Posted on Jan 9, 2016
How would you handle a situation with a single Soldier with a child who can't get morning day care (and requests to do afternoon PT)?
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I had a divorced Soldier who redeployed with the unit, but stated that her daycare provider would not take the child until 0630. It is a DoD daycare and located near her government housing in the same neighborhood. Her child is under 8 years old and she is overseas. The Soldier PT is average and her last APFT is 250, however, she is the second highest ranking enlisted next to the Detachment Sergeant and does come close on making the minimum on her run time. She is a strong leader and truly cares for the Soldiers and is respected by the Soldiers.
Single Parent
Physical Training
What Would You Do
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 19
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I remember the days when nurses that got married didn't get promoted. So a single parent needs to take care of her kid. Happens all the time to guys as well. If you're a Hard A, that kills morale and forces good people out. Everyone isn't from the same cookie cutter. I'd expect a good Command to figure out how to deal with this simple issue which, if an annoyance, tells me the CoC doesn't have a grip. The bigger issue is deployability. Make sure she's good to go and if not, follow whatever the current regs and guidance are. Always remember the objective: keep good people moving forward.
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MSG (Join to see)
Well said Sir. She deployed with us and this issue became a concern after she picked up her children from the States and had to get new daycare. Our solution was to have her run the Special Population PT program for the entire Battalion. She had a 100% success rate during her tenure.
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SN Greg Wright
MSG (Join to see) - That's a fine example of good leadership, SFC. I would'a worked for you.
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I thought this was exactly why we have family care plans, or did, which are required... She needs to figure this out, not ask you for accommodations.
If you allow this Soldier to do what is best for them individually MSG (Join to see) then what will someone ask for next?
I am certainly not an expert, but I served in the Army on the line a few times, as a Garrison Commander for 37 months (child care was one of my areas as you know), and my wife has worked as CDC director since 2003... So, I know there many options available for Soldiers and families; more now than ever.
I think she needs to find a different daycare provider...
We don't allow Joe to do stuff like this.. do we?
If you allow this Soldier to do what is best for them individually MSG (Join to see) then what will someone ask for next?
I am certainly not an expert, but I served in the Army on the line a few times, as a Garrison Commander for 37 months (child care was one of my areas as you know), and my wife has worked as CDC director since 2003... So, I know there many options available for Soldiers and families; more now than ever.
I think she needs to find a different daycare provider...
We don't allow Joe to do stuff like this.. do we?
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MSG (Join to see)
Sir, she does have a family care plan, but being overseas and returning from a deployment she needed to re-do her plan to accommodate the changing of local personnel (due to PCS). I think trying to do what is best for the Soldier individually should be considered case-by-case and measured against the mission. Unfortunately, the Army AO in this part of Germany is controlled by the Air Force, who has differences on priorities of work. As a matter of fact, the CDC, on our post does not put priority towards our unit that is stationed there (crazy, huh). She was unable to get the CDC there, so she has to use the one in her housing area, which is Air Force controlled.
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COL Charles Williams
MSG (Join to see) - Ah so. Well, in that case, if the Army DMWR/Garrison (who should be able figure this out and come up with a plan, as taking care of families is their mission) then that is a horse of different color, and if I was thinking first... I would have assumed... you already had tried the conventional path.
Doing what is best for her, and her family is the first priority before I continue.
Your CDC situation, however, does not surprised me, as when I took over the Garrison I commanded in 09, many/most did not realize they were there to serve Soldiers and Families and I worked for the SMC not IMCOM. That said, with all the focus on Soldiers and especially programs in my three and since, and CYSS in particular, I would thought we had changed across the board. So much for optimism...
Joint Basing... another concept which came on line when I was a GG, was never a good idea, as we lose control, and can't influence Air Force programs... But, I never thought IMCOM made sense either... I understood the concept and the rational, when it came on line in 2001ish... but, it never worked as advertised... and, soon lost focus at the installation of who they worked for...
Traditional CDCs generally don't work well for early AM until end duty as they have a 12 hour limit for care from start to finish, by regulation. So, for many Soldiers, 12 hours may not be enough. FCC would be the next best option for early morning work hours.
Nevertheless, you may not have many options, so I would recommend:
1. Do what needs to be done now for the Soldier/Family. I think FCC is what she needs, but that can a challenge too; finding the right fit.
2. Also, have your chain of command engage the Garrison CSM first, and see why they can't or wont' find a solution.
At the end of the day doing what is best for Soldier/family is most important.
Doing what is best for her, and her family is the first priority before I continue.
Your CDC situation, however, does not surprised me, as when I took over the Garrison I commanded in 09, many/most did not realize they were there to serve Soldiers and Families and I worked for the SMC not IMCOM. That said, with all the focus on Soldiers and especially programs in my three and since, and CYSS in particular, I would thought we had changed across the board. So much for optimism...
Joint Basing... another concept which came on line when I was a GG, was never a good idea, as we lose control, and can't influence Air Force programs... But, I never thought IMCOM made sense either... I understood the concept and the rational, when it came on line in 2001ish... but, it never worked as advertised... and, soon lost focus at the installation of who they worked for...
Traditional CDCs generally don't work well for early AM until end duty as they have a 12 hour limit for care from start to finish, by regulation. So, for many Soldiers, 12 hours may not be enough. FCC would be the next best option for early morning work hours.
Nevertheless, you may not have many options, so I would recommend:
1. Do what needs to be done now for the Soldier/Family. I think FCC is what she needs, but that can a challenge too; finding the right fit.
2. Also, have your chain of command engage the Garrison CSM first, and see why they can't or wont' find a solution.
At the end of the day doing what is best for Soldier/family is most important.
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PO1 John Miller
COL Charles Williams
Sounds like you put the proverbial boot in their asses. Good on you Sir!
Sounds like you put the proverbial boot in their asses. Good on you Sir!
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A good commander would come up with a solution to benefit both the Soldier and the command.
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Maj (Join to see)
Absolutely sir. The best part was that she already had a good solution prepared which ended up benefitting a lot of soldiers in the end.
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SGM Erik Marquez
Sir if I may; A good commander would look at all points and considerations, one of which may be a temporary solution to a temporary problem like you suggest.
Another may be temporary solution to a permanent problem... and during that temporary solution a permanent one is considered and implemented.. one that is best for the Service. And does justice to the Soldier,, that may not be what she wants.. but the defense of our nation is the first priority of the Military, being fair to the Solider is absolutely required. Even if that means fairly separating her from service with dignity and honor she deserves for having served her country when she was capable... and moving on when she was no longer capable because of a permanent circumstance.
Another may be temporary solution to a permanent problem... and during that temporary solution a permanent one is considered and implemented.. one that is best for the Service. And does justice to the Soldier,, that may not be what she wants.. but the defense of our nation is the first priority of the Military, being fair to the Solider is absolutely required. Even if that means fairly separating her from service with dignity and honor she deserves for having served her country when she was capable... and moving on when she was no longer capable because of a permanent circumstance.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Place he in the place of she and would your solution be the same. Then, if so, how many more special considerations will come up? Good possible that unit cohesion may suffer. The points you made are the factors to be considered. It may come across wrong, but I don't see this as being decision to be made by leadership, but the individual's.
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SGM Erik Marquez
MCPO Roger Collins - Place he in the place of she and would your solution be the same.
Yes, not a guess, but done, so I was not really guessing or suggesting that which I have not done.
And you have a point..
MCPO Roger Collins- I don't see this as being decision to be made by leadership, but the individual's.
Or perhaps an opinion I share.. it SHOULD be the service members decision, in that they SHOULD make the decision to find a solution for their personal issue that allows them to honor the contract they entered. And if they can not or will not make that decision then the command MUST for them.
My experience says its a 20/80 deal. Not often does the SM make the hard decision to ask to be separated, or find a solution to the issue which allows them to stay. They FORCE the command to choose for them. Perhaps that is just the units I've been in..and others experiences differ.
Yes, not a guess, but done, so I was not really guessing or suggesting that which I have not done.
And you have a point..
MCPO Roger Collins- I don't see this as being decision to be made by leadership, but the individual's.
Or perhaps an opinion I share.. it SHOULD be the service members decision, in that they SHOULD make the decision to find a solution for their personal issue that allows them to honor the contract they entered. And if they can not or will not make that decision then the command MUST for them.
My experience says its a 20/80 deal. Not often does the SM make the hard decision to ask to be separated, or find a solution to the issue which allows them to stay. They FORCE the command to choose for them. Perhaps that is just the units I've been in..and others experiences differ.
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