My Battalion Commander refuses to let me transfer. What can I do?

my thoughts are to stick with the chain of command. Any other outside forces will only lead to heartache and lots of pain

SGT (Join to see) - your unit might be overstrength, but you need to see what the strength is for your MOS, grade, one grade down, and one grade up. USR math can approach fun house mirror logic.

1SG (Join to see) - Top, yes, there always is a reason, and sometimes the reason is because the BC is a complete dick. I personally have seen a Soldier ask a Company Commander for a transfer and the CC said to submit it on a DA4187 and he would approve it, but when the Soldier submitted the 4187, the CC immediately threw it in his waste basket as soon as the Soldier's back was turned. Another incident that happened was during a sensing session, the BC talked up all the NCOs saying how we were the backbone of the Army and how great a job we were doing, but then told all of the Officers in their session not to listen to the NCOs and that we were all incompetent pieces of shit that would lead them to ruin. How do I know this? A few of us were late for our session due to other duties that had to be performed and upon arrival, the Officers' session was already taking place and the BC said that just as we walked in the door. You are right that the issue needs to be addressed, and that the BC's open door policy needs to be invoked to find out why the transfer was denied. No answer, or the BC refuses to see you? Brigade is the next stop. Regardless, what I am pointing out is that just because he has a commission, it doesn't mean that he can't be a dick. I am not suggesting that he is, but you can't rule out that possibility.

Not to be smart, but did you just ask the reason that you were denied? If there’s a specific reason surely your 1st Sgt would know. I assume your properly staffed if your NCOIC approve of your transferring, and it’s not like an O5 doesn't have anything better to do than screw with a Sgt for no reason at all when he can simply sign your transfer. Seems fishy, if it was staffing your 1st Sgt would have probably sat you down and flat out told you if your MOS was critical and the unit undermanned, since that’s not the case, I’d simple ask why. It’s not likely your 1st Sgt doesn’t know, they know everything imo.

Thanks for your input sir. Basically, years ago I tried to get a conditional release twice to go to the Air National Guard which was denied by the last BC and the current one. They counseled me on the reason why is because I re-enlisted for 6 and received a bonus with the NY Army National Guard and have to fulfill my contract with them. So I accepted the fact that they won't let me go Air, so I spoke to the FA unit (which is in the same state just different battalion) and they said that they are looking for soldiers and that they are growing and they want to take me. I asked my unit RNCO and he said it shouldn't be an issue because it's still within the NYARNG. So I tried to request the transfer to that unit and he denied it. When my commander talked to him about it, he said it was because of retention.

I would like to speak to the BC and try to convince him to let me go. My heart is not in it anymore with my current MOS and it doesn't make any sense for him to keep me stuck like a prisoner here when there are many high speed E-4's that are waiting for a slot to open up.

Do you have any advice on how to approach him with this?

SGT (Join to see) - I think I would keep it simple and to the point. Something along the lines of:
"Sir, I'd really like to transfer to a different unit. I'm really not enthusiastic about my current MOS/unit location/duties/whatever. I still want to serve, but believe I would be a better fit in [other unit/MOS] because [reasons]."

I would try to be brief, to the point, and focused to the extent possible on objective facts/reasons. "I don't like it here" isn't a terribly objective statement. "Unit X is 5 miles from my house" or "MOS Y better aligns with my long term plans" sounds better. Whatever you do, you don't want it to even sound like you might be whining.

Oh, and make sure you've checked in with your chain before asking to talk to the BC. Even if the BC has an open door policy that says you don't need to, you do. "Blindsiding" them would burn bridges that you don't want to burn. (Not saying you would, but it's always good to put that out there on the internet.)

It may be that they won't budge, but approach it positively.

the air force may not want him

Yes..completely agree.

My nephew is attempting to go from the Army NG to active duty Marine Corps. He did a split enlistment where he went to boot camp in-between his junior and senior year then was supposed to attend AIT this summer. He submitted the DD368 and was denied by the Company Commander and the reason was because he has not completed his AIT and does not hold a valid MOS. Obviously the denial cannot be because of unit strength because he cannot even be counted on their rolls yet therefore is not even an asset to the unit. Even if there were a deployment coming up he wouldn't be able to go because of his status, Is this a legit reason for a denial or is the Major just pushing his leaf around.
"Major do you know what birds do to leaves? They shit on them. Do you see my collar? These are birds, look closely at you collar and get the hell out of my office"
Col. Fox USMC retired

100% agree. Nailed it!