Can I get my orders for Korea changed if I only have 18 months until I ETS?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 13:06:30 -0500

I’m 4 months Postpartum and have been put on orders to Korea with a report date of April 10th 2024. I’m a first term soldier that did a 1 year extension my new ETS date is June 2025. Is there anyway I can get off this assignment Stabilize where I’m currently at or another base in the area?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2023 1:22 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 13:22:18 -0500

Colonel, please assist.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2023 5:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 17:03:06 -0500

Did you talk to your retention NCO or career counselor before you came on here? I ask because they would be able to best answer your question as they can access things that people on here can't. If you have not talked to the career counselor for your unit, I suggest you do.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 29 at 2023 7:19 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:19:47 -0500

SFC Private RallyPoint Member is correct – your first stop should be to talk to your unit assets.

From a general perspective, your ineligible to be reassigned overseas for six months after childbirth IF you were denied concurrent travel or are going for a dependent-restricted tour. However, your six months will be up in January (by my count), so unless you or your child are experiencing postpartum complications, nothing regarding the birth of your child makes you ineligible to PCS to Korea.

If you or your child ARE having medical issues related to your child's birth, then your doctors should be involved for medical clearance determination. If you’re experiencing a personal/family hardship because of the birth or another situation, discuss with your retention NCO or career counselor (spoiler: “I don’t want to go” isn’t a hardship reason).

You REALLY need to talk to your unit reps (retention NCO/career counselor) about the timelines involved. One of the items they should discuss with you is something called a Service Remaining Requirement (SRR) - this is how much time you must have before you ETS in order to have certain reassignment actions. Coming back from a dependent-restricted assignment, there is a six month SRR for being reassigned back to CONUS. If you report by/before April 10th 2024 and serve normal 12-month tour, then you'll have less than 6 months SRR at your DEROS date.

You're going to have two options. Extend your contract by enough time so you have six months remaining when you're reassigned to a CONUS location (i.e., ~four more months) or you'll be involuntarily extended in country until just before your ETS date and outprocess the Army from Korea (i.e., your tour won't be 12 months long .. it will be ~14 months long).

As a side note, have you taken (or have plans worked out with your unit to take) your parental leave? The Army gives you a generous amount of time after birth - usually 6 weeks convalescent after birth and another 12 weeks of parental leave to be taken in the first year.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Nov 29 at 2023 7:37 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:37:03 -0500

Take The Assignment; You'll Be Glad You Did.
South Korea May Be Another Memorable Adventure
And The Trips To Itazuki AFB, Japan, Are Free.
While You're In Japan, Jump On One Of Those High Speed Trains.....
~They're So Quiet, You Can Hear A Mouse Piss On A Cotton Pad~