Should there be time limits on processing paperwork?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 06:32:39 -0400

I've seen it numerous times in my career. Paperwork that should take a few days to maybe a month take weeks or months to process. REFRAD requests, religious accommodations, etc. We have email now, why do higher headquarters consistently take forever with paperwork? Is it rank based, because I've seen stuff for high ranking officers and NCOs take days whereas junior enlisted take 5x longer. What are your thoughts?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2020 6:33 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 06:33:36 -0400

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 1 at 2020 6:38 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 06:38:45 -0400

I agree with your viewpoint brother SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member , it does seem that officers seem to get top priority on their papers, while enlisted are shuffled around for a while.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2020 7:31 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 07:31:24 -0400

I believe there should be an online system for requests that allows for these items to be digitally signed and tracked throughout the process.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2020 8:56 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 08:56:17 -0400

I'm a "high ranking officer" and it took nearly 6 months for HRC to perm my last OER, so I don't think it's rank based.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2020 10:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 10:15:46 -0400

USAR/AGR side we are told that packets can take up to 90 days at each level. That means that for me at a company level i could pass a packet up to BN in january, they have until april to push it to BDE, bde can wait until july to push it up to Div, div could sit on it until october to push it up to HRC or USARC where the decision is made. By then its almost guaranteed a new checklist comes out in that timeframe or a signature was missing or a form filled out incorrectly. So the packet gets kicked back and the process starts over again. As far as rank goes i havent seen anything move more expediently or slowly for a spc vs a cpt for a similar action.