What happens if I don’t command sponsor my baby?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 02:57:52 -0400

Hello everyone! I’m a bit unsure of command sponsorship and how it works, hopefully I can get some answers from here. I’m currently pregnant, I deliver in mid December and I’m stationed in Germany. My husband and I are both active duty but his ETS is in the beginning of April. I should be leaving Germany (Deros) in early September. I don’t want command sponsor him so I don’t have to extend here but what happens with the baby if I chose the same? There is an option that he might extend his ETS date to match mine But that’s not a 100% yet.. what are the issues that I will run into?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2019 8:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 08:05:51 -0400

If it is like Korea and you don’t do Command Sponsorship your whole family should go back to where you want them too. I put on my orders that my family will go to Colorado while I’m in Korea. With a new baby though I’m not sure how the army will handle that.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2019 11:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 11:35:29 -0400

Why would you not want to extend to. Command sponsor? It's all of two or three months for you.
If you don't command sponsor then you shoulder all the financial burden yourself. You will be responsible for all medical bills, you (usually) won't be able to take the baby to any military treatment facilities, dental, special needs programs, school, COLA, housing if you weren't married, and costs of transportation. As far as the Army is concerned your child doesn't exist, or is a pet that receives no funding.

Response by SPC Angela Burnham made Oct 29 at 2019 4:01 PM

SPC Angela Burnham — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 16:01:20 -0400

First off, Congrats!!!
Second off, if you don't command sponsor your newborn, you might be on the hook for alot of the medical care they need. As far as not extending ETS, I guess they would go back to where you want them to go, I think you stipulate where on your orders, but I could be wrong, it's been a long time for me. Maybe your S1 can help you out with this?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2019 8:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 20:47:51 -0400

Everything SFC Boyd stated is spot on. You will also receive serious consequences from your chain of command for not having your baby command sponsored. You won’t be able to receive child care, nor would you receive a no-fee passport for your child. When it’s time for you to return to the states, you will pay out of pocket for your child. It is NEVER a wise or good choice to have family members overseas that is non-command sponsored.