Do you have to go to your retention NCO to re-enlist?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 21:01:42 -0500

I don’t trust my units/battalions competency or integrity. They constantly mess up paperwork, and I’m worried the CC will fat finger something on my contract. Is there any regulation stating that I absolutely have to go to my battalion CC to re-enlist?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 9:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 21:04:32 -0500

Well SGT, you are gonna learn real quick why you need to use the channels in your unit before trying to go to someone else.

I can tell you that nobody is gonna care what you think of the unit. I’m sure you just see what you want to rather than trusting the training they were given.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Dec 20 at 2020 9:15 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 21:15:15 -0500

Do you not read contracts before you sign them? That's a surefire way to find any discrepancies before you sign it. I mean I read everything before I sign it. No matter what it is.

I guess you'll find out if you go to another unit's retention NCO what happens...have you talked to the career counselor at brigade? What's your issue with your retention personnel in your unit?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 9:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 21:15:44 -0500

That’s awful insulting to the senior NCO who went to school for this. Do you know your CC? Do you have reason to think they will mess it up? I don’t have a direct answer to your question, just figured I’d ask some of my own.

Response by PV2 Terryonna Hughes made Dec 20 at 2020 9:48 PM

PV2 Terryonna Hughes — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 21:48:30 -0500

Why re-enlist into the same branch?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 9:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 21:57:42 -0500

Do you trust yourself? You could..I don’t know...read it before you sign it?

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Dec 20 at 2020 10:17 PM

MAJ Samuel Weber — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 22:17:26 -0500

I would get your 1SG and CDR involved. Let them know your concerns. At the end of the Day your CDR has to sign off on your re-enlistment contact, meaning he’ll see it before the ceremony.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 20 at 2020 10:18 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 22:18:19 -0500

Well, how about taking a few seconds and reading your contract before signing it? Besodes, in the few days you’ve been in the Army, haven’t you learned anything about NCO Support Channel and/or how Staff works? Perhaps, you would like to bring that to your CoC or your BDR Senior Career Counselor, wouldn’t you?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 20 at 2020 11:02 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 23:02:57 -0500

Yes, to save yourself grief. Its your responsibility to ensure the contract is right before you sign it, ya know!

Response by SSG Brian G. made Dec 20 at 2020 11:36 PM

SSG Brian G. — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 23:36:43 -0500

So what if they fat finger things. There is this surefire way to catch mistakes. It is called reading. Or are you one of these not so bright types that just signs on the line without reading what you are signing? And no, you go through your units retention NCO. Suck up your personal feelings, you READ the contract before you sign it and you drive on.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 21 at 2020 12:12 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:12:28 -0500

If there is an issue you can go through the proper channels to address it but don't expect any support going through back channels because "you think something might happen". Just go the normal route and be sure to proof read everything before signing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2020 12:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 00:21:36 -0500

Nope. As long as you declare that you are re-enlisting, you are good to go.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2020 2:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 02:12:03 -0500

No, there's an app for that.

Yes... You have to go to your Battalion Career Counselor to reenlist. You don't want to go to your Career Counselor because your Battalion messes up your paperwork? Do you doubt your medics because your supply is messed up? Do you doubt your Chaplain because your commo is messed up? Should other Soldiers not trust you because another Team Leader in another company sucks? Probably not.

Your Career Counselor works for you and is like a real estate agent searching for what you want. If you think your CC sucks then go to the BDE Senior CC, but chances are your CC is working hard for you. Just sit down and talk to them instead of throwing shade at them when you haven't actually met them.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Dec 21 at 2020 3:16 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 03:16:10 -0500

Have him draw up the papers, being it to your NCO, have him bring it to Brigade to double check.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2020 3:20 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 03:20:29 -0500

I should also point out that 99% of the contract is exactly the same. The only part that is editable is which reenlistment option you chose. There's no "slipping something in". Your DD4/1 looks exactly the same as the DD4/1 of the other guy except one says Army Training option and another says CONUS Station of Choice with the location they reenlisted for. All the extra words are already in the contract. You want to know what's in you contract? Read DD form 4/1, DA form 3286-79, and DA Form 3340. That way that wily Career Counselor won't sneak something extra in there, because you know they get a commission on every extra year they steal from your soul.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2020 4:30 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 04:30:16 -0500

What are you worried they might do? Forge your signature? If you clearly convey what it is you desire in a re-enlistment, then you shouldn't have any problems. That is if you read everything before signing. If they can't offer exactly what you desire, then that's the nature of the beast. If you re-enlist, this won't be the last time you don't trust your unit, but it is best to accept that truth now. Just know that there is not always a loop hole to get everything you want. It's the Military.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2020 6:46 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 06:46:17 -0500

There are 7 pages on reenlistment contract. Most of the information is just admin data, in other words your personal information and the option of your reenlistment. I can telll you that after 17 years of doing the job, most Soldiers don’t read their contracts, they just sign them without reading. So spend 7 minutes of your time, read your contract and you will sure fine the “fat finger” mistakes you are taking about.

Response by LTC Raymond Buenteo made Dec 21 at 2020 8:48 AM

LTC Raymond Buenteo — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 08:48:46 -0500

That is a great starting point. They have the 411 on bonuses, schools and other incentives. Of course you could check with the barracks know it all and take your chances.