Home for July 4th?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:08:39 -0400

Hey all, my first question on here. I just finished airborne school and am heading to fort bragg tomorrow. I haven’t seen my daughter in months and want to know with 4th of July coming up and it being a 4 day if I’d be able to head up to New York?
I’m not sure if it varies by unit or if there’s an over all policy. I’ve searched but not found an answer.
Thanks in advance!!

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jun 4 at 2019 10:13 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:13:47 -0400

Check your unit. You may have to get permission to travel beyond a certain distance.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 10:31 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:31:11 -0400

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.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2019 10:41 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:41:46 -0400

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.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 4 at 2019 10:53 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 10:53:45 -0400

AR600-8-10 is the Regulation for passes And leave. Fill out a DA 31 for your chain of command to approve. There will be other local requirements. Talk to your first line leader when you get to your company, after you leave reception/replacement at Bragg. Replacement folks are great and wonderful, but they are not your permanent chain of command.

The approval and disapproval authority is your Company Commander. It will be subject to local, regulatory, and mission requirements of your unit.

Response by MSG Lance Kelly made Jun 4 at 2019 12:36 PM

MSG Lance Kelly — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:36:06 -0400

I didn't notice you would drive or fly. In addition to the milage rule you may want to ask about an exception to fly. Some units will allow you to fly home as long as you can show a ticket with your travel to and from within the pass period.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 4 at 2019 2:01 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:01:14 -0400

Look- 1. FBNC has their own rules, HOme of the 82nd, XVIII ABC, SWIC- it will depend on where you are assigned.2. In 95 it was a 100 mile radius of FBNC without leave/pass papers. 3. Leave/Pass can be a problem depending on your unit's Deployed Ready Force (DRF- one of the 2 cycles for 82nd/XVIII)statues. Best bet, see where you are assigned and go form there. You will never be allowed legally allowed to go to NY without leave papers due to the distance/travel time.

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Jun 4 at 2019 5:18 PM

SFC Quinn Chastant — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 17:18:21 -0400

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.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Jun 5 at 2019 6:14 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:14:19 -0400

Whatever you do, do NOT book the last possible flight out of NY to get you home. That is a recipe for disaster. Bite the bullet and book an early flight on the last day to get you back to post with plenty of time to spare......