Hi all, I’m in the US Army. Joined in April 2023, got to my duty station at Fort Drum in November 2023. I married my wife in July 2024, and she’s stationed in Fort Bliss, TX. We enrolled in the Married Army Couples Program (MACP), but my unit’s in a stop-lock for deployment. Somehow, I still got orders to go to Fort Bliss, but they were canceled and now I’m being deployed. Is there anything I can do about this?
Ugh, that’s rough. I think deployment orders can override MACP, but don’t quote me! Have you talked to your branch manager again?
Tatum said:
Ugh, that’s rough. I think deployment orders can override MACP, but don’t quote me! Have you talked to your branch manager again?
Yeah, I spoke to my branch manager. They said they can’t help because my unit’s in a stop-lock.
@Fin
Man, that’s tough. I’ve heard stop-locks are strict. Maybe check with JAG to see if they have any advice?
Just curious, what’s MACP? Sorry if that’s a basic question.
Hollis said:
Just curious, what’s MACP? Sorry if that’s a basic question.
No worries! MACP is the Married Army Couples Program. It’s supposed to help get assignments together for married Army members, but it’s not a guarantee.
@Fin
Ah, makes sense. I didn’t know they had a program for that. Bummer that it doesn’t always work.
Did you try filing a Personnel Action Request (PAR)? Sometimes they make exceptions, especially if you haven’t been married a year.
CarolynCook said:
Did you try filing a Personnel Action Request (PAR)? Sometimes they make exceptions, especially if you haven’t been married a year.
Yeah, I did file a PAR but it got denied because of the stop-lock.
@Fin
Wow, they’re really strict. Have you tried talking to the Chaplain? Sometimes they can offer support or advice.
Could looking at compassionate reassignment options help? There’s a section in the policy docs about that if MACP doesn’t cover it.
Holland said:
Could looking at compassionate reassignment options help? There’s a section in the policy docs about that if MACP doesn’t cover it.
Thanks, I’ll check that out. Didn’t realize there was a separate section for compassionate reassignment.
IDK, Army stuff can be complicated, but have you tried Legal Assistance on base?
Jordan said:
IDK, Army stuff can be complicated, but have you tried Legal Assistance on base?
Good idea! I’ll make an appointment with them next week. Thanks!
Jordan said:
IDK, Army stuff can be complicated, but have you tried Legal Assistance on base?
Good idea! I’ll make an appointment with them next week. Thanks!
Let us know how it goes! Hope they have some advice.