Posted on Jul 10, 2018
PFC Infantryman
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Recently my fathers cancer has come back with no one home to take care of him and take him to his appointments I feel a bit more stress than I’d like to. In the same week we found that out, my POS brother had his child taken away by the state, notnesnting her to go into the foster system I’m not sure what I can do being over 1000 miles away and here on active duty. I don’t know if it is even possible to make such a switch, and if it is, if these reasons would even give me the oppertunity to make that switch. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated as I can’t seem to find anything online.
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Responses: 12
SGT Fire Team Leader
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You need to talk to your command about two things.
1. A compassionate transfer, ( aka humanitarian transfer) basically they put you with a active, reserve, guard unit within living distance of your father.

2. The exemptional family member program.
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LTC James McElreath
LTC James McElreath
>1 y
What an inspiration!! I did not know it was possible.
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SGT Fire Team Leader
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
It's is sir, I just went through the process with one of my Marines (before I switched branches) due to THREE members of his close family with terminal illness. Got him with a reserve unit about 20 miles from home, he'll do 36 months there and then his case will be re-evaluated.
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MAJ Corporate Buyer
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I'm pretty sure you can get out of your contract if you are someone's primary caregiver. Sounds like you might fit that bill. Not sure about switching to the National Guard though. You might want to weigh that option carefully since the Guard gets deployed too. You won't be doing your father or your niece any good to transition to the Guard only to be deployed shortly after.
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1SG Charles Hunter
1SG Charles Hunter
>1 y
Other possible units of attachment: MEPS or a recruiting station. Recruiters are everywhere.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
SFC Michael Hasbun
4 y
1SG Charles Hunter - that's a very good suggestion. We did that once for one of our Soldiers. Attached him to a recruiting office for accountability so he could take care of legal issues back in the states.
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SSG Recruiter
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There are ways you just have to ask and stay on top of it. Just as CPT Everett said you might want to look into reclassing and going into the Reserves instead of the Guard. As an infantryman you will deploy just as much and as often in the Guard as you would in Active Duty. You wouldn’t be doing your father or niece any good in that type of situation. Search all your options and get the ball rolling ASAP. Best of luck.
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