What can I do to help get a PCS to Texas?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:12:18 -0400

Can anyone help me with trying to PCS from fort Riley? My situation is my second child is on the way and my wife is having a difficult pregnancy. I am trying to PCS to fort Hood in order to be closer to family so she will have help with the kids and during pregnancy. I have been on station 25 months now and apparently according to HRC for 68W we have to be on station for 36 months. This seems like a lie to me. I am not eligible to reenlist for another 11 months to PCS and to my knowledge I do not qualify for a compassionate reassignment due to it not being a life or death situation? My problem is if I go to the field for a month or to NTC coming up my wife will not be able to care for my son currently or herself alone due to extreme vertigo, nausea and vomiting. Shes always been to the hospital once for fluids. Is there anything I can do to get to fort hood? I'm not asking the world here... we all know hood is not prime real estate. Help?

Response by SPC Gary Welch made Jul 20 at 2018 1:23 PM

SPC Gary Welch — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:23:18 -0400

Have gotten with your COC about this when my wife had our children one of them I was kept on rear-d for ntc and the other I was put on tdy at fort Sam Houston because my wife and baby had to stay there for 2 mths

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 20 at 2018 1:31 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:31:15 -0400

One, look toward Familyvreadiness group, there are always great Spouses willing to lend a hand. Two, if she has Virtigo and othe issues ask the doctor for a letter recommending you stay on Rear D to assist with your spouse. Three, plan to send your spouse to the Family prior to deployment and return shortly after. PCS will not happen. Speak to your COC providing your thoughts to a resolution and see what they come up with, it may surprise you. Thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jul 20 at 2018 1:35 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:35:50 -0400

Your first option is to work it with your CoC. Become (you should already be) knowledgeable with your unit’ training schedule all the way thru post-partum. Develop a few courses of action before presenting them to your 1SG/CO. If you let them do it for you my suggestion will be to not forget your face cammo. Here is the thing, they understand and if you go to them with both medical facts and something for them to work with your odds will exponentially increase.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 20 at 2018 2:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 14:38:48 -0400

Contact SGM (R) Buckley of G1, and tell him MAJ Landgren says hello.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2018 7:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 07:31:04 -0400

No one is lying to you. 99% of the time, HRC won't move you until you have at least 36 months time on station. If moving is really what you feel is necessary, you could revisit the compassionate reassignment route. If her doctor writes a memo stating the severity of her condition it could sway HRC compassionate branch. Be aware, though, that compassionate reassignment only guarantees you 12 months time on station once you PCS.

Have you engaged with your FRG, or do you have friends that can help your family if you go to the field? I have a buddy who is a 94F- the only one in our battalion. He was left on rear D for the last two training exercises because his wife's pregnancy was high-risk (now they have a healthy baby girl.) Talk to your COC. Don't approach it as if you're entitled to stay back- ask them for help and guidance. You'll be surprised how far that gets you. Who knows, they may treat you so well that you decide reenlistment might not be so bad after all!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 21 at 2018 10:33 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 10:33:24 -0400

Have you tried a swap with someone in your MOS at Ft Hood?

Response by SSG Martin Reyna made Jul 21 at 2018 11:41 AM

SSG Martin Reyna — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 11:41:16 -0400

Best thing you can do is ask.
Talk to you your superiors, most will be understanding and try to help. There are many ways to deal with this. Remember, the Army is one big family, have you wife get involved with the FRG and be involved. Unlike many believe the Army will work with you if you have a compelling case..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2018 9:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 21:05:43 -0400

Have you checked your ASK (Assignment Satisfaction Key) to view what, if any, Requisitions, are available

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2018 9:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 21:15:58 -0400

Aside from that, as everyone else has stated, being open and transparent with your leadership is the best way to be successful in managing and balancing your personal life with the demands of the Army. As a 68 series you should have a better understanding of the complexities concerning your wife's needs and be able to explain them to the leadership. Additionally, you have the ears of your PSG & the Units PA. Regardless of who you present "issues" to...having a REMEDY or multiple courses of action to remedy that issue that benefits you WHILE accomplishing the mission will afford you more "ammunition" in your fight

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2018 10:17 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 22:17:28 -0400

Thank you all for the help. I will get with my platoon sergeant and ask to be placed on rear D or switch to a sister company that is not on a field rotation during the pregnancy. Hopefully that works out because my current task of maintaining the BN medical readiness I've done great at.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Jul 26 at 2018 6:00 PM

SPC Henry Francis — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 18:00:53 -0400

Several good suggestions here already. Do not let yourself get stuck on PCS as your only solution. There is assistance available from multiple sources. Check with your chaplain, online, and talk to other married soldiers to see what is available.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Oct 6 at 2018 8:58 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 20:58:09 -0400

Another suggestion: she moves to the Fort Hood TX area ahead of you. If she has the family support there, that would preclude you from having to ask the CoC for understanding when others may perceive you getting over. This may not be the ideal answer, but it does meet your parameters.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 1 at 2021 11:21 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:21:16 -0500

Best of luck. Try working with your chain of command. Maybe there's another option that isn't apparent right now.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2021 6:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 18:01:59 -0400

* Deleted - didn't realize this is 3 years old.