PCS options for a unique situation.....

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 01:37:50 -0500

Currently, I am a SPC(P) with 4 yrs 3 months TIS.

I have been station with the 743rd MI BN out of Buckley, AFB CO (Strategic Site)

I then PCS'd to Fort Hood with the HHBN III Corps (Forscom)

I am now deployed and returning home to Fort Hood.

I PCS'd from Buckley, AFB at just over two years on station. I have been at Fort Hood for two years my estimated PCS is OCT 14 to Jan 15.

The problem is I have a step daughter who is geographically restricted as per a custody modification to the state of Texas. This restriction was emplaced by the Biological Father when my wife and I married, right before I left for Colorado. I ended up having to go alone without family to Colorado. Now that my time in coming to a close in Fort Hood (36 months), I was wondering what options I have or what can be done on the Army side of the house.

Currently we have retained an attorney so try to get the restriction lifted. We have been married for 4 years and my step-daughter is now 13 years old. The attorney says we have a good chance at having it lifted due to the fact that we have exhausted the resources with Army in the past, which is how I was assigned to Fort Hood. We are just worried that if the restriction does not get removed what can be done so that our family remain in tact.

I have contacted the Branch Manager for my MOS (35N) and he has stated he has nothing for me in the State of Texas. I find this Odd since I could inter-post transfer at Fort Hood, there is also Fort Bliss, Goodfellow AFB (AIT Training site for 35N), and Fort Sam Houston.

Is there a packet or something I can do like EFMP that would help me and my family out in this situation?

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 9 at 2013 1:52 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 01:52:11 -0500

Consider a "homestead" option, do a year unaccompanied to Korea. Back to Hood for 3, by then you can consider an instructor billet at Goodfellow.
But yeah, if branch won't work with you and you can't get the CSM to advocate for you, you're screwed.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 9 at 2013 2:28 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 02:28:35 -0500

What is the custody sharing arrangement? If the girl has summers with her father, the 1 year "unaccompanied" doesn't mean your wife and the other kids can't come and spend a few months with you. Space A flights would make it affordable and you can set aside some resources to rent something in the "ville" for a couple of months, maybe even work it out with someone in country to take over a lease when they leave. Of course, this idea depends on support from your commander in Korea, which means it can't be counted on.
Ideally, they come for the summer, you get 2-3 months in country, do your mid tour to go home with them for a month, finish your tour and you're back home.

I don't envy you your situation, it sucks, but short of getting a TX judge to lift that order, your options stink.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 6:08 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:08:08 -0400

Go see Ms Milner in the III Corps MSE G1 Strength and ask her if there are any shortages across post for your MOS at the E5 skill level. If she is not available, check with Chief Bethea in III Corps G1. Explain your situation and tell them SFC Benavidez sent you.