What can I do if my leave request to attend my daughter's wedding has been denied?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 May 2018 22:36:10 -0400

So my daughter is getting married. When she told me about the wedding back in November, she asked me if I can officiate the wedding. So I got ordained, bought my airline tickets, and spent a lot of money towards this wedding.
I just got to my new unit back in February. The day that I got there, I told my platoon Sergeant about the wedding. He then informed me that the wedding happened to fall the same time as a field exercise, but he'd see what he can do. I submitted my leave packet, with all supporting documents and receipts. I told my PO that I have no problem going out to the field for the first week, because I didn't want them to think I was trying to avoid going to the field at all.
We leave for the field on Monday, and today I was told that my leave was denied. The reason it was denied is because the BC said that no one is exempt from this field.
One of the problems that I'm having with this, is that some of the senior NCO's were granted permission to take their leave.

At this point, I just don't know what to do. There's not enough time for me to fight, there's not enough time for me to try to change anything.

I just don't know what to do. Obviously I'm going to the field and I'm going to miss my daughter's wedding. I'm going to lose out on a lot of money, my airline tickets, and now I have to hire a minister. I don't know if this is an IG complaint. I just don't know what to do at this point. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 10:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 May 2018 22:46:59 -0400

Sorry it's supposed to say PL, not PO.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 6:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 May 2018 06:05:17 -0400

Use the open door policy and talk to your commanders.

Response by SSG Christopher Sikorski made May 12 at 2018 9:46 AM

SSG Christopher Sikorski — Sat, 12 May 2018 09:46:26 -0400

Even the BC has a boss. Have you tried explaining this on two fronts?? One, the financial burden this will put on you by being set back for this, and two, try the personal tough. Explain that a daughter one has a first ( and hopefully on only ) marriage once. The Military that I was brought up in valued the sense of family and unity in the same breath. An if that doesn't work, try the JAG office to see if there is a breach of integrity that has plagued your new unit.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 12 at 2018 12:28 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 12 May 2018 12:28:49 -0400

Might see the CSM, or even the BC on open door policy.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 2:54 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 May 2018 14:54:20 -0400

I am not a fan of people running to their Command Master Chief (or in your case Command Sergeant Major) to complain about every little thing but I believe that this is a case where you should go talk to him/her I know you shouldn't have bought airline tickets, etc. until your leave was approved but does your command realize how hard you will work for them if they do approve your leave? They will be winning in the long run by approving your leave. Under the circumstances would your fellow soldiers think less of you not being in the field the same amount of time as them? I don't think so. I think that they would be glad seeing what the command did for you and that they would have hope that if they ever had a very special leave situation such as yours that they would be given consideration of their unique situation.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made May 13 at 2018 12:04 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Sun, 13 May 2018 00:04:04 -0400

If they are dead set on not letting you take leave maybe you could ask them for an alternative. Ask if you could go back to the rear for one day so that you can officiate the wedding online through Skype or whatever. I know it's not what you want, but it may be the only way that you can you be a part of the wedding. You may even have to do it from the field. Good luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2018 12:35 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 May 2018 00:35:43 -0400

Leadership almost always claims to have an open door policy, this is a case where I'd suggest taking advantage of that policy.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 10 at 2020 12:04 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:04:32 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member - What ended up happening here? Did you make it to your daughter‘s wedding?