What are my options after the Army sent me to a different duty station than what was specified in my reenlistment contract?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 02:12:28 -0400

Reenlisted for six years for Germany while I was in Afghanistan, roughly two years ago. Germany is specified in the contract. Hit red tape when out-processing, wife couldn't go. NBD, I could standby to fix the paperwork or take another assignment. I kept my options open. Ret. NCO had me name three places I'd like to go if I couldn't get Germany to work. None of the top three options were available (purportedly) and without any confirmation from me, I got put at Fort Knox, and was told I could not say no as the orders were already cut; one meeting I was naming places I would go if I couldn't fix my paperwork for my wife, and the next meeting I had orders. Was this a breach of contract?
Been trying to make the best of it but since then, my faith in the Army has greatly eroded.
Is this a breach of contract, and if so, would I be able to either get into another unit before my three years here, or perhaps separate from the Army? Even Fort Couch would be preferable over this current unit.
Any insight would help, I'm really struggling with this here; I wouldn't be asking to get out of this unit if it was going great. Thanks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2022 6:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 06:16:07 -0400

I don't know how you managed to not realize you need command sponsorship before you started out processing. It's in the levy brief you received, that's a huge hit on you for failing to read and follow instructions. A hit that negatively affected your family. On your next move, whether it's PCS or ETS, you need to read everything twice, then let your wife read it and ask questions.

Your contract authorized you to go to Germany, not your wife. It is not a breach of contract. HRC will offer to renegotiate when a family member can't go due to EFMP. When you RENO, you send a request, HRC makes a counter offer. There is no such thing as "keeping your options open". A RENO does not stay in an open status indefinitely, you either make the renegotiation or you cancel your assignment and your branch moves you.

However, if you would like to talk more about your case specifically, you can email my work email from your work email and I can discuss the details more in depth. That's about all I can say without you verifying your identity to me.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 27 at 2022 7:40 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 07:40:32 -0400

Unfortunately it sounds like they gave you options to keep Germany but you opted for another duty station. You may have been keeping your options open but once you did that and agreed to the new terms the Army was off the hook. You accepted an alternate offer instead of waiting for sponsorship for your wife or going ahead for your wife to follow afterwards. I recommend taking SFC Boyd up on his offer for additional info but it doesn’t seem you will be able to bail on your current duty station at the moment

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2022 7:46 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 07:46:09 -0400

They allocated time for you to fix the issue…..you elected not to fix it. You asked for other assignments that were not available…..what was the Army supposed to do with you? Leave you off orders? I don’t see what the issue is here.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 27 at 2022 9:29 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:29:17 -0400

I can't give you an answer to your specific question. I do ask, what is your over all goal? Are you there for the long haul (retirement), or for the short? I have never got to do what I wanted all the time, but I kept my eye on the prize, for me was two things - get a retirement and get the highest rank I could. I got them both. Sometimes we have to make the best of a situation we don't like if the long haul is the goal. I am guessing there are others here who can give you a more direct answer to your question.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Apr 27 at 2022 10:34 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 10:34:38 -0400

My knowledge is before there were contracts, and I am not a lawyer, much less expert on contract law. Back in the day, the recruiter would tell you what you wanted to hear to get you to enlist. However, whatever he told you was all subject to the needs of the Army. Once you signed, then you were guvment property and went and did what the Army wanted you to do.
If, in fact and indeed, you have a binding contract, then you should hire a mouthpiece right away and do what needs to be done.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 27 at 2022 7:21 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 19:21:56 -0400

I can offer no better info than @SFC Jason Boyd.

I *can* tell you Knox is not the best duty station in the world, but it is far from the worst.