Can you deploy a couple months after being granted a compassionate reassignment for child being ill?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:48:58 -0500

I was approved for a compassionate reassignment in August of this past year due to my child being ill. I checked into my unit in October. They deployed me the first week of December. They could not accommodate me at a base anywhere near family so my wife is in a new area 17 hours from the nearest relative or friend with our three kids. The baby was taken by ambulance to a bigger pediatric hospital the first week I was gone. He is still up and down and not even close to being 100 percent well. I couldn't find anything in the regs for deployability after a compassionate is approved. Does anyone know if you can deploy right away after checking into your new unit under a compassionate?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 1 at 2020 7:47 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 07:47:46 -0500

I don't know this answer, but I wanted to say that you and your family are in my thoughts -- and I hope your little one gets all healthy ASAP!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 1 at 2020 7:53 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 07:53:36 -0500

Should it happen? Probably not.
Can it happen? Absolutely.

You are in the Army. The mission comes first. Period. While good Commanders will try to shoeld folks with severe family issues when possible, all Commanders (good or bad) still have a mission to accomplish. If they did the math amd decided that you were necessary to accomplish the mission, then you were necessary to accomplish the mission. Yes this is still true if all you are doing while deployed is pulling guard duty. SOMEONE has to pull guard duty.

I am sorry this happened to you. You and your family will be in my prayers. But the leadership mantra is "mission, men, myself." Mission ALWAYS comes first.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2020 11:15 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 23:15:14 -0500

You can always deploy. I would start talking to the COC about requesting to be on rear detachement due to the circumstances. Escalation may be necessary. Idc what anyone says, family comes first. I wish you the best.