Should Soldiers receive Convalescent Leave to take care of spouses?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 21:31:18 -0500

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 24 at 2016 9:44 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 21:44:26 -0500

The provider can generate a note requesting for the spouse to be present to assist in care. I have seen this for cancer patients and such. The commander can than allow the Soldier to utilize PTDY for a 10 day stint and throw in some 4 day passes and such. This is only for severe illnesses though as 30 days of regular leave and allowances for passes is pretty nice.

Response by SFC Rollie Hubbard made Feb 24 at 2016 10:04 PM

SFC Rollie Hubbard — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 22:04:55 -0500

I would say in a dire emergency ie cancer, heart attacks or other life endanger situations.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 10:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 22:30:32 -0500

Yes!

Response by SFC Mike Archer made Feb 25 at 2016 1:00 AM

SFC Mike Archer — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 01:00:09 -0500

In the "regular Army a lot of options are available and CPT Gonzalez speaks truths!! However, in USAREC or in Recruiting, a spouse with 7 major surgeries, 4 of which emergency surgery, due to a strong form of brain cancer where chemo and radiation treatment has failed, they can care less. Especially when it take them over a year and half to submit stabilization paperwork. But hey, that's recruiting, SoCal Recruting Battlion, Riverside Company, to be exact. Follow CPT Gonzalez's advice and direction. Good luck for you or a Soldier under you.

Response by SFC Daniel Faires made Feb 25 at 2016 7:53 AM

SFC Daniel Faires — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 07:53:49 -0500

So all of you that said no !! Why then 10 business days for fraternal leave ?

You have one you should have the other

I think you should definetly get con leave for it as long as you have a doctors note

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 11:02 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 11:02:37 -0500

If my spouse is in dire need as in a life threatening condition I wouldn't need leave, I'd be there regardless... My family comes first, I'd deal with the consequences later

Response by SSG Jay OConnor made Feb 25 at 2016 2:09 PM

SSG Jay OConnor — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:09:38 -0500

Yes, especially if they have children

Response by SSG Ryan Moore made Feb 25 at 2016 2:15 PM

SSG Ryan Moore — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:15:27 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I personally think that it would be fair to offer convalescent leave to SMs that have to take care of their spouses. I came into the Army where it was instilled that family is first. To say that our leave packages are more generous, I'm sure that is true but at the same time -- to say that we should budget for leave days is a bit ridiculous in my opinion as how are to know that our spouse may have cancer or some other illness. We're not mind readers! I think it would be fair to be helpful and supportive to the SM and their families not the total opposite. You don't take care of the SM; they're not going to want to stay in as nobody wants to stay in a place where they feel that they or their families are not important. Just my thoughts.

Response by Col Jim Harmon made Feb 25 at 2016 2:18 PM

Col Jim Harmon — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:18:38 -0500

We used to call it "Basket Leave".

As long as you stayed in the general area, checked in every morning, and we could get hold of you if the balloon went up……. then we just counted you as present and knew you were taking care of more pressing business. Thus the age old response at formation, “All present or accounted for”.

But that was a time long ago in a place far, far away from today’s military.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 6:36 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:36:27 -0500

Sure. I've had it happen with some of my Soldiers. I think the term the medical folks use is Non-medical Attendee. Don't quote me on that though. The BN CDR can approve permissive TDY instead of leave.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 6:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:38:55 -0500

can you acheive the same results by making her come to work with you?

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Feb 27 at 2016 9:00 AM

SSgt Tim Ricci — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 09:00:37 -0500

Yes

Response by MSG William Cunningham made Mar 3 at 2016 11:54 AM

MSG William Cunningham — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 11:54:23 -0500

Accomplish the mission AND take care of the Soldiers. It's all about leadership and the discretion of the Commander.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2016 2:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 14:30:06 -0500

I would say yes, depending on the circumstance.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2017 3:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 15:04:16 -0500

Yes they should. I have read many of the comments and most read from a perspective of those that have not had to personally go through a situation which being home to care for spouse/children was necessary. Soldiers and Spouses are normally stationed far from home and thus far from family support. Therefore when medical emergencies occur to a spouse or child in that SM's (Service Member) home provisions should be made so that the SM can focus on taking care of the dependent in need. Exempting the Soldier from Duty rosters, not requiring SM to come in for PAI (personal asset inventory), Fitness Test, Ranges etc. are all things that can occur within a unit based on the circumstance. All leave is not the same, SM going on leave for a vacation and a SM going on emergency leave to bury a family member or take care of a medically diagnosed ill wife/husband/child should not be treated the same. SMs receive non-chargeable leave for a few reasons. Caring for a dependent that has been medically diagnosed with a illness/disorder severe enough to warrant the SM being granted leave should be in my opinion non-chargeable. Taking into consideration the stress the SM, spouse, and possible children have on them as surgeries and appointments build. Charging a SM for taking care of his/her family seems unnecessary and somewhat insensitive.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2017 8:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 20:29:35 -0400

yes

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Oct 17 at 2020 10:30 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 22:30:13 -0400

Why not. Let us give them another reason to get out of a deployment or assignment. If the case is serious, the Commander has the digression to adjust duty schedules. Having a baby--no; Cancer--stage 4--yes.