How does taking leave work when moving your family to a new duty station?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 23:41:37 -0500

We were told to take Block Leave but now we have negative leave days. By the time I am done with Osut and Jump School I will only have +2.5 leave days. But I will need to move my family to my duty station, so how will that work? Will they give me the leave and put me in the negative for leave days? Also, do you report to your unit prior to moving your family? Or, do you move your family to your duty station then report to your unit? I will be living off-base if that even matters or makes any difference. Can anyone let me know the process?

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Dec 30 at 2019 11:53 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 23:53:55 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member report first.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 12:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 00:49:51 -0500

Whether you choose to report first or move your family is up to you. In my opinion it's easier to report first and setup a household, then take leave and bring your family.

A commander can grant you leave to go into the negative. In addition, you're eligible to take 10 free days of leave for permissive TDY for the purpose of setting up a household. Plus, there is an inprocessing period of up to a week at most duty stations. In addition, your Government Travel Card is probably not activated, meaning you'll be paying a lot of expenses out of pocket and getting reimbursed later. That's an expensive proposition for a PVT keeping their family in lodging for a week or two waiting for a house or apartment to open up.

Best advice is to reach out to your unit sponsor and ask them because different post have unique considerations they can help you out with.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 31 at 2019 10:30 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 10:30:55 -0500

Report first, unit's have a better ability to work with you than schools. Besides it will let you recon the area/situation at the new unit/post.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 10:56 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 10:56:35 -0500

Report first.
Use your evenings and first two weekends to find a rental, sign the lease and get the utilities started.
Then request 10 days PTDY to move your family. If 10 days is not enough, request advanced leave.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 2:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 14:09:51 -0500

Report first and during in-processing or when you reach your new unit request permissive TDY. 10 days to find a house which you can use to move your family if I’m not mistaken. As SFC Private RallyPoint Member said best to report then set up a house. Also during in processing you should be able to apply for dislocation allowance to help with the expense of moving your family. Good luck

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2019 5:24 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 17:24:55 -0500

Just to tack on a few thoughts ... That week or so of in-processing will likely include lots of down time to hunt housing. So then the 10 days PTDY after signing into your unit can be fully used to move your family and set up the house. And don't worry, the first move into the Army is the toughest to coordinate. Future PCS moves will actually be easier. But you need to be talking to Transportation to coordinate the move of your family and household goods (HHG). And be sure your orders specifically state by name which dependants are authorized for travel.