My Battalion Commander refuses to let me transfer. What can I do?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 07:31:25 -0400

I'm currently in the Army National Guard and have been trying to transfer for years, first to the Air National Guard(which was denied) and now I am trying to transfer to a different battalion (Field Artillery) but still in the same state and my BC is still denying it. My unit commander and 1SG has no issue with letting me go. What can I do? I am starting to consider congressional inquiry.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Apr 8 at 2017 8:08 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 08:08:09 -0400

Have they given you a reason why you are being refused? SGT Private RallyPoint Member It appears you have gone through your change of command. Is there a way your 1SG or Commander can find out why you are being refused.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 9:25 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 09:25:51 -0400

They told me that our BC is very particular and selective about transfers and releases and that retention is a big issue. However, there are many E-4's in my unit that have been trying to get promoted for a long time that can't because there are no slots and I don't understand why he insists on keeping me knowing that I am unhappy and want to leave (thus freeing up a slot). I put in a letter my reasons which is that I am no longer interested in my current MOS which I have been doing for 10 years and want to reclass to a different career field. When I first tried to go Air National Guard they stated that retention in my states Army national guard was an issue. Now I am trying to go to a different battalion in the same state and they are still denying it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 12:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 12:40:46 -0400

The Battalion Commander has authority to not let you go. The question to ask is why.
Is your unit so understrength that the movement of Soldiers threatens readiness?
Is there a deployment on the horizon that they are aware of and you are not?
Is there a reason why you are on the BC's radar and they are denying you for something you have done?
Barring those, the reasons become less and less rational. O-5s typically don't have a beef with individual E-5s unless they did something... but then you would know that was why. That leaves the first two possibilities as most likely.

As to what to do, well the only right way to do it is with your chain of command. Your company commander will need to be the one to intercede on your behalf.
Honestly, most units don't want Soldiers who don't want to be there. There has to be a reason why this denial is happening.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Apr 8 at 2017 12:54 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 12:54:38 -0400

So, bottom line, there is no requirement for a commander to approve a voluntary transfer. If it is voluntary, ALL parties, Soldier, Losing unit, and Gaining unit must agree or it is a no go.

Without knowing all the details in your case, it seems like the BN CDR is worried about/being beat up about strength and making what seems like a short-sighted decision. I'm not saying he IS, because I don't know all the facts of the situation or his thought process. When I was a BN CDR, I would almost never turn down a voluntary transfer request. I might counsel & discuss, but I wouldn't want a Soldier I had to force the be there.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 1:12 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 13:12:57 -0400

Just curious what state you are in?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 1:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 13:57:12 -0400

I'd say use the open door policy (obviously informing your 1SG and Company Commander) and talk to your BC and find out straight from him as to why he has such a big issue with this. If that doesn't get anywhere, use the open door policy with your brigade commander. If the brigade commander just thinks your BC is being a dick, he can tell him to stand down and stop preventing your from career progression. If that doesn't get anywhere then go to congressional. But make sure you utilize everything possible. Running to your congressman too soon will potentially black list you and you don't want that. But quite frankly, your BC sounds like a dick and like he's using his power to make you and/or others miserable. My fiancé is transferring to my unit for ease of child care and no one is batting an eye. Good luck on your attempt. Just don't let one person stand in your way.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2017 10:19 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 22:19:17 -0400

I recommend not pursuing an inquiry. Just because you don't like your BC's decision doesn't mean he's doing anything wrong. He's merely exercising his authority.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 9 at 2017 11:15 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 23:15:45 -0400

I am sensing we are missing some details...
Have you spoken to the Commander? Congressionals are a dime a dozen... But, good luck...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 5:03 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 17:03:42 -0400

Ask for a hardship discharge if he denies it go up chain of command

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 5:04 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 17:04:52 -0400

Sorry hardship transfer not discharge thats how i went from NG to RA

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 7:47 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 19:47:43 -0400

I'm guard, and deal with individuals reclassing and transferring regularly. How soon do you ETS? Sometimes going through a retention NCO and requesting a reclass in order to stay in its your best option. I've seen crazy deals go down when Soldiers said they wanted to ETS, unless (fill in the blank).
Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2017 8:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 08:15:14 -0400

Same thing happened to me when I was an E3, I didn't question it. I was actually trying to join the active Army and further my career, but they didn't see it that way I guess. I think you're better off waiting until you ETS, rather than go through all the troubles of getting an answer. Your BC didn't do anything so drastic that you even need to feel the need to question him, but if that is what you choose to do, tread lightly. 2 years later I have 15 months left in the Guard and looking forward to the day I go to meps to sign my new contract.

Response by COL William Oseles made Apr 17 at 2017 2:44 AM

COL William Oseles — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 02:44:04 -0400

Since you provided no details it is impossible to provide advice other than generics which has already been done.
I suggest you follow the advice to go ask the Commander WHY he is rejecting your request.

Response by SGT Leon Riege made Aug 31 at 2019 4:57 PM

SGT Leon Riege — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 16:57:11 -0400

sgt vince g , things have changed a whole lot since iv'e been in ! by the time i had received my 2nd hard stripe i had learned you don't do anything until you talk to your plt sgt , if you can't get any traction there then you go to top (have the sand to keep your plt sgt informed of what's
going on)

Response by SFC Gary Fox made Oct 22 at 2019 11:41 AM

SFC Gary Fox — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:41:32 -0400

You ask a question that's difficult to answer because you don't give enough information. The most important question here is why do you want to transfer in the first place? If the new you want to transfer into is the same distance from your residence as your current unit; then my answer is the BC doesn't have to release you to transfer. If the unit is further away from your current unit; he doesn't have to release you. In either situation, there is no advantage to you transferring and no hardship.

If you have moved to another part of the state and you want to transfer to a unit that is closer to you; then you have a legitimate reason for the transfer as the cost of travel could be considered a hardship. If you want to transfer because you just don't like the BC or the unit; then my advice is to suck it up.

Response by SPC Matt Dolan made Oct 22 at 2019 11:56 AM

SPC Matt Dolan — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 11:56:02 -0400

Battalion level to Congress? I'd try Brigade and State first there troop, lol.

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Oct 22 at 2019 2:43 PM

CPL Jay Strickland — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:43:19 -0400

You need to ask your BC. Depending on the relationship you have with him you should either do this via your chain of command or via the open door policy. If you go via the open door be sure to tell your chain of command and give th e bc notice about what you wish to discuss.

Response by SGT Philip Bahr made Jul 10 at 2020 6:49 PM

SGT Philip Bahr — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 18:49:24 -0400

Most guard units are way over strengthened with E5s, i would think the BC would have no problem letting you go.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Jul 11 at 2021 12:27 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 12:27:08 -0400

I don't know if this is still going on but, when I was an Army Recruiter, some of the units that were part of enhanced Brigades were next to impossible to get someone released. An enhanced Brigade had to keep a higher strength to get the additional money. Your Bn CDR does not have to let you go.