Home for July 4th?

The following is brutal and blunt, but that said, you are in a unpleasant position and have my sympathy.

If your assigned unit is in a ready posture, you'll be restricted to a limited travel area. NYC and the Lower Hudson Valley is an average 12 hour road trip one way. If you can swing a pass for the weekend your best options for time restricted travel is flying, And that can get pricey out of Fayetteville. as it will route through a hub airport such as Atlanta. Even then, with the summer season in swing and the fact you are a married soldier, your better options would be to apply for base housing and having family relocate to NC for the duration of your assignment at Bragg. Yes, a longer wait and it sucks like all get out. But in the long run, it will allow you to be with the wife and daughter more often. I would suggest face time or skype as your best option for the time being and look to get on the housing list.

I understand your issue, but if I were your First Sergeant I would not recommend approval a pass for a distance beyond a 125 mile range which should allow for a full weekend in Myrtle beach, which would be a better option if family can come to Ft. Bragg. Also considering the number of flights screwed up due to summer weather, you could be delayed in both travel to NY and back to base, neither of which would have a good outcome for a PFC with limited fiscal support.


Next best option id if you have at least 2 weeks leave accrued. Using that would be a safer course of action, when you've got it banked.

For the 4th of July weekend, you can do one of two things: 1) Submit a Leave Request for that time frame; 2) If you don't have the days to take leave, submit for a Special 4 Day Pass. To travel that far, you will need a pass. To travel that far for that many days, you will need a Special Pass. Seek out the assistance of your NCOs when you get to your unit.

So there is a mileage restriction. And usually over 350 miles radius on a 4 day pass is a no go unless your CO blesses off on it. If the tempo in the unit is currently down bring it up your COC they might give you an option to take leave instead.

It is tuff on your family being in the military. I have missed 11 of my daughters 16 birthdays. I have missed a son being born but in the long run it pays off. My daughter is 16 now and she will tell you never once has she not been proud of me being her father missing those birthdays she knew the reason why. Plus her mother has missed 15 straight years of her life for no good reasons at all.