My husband is in the army and is leaving for Iraq in May. Our first baby is due sometime in July. Will he be able to come home for the birth of his child?
2007-01-21 06:29:44 · 14 answers · asked by mrs.carroll06 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Leave usually doesn't start until about 90 days in sector, so it would be up to his command. He needs to talk to them about it and find out how they're handling it.
When my husband was getting ready to deploy, his unit had decided that anyone with a baby being born within those first 90 days would actually stay home until after the birth. The command also had the soldiers in the battalion vote and they concluded that guys with babies on the way got priority for leave dates. They filled in who needed to be home and when for their babies, and then sifted everyone else in between on a lottery system. They still only get their 2 weeks though, and when they're scheduled to go is when they go, whether the baby's there or not, but here they're at least trying to have the fathers home.
2007-01-21 07:57:54 · answer #1 · answered by desiderio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I seriously doubt it. We've known lots of people in this situation, and it sucks, but they almost never send them home for the birth. It's not considered an emergency (for emergency leave) because it's not usually life-or-death. The only person I ever heard of getting to come home for the birth only got it because there was something really wrong with the baby and they didn't think he'd live.
In my husband's unit, they try to send the guys with new babies home on mid-tour leave first. That's about the closest it usually gets. They may also try to schedule his mid-tour leave around the birth, but if your husband is leaving in May, they will not likely have even started sending people home on leave yet by July. I know it sucks, but it's just the way things go.
2007-01-21 17:33:55 · answer #2 · answered by Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually they try to schedual R&R around births if possible. He will need to speak with his chain of command, and let them know due date ect. When my husband deployed (this was in '04 though and from germany) anyone whos wife was due within 60 days of deploying, they did not go at the same time as their unit. they remained on rear D until after the birth and then went to Iraq. You guys might want to ask his unit these questions, find out if R&R that soon is possible, or if Rear D is an option at all. Good luck and congrats on the baby!
2007-01-21 22:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by misty n justin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably not, but with the Army getting R and R, who knows. I was gone for my second one (I still haven't seen him in person yet). I have heard of some people going home for babies being born, but most of the time its with a high risk birth where there is the chance of something bad happening. If its considered a normal pregnancy and birth, you'll probably be on your own. It really sucks, but it is the military. Its stuff like this that makes the military spouse stronger than the actual military member. My wife is the strongest, most independent woman I know.
2007-01-21 14:44:56 · answer #4 · answered by Marine08 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not.
I'd like to tell you otherwise, but emergency leave is more difficult to get while deployed. A lot depends on how easy it is to make travel arrangements. If he's on a base already it might not be so bad. If he's constantly on the road with convoys or patrols, there's no possibility.
I'll tell you what I did. I transferred to a new duty station when my wife was 8 months along. The first thing I did when I arrived was fill out a leave request with no date on it asking for 3 weeks (that's all I had). The moment my wife went into labor, I asked for the request to be turned in with a date while I got on a plane and left, and they just contacted me at home to notify of approval.
I was on shore duty, and "home" was 4 miles away, but it doesn't hurt to try.
2007-01-21 14:35:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is going to Iraq any day now. He is in the Marines. I can't answer your question but i try to say Thank You to all soldiers. I hope he can come home for you and your baby. I hope that you have family nearby to be with you. Tell your husband that my family says Thank You.
2007-01-21 22:44:31 · answer #6 · answered by gormom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I've heard that if it is your first child then most likely he will be able to come home. I would talk to his CO and the Red Cross. I do not personally know, I'm sorry.
Best wishes!
2007-01-22 03:18:01 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely no...Unless it becomes a serious emergency, like you or the baby dieing....Lets all hope for the best, a healthy baby and a Daddy that returns home safely
2007-01-21 14:40:26 · answer #8 · answered by PoliticallyIncorrect 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am thinking probably not maybe you could talk to his commander about postponing his leave if he gives up his leave time later on good luck
2007-01-25 13:50:54 · answer #9 · answered by giggles3625 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't count on it. Only if his command allows him to take his R&R at that point, and he may still miss the birth itself.
2007-01-21 19:55:42 · answer #10 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋