Which part of “volunteer army” was not clear?
And they know what causes babies nowadays...
Which part of “volunteer army” was not clear?
I was a volunteer in the Navy and received a hardship discharge after I divorced and got custody of my three children. All she has to do is apply for one and it will be granted. But she cannot ever re-enlist unless she can prove that she has someone to watch after her baby.
AND all of us are required to have arrangements for the care of our minor children. If not, we need to resign or be involuntarily discharged. Sorry.
Colonel, USAFR
The real kicker to me was the fact that Grandmomma cannot handle the baby but she can run a daycare. The whole thing sounds like a set-up so that the soldier doesn’t have to go to Afghanistan. These soldiers need to figure out how to not have children. I am betting baby’s daddy is a soldier also and he is probably not being deployed. So they aren’t together anymore...oh well. It is still his kid, let him have temporary custody.
There is nothing so important about a COOK in the army that would require her to leave her child to a child welfare (government) agency so she can deploy. However, she should not be allowed to remain in the army, either.
Speaking to my husband who is a commander, yes, she volunteered, a commander does call to verify that single soldiers have “family” plans for deployment.
Did her mom, say yes, did in the end her mom say NO she cannot. My husband has made it clear, commander's do not give option's to the soldier “foster care” or bust.
Having said that, he also said, if she wanted to serve than she should have found a way to have someone care for the child. Finally, he said she would be chaptered out if no other solution remained and the option is hardship discharge. Of course the arrest could change the nature of a discharge.
But, I go back to the choice of “foster care” or serving your country. If there is no one capable of caring for the infant than there is nothing dishonorable about choosing motherhood.
There are both single mom's and dad's faced with this situation all the time and it is very difficult and usually the plan's arranged by the service member allow the service member to do their duty in the armed services.
BTW, women serve honorably in our Armed Forces. Are there some that use pregnancy to get out of their deployment sure. Are there men who use CO status to get out of their duty sure.
But, more men and women serve their country with honor and distinction and I applaud each and every one of them and as I lay my head down I pray for each of them and for my husband to lead them with courage and to keep them safe.
Finally I look forward to see what the investigation proves. There is no doubt she missed her movement/deployment, that has consequences, she will have to face those but the bigger issue the circumstances behind the entire incident.
~FMC (proud Air Force veteran)