Posted on Aug 9, 2018
SFC Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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To start off... this is not a direct shot at any S1 or Human Resources personnel. Many of you are really trying to do the best you can to help Service Members out. Many of you go above and beyond to help our Service Members, Family Members, and DA Civilians. It just seems that there is always an issue regarding army time sensitive or personally time sensitive documents getting to the local S1 (possibly the brigade S1), then to the local finance office, and finally to DFAS to process. I understand things take time. I have been in for 18 years and have seen my fair share of lost documents, documents submitted but then sat on for months (literally), documents submitted incorrectly but not returned to the subordinate unit or soldier for corrections, Human Resource offices that just didn't care, finance offices that didn't care, etc. I understand that we are trying not to overwhelm the local finance office with Service Members asking what is BAH, or why is my leave balance incorrect when their HR office can answer that. But there are legitimate times when there should be an offer of a digital system request that gets directed to Finance or DFAS. There can be a digital questionnaire that you must fill out and if you don't meet the criteria then you have to go through the regular channels. On one occasion it took me 6 month to get Family separation pay while deployed. This is something that should just not happen. I have looked people in the face when they have apologized for losing my documents, or actually having them in a box under their desk because thy forgot to submit them a month ago. Overall I am trying to see why we can not make this a more efficient system when we live in such a technologically advanced time. And yes I do have people fill out DA Form 200's when I submit documents. And when they lose them I just resubmit document and drive on but this is still not the way we should be doing business.
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Responses: 7
SGM Bill Frazer
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Short of hand walking it up, no. Every level has to check off on it, or some smart (soul) will send it back rejected.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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I feel bad for you to experience such lousy service. Yes S-1 shops often are the black hole. I started my career in aviation and armor. Later I became a Finance Officer and instilled in the unit that we will provide world class support because the soldiers deserved it.
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SPC Automated Logistical Specialist
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I had to go by myself to finance because my 1SG rejected a pay inquiry for family separation allowance for dual military . I try to avoid my company because everything takes so long to reach the right person . Finance told me to give my papers to S1 since they are the only ones authorize to bring it to them . I understand your frustration . This is in Fort Drum.
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