What can I do if my BC refuses to sign my DA31 for terminal leave?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:27:47 -0500

I submitted my DA31 for terminal leave (which begins 18DEC2018) back in early october. It has been approved by my company commander, and now simply wait's for the BC to sign off on it. I am supposed to begin clearing on Dec 4, which is 5 days from today. However I cannot receive my clearing packet until the DA31 gets signed. I was given until 1500 today to submit it to the clearing offices at Fort Hood, or else my clearing will not be able to begin, and I will be held past my terminal leave start date. My unit is trying to help me as much as they reasonably can (anything short of kicking in the BC's door and forcing him to sign) but we just can't seem to get the signature. I am worried that, at the rate this is going, I will be unable to make it home in time for the holidays. What can I do?

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Nov 30 at 2018 4:21 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 04:21:06 -0500

How many days are you taking? If it is over 30 days, it might mean your BDE CMDR has to sign off on it, check your policy letters regarding terminal leave. Is it possible that your leave form is mixed in with the upcoming block leave forms? If you have your TA-50 already squared away, clean, and inventoried you should be able to clear post and unit quickly, easily, and pain free. The only other thing I can think of is utilizing the open door policies.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2018 10:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 10:46:22 -0500

So your BC refuses to sign it? Or just hasn't gotten around to it yet?
Words mean things and have implications.

If he REFUSES to sign it, you're out of luck. You resubmit your leave form as something he will sign.
If he HASN'T signed it, your leadership walks in with it in hand, or ambushes him in the hallway, and asks for his signatures. Most BCs are not assholes, they are just crunched for time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2018 11:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 11:28:26 -0500

When you say, "my unit is trying to help me as much as they reasonably can," who are you referring to? Team Leader, Platoon Sergeant, 1SG, Commander? I ask because I'm interested to know the level that is knowledgeable of your short timeline, and hasn't at least got you an updated status. Sometimes people will claim to be doing everything they can to help you, but in reality they haven't done a thing and are afraid to run your issue up the chain. So they'd rather lie to you than to help you.

I'm not saying that is the case, but it's something myself and many others have personally experienced in the Army. If your commander and 1SG are aware of the issue, and they also don't know why it's taking so long (meaning they probably haven't asked the BC directly), it might be in your best interest to request an Open Door with the CSM or BC to explain your situation and timeline. Since you are ETSing, you don't have to worry about burning bridges by taking it higher, but you do have to ensure you are respectful in word choice and tone.

It could turn out the BC hasn't even seen it, because it got kicked back for corrections two weeks after it was submitted, but it never made it back to you because its been sitting in someone's inbox.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Nov 30 at 2018 1:34 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 13:34:40 -0500

Purely as a thought, and I've suggested this about other similar sorts of stuff, in all seriousness, I'd try the chaplain route, only because most chaplains are accustomed to all sorts of social-work type stuff, which I merely mention as an analogy of course...also, chaplains are generally able, at least from my understanding, of being able to bypass a good deal of bureaucracy in a good cause, so, if, as you say, you're apparently due for terminal leave, trust me, try to see if they might at least be able to give it a go...if nothing else, you've got nothing to lose by trying, that's all I'm trying to say, if you have any thoughts, or get anywhere, I'd be most eager to hear more, hope that was all of at least some use, in any event....

Response by LTC James McElreath made Nov 30 at 2018 11:11 PM

LTC James McElreath — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 23:11:12 -0500

Spc Michael,
Maybe your BC is sending you a subliminal message that he thinks that you are a positive feature that is good for the Army. He may not want you to make what he thinks is a serious mistake on your part! Do yourself a favor and use the BC's open door policy and get your answer first hand!

Response by PO2 Austin Dullum made Dec 9 at 2018 4:21 PM

PO2 Austin Dullum — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 16:21:09 -0500

Terminal leave? As in you're separating from the Army? Just leave. What are they gonna do, kick you out?

Response by COL William Oseles made Dec 9 at 2018 6:45 PM

COL William Oseles — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 18:45:35 -0500

You don't comment on how long the terminal leave is, but it I not likely you have over 60 days accrued. If you do you may have to submit a regular leave to your Company Commander so you don't lose leave as you can only cash in 60 days.