FORT SILL, Okla., Sept. 10, 2020 -- Fort Sill has a proud tradition of hosting training units and tactical brigades that are critical to the Army. However, Fort Sill also provides support to the Army in a unique way – through the Personnel Control Facility.
The Fort Sill Personnel Control Facility (PCF) was established in 1971 during the midst of the Vietnam War, and was one of 21 PCFs across the force. Over the years, the number of these facilities has steadily decreased hand-in-hand with desertion rates until ultimately all functions were consolidated into Fort Sill in 2013. Nevertheless, the scope and function of the PCF have largely remained unchanged since the 1970s.
Per Army Regulation 600-62, the PCF is responsible for the processing and disposition, whether administratively or judicially, of AWOL Soldiers returned to military control, Soldiers sentenced to confinement over 120 days (without a discharge), and Soldiers placed on parole, adjudged a punitive discharge awaiting appellate review, and confined by either the military or civilian authorities.
It is a large mission. To put it into perspective, it is not uncommon for the PCF to have over 900 Soldiers assigned at any given time.
To accomplish this, the PCF is primarily staffed by government civilians. This consists of nine human resources technicians, 12 personnel escorts, two legal assistants, and one each training technician, supply clerk, and deputy to the commander. These individuals serve as the continuity, with several members of the team exceeding 15 years of service at the PCF. Nevertheless, the PCF is aligned as part of the Fort Sill Garrison for authority and is headed by the garrison headquarters company commander and first sergeant.
The “so what?” of this is multi-faceted. One, the PCF removes much of the administrative burden from units when it comes to out-processing returnees and post-confinement Soldiers. Secondly, Soldiers assigned to the PCF do not count against the end strength of the Army, which allows for their positions to be filled to meet mission demands.
Most importantly, the PCF takes care of Soldiers and families during a potentially challenging period of transition. Anything from TRICARE enrollments for families, to assisting with navigating complex pay issues – the PCF team coordinates it all.
In the end, a critical point the PCF stresses is that individuals assigned there are still Soldiers. Their circumstances might be different, but upon completion of any court ordered action they are entitled to all of the same rights and privileges of any other Soldier.
“We are the face of the Army as these Soldiers are transitioning – we want to give them the best impression we can,” said DeAna Rasco-Norman, human resources supervisor for the PCF.
Ensuring their transition is handled appropriately and professionally – either to civilian life or back to the force – follows right along with axiom No. 25 of the Fires 50: “The Army is a people business.”
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