Posted on 11/27/2007 12:46:44 PM PST by MarineMom613
Sorry for long title and caps. I am typing thru tears. My mom is dying of pancreatic cancer. She raised my son and I got thru to Red Cross & Hospice and they approved it. Military is denying it saying she is not loco parentis. On top of that nobody knows how to do the paper work. My son is her baby (30 Year Old Marine) and she is all she wants. Seems to be holding on for him. She just took a drastic turn for the worst yesterday. I need a congressman/senator anyone who I can call and try to push this through. I am literally BEGGING. I am losing my best friend and I need My Son home but More importantly, SHE needs him. She is basically unconcious but everytime she hears a mans voice she screams out that Rob is Here Bring him to me now. Dont' know how much longer she has. Any help appreciated... Prayers too!. He has served 2 tours in Iraq and has made the Military his career and he is lost right now. Please. He is in Camp Lejuene, NC and is scheduled to go out on a training excerise tomorrow on ship. Hospice and Red Cross pushed it through and Military is pushing it somewhere else.
Damn spoke too soon.....
BUMPING AND COPYING POST 54
Has your son gone to his Commanding Officer and requested leave?? As a CO many years ago that would be a no brainer and we would have had your son on his way in a few hours....probably with emergency pay in his pocket if requested. All this talk of calling congress critters does nothing but muck up the process.
I bet you do
Prayers on the way!
The Red Cross is an “agent” and makes a recommendation to the military, but it is still a military decision. I would contact your politicians who can influence the military.
MarineMom613,
You may also want to get the Command Segeant Major’s phone number and call him/her and ask for assistance through the NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) chain. Sometimes NCOs can get things done around the regulations.
Failing that, call your Congressman/Congresswoman, as well as your two (arrrg!) Senators offices to ask for assistance, as well send them emails. The one thing the military cringes at is having a Conressional/Senate inquiry made.
Hijinx,
What think you?
This is an EVERYDAY situation to those who deal with such requests. There is a process for emergency leave. The CO, his XO, the CLO, the CMS, and the Command OMBUDSMAN will all know these details inside and out.
The congressman will in most cases get a letter, referencing all of the appropriate rules and regulations, and an assurance that the situation is being handled correctly, appropriately, and within the jurisdiction of the CO.
What I have not seen from MarineMom:
Confirmation that the ill lady idoes in fact meet the definition of 'In Loco Parentis' as defined in the MILPERSMAN,
Confirmation that his presence would materially affect the condition of the ill lady, and
Confirmation that leave has even been rquested by the service member himself, as opposed to a request from MarineMom that he come home.
In the end, if the CO makes a determination that operational readiness and/or ongoing operations supercede the desire of the service member of his family to come home, then it remains his decision to make.
The congressman has no authority to intervene and can only cause unnecessary paperwork and hassle to the Marine Unit in question.
Just because someone told you that calling the Congressman/Senator etc. is a good idea doesn't mean it is true. It's a bad idea that will waste effort, energy, and emotional stress on the part of MarineMom, and it will do nothing to help the situation. I speak from experience and expertise in this area. I tried to help - if people don't want the right answer they can continue to sit in the dark all they wish.
Even if the military are denying emergency leave status, since he is in country at Camp Lejuene, he should be able to take ordinary leave.
Bump
I knew guys flew home from the MED SEA on emergency leave for the death of best friends. This is insane as it is a direct blood realitive. The congress critter should be the one capable of cutting the red tape faster than anyone. He is not deployed so there is no mission critical reason the man can not come home ASAP. Also if it’s not too late in the evening call the senate chairman of the armed forces committee as well. Good Luck.
Call your sons commander. He will have the last say in what goes on.
All I can offer is prayers. Gramma, is there anything you can do?
Do you have a minister or pastor that can call the Red Cross on your behalf?
Nearly every policy can be waived if the right people get involved.
While all of my first hand experience is with civilian agencies (all info on impact of congressionals on the military side being second hand) I can say that while your quoted statement above is entirely correct, political pressure can bring results.
The congressman will in most cases get a letter, referencing all of the appropriate rules and regulations, and an assurance that the situation is being handled correctly, appropriately, and within the jurisdiction of the CO.
A good CO with good folks under him isn't going to micromanage every decision. The congressional will ensure a level of micromanagement to ensure that the matter is being handled correctly, appropriately, and most importantly, expeditiously.
Prayers lifted for help from above in this delicate situation. I also pray for your entire family so that Grandma and Grandson can be together if even just briefly.
Blessings,
Jane
Putting aside our point of contention re: congressionals for a moment, I will say that you have given the best advice on the proper way to address the issue and the elements needed to be met. One other point with regard to the items you raised. How long has it been since the marine had leave to visit the grandmother. “She saw him a while ago” could have several meanings, and could be one reason the military isn’t jumping through hoops to let him go at this time.
Someone is dropping the ball here and it’s not the family. The man is in states and this should not take more than a few hours. Good grief I woke up in the morning in the MED before and asked where a shipmate was and was told Captain sent him home last night because parent, grandparent, friend had died or was dying. But that wasn't in the Navy we have now either though.
“Call your sons commander. He will have the last say in what goes on.”
I sincerely hope this situation is resolved.
We’re using the commander option as a last resort to get our son home for his grandfather’s funeral on Thursday. We’re hoping that his sergeant will take care of it.
Prayers for your family.
~Prayers~
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