Posted on Feb 28, 2020
My son is trying to pcs from ft bliss. This is his first duty station. Who helps newer soldiers thru this process?
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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.
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Posted 6 y ago
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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
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
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CPT Lawrence Cable
It's amazed me when I started reading Rally Point just how many questions come from young soldiers (and sailors, marines etc) about administrative processes that should have been taught to the them in Basic Training, or at least in AIT. I know that doesn't happen, and it didn't happen when I was in either. It's a shame that so many young soldiers end up feeling like they got, to use the proper military acronym, Fucked, when a lot of it is simply knowing who to ask and who to go to with sometimes simple problems.
I had some advantage with my father being a Senior NCO, but in reality his knowledge was 20 years out of date. I try to be careful here and check current regs before I shoot my mouth off on current administrative problems, although they aren't a lot different from when I was S1.
I had some advantage with my father being a Senior NCO, but in reality his knowledge was 20 years out of date. I try to be careful here and check current regs before I shoot my mouth off on current administrative problems, although they aren't a lot different from when I was S1.
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SFC (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable I feel the same. When I retire in two years my knowledge Wil be completely out of date within five years and I wish there was more mentorship happening for young soldiers like there was when I joined. I remember my squad leaders and platoon Sergeant walking me through admin processes that I didn't understand as a private. I blame it on the GWOT for so many leaders being promoted before they learned their jobs.
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PFC Duane Snell
That sounds exactly like what he described. He kept saying something about getting a packet complete and turned in before he could get his orders. But like I said, his nco refused to help him in anyway. In fact last night after a lot of grilling him, he even said his buddies were told not to drive him around nor help him. Luckily he was in the process of buying a car so has been able to get around himself. Thank you SFC. And I couldnt agree more..and I have tried to tell him over and over that not all nco's are like his. Almost eve nco I ever encountered in my time in had no problems helping a new soldier. I am not sure what problem his nco has with him, I know my son isnt perfect, but I have seen an email from a sgt major as well as a captain who accompanied him during his spur ride, both praising him as a person and soldier. I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to respond to my question.
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SFC (Join to see)
PFC Duane Snell I would suggest that your son go to higher leadership. This NCOs behavior is entirely unethical and unbecoming of a professional
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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.
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PFC Duane Snell
I will post as soon as I figure out what is going on. Thanks to everyone who has responded. I'm sure there are things he has left out, not intentionally but he is extremely frustrated at this point as he was hoping to be home on leave by now.
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PFC Duane Snell
Please see above for what I think has happened. I will verify this with my son when i get the opportunity.
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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.
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LTC (Join to see)
exactly. No way he could clear his unit without orders. 36 years and I've never seen it happen. There have been the few odd times I've seen someone sent TDY with orders pending with a promise that orders would be forwarded but never, ever, seen or heard of anyone clearing a unit without orders. Something very fishy about this story.
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LTC Jason Mackay
Huge holes. Dumb guy logic, if he is "no longer part of the unit" how is this alleged NCO going to punish him if he goes to another NCO. Sounds like the guy is being chaptered, not PCSing. Don't know how you clear anything without orders.
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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.
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LTC (Join to see)
PFC Duane Snell - so he's saying he was allowed to clear his unit before he got orders and still has to clear post? Either his unit is jacked up beyond belief or there's more to the story. Every time I ever PCSed my losing unit wanted to keep me working up until the last minute. No way they would have cleared me and allowed me to just sit around waiting for orders to clear post.
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SPC(P) Brandon Jenkins
No chance. No unit or post can be that jacked up. Someone will raise a red flag when he comes across their desk. You can't even turn in gear to CIF without orders.
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LTC (Join to see)
PFC Duane Snell - so it sounds like no one explained the process and your son jumped to step 3 instead of starting at 1 and his NCO is a POS who couldn't be bothered to help him. Your son didn't actually clear anything. Definitely needs to elevate this to someone higher in the CoC. 1SG or someone in the S1 shop.
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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.
So if his SL is no help and his Platoon SGT is no help then next would be S1 or his 1st SGT.
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PFC Duane Snell
Thank you for the reply. I have told him this numerous times today. I am going to try and push him to talk to his first sgt.
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LTC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - I just find it VERY hard to believe that his unit would allow him to out-process without orders in hand. It's been a while since I did a PCS but I clearly remember having to show a copy of my orders to nearly every tom, dick and harry on post while I was clearing.
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SSG (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) Sir, I couldn't agree more.
My comment was geared towards his Section SGT not helping him.
I apologize if my original comment was worded incorrectly.
My comment was geared towards his Section SGT not helping him.
I apologize if my original comment was worded incorrectly.
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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.
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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.
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.
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PFC Duane Snell
Thank you sgt. He said he went to S1 yesterday and the person told him his orders would be ready when they are ready. So at this point he is unsure what to do and is still not getting any guidance from his section sgt, plus it's now the weekend. So he is going to go back to the S1 monday morning.
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SSG (Join to see)
Have him keep being that squeaky wheel. They’ll handle it eventually PFC Duane Snell
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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).
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LTC (Join to see)
36 years and I've never heard of anyone being allowed to clear their unit without orders in hand. Something doesn't add up.
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PFC Duane Snell: Private Duane Snell, I do; indeed; hope; and, pray; that you are successful at finding an answer to your question.
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