Post by Reddit User: DependentBest1534
I keep seeing a lot of people saying that DoD is fully hiring and internal moves are easy. I have been waiting since the end of February to transfer, so I’m closer to family. I have been waiting on an exemption to switch from USACE to USACE with a grade reduction.
Here are some questions I asked and answers I was given:
Q: Is the approval process easier because I’m already a USACE employee?
A: I don’t have an answer, these are handled at a much higher level than our office.
Q: Does it help that I am taking a grade reduction?
A: This does not appear to be a factor in the approval.
Q: What is the process for getting an exemption approved?
A: The local Administrative Officer compiles all required documents, sends them to the USACE administrative officer who then sends them to the department head administrator.
Q: Do you think this is likely to be approved or am I likely to wait until end of FY?
A: I can’t speak on the timeframe as our office or the local administrative officer are not the approving authority.
Q: Is there any sort of estimated timeline?
A: There are no timelines they must follow
Q: Is there any on-boarding I can complete at this time or is it all on hold?
A: No sir not at this time
Maybe higher level administrators have more insight. I just wanted to make it clear to hopeful hires DoD is not wide open it is still an annoying slog to get in.
