Supporting the Relocation, Travel, and Lifestyle Needs of the American Military Family

Reporting-in Procedures

As mentioned in the must know subject area, the Fort Rucker community is not a high-cost area, however, it is important to be prepared before you arrive.  Soldiers stationed at Fort Rucker do not receive COLA.  Waiting time for government quarters will usually average from two to four months, depending on family size and needs, therefore families are required to rent a "temporary" house or apartment until they can obtain quarters. All newly assigned military personnel must report to the Community Homefinding Relocation and Referral Service office prior to making any housing selection in the off-post community and prior to entering into any lease.

There are numerous motels in the surrounding communities.  Prices start around $28 per night for a single, however the average cost is between $38 and $45.

Area rental agencies usually require a deposit equal to one month's rent and the first month's rent up front.  Rent on a two bedroom unfurnished apartment will cost between $300 and $450 per month with an average around $400.  Rent on a three bedroom unfurnished house will cost between $425 and $1250 per month with an average around $650.  Many realtors require a six-month lease be signed.  Make sure your lease includes a military clause providing for the breaking of the lease when you PCS.  A military clause will not allow you to break a lease for moving into government quarters.  It is best not to spend more than one quarter of your take home pay for a place to live.  Before you sign a lease, be sure to inquire about the utility bills by calling those services and getting the previous renter's averages and know which utility bills you are required to pay.

PERMANENT PARTY:
All incoming officer/enlisted will report to building 5700, Soldier Service Center, during normanl duty hours, 0730 - 1615, Monday through Friday, for sign-in.  Service members will need 3 copies of orders, Military Personnel  File, and leave form (DA Form 31).  A checklist will be issued with inprocessing instructions. Students will report to this building for sign-in and will be directed to their unit.  Soldiers reporting after duty hours, on weekends, or holidays, report and sign with the Staff Duty NCO at Murphy Hall, Bldg. 5206. COMM (334)255-3100; DSN 558-3100  Soldiers must report to Bldg 5700 the following duty day. SERVICE MEMBERS MUST BE IN UNIFORM TO INPROCESS.

TENANT UNITS:
Soldiers arriving to tenant organizations will report first to their unit and obtain assignment instructions before proceeding to Bldg 5700 to inprocess.  Soldiers reporting after duty hours, on weekends or holidays, may report and sign in with the Staff Duty NCO at Murphy Hall, Bldg. 5206.  COMM (334)3100; DSN 558-3100

STUDENTS:
All student Soldiers signing in during normal duty hours, 0730 - 1615, Monday through Friday, will report to their unit and sign in.  Students will be sent to Bldg 5700 the next duty day to inprocess.  Soldiers should have with them at time of signing in PCS orders, TDY orders, leave form (DA Form 31) and Military Personnel File.  Soldiers reporting after duty hours, on weekends or holidays, may report and sign in with the Staff Duty NCO at Murphy Hall, Bldg. 5206.  COMM (334)255-3100; DSN 558-3100

For additional information, Sponsorship Program information, requesting a leave extension, or reporting a change in your arrival date, contact Strength Management Section, Bldg. 5700, Room 280.  COMM (334)255-3490/DSN 558-3490.
    
All incoming personnel, whether eligible or ineligible for assignment to government quarters or accompanied/unaccompanied by family members, will report to the Community Home-finding Relocation and Referral Service (CHRRS), building 5700, Soldier Service Center, prior to making arrangements for off post-housing.

Civilians arriving for work at Ft. Rucker should report to the Directorate of Civilian Personnel in building 5700 room 280 for inprocessing.

If you get married before you PCS, you must inform your commander and follow the procedures exactly as you are given them.  The military will not pay for travel and housing of your spouse if the proper procedures are not followed.  You will need to work with your commander to get an "Amendment to Orders".

FINANCE GUIDE FOR INPROCESSING

1.  Finance inprocessing schedules are shown below and are conducted in room 371-B of the Soldier Service center, Bldg. 5700:

     a.  AIT students will meet the first duty day of each week at 7:30am.

     b. National Guard and Reserve meet daily at 9am.

     c. PCS and Soldiers entering active duty meet daily at 1:00pm except on Wednesdays.

     d.  OBC, OAC, WOC classes: Meetings will be scheduled with their units.

2.  O-6s and above, W5s,and CSMs will be inprocessed individually Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri on a walk-in basis at 2pm.

3.  The following is a list of documents that soldiers will need when inprocessing Defense Military Pay Office .  Not all items apply to every Soldier.  Each Soldier's status indicates his/her individual needs.

     a.  ALL SOLDIERS:

         -PCS or Enlistment Orders - 10 Copies
        
         - 1 Attachment order if Permanent Party

         -DA Form 31

         -SF 1199A

         -Copy of travel advance or money amounts if paid
          advance travel and receipts to be reimbursed for
          i.e. plane tickets

b.  IN ADDITION TO THE DOCUMENTS ABOVE, NEW ENLISTEES AND INTER-SERVICE TRANSFERS WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

         -DD Form 4

         -DD Form 214

         -DA Form 1506

         -DD Form 2366  

         -SGLI

         -Marriage Certificate

         -Final Leave and Earnings Statement
              
c.  OFFICERS ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY:

         -Active duty orders - 10 copies.

         -DA Form 1506

         -DD Form 2366

         -Oath of Office.

         -SGLI.

     d.  SOLDIERS ON PCS:

         -DA Form 31 Request for permissive TDY must be signed by O5 or above on DA 31 and stamped and dated by housing division to be valid.

TRAVEL PLANNING

Upon receipt of your orders, make sure that you have been authorized concurrent travel, if requested.  Concurrent travel means that housing is available within 30-days of your arrival.  If you have been issued concurrent travel, your family is authorized to travel with you or can follow up to 30 days.  This means travel is provided/reimbursed by the government, to include; shipment of household goods.  If soldier takes family without approval, all expenses are paid for by the soldier (you will not get reimbursed for their travel and household goods are not shipped).