What should I do if my S-1 keeps losing my backpay paperwork?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:17:30 -0400

Hello
I never received bah from my previous marriage. I filled out 5960 and pay inquiry and submitted to my chain of command.
I asked S1 after 2 months and they said they never received documents, so I resubmitted the papers again. I haven't heard from them for 2 months. I went to S1, asked them again today and they said the same thing, they never received papers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2021 6:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:20:36 -0400

This is my third time submitting papers. I've been waiting since January 2021. What should I do besides copying documents? Thank you so much!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2021 6:32 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:32:18 -0400

You need to get your NCO Chain on this.

Response by CPL Adam Schoenwald made Sep 13 at 2021 6:34 PM

CPL Adam Schoenwald — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:34:26 -0400

Always always go through you CoC, it will definitely save you from headaches.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2021 6:44 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:44:04 -0400

DA 200. Have S-1 sign for the documents and have a copy made for you and your NCO. It at least puts the person who signed for it on the hook.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2021 7:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:10:04 -0400

Sounds like you need to ask your CoC, since you say you’ve submitted it to them. Don’t just assume they turned it into S1 and blame them. Also, when you turn hard copies in to anyone, always get a DA 200 so you can keep account of who signed for that paperwork. Good news is, you should receive a large back pay when it is eventually processed

Response by MGySgt Rick Tyrrell made Sep 13 at 2021 7:21 PM

MGySgt Rick Tyrrell — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:21:00 -0400

Talk to your leadership. Get them involved. If that don’t work proceed to the whiskey locker with the S-1 clerk with a little one on one instruction on proper processing procedures

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 13 at 2021 7:29 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:29:16 -0400

Get your first line leadership involved. Team leader, Squad leader etc.

They can help cut through the red tape and confusion

Response by SSG Brian G. made Sep 13 at 2021 8:43 PM

SSG Brian G. — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:43:36 -0400

DA 200. Take the papers directly to your S-1, just inform your CoC that you are doing so. They then sign for the papers and there is a clear paper trail. Make a copy of the paperwork. Then turn around and speak with your first line NCO so that they can stay on top of this. It sucks but it happens.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Sep 13 at 2021 10:42 PM

SGT Robert Wager — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 22:42:11 -0400

First, never give a PAC clerk paperwork without a DA Form 200. Second, never go to S-1 without your first line supervisor knowing exactly what is going on. Your training room NCO may be able to help working with the PAC dudes. At this point you need to get your NCOs involved in fixing it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 12:16 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 00:16:57 -0400

1. DA Form 200 is your friend.
2. Always have a battle because witnesses are great, even better if they have some stripes.
3. Communicate via email with read receipts.
4. Follow up regularly and keep your NCO chain informed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 12:21 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 00:21:25 -0400

Thank you so much everyone :)
My nco already know about this issue, we went to the training room and s1 together each time. I will go to the s1 with my team leader or my sqd leader after commander signs the documents.
Have a great week!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Sep 14 at 2021 6:09 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:09:26 -0400

Can't tell, but if you are at an Active Duty post, why not take your paperwork to Finance, which are the people that are going to actually process that paperwork? Didn't even need command permission in my day other than for the time off to see them.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Sep 15 at 2021 10:11 AM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 10:11:36 -0400

I was stationed in Hawaii. I met a girl in the mall. She was a Navy brat & her dad was now working in Hawaii as a defense contractor. 99% of the soldiers bring their spouses in from the mainland. The Army could not get thru their skulls that someone could meet someone & marry them in Hawaii. They kept insisting to know when I brought her to Hawaii so they could start my BAH & VHA. No, the date her dad came to Hawaii was wrong. What date did you bring her here? Well, we did get married in Hawaii so if I brought her here before that, then she would not have been my spouse at the time, so no benefits. I threatened an OIG complaint. Finally I met someone who worked in the G-1 & told them my plight. They got it fixed.