I am moving to a new home on base. I need to be here and help my 8 month preg wife move. Can my unit force me to go to the field?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:04:34 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 1:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:06:03 -0500

Yes. But have you spoken with your Chain to see if you can get an exemption for this particular situation?

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 24 at 2017 1:21 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:21:15 -0500

I wish I could say no but...

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Feb 24 at 2017 1:21 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 13:21:57 -0500

Yup!

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Feb 24 at 2017 2:04 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:04:12 -0500

That is a self answering question. Change your move date. Really? A Sgt asking this question....Semper Fi.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Feb 24 at 2017 2:20 PM

PO2 Robert Aitchison — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:20:48 -0500

Of course they can.

I still recall when my oldest was born, my wife was almost 2 weeks overdue but we were set to go out to sea for 5 days for pre-inspection workups. I requested liberty or leave so I could be there for my wife when my first born child was born and was told no.

When we were pulling back into port on Friday night I got the message that my wife had given birth. I got the entire weekend off but still had to carry two bags of trash with me off the brow.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Feb 25 at 2017 7:53 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 07:53:36 -0500

I wouldn't say force you or I need. I would say if your unit says you need to go to the field then you need to go to the field. Last time I checked we followed orders. How many thousands of pregnant wives moved while their husbands were overseas.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 25 at 2017 12:09 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 12:09:00 -0500

Yes, they can make you do anything SGT Private RallyPoint Member, but the question is should they. I would recommend, as MSG Tom Earley suggested... NCO support channel, chain of command, and then go from there.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2017 1:45 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 01:45:51 -0500

Most Commands have Spouse Groups that can be helpful when the military member is unavailable. That and friends, family. Please don't let your wife do any heavy lifting. Also, if its an authorized move you can hire a moving company to do the heavy lifting. Congrats on the baby!