 7 days driving from MO across Canada and up the ALCAN to either Anchorage or Fairbanks. Shipping it will cost you a fortune if you are paying for it yourself and you still have to get it to Seattle, Washington in order to do that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 6:00 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 06:00:00 -0400

Leave in conjuction with Permissive TDY. You should be able to take an additional 10 days leave (non chargeable) to coincide with your original leave. It must be approved and annotated on your DA-31 LV Form. Also ensure your gaining installation know that you request PTDY in conjuction with PCS. Different posts have different policies regarding permissive tdy with a PCS. It will allow you time to find housing, etc if necessary. Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 7:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 07:59:10 -0400

It is possible. It is a bad plan to count on it you don't know what the new command is doing many require leave to be put in well in advance and there my be a mission where you can not take leave sometime. But it is possible I would ask your unit and see what they say.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 9:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 09:44:23 -0400

If your new command tells you no, do you know someone that you highly trust to bring it to you?

Response by SPC Don Wynn made Apr 28 at 2017 12:09 PM

SPC Don Wynn — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:09:27 -0400

As you are newly in active duty, how much leave time have you accumulated? That would be the first question. If you have not accumulated leave time, you will find it hard to take it. Secondly, do you actually NEED your vehicle up there? And would you have a space to keep/park it? When I was stationed there, parking slots were limited and allocations were based on seniority and need. AND have you actually cleared it with COC to have a vehicle on base?
It will be extremely expensive to ship it, have you looked into that? Driving it to AK is almost impossible, the only way is up the ALCAN highway, which is not easy!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 2:24 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 14:24:23 -0400

Go to https://www.pcsmypov.com/. There is a VPC in St. Louis and it can be shipped to Anchorage.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Apr 29 at 2017 2:27 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 02:27:51 -0400

Completely up to your new unit's chain of command (1SGT and CO). Also, curious why nobody suggested a Ferry between Bellingham, WA and Alaska. You shouldn't need a passport for that but with you plus car it will cost you almost $1k one way. Ferry docks in Whittier, Alaska which is close to Anchorage.

BTW, if that is too expensive and you have a passport the Ferries stop at several Western Canada ports, the most Northern point I think is Prince Rupert, BC. You can drive there then board the Ferry with your car. That way you don't have to take the Alaskan Highway.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Apr 30 at 2017 6:31 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 18:31:00 -0400

Of course. Typically the first thing your command might do is ask if you wanted to take some leave before you get too settled in. Keep in mind, that if they are hurting for bodies, they might try to compromise and ask if you could delay your leave plans for a month or so until the work center is stable. But yeah it's definitely possible. Just ask. If you've got leave on the books, it's your leave to use or lose as you see fit.