Where can a soldier find a copy of past orders?

2020-10-26T18:04:48-04:00

My son is an E-3 (maybe E-4) stationed at Ft. Wainwright. His original orders out of Ft. Benning included transportation of a vehicle. He was told he would be deploying shortly and could ship his vehicle when he returned from the Iraq and avoid the winter. One year later he's hearing it's too late. And his orders were not returned by some admin guy somewhere. I'm trying to help him get his vehicle from afar, but he says he can't find anybody that has his orders. Hard to believe the Army doesn't have an electronic database. Any clue how I might recommend him to proceed?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 26 at 2020 6:24 PM

2020-10-26T18:24:30-04:00

Ma’am, your son knows exactly to call the losing unit S1, he can also contact the installation in and out processing. He could also call his former 1SG or unit PAC NCO. He has many outlets. Good luck b

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2020 6:25 PM

2020-10-26T18:25:55-04:00

you usually only have 1 year to ship personal property from home of record. If he was told he could ship upon return from Iraq, then he should go to his S1 and tell them to check his iPerms for his PCS orders.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2020 6:28 PM

2020-10-26T18:28:25-04:00

My first lesson in the military in regard to how it keeps track of records was before I signed my enlistment contract at MEPS while getting my medical exam.

There was a SGT next to me in one of the lines having to redo is entire medical exam for the sake of a base line, because the Army didn't have his records.

If your son doesn't have them no one else does.

Places to look:
iPerms - he'll have to access it via his CAC ID, this is a long shot, not all of my orders get iPerm'd
Military E-mail - again, he'll have to access it via his CAC ID. This is his best chance.

If someone handed him hard copies and that was all he had well, then that might be that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2020 7:29 PM

2020-10-26T19:29:16-04:00

He needs to go see his S1, they are required to keep a file on him with his orders and other documentation from the time of his arrival until 12 months after his departure from his organization.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2020 9:50 PM

2020-10-26T21:50:49-04:00

It's hard to believe a Soldier wouldn't keep a copy of their own orders, especially when they're given ten, (yes 10) copies of their orders and instructes to keep at least one set for themselves.

Orders are often uploaded to Soldiers Iperms. He should check his OMPF.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2020 12:44 AM

2020-10-27T00:44:17-04:00

He can print them from IPERMS. They will be under the documents tab. He can download and print as many copies as he likes from there.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 27 at 2020 7:27 AM

2020-10-27T07:27:07-04:00

He has access to the iPERMS portal thru his CAC Card.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Self%20Service

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Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2020 9:21 AM

2020-10-27T09:21:03-04:00

I'm confused. Did he deploy with his new unit or his old unit at Benning? and who told him he could ship his vehicle upon return from deployment? does he have that in writing or did someone just verbally tell him he could do it? If it's the latter, then he is, unfortunately, SOL. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has been "told" something that turned out not to be true.

Bottom line: IF he's got it in writing, he can hold them to it, if not there is nothing he can do about it.

Response by SFC Dan Thomsen made Oct 27 at 2020 1:16 PM

2020-10-27T13:16:19-04:00

If he can reach the S1 from his Basic Training site they may have a copy saved. That should go thru S1 to S1 conversation -or- if needed Command Sergeants Major (CSM) to CSM to get it fixed. Dont have the soldier or even his NCO contact the training unit directly (has been known to cause a bit of flak on the troops skipping the chain).