What options do I have if my S-1 held onto my paperwork and may have caused me to become ineligible for a bonus?

2019-02-13T20:53:37-05:00

I recently submitted my paperwork to apply for the Aviation bonus. It looks like I may not have my bonus honored because my S1 has held unto the paperwork for weeks (since 30 January), and not forwarded to the required BDE CO for signature. Now I am attending a course that initiated an ADSO. If the bonus paperwork was completed prior to the course, no problem. But if completed after the initiation of the course, I don't believe I'm eligible.

Do I have any options here? I'm losing nearly $80,000 (after taxes) because of this. I'm not a big fan of causing a scene, but this one time, I may be reaching out to every person that outranks me and stop when I get to the highest position in the land. I refuse to believe that this is something that can't be corrected.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Feb 13 at 2019 9:07 PM

2019-02-13T21:07:21-05:00

You'll get more help if you change your fake name.

http://support.rallypoint.com/customer/en/portal/articles/1311927-how-do-i-change-my-name-?b_id=4766

How do I change my name?

NOTE:RallyPoint requires our members to use their real names. Aliases, initials, joint names, email addresses, business...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2019 10:50 PM

2019-02-13T22:50:12-05:00

Sir, I’d say that $80,000 is a damn fine reason to cause a scene.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 13 at 2019 11:24 PM

2019-02-13T23:24:44-05:00

Talk to the S1-O / Perso and explain the issue? They may be able to back-channel it and get it corrected without you having to escalate it.

My gut reaction was "Request Mast" if that doesn't work. I think the Army uses a combination of Open Door Policies and the IG process in lieu of this. All that said, lead with the "I'm losing nearly $80k because my paperwork was erroneously (I'm assuming) held at S1 far longer than it should have been." Make sure to show that you did your due diligence in getting the paperwork processed and to them well before whatever deadline was there.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2019 9:50 AM

2019-02-14T09:50:17-05:00

If this new ADSO is only 12 months, you are still eligible to complete that bonus paperwork at the end of the course when the 12 months start, or you can initiate a new one when you get under 12 months on a longer ADSO.
Otherwise, you would have to convince your BDE to "backdate" their signatures on the bonus paperwork.
You kind of gave yourself and your BDE a short window to complete this bonus paperwork if you submitted on 30 JAN and reported to a school earlier this week.
Yes, there is no reason for a BN S1 to hold onto any action not requiring corrections for more than a day or two, but expecting a BDE CDR signature within five duty days is unrealistic in any BDE anywhere.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2019 9:42 PM

2019-02-28T21:42:23-05:00

UPDATE:
Success! Well, sort of. After contacting a G1 (above division, below Army) I found out that while not on the distributed documents for SA, the bonus is based on date the SM originally signs it. Would you care to know why it's not based on the Commands signature? Because, "so many Soldiers were losing out on this bonus due to apathetic S1s, lost packets or packets missing signature (this is a 2 page document that only requires 3 signatures -SM, BN, BDE. Leadership doesn't even "elect" a choice.) We saw the average time of signature to arrival at HRC of three months."

While some can argue my week was short notice, this just goes to show you the new standard. I'm glad they "fixed" this to cover down on substandard units. The intention of this aviation bonus was to retain pilots at a time when for the first time in army helo aviation, staying in cost more than getting out. The way the program has been handled not just for me but others really can't be helping with retention.

Response by CPL Dale Ketron made Feb 28 at 2019 11:40 PM

2019-02-28T23:40:12-05:00

As paperwork routes through the leadership, it takes time for several reasons. Plus several review before signed. And the busy schedule of the leadership. Not to mention the amount of paperwork and the time each person who reviews and verfies as it goes through the process. The individual CO's time, are they in the office, out in field, appointments, meetings, holidays, I could go on. It takes time to go through the process.
My question is why was it submitted with such a short suspense? could this have been submitted month or two earlier?
Just asking... don't know all sides. but I do know how the process works through the CoC and I'm sure there's alot of other actions being sent through.