Can I cancel or refuse PCS orders if I'm going through a divorce?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 14:09:19 -0500

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Mar 7 at 2021 2:21 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 14:21:00 -0500

Yep, it's called ETS

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Mar 7 at 2021 3:02 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:02:43 -0500

Needs of service, you can refuse only once, then try again you are out. That's how it used to be

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Mar 7 at 2021 3:06 PM

MSgt Don VandeBogert — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:06:47 -0500

Needs of the Air Force. A divorce isn't in and of itself a hardship...at least not on paper unless there are some mitagiting circumstances. Have you talked to MPF or your Shirt yet about options? How much time do you need to finalize the divorce? Best option may be to get your RNLTD pushed to the right...but that takes gaining CC approval. Helped on quite a few of those but each situation is unique.

Good luck.

V/R
Bogie

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 7 at 2021 3:15 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:15:07 -0500

I can't speak for how the AF treats it but in the Marine Corps if you refuse orders you end up getting at least a page 11 which leads to a derogatory fitrep and you end up getting even worse orders. I would work with your leadership and check your options but I would warn you and say refusing orders is never a good solution to much of anything.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2021 3:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:18:13 -0500

I resigned to not PCS during my divorce. Best decision I ever made. I'm not sure you have that option.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 7 at 2021 3:59 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:59:25 -0500

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 7 at 2021 4:01 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 16:01:39 -0500

Talk with your chain of command. Commanders can sometimes do things to help you extend in your current location. Or your career field managers may work a deal. Something like get an extra year at your current location then go Unaccompanied remote somewhere for a year.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Mar 7 at 2021 4:31 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 16:31:42 -0500

It's very unlikely you can "refuse" your PCS; but you might be able to postpone your report date. Speak to your NCOIC, or your AF version of a First Sergeant to get advice and help. It will probably take your unit, or your branch's Military Personnel to confer with your gaining unit for their blessing.
The problem is (obviously) going to be that a divorce isn't something that only takes a day or two especially if children and related issues (custody) are involved. That said, don't get your hopes up to get dropped from your PCS orders, UNLESS you can get Personnel to Defer them. If that's successful (big "if" at the last minute), most branches (i.e., Army) may grant a one year "PCS Deferment."

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 7 at 2021 5:05 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 17:05:45 -0500

No you cannot. You can ask for a deferment, but even that is a challenge. Never hurts to try.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 7 at 2021 5:45 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 17:45:18 -0500

Have you talked to your leadership at all to get their advice? I'm not sure how the AF works but I would say it's unlikely you're getting orders cancelled for a divorce. But - you would have to ask your chain and the personnel that would handle this on your base.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2021 7:57 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 19:57:53 -0500

Call JAG

Response by SGT Cort Landry made Mar 8 at 2021 8:27 AM

SGT Cort Landry — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 08:27:51 -0500

I remember having problems with my marriage to my first wife and had orders to go to Korea. I spoke with my 1SG about possibly getting my orders changed. He said it is possible but you will more than likely lose your promotable status and eventually not be able to re-enlist. So, I went to Korea, and ended up ETS'ing from there. Half way thru the duty assignment I got that dreaded phone call from my wife telling me she wanted a divorce. With that said, I stayed the whole time in Korea without the half way point Leave, and ended up leaving Korea 87 days early dur to vacation time and Permissive TDY authorization.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2021 10:21 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 22:21:51 -0500

Can you? Absolutely. You can refuse an assignment for any reason or no reason. However, when you do, there are career consequences. A better question is "should" you. And only you can really answer that. Will pushing your RNLTD to the right help resolve your personal issues? That may be a better option. Work with your CoC, assignment counselor and career field manager to see what options are available.

Response by MSgt Mason Manner made May 15 at 2021 3:07 PM

MSgt Mason Manner — Sat, 15 May 2021 15:07:16 -0400

Refusal of PCS order is usually a career KILLER the BEST thing is ACCEPT the order and MOVE FORWARD

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2021 5:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 May 2021 17:10:20 -0400

In 2000, I was in the Army stationed at Fort Bragg. I suddenly found myself separated and starting the divorce and custody battle that took over 2 years. NC at the time, required both parties to be separated for a year before they file for divorce. I filed for legal separation and emergency custody and she split and left the state only to have to return. Soon after I received orders for Hawaii. I had to request that the report date be pushed back twice due to the court case. Then ultimately the Army cancelled the order and I was stuck at Bragg until I ETS’d.