What are my options for getting PCS orders within 6 months of my ETS date?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 12:33:16 -0500

So I'm currently OCONUS at a duty location where I cannot fully ETS out of. This is a 12 month assignment and it will be over 10 May 2022. My ETS date is 23 September 2022. I know you need at least 6 months remaining on active to PCS. So my question is what are my options? I've been told I can extend at this location up to the day 2 weeks prior to my ETS leave, go back to a legit duty station, outprocess the Army then go on leave. I've also been told I can extend my ETS date to have 6 months remaining so I can leave this station on time and properly ETS.

Edit: Also, my wife is currently in California but we're moving back to Kansas City when I get out. I heard during my terminal leave, we'll stay on California BAH since I'm not PCSing. Is this true?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2021 12:45 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 12:45:47 -0500

To whom did you talk to when getting this information?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2021 5:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 17:27:48 -0500

It sounds like you're in a location like Egypt or Israel where you were deployed/PCSed through a CRC. You absolutely do not want to ETS through a CRC, no matter how you might feel about the Army, you don't want to do that

If you're in a short tour area you must have six months left - from your report date, not your DEROS. Your report date is going to be the next month after your DEROS. If you aren't willing to extend you fall into what is called an Involuntary FSTE and your DEROS will be adjusted to two days prior to your ETS.

You can wait for the Army to place you on assignment, but you're probably an initial term Soldier and they won't. You can't extend because you're in your reenlistment window. Someone will tell you that you can extend, but when your Career Counselor goes to lock you in for that extension, they'll get an error message preventing them from doing it.

You want to move to Kansas City, the smart thing to do is to reenlist for Fort Riley, establish yourself there, save up for a house, buy that house, and secure yourself a job there long before you get out of the Army.

It's all about plans, and getting tossed out on your butt with a few days to out process is not a good plan for your family. PCSing to a location of the Army's choosing and having only six months to get out isn't much better. You can start TAP 18 months out from ETS. You can spend up to six months in a CSP or internship of your choosing, anywhere in the US, on the Army's dime - as long as you plan properly.

If you're in Africa, or that area, and you probably are, feel free to email me. I provide Retention support to orphans like yourself, and I'm in a similar time zone so you can give me a call if you'd rather speak in person. [login to see]