Posted on Dec 6, 2015
TSgt Education and Training
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***UPDATE*** My Shirt has reached out to me and we're going to meet on Friday to discuss all of my options. I want to thank everyone who has replied so far, you've all been very helpful!

***ORIGINAL POST***
I've done the research with one of my TSgts, look at the AFIs, etc. Here's my situation: I have a line number for Staff and should be putting on in March (if the increments stay about the same). I will be unable to attend the local ALS classes in January AND February due to my retraining conflicting with the dates. On top of that, I have already received my PCS notification and my RNLTD is the end of May. If I was able to make the ALS class in April, I would not graduate until 10 days before my RNLTD, not giving me a lot of time to out-process and take care of all my Household Goods. My husband will also be deployed during this time period, adding that much more stress about doing all this by myself. I've already routed the request to push up my Projected Departure Date to the beginning of April so I can soley focus on out-processing and moving after I graduate tech school. When I posed the waiver question to someone in my leadership, she was extremely standoffish and questioning what my reasoning was in the first place, even after explaining what I had going on. All she had to say was "I don't believe SrA should put on Staff before attending ALS." My TSgt even told her she was going to try to get in touch with my gaining First Shirt to see if there was any availability at my new base so I can attend class as soon as I get there. I'm not trying to be some whiny airman, I'm just hoping someone else can give me some more insight. Best case scenario if my waiver doesn't get Wing CC approval, I have to wait a couple months to put on. Worst case scenario, it may be up to 6 months. It's just disheartening when someone in my leadership tries to shoot me down before the waiver is even being routed. I personally don't see the harm in trying to see what the Wing CC says. I apologize that this is so long, I appreciate any advice anyone has to offer.
Edited 9 y ago
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Responses: 17
TSgt Joshua Copeland
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Sounds like you have a strong case for a PME waiver. You will have to convince your Shirt and Sq Commander who in turn will request the approval of the Wing/CC. They are harder to get now then they were just a few years ago. As long as you haven't defered for another reason before it should easy enough to get your Unit CC on board. That said, if they don't allow a waiver, you will get back pay to your actual date of rank.
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TSgt Senior Cyberwarfare Capabilities Instructor/Integrator
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I am also of the belief that required PME should be complete prior to assuming the next grade. However, I am more realistic and know that is not always possible. The worst that could happen, is you don't put on SSgt until you meet all the requirements (PME included). However, if Big Blue holds your stripe until you complete PME, you would get back-pay to the date you should have pinned on. That could come in handy when moving to a new base. Your best option may be to push your RNLTD to the right. Try getting a hold of your gaining unit. You, not your TSgt. This is your career. You should have a sponsor already that could provide contact information. Good Luck!
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SSgt Cyber Systems Operations
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Do you how you go back getting the back pay? I graduated ALS over a year ago and still have not received mine for the 6 months I missed. Any help is greatly appreciated!
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TSgt Senior Cyberwarfare Capabilities Instructor/Integrator
TSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Get thee to the First Sergeant's Office. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.00. You will need to gather evidence to support your claim; promotion sequence number, ALS grad date, letters and statements as to the circumstances why you couldn't complete on time, etc. It will not be easy and you will need help. Good luck.
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MSgt Airfield Manager
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You should be able to process the waiver request at the very least. I would be interested to know who the person in leadership was that was being negative toward it. I understand that under most situations, those waivers aren't just "handed out" (had a PJ in my ALS class who was deployed when he was to put on/attend ALS, but his CC wouldn't approve the waiver since he felt that an NCO should complete PME prior to pin-on), but you do have some extenuating circumstances... Retraining dates, and PCS leaving you unable to attend PME... Unfortunately, this may also not be waiverable criteria, and the approving authority may have the same outlook on allowing such a waiver to be approved as my old buddy. I would say definitely apply for the waiver and see where it goes, but you could be unlucky and get stuck with having to wait. If you do have to wait to pin-on, I believe you get back-paid to the date that you were supposed to originally put on SSgt. Hope this info help co at the very least clarify. And please tell me it wasn't the Shirt that was acting that way...
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