Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Reporting for Duty?

Here is a story about a mom who fought for our country, left active duty and had a family. Now, with two little children, she is being called back into active duty. However, she claims that with her husbands traveling, there is no one to take care of the children. She can not serve. Still, she is being required to report. With out other obvious options, she is reporting to active duty -- with her children.


So tell me, what would you do? She served. But now that she needs to go back, it doesn't work.


What is the right thing to do here?
** UPDATE **

6 comments:

Lisa said...

WOW, WHAT IS SHE TO DO? HER FIRST JOB IS HER MOTHERHOOD. I WISH THE MILITARY WOULD SEE THAT. OUR SOCIETY SO DOESN'T VALUE THE JOB WE DO AS MOMS. SO SAD ISN'T IT. SHE IS SERVING HER COUNTRY BY RAISING HEALTHY, HAPPY, PRODUCTIVE, CARING, KIND, HARDWORKING PEOPLE.
OUR 23 YEAR OLD IS GOING INTO THE ARMY ON THE 11TH. HE TURNS 24 ON THE 10TH.
THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME.
I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THIS MOM IS DEALING WITH.

HUGS FROM MAINE

http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/

Diane said...

I just read an update that says this soldier is getting a discharge, but I don't remember if it said what type. I think the Army did the right thing. They gave her a discharge. I see this Mom's side of this, but I also see the Army's point of view. In their view, she is a soldier who knew she had a commitment to her country for a specified number of years AFTER her enlistment period was up. That is common practice in the military. If women are going to volunteer for the military, they should be held to the same code of adherance as are their male counterparts. I know this Mom only wants to take care of her children now and I respect her for that. However, once you make a commitment, you are honor-bouond to keep that commitment. It's not an easy situation and there are not easy answers as long as we allow women to serve in the military. Personally, I am against women serving in combat or other high risk, active duty positions. If women are to be permitted to serve at all, I believe they should be limited to support personnel only and should not be deployed to combat zones. However, women who join the military do so voluntarily and know the rules going in. Therefore, they should be expected to honor their enlistment agreements.

queenbee4 said...

wow... that's a tough one.

heather said...

I dunno. Legally the Army had every right to ask her back. She knew that there was that possibility, and she still signed on it. I think it's unfortunate, and I wish that the Army wasn't so desperate for people. I wish some of these people who can't find work (or who aren't even looking for work, who are just enjoying public assistance) should have to step up to the call.

My cousin was in a very similar situation. She had to go overseas and live for -I'm pretty sure- over a year, while her mom and friends and family took over the care of her two little (little as in under the age of four) little girls.

Its sad, it would be much better if she could stay home with her children, but it is what it is.

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

I couldn't believe that story! It's just crazy!

Fiauna said...

She signed up for service. That requires years of commitment. I'm sure she knew that. I have to wonder what her motives were when she enlisted. But, once a mother, always a mother. Once a soldier, always a soldier.