I've been trying to outprocess this week. When you deploy as an individual from Ft Dix, you have to complete an outprocessing checklist, and you can't go to the next station until you complete the one before it.
I got through three stations before I stalled. See, there's this form that has to be filled out at SRC (Soldier Readiness Check). It contains information that can be used to identify you in the event of your capture. Once you fill it out, they scan it before you fly, and you carry a CD with you. Also, there's this agency on post called MATOPS (Military Assistance for Training Operations). They manage, schedule, and track training. Finally, there's ITO (Installtion Transportation Office). That's where I go to get scheduled to fly. Remember these three facts; they're all related.
So I got as far as clearing through MATOPS, when the NCOIC told me that she wouldn't sign off on my paperwork, because I didn't have my recovery form filled out. I went to SRC to fill it out, and they weren't equipped to do fingerprints. So I went to the installation security office, and got my friend to fingerprint me, and took the form back, where I was informed that they didn't have the facilities to scan the document, but they wouldn't do it until right before I flew, anyway.
So I go back to MATOPS, where I'm informed that without the scan, they won't sign off. They won't scan until I'm ready to fly. I can't get scheduled to fly until MATOPS signs off. And round and round and round...
I finally had to get the HR director on post involved (though I didn't go to him; he was walking by me and heard me on the pone with MATOPS, trying to explain everything to them), and now the MAT understands that they need to sign off after the form is complete but before the scan.... or I think they do.
Rumor in the barracks had the next flight out as July 19th. I heard on Friday that that flight is full, and the next one after that is August 1. It's not my fault that I didn't get on the flight for the 19th, but this is just getting ridiculous.
In the new improved Military, getting somewhere and getting back sounds like hell.
When I went to a far away land in late 67, they called my name, took my paperwork (which I have no Idea what it was) gave me another set of paperwork, and then me and about 125? other guys got on the airplane. No fuss, no muss, no wait.
Our enterprising officers had "smuggled" on ten large ice chests full of "cold contraband" to keep us in line on the way over.
No paperwork was filled out for that.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Posted by: Papa Ray | July 03, 2005 at 08:46 PM
this an even sillier version of "hurry up and wait". it's enough to make you dizzy!
Posted by: e1 | July 04, 2005 at 03:46 PM