HELP! - I need advice, from anyone presently or recently in the Army

[Smurf-Herder]

This is not political, but an inquiry into military regulations. I think my son and his new wife are getting seriously screwed by the Army. I would have posted this in the other forum, but this one gets more traffic.

Here's the deal. Both are in the 1st ID based in Kansas. They met and fell in love during their first deployment in Iraq. They married a month before their second deployment this past summer. When they were deployed the second time, they ended up on opposite sides of the country, which was bad, but not intollerable. They planned to have a baby as soon as they got back and put their married life on track. His enlistment will be up in December and hers the middle of next year; with their respective units not scheduled for redeployment until 2014.

Here's the problem. He has received orders upon return to be transferred to the 82nd Airborne in South Carolina, for deployment to Afghanistan at some point. While she's stuck in Kansas alone. Apparently, he's somehow now connected with Intelligence, as a mapmaker; and they need him under Stop-Loss.

To my understanding, Stop-Loss allows the Army to keep you in for an additional 12 months past the end of your separation date if you're needed. And the current system allows for one year at home after one year of overseas deployment. So if he's deployed after his year in the states, then his overseas deployment would go against the 12 Stop-Loss provision. And if he's deployed sooner, then it goes against the allowance of a year at home per year on overseas deployment.

And on top of the above, they're being forced to live on opposite ends of the country, while in the States. In effect, after only one month of living together as a married couple, the Army is forcing them to be apart for over two years.

I want to fight this. But Christopher was told that if he tries to fight it, he'll get a dishonerable discharge and lose all his military benifits (which is part of why he enlisted in the first place).

IMO, this is an affront to all military families ........ as well as an extreme emotional hardship on everyone involved.

Has anyone heard of this happening before? And is there anything at all we can do (without the Army punishing Chris for it)?

[John Galt]

Perhaps his wife can say that she's gay?

Sorry...I got nothing. I'm sure there are written standards. I bet they keep them apart, so that they can't make a baby.

[slowhand]

Even if you dont take any action, I would talk to a lawyer about it anyway Smurf..That is really fucked up

[John Galt]

Even if you dont take any action, I would talk to a lawyer about it anyway Smurf..That is really fucked up
Sounds like he can get what he wants...as long as it includes a discharge from the service.


There are thousands of these stories, since the asshats invaded Iraq.

[Smurf-Herder]

Even if you dont take any action, I would talk to a lawyer about it anyway Smurf..That is really fucked up

I'm tempted to contact my Congressman and the media. But it'll only hurt Chris; in ways that we may not know of back here in the states..

[Smurf-Herder]

Sounds like he can get what he wants...as long as it includes a discharge from the service.


There are thousands of these stories, since the asshats invaded Iraq.

I've never heard of an individual being transferred to circumvent the 12 month limit on Stop-Loss, or the 12 month period in between overseas deployments ........... or a married couple in the service being separated for such a long period of time. It goes against the whole concept of supporting military families - especially while Iraq is in the process of winding down and overall enlistments are high.

[Smurf-Herder]

Perhaps his wife can say that she's gay?

Sorry...I got nothing. I'm sure there are written standards. I bet they keep them apart, so that they can't make a baby.

That's what we figured, when they were deployed 150 miles apart this last time. But his official enlistment ends in December and hers sometime next year; and neither of their units are scheduled to be redeployed for four years.

[slowhand]

I'm tempted to contact my Congressman and the media. But it'll only hurt Chris; in ways that we may not know of back here in the states..

And you can take that to the bank..The media will make a circus out of it

I suggested legal advise, because if nothing else, atleast you can find out what the truth of the situation is

[Smurf-Herder]

And you can take that to the bank..The media will make a circus out of it

I suggested legal advise, because if nothing else, atleast you can find out what the truth of the situation is

The problem on that is, I don't know what kind of advice we'll get on a free first consultation (if we can get one). And we can't afford a lawyer to actually do anything.

[slowhand]

The problem on that is, I don't know what kind of advice we'll get on a free first consultation (if we can get one). And we can't afford a lawyer to actually do anything.

Yeah..I hear ya..that would get expensive, and you'd have to find a guy who is savvy in military affairs..Its a bitch when they screw you, and there isnt much you can do about it, for a number of reasons..Good Luck with it

[Smurf-Herder]

Yeah..I hear ya..that would get expensive, and you'd have to find a guy who is savvy in military affairs..Its a bitch when they screw you, and there isnt much you can do about it, for a number of reasons..Good Luck with it

Thanks.

I'm thinking my best option at this point is to go to some military family support sites, to see if people there have had any experience with this unique type of Stop-Loss scenario.

[Dale escondido]

Thanks.

I'm thinking my best option at this point is to go to some military family support sites, to see if people there have had any experience with this unique type of Stop-Loss scenario.


Smurf
I was drafted in 69 and there was a legal organization that took on military issues without charge.
Are there none nowadays with all the rage over the wars?
My brother in law resigned after panama ( he was outraged by what happened there) but being a pilot he did end up serving another year because of iraq part1.

[Smurf-Herder]

Smurf
I was drafted in 69 and there was a legal organization that took on military issues without charge.
Are there none nowadays with all the rage over the wars?
My brother in law resigned after panama ( he was outraged by what happened there) but being a pilot he did end up serving another year because of iraq part1.

I can understand staying in another year. But this involves either staying in for over a year, or having less than a year in between deployments. And transferring an "individual" to circumvent currently understood regulations concerning "unit" deployments; and separating a newlywed couple while not on deployment in the process.

I'll look into every possibility. We still have until June to sort it out.

[Dale escondido]

I can understand staying in another year. But this involves either staying in for over a year, or having less than a year in between deployments. And transferring an "individual" to circumvent currently understood regulations concerning "unit" deployments; and separating a newlywed couple while not on deployment in the process.

I'll look into every possibility. We still have until June to sort it out.

My point smurf is are there any legal orgs that work these areas as during vietnam?
Your good with computers so if they are out there I guess you would know?
Military issues are usually complicated as in any bureaucratic environment.
Good luck.

[Smurf-Herder]

My point smurf is are there any legal orgs that work these areas as during vietnam?
Your good with computers so if they are out there I guess you would know?
Military issues are usually complicated as in any bureaucratic environment.
Good luck.

I'll be checking it out.

Thanks.

[hdmarketing]

Yup Smurf sounds like they are getting the major screw.

This does not surprise me though as it is typical for the Military to kind of do what they want after you sign. I know we never got most of what we were promised when I went in (don't get me wrong, I stand behind our military 100%)

I agree with Dale, when I was in Nam there were plenty of groups out there, and with how the left hates the military now days there has to be someone you can talk to.

Hope for the best my friend, please keep up posted.