Is there anything governing OCONUS PCS living conditions for our guys?

2021-05-01T10:57:40-04:00

Hey all, looking to see if there is anything governing OCONUS PCS living conditions. I understand the suck of deployments, TCS, TDY, but are there requirements for PCS? We've got guys living on top of each other in tents, and questions are being raised. Thanks in advance.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2021 11:51 AM

2021-05-01T11:51:20-04:00

I’m assuming this is in reference to Kuwait. There is nothing that says the way you are housed during a hardship tour is illegal. People have been living like that for years now. Sorry you expected to be living in a Marriott.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 1 at 2021 11:54 AM

2021-05-01T11:54:37-04:00

I do not understand what a PCS would have to do with this?

Are you out of barracks space, and just got a bunch of new Soldiers in? IF that is the case, it isn't about PCS, it is about barracks space. Your Command should be authorizing Single Soldiers to move out of the barracks and authorizing BAH/OHA at the Single Soldier rate.

Are these folks who have cleared housing and are on their way out? If that is the case, they should be in a hotel for a couple of days and then on a plane. And getting travel pay to pay for the hotel.

Are these folks who have just arrived and not yet found a place to live? If that is the case, they should be in a hotel and getting TLA for up to 10 days to find a place to live. It is incumbent upon THEM to find a place within that 10 days. If they fail to do so for extraordinary reasons, they can file for an extension.

How is it, then, that PCS is causing Soldiers to live "on top of each other in tents?"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2021 12:10 PM

2021-05-01T12:10:46-04:00

Are you saying the Army PCSed you and your family into tents?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 1 at 2021 1:40 PM

2021-05-01T13:40:28-04:00

Not sure I have heard of a permanent change of station into tents, where is this PCS?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2021 5:02 PM

2021-05-01T17:02:11-04:00

I know in the CENTCOM AO they limited top bunk sleeping due to COVID. Soldiers were encouraged to put sheets up around their sleeping space and only one Soldier per sleeping area to reduce any risks of living in a bay or tent. That was more of a commander's or post policy though.

Watched the Civilian staff chew out some NCO's for trying to have their Soldiers sleep two to a bunk bed because they wanted all their guys in the same bay. Understandable, but there was more than enough space to accommodate the policy.

Response by 1SG Leroy Lucero made May 1 at 2021 10:30 PM

2021-05-01T22:30:28-04:00

If your PCS, there should be, however, it would depend on where your at.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 2 at 2021 5:12 PM

2021-05-02T17:12:11-04:00

OK, You're a Prime Power Specialist, they usually deploy to build the power infrastructure. Did you deploy with a full Engineer BN or Brigade? It sounds like you are there to build the Camp, in which case, your command should have a critical path diagram of the project that will tell you when things happen.

Response by CW4 Keith Dolliver made May 3 at 2021 3:23 AM

2021-05-03T03:23:40-04:00

AR 420-1, Army Facilities Management, is what you're looking for (most likely para. 3-20 or 3-23, but there's a lot in there, so figure out what applies to your situation). It governs minimum standard of living both CONUS and OCONUS.