How can I get out of an assignment to Korea? What advice do you have?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 15:55:42 -0500

Really need some advice on how not to go to Korea or who I can talk to for getting my orders changing. I est in July 2020 and I got hit with orders for a year stint for Korea in May. I have my own personal reasons of why it would effect me going I.e finances, house, marriage etc. so wondering if anyone knew what I could do? Doesn’t make much since especially considering my ets date so by time I got there not even 7 months later I’d be ACAPing etc. thanks for advice in advance

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2018 4:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 16:29:46 -0500

Actually you should start SFLTAP well before you PCS. Or you can extend another 6 months to return and ETS stateside.
Unless you have a valid compassionate reassignment /deletion request, you're going to Korea. Korea is the highest priority under the newest manning guidance.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 28 at 2018 5:06 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 17:06:00 -0500

can you do a swap of assignments with someone who is due to PCS at the same time?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2018 9:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 21:05:32 -0500

Hate to say it but its part of the monster. Im over here right now for a year unaccompanied. I didn't want to come either, left wife and kids at home and everything. One thing, finance wise, I am making about 700 more a month between seps pay, cola, locality pay than I was in conus, so you would be able to get ahead a little.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2018 1:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:08:08 -0500

Are you saying they are ordering you to Korea with only 7 months left on your contract? When I received my orders to Korea, I also received a checklist that the person completing my orders had to fill out, and one of those questions said: Service Member will have over 12 months before ETS upon arrival date. When you receive this form, check the box that you will have less then 12 months, and be sure to bring it up to who ever is emailing you your orders.
If instead your saying you will have 7 months left on your contract AFTER 1 year in Korea, then You could request hardship.
However, what a hardship is to you, may not meet the Army's idea of hardship.
While attempting that, use this time to apply for the Army Emergency Relief (AER) funds, and get some financial counseling to help get your finances in order. Speak to your spouse about attending couples counseling (call Army One Source to set this up, free). If your unit is not giving you time to attend couples counseling then a great advocate for help is your Chaplin, explain to him the situation, and he can work with your unit to get you the time to work on your relationship. As for your house, if you go unaccompanied your spouse will continue to live in the house, so this will not be effected.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2018 1:47 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:47:43 -0500

You may be required to sign a bar to reenlistment if you elect not to extend to take the assignment. However, my experience/knowledge is about 15 years old. I recall this being done by some Soldiers. May give you an RE Code of 3, but doesn't affect benefits.

Response by SFC Harry H. made Nov 30 at 2018 9:13 AM

SFC Harry H. — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 09:13:50 -0500

Go AWOL!

Response by SSG Brian MacBain made Dec 2 at 2018 8:42 AM

SSG Brian MacBain — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 08:42:23 -0500

First, if you do not have a year left in service after Korea, you be ETS'ing in Korea and doing all the ACAPing there. Second, unless you have a medical reason, you are going so I suggest that you chat with your reenlist NCO to see if you qualify for an extension that would give you a min of 13 months left when your year is up in Korea.