Can your unit dictate when can you take your paternity leave because of deployment?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 13:23:45 -0400

I cannot take my paternity leave because I am being told I have to deploy and have a year to take my leave but in my situation I won’t have a year to take my leave because once I get back I’ll be ETSing. I held off on taking my paternity leave so I could help the rear d unit with missions now I cannot take my leave cause I deploy in the next three weeks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2020 2:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 14:22:34 -0400

So - you originally held off taking paternity leave when you had the ability to take it because you chose to help Rear D? Is that right? That's how I read it.

You should have taken it when you had the chance initially. I'm not sure why you would have put helping Rear D above your child...but...to each his or her own.

It's up to the commander to approve or deny leave.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 14 at 2020 2:47 PM

SGT Justin Anderson — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 14:47:24 -0400

You have a personal problem, not an army problem though the army is part of the problem. Leave granted is up to the commander and the needs of the military will always trump your personal needs.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 14 at 2020 3:07 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 15:07:31 -0400

Your mistake was the earlier assumption, unless your Command Team has sympathy for your mistake you will deploy. Anytime you are making plans for anything that affects work you need to speak with leadership. I assure you it is the same on the outside as well.

Response by SSG Rajeev Kirpalani made Aug 14 at 2020 3:41 PM

SSG Rajeev Kirpalani — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 15:41:59 -0400

The mission always comes first, you won’t loose your days also as your ETSing you will get all your leave days terminal leave

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 14 at 2020 4:40 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:40:26 -0400

‘Use it or lose it’ applies in many situations:)

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 14 at 2020 9:15 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 21:15:23 -0400

The unit Commander is in total control of leaves. If paternity leave was serious for you, then you should have taken it when you can. The Army will not stop over your or anybody else's leave.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2020 7:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 19:25:02 -0400

I’ve read the REG. And it says the commander is not allow to deny that leave. So there is where I’m confused

Response by SGT Bill Christian made Aug 16 at 2020 1:46 AM

SGT Bill Christian — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 01:46:27 -0400

Am i the only one hearing pre laid plans to avoid a deployment and crying now because big bad army says tough shit

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2020 9:23 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 09:23:47 -0400

Hopefully this will help because most of the comments on here are just people judging you. I too did not take my paternity leave because I was in the middle of flight school; I took it as pcs leave when I left Ft. Rucker.

I reviewed the regulation on secondary caregiver leave and unfortunately there is not exception to the one year rule even with a deployment. If I were you, you are authorized to take leas than 21 days so I would sit down with the commander and explain the situation and maybe get two weeks of paternity leave approved with the understanding that you will still attend any necessary pre-deployment medical appointments. I believe this is your best shot. Good luck!