Should I defer my PCS orders 90 days and do BLC, but risk going needs of the Army, or should I just wait it out?

2020-05-29T09:52:13-04:00

I was supposed to PSC in April and of course I got slotted for BLC that month. I got pushed off the OML because of the move but then got stuck at my current duty station due to COVID. My report date got pushed to July so my leadership put me back on the OML for June BLC. I didn't make the cut and got pushed off the OML again because of my July report date. Now my report date is going to get moved again because we are still a red state. Should I defer my orders 90 days and do BLC but risk going needs of the Army or should I just wait it out? I know it ultimately falls on my shoulders but I'd like some advice from the community. I feel like I'm chasing a carrot on a string right now.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 10:17 AM

2020-05-29T10:17:39-04:00

Honestly, I’m in the same position. Might as well knock out BLC first because then you’ll be inprocessing your new duty station and you’ll regret not going when you could’ve.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 11:08 AM

2020-05-29T11:08:15-04:00

Would just knock BLC out if you can. Always try to get PME knocked and out of the way.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made May 29 at 2020 11:12 AM

2020-05-29T11:12:52-04:00

If you can get it done now, go a head and do it. There's no way to know how long you'll have to wait at your next duty station.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 11:30 AM

2020-05-29T11:30:18-04:00

Knock out the PME. You'll thank us later! :)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 1:50 PM

2020-05-29T13:50:12-04:00

I've seen way too many guys scrambling at the last minute to get PME in before the cutoff for a promotion board because they kept putting it off. Sucks to get passed over for promotion over something so simple and avoidable as not being educationally qualified. trust me, you do NOT want to be that guy. You don't get promoted and have to wait until the next cycle and then, guess what? that slot they were going to promote you into has been filled by some other guy who completed his PME and you have to wait for another slot to open up. I know a guy who has been a MAJ for almost 9 years because he hasn't completed ILE. He was a 1LT when I was a 2LT.

Response by CSM Rick Cassel made May 29 at 2020 1:56 PM

2020-05-29T13:56:19-04:00

First and foremost, talk to your chain of command. From Team leader up to your Battalion CSM. By the looks of things it appears you are being removed from the OML because of your pending PCS move. I ran an OML from the battalion level for all PME schools from BLC through the Sergeants Major academy. Not all CSM are dicks, the great majority actually do care about the welfare of their troops. And our grass...lol. You may have options you are not aware of that your CSM can help with. To include having your PCS orders modified that include completing BLC in route to your new duty station. He/she may have the ability to talk to next chain of command and have you put on their OML as well. Or he/she may tell you neither option is not available and you're screwed so long as you have pending PCS orders. Either way you will have more information in which to base your decision. BLC slots are slim, I used to get 3 to 5 slots per class for my entire battalion. For that reason alone I would pick completing BLC as your biggest priority.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 2:05 PM

2020-05-29T14:05:56-04:00

Thank you every one for your input. I went to retention and found that I can do a 90 deferment as long as my next duty station allows it. I'm going to chase BLC a couple more months here and if it doesn't work out, I'll chase it at my next duty station but I wont have the constant uncertainty of ever changing orders hanging over my head.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 2:11 PM

2020-05-29T14:11:01-04:00

I deferred my BLC before PCSing and it was the best decision I’ve made. You most likely will not become needs of the Army.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 29 at 2020 4:14 PM

2020-05-29T16:14:17-04:00

If promotion is a priory, go to BLC. No matter when you PCS the needs of the Army can step in and change where you thought you were going. Service is an adventure!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 5:53 PM

2020-05-29T17:53:10-04:00

BLC

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 7:28 PM

2020-05-29T19:28:00-04:00

You wouldn’t be going needs of the Army, you’ll keep your next duty station. Deferments are almost always approved for reenlistment duty stations if you can provide a semi valid reason

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 7:58 PM

2020-05-29T19:58:58-04:00

Take the chance of getting Blc and do not worry about going "needs of the Army". You will not lose your current orders over deferments and it's a chance for to go to school before pcsing to your new command.