MPD leadership: Help available to aid summer reassignment surge

Due to high summer demand for services-such as help with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders- the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Military Personnel Division is streamlining its business processes by getting the word out to Soldiers about who can help them PCS on a quick turnaround, according to JBM-HH Human Resources Director Ken Washington.

The MPD office in Bldg. 202 on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH provides services for about 8,000 Soldiers, retirees, civilians and family members in the NCR, and during the summer the Army asks more of those Soldiers to relocate with short notice, he said.

"Around this time, there is a greater demand for our services," said Washington in a June 25 interview with the Pentagram. "This time of year Soldiers are moving to and from different locations around the world-sometimes in a little more than one month's notice."

It is important the Soldiers with tight reassignment deadlines who come into Bldg. 202 for assistance know MPD Chief Doug Russell is able to assist them, according to Washington, who emphasized that getting in touch with Russell before leaving the MPD office can prevent hardships later on.

"If they are told a necessary service cannot be completed before the deadline, Chief Russell should be whom they get in touch with," he said. "MPD is a branch under the Directorate of Human Resources, so they may also get in touch with me if that does not resolve their issue."

Recent negative feedback via interactive customer evaluation comments (ICE) has prompted MPD to reach out to its customers. Russell - who can be reached at 703-696-3695 - also emphasized the benefits customers receive by talking with him before leaving the office with unresolved issues in a June 26 interview with the Pentagram.

"We take these comments seriously when they appear, and make every effort to help reduce the stress relocation brings Soldiers and their families," said Russell.

The summer peak season can bring hardships on Soldiers and their families as PCS moves can require Army families to move to new duty stations quickly, according to Russell.

"Sometimes Soldiers are given orders to relocate from Human Resources Command or Senior Leadership Command in less than 90 days, which gives families little time to prepare," said Russell.

When orders are issued requiring Soldiers to conduct a PCS move in less than 90 days' time, additional assistance is required to move paperwork through the system in a timely fashion. Reaching out to MPD Chief of Reassignment Charles Smith at 703-696-0004 is also an option to consider before leaving the office dissatisfied, according to Russell.

See below for a list of frequently asked questions and answers associated with JBM-HH HR services.

JBM-HH Human Resources FAQ

Q: Who should I contact if I am experiencing difficulty in getting retirement orders?

Primary: Douglas Russell, chief, Military Personnel Division, 703-696-3695

Alternate: Albert Brown, deputy chief, MPD, Human Resources, 703-696-8517

Q: What are the operating hours of the ID Card Facility?

8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but the best hours to come are between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., which is the slowest period of the day

Q: Who should I contact if I am experiencing difficulty in getting PCS orders?

Primary: Charles Smith, Reassignments Branch chief, 703-696-0004

Alternate: Douglas Russell, chief, Military Personnel Division, 703- 696-3695

Q: How long should it take to receive PCS orders once a complete packet is turned in?

60 days from notification for normal actions; a short notice assignment (60 days or less) will take about seven business days

Q: Who should I contact if I am less than satisfied with military personnel services while at Bldg. 202?

Primary: Douglas Russell, chief, Military Personnel Division, 703-696-3695

Alternate: Ken Washington, director, Human Resources, 703-696-5779