How should I handle missing a drill weekend with my newborn baby admitted in the hospital?

2019-04-03T22:41:58-04:00

I have a newborn baby he’s 2 months old, he’s have been having breathing problems since he was born. However he’s been hospitalized again, but it’s his second time being hospitalized while also it being a drill weekend. The first time I was still on maternity leave, but I’ve been made to make up the drills I missed while on maternity leave. I’m in the hospital right now and I called my senior leader and explained to him, but he replied. They’re getting a lot of call ins and how I shouldn’t miss drill since I’m the BC’s driver, and I have obligations I need to fulfill.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2019 2:08 AM

2019-04-04T02:08:31-04:00

They do not have to excuse you for attending, but they should.
There are no responsibilities you should have as a driver that supersede the health care of your child.
If you were my troop, I would ask some clarifying questions, and if satisfied that your situation is legitimate, would give you A's without a second thought.
Then I'd show up at the hospital after drill with a get well card, a little gift, and all the support my unit could muster for you.
I've been in your shoes, not long before going to Africa in 2013. My little boy pulled through just fine, but he had us pretty scared for a while there.
It is not hard to have some empathy and take care of Soldiers and their families.
Good luck, PFC Private RallyPoint Member .
Prayers of support from Badger 7.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2019 6:06 AM

2019-04-04T06:06:01-04:00

You either contact your first line or PSG or contact the full-timer at your unit and work it out. You’d likely have to come up with a plan to make it up during the week.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 4 at 2019 8:07 AM

2019-04-04T08:07:54-04:00

1SG Private RallyPoint Member Pretty much nailed it. From the Army's standpoint, your commitment to the Army superceded all other things. Now... The Army's commitment to YOU should supercede MOST things. Like, everything except mission, most things. Technically, your unit can say you are mission critical and not excuse you. BUT.... You are a PFC. You are the BC's driver. Neither of those screams "we can't operate without PFC Fulton!". If your unit can't manage to operate without you - they have no one else who can drive a HMMWV (and make the BC's coffee, of course - that may be more important than driving) - then the UNIT is pretty danged messed up.

And you can tell your senior leader I said so. (But I wouldn't recommend it, because you will end up in trouble for my words.)

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2019 9:29 AM

2019-04-04T09:29:55-04:00

Your senior leader is not the authority, your Company Commander is. If your newborn is in the hospital, you need to contact the CO, let him know that you are in the hospital with your newborn, you spoke with your senior leader who sounded like he was not going to forward your request, and ask the CO for an authorized absence or SUTA K (make up the drill time prior to the next drill).
When your senior leader stated that a lot of people were calling in to miss drill, most of those are requests that should be denied, like work and school conflicts (the drill schedule goes out a year in advance, and MDAYs are required to make those arrangements for work and school).
Requests that should be approved are when an MDAY (or their child or spouse) is in a hospital.
No offense, but your duty position is not critical, in that anyone can be the BCs driver, up to and including the BN CSM. It's a BSB, there are literally hundreds of drivers available.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 4 at 2019 4:36 PM

2019-04-04T16:36:55-04:00

Somplybcontactvthe 1SG and Company Commander. While I would be the first to say, duty first, I will be just as quick to say that family care is paramount to mission readiness as it impacts the focus of the Soldier in question. Thank you for your service.

Response by CPT Catherine R. made Apr 5 at 2019 11:04 PM

2019-04-05T23:04:00-04:00

He's 2 months old? You get 12 weeks of convalescent time after having a child.

Take care of the child - you aren't even required to drill yet.