My son is trying to pcs from ft bliss. This is his first duty station. Who helps newer soldiers thru this process?

PFC Duane Snell — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 12:44:20 -0500

I ask this question, because his section nco(that's how my son referred to him), refuses to help him. Told him that he isnt part of the unit anymore and will find no help here. He is lost. He was supposed to start leave monday, but when he finished clearing his unit, he was told now he had to wait on orders to clear the installation. I was in the army over 20 years ago. But I can remember being able to go to just about any nco for guidance. From what he has told me in the past, that they get punished for going either above his nco or outside the chain of command.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 28 at 2020 12:47 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 12:47:39 -0500

PFC Duane Snell: Private Duane Snell, I do; indeed; hope; and, pray; that you are successful at finding an answer to your question.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 1:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 13:03:49 -0500

He can use his FULL Chain of Command.

So if his SL is no help and his Platoon SGT is no help then next would be S1 or his 1st SGT.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 1:05 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 13:05:02 -0500

Something doesn't sound right. 36 years and I never was allowed to out process/clear from a unit without follow on orders in hand. Either someone dropped the ball or there is something your son isn't telling you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 1:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 13:32:20 -0500

Something is missing from this story. He wouldn't be able to clear his unit or anywhere else for that matter without MULTIPLE copies of his orders. This is not how this works. Sir, you may need to talk to him again to fill in the giant holes in this story.

Response by SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins made Feb 28 at 2020 1:41 PM

SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 13:41:28 -0500

He's supposed to be able to go to any NCO for guidance. No one is perfect, but I am sure Bliss has someone who can help him. Is there a soldier support center on post that he can find? It's easier said than done, but there is still the support channel and CoC. If he does not get info from his section leader, then maybe going to his platoon sergeant or 1SG will yield better results. In my experience, once you reach E-5 it is a bit easier to find your desired duty station, even if it was not the one you wanted at first (it's usually someplace that is at least nice).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 2:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 14:24:09 -0500

Wait - what? How did he clear the unit without orders? Yeah someone messed up in his chain.

If his first line isn't helping him he needs to go to the PSG or section sergeant and keep going higher til someone answers. I have never been able to clear a unit without orders. Ever.

How does he have a report date if he doesn't have orders? Something is up either with your son not telling you the truth, his leadership or both.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 2:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 14:44:57 -0500

regardless of how it turns out. please don't be like so many others and just leave us hanging. Let us know how it turns out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 3:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:00:19 -0500

So, Either the NCO is an idiot is just being a tool or just lazy, Or your son missed something. I’d say go to S1 see if they have the orders, at the same point, jump his 1st line and keep working up as mentioned. But either S1 or Iperms should have his orders.

Also, if absolutely need be, shoot me a PM and I’ll grab some information and reach out to some NCO’s over there who might be able to help him out.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 28 at 2020 5:30 PM

SSG Brian G. — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 17:30:39 -0500

Huh? Orders are the FIRST step. An SM gets orders cut and based on those it is determined how things develop. He cannot even start to PCS without them.

I simply cannot see a unit as FUBAR as this sounds. Something is left out of the telling of this story.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2020 3:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 03:11:13 -0500

From reading all your responses, I think I know what happened.

Your son received an assignment notice in his email. New Soldiers always think this notice is a set of orders. But they have to complete a levy packet and turn that into the reassignment section. Then that section returns orders. Then he turns in his leave form and 10 days prior to him leaving he receives clearing papers.

What your son did was think he had orders. He picked up a set of unit clearing papers and ran around the battalion getting signatures. Then when he went to try to clear they gave him his levy packet to get filled out so he can get ACTUAL physical orders.

Obviously, your son's NCO is a giant POS and I hope your son finds real NCO at his next unit who gives him a real example of leadership and mentorship

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Feb 29 at 2020 10:17 AM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 10:17:24 -0500

This is Ft Bliss, the land of failed retention, high incidence of DUI/Suicide and Toxic leadership as I hear it. They have such bad retention numbers they won't anyone leave unless they ETS or come up on PCS orders. They can't even fill units, Your son should and can go to his first line supervisor to ask questions and seek guidance. If he is running into issue then he needs to run it up the COC regardless of push back or he will be ground into the dirt.