This is past disgraceful and so unfair, how can they look these guys in the face and lay this on them? I'm fed up with all things government, I swear. Anyway, I emailed and left messages on voicemail for Senators Lautenberg and Menendez and I emailed and left voicemail to the White House. Hope it helps. This is just inexcusable. Really makes you want to sign up, huh?

Another Update:

I heard back from the wife of Joey's Company Commander. Please note - he is not the one with the power to approve these types of leave.

Quote:

I understand your frustration with this. I agree that they all deserve 30 days of leave. They have worked hard!!! However, my husband can not change this policy. This is an army wide policy and is out of his hands. He is doing everything he can to help the soldiers get at least 10 days of leave. I do hope that you get some family time with your son!

I sent her a copy of the Army's rules: http://www.nv.ngb.army.mil/hro/agr/ArmyLeave.pdf

And this article on CBS: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/09/eveningnews/main4932554.shtml


BTW: Joey managed to get out a little early and will be home late this evening. He still has to go back on Tuesday.

 

Here is the letter I emailed to Congressman Sestak. I wonder how many of our soldiers and their families are being treated this way. Once again, the "big guys" in our government get what they want from us, then tell us "little guys" to get lost when it's time to pay up.
I have no idea who I'm going to support and vote for in the next election, but it's not going to be for anyone who is in office now! [With the exception of Congressman Sestak, or anyone who helps us.]

Dear Congressman Sestak,
My name is Roberta [personal information deleted], and I am writing to ask for your help.
My grandson, PFC Joseph Leveritt, serving in the United States Army in the 101st Airborne Division, has just returned from a year's duty in Afghanistan. He has already extended his enlistment. This will include a second tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Joseph and the other men in his unit have been expecting a 30-day leave at the end of their overseas tour. They and their families have understandably been looking forward to this. The leave was to start this week.
Now, some of the men, my grandson included, have been denied the leave. They have been offered a four day leave instead. The next significant leave would be in six months.
My daughter tells me that the Company Commander has the authority to grant the 30-day leaves, but has not done so.
Joseph stands ready to accept this situation, since he is a soldier, and accepts the decisions of his commanders. However, I am not.
I feel that a man who puts his life on the line for his country, and survives, deserves the same time to visit with his family as the others who fought at his side.
This affects not only the soldiers, but hundreds of people - families, neighbors, friends, and community members who have given their support and prayers through the past year.
Joseph is 19 years old. He volunteered for service, requesting to be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. He has been injured several times. He served in the dangerous and understaffed area of Wardok Province.
He is now in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, which is home to his unit. Two days of his four-day leave will be taken up in travel.
I remain hopeful that there has been a misunderstanding, and that the 30 day leaves will be granted. Any help which you and your staff can provide will be greatly appreciated by all of Joseph's family. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Roberta ......

Lovely letter

Wow. If that letter doesn't help them get their 30-day leave, I don't know what will. Great letter, Roberta. Karma.

Great letter! Karma from me as well.

BTW - it is not the COMPANY commander who is holding things up. He does not have the authority to authorize the leave. Depending on who you believe it is either the UNIT commander or Army policy. Incidentally, in the Army's published policy I can't find the rule the unit commander is quoting.

 

Thank you, aepm, and thank you to everyone for all the support you have given. It means a great deal.

WOW--Awesome letter, karma for that!


To all of the soldiers' families who are facing this heartache.

Great letter sure it will help a lot !! Good Job Roberta

Note to John Ensign, US Senate, armed services committee sent.

Also, another way to get the message out is through your local radio station, I know here for us in NJ, it's New Jersey 101.5 - the Jersey guys, they are always fighting for the unjust and unfair. Do you have a station like that in PA?

Fighting for the unjust...fighting for the unfair...
Sounds like Congress...

Jim wrote:

Fighting for the unjust...fighting for the unfair... Sounds like Congress...

Yeah.

Love your sig, Carly.

I haven't heard anything back from Sestak. And no, we don't live in the 13th district. Additionally, no soldier would contact a politician directly. As soon as the politician got done investigating the soldier would be on extra duty for the rest of their time in the service.

 

So what should I do now?

Feel free to relay what is posted here and you can mention the concerns we have with naming the soldier directly. He is not the only soldier effected. There are 300-500 soldiers effected by this. You can also give him my e-mail address to contact me directly if he wants.

BTW - I gave you karma for doing such a good job.

 

Okey doke Ma'ma.  

Min Joo and T. I got the same exact response from Dan Lasko. Word for word. I live in the 13th district too. I'll do what you said T. I haven't heard back from Senator Spector yet.

Hey Min Joo you must live close to me. I live in Mayfair. What area of the 13th are you at Min Joo? If you don't mind, PM me the area you live around. I'm curious. If you don't want to then that's cool too. I promise I won't kidnap you and take you to the get together.

nolmac5 wrote:

Min Joo and T. I got the same exact response from Dan Lasko. Word for word. I live in the 13th district too. I'll do what you said T. I haven't heard back from Senator Spector yet. Hey Min Joo you must live close to me. I live in Mayfair. What area of the 13th are you at Min Joo? If you don't mind, PM me the area you live around. I'm curious. If you don't want to then that's cool too. I promise I won't kidnap you and take you to the get together.

Oh yeah you're not that far, but I'm more north.
I don't trust you not to kidnap me.

Well so far our Rep is winning for attentiveness to veterans affairs.

As a post-script, I finally received an e-mail from Senator DeMint's office requesting my phone number, in order to talk to me about it. Although the point is now moot, if they call, I'll have a few general things to say about policy in regards to R&R for troops returning from combat duty.

Jim wrote:

As a post-script, I finally received an e-mail from Senator DeMint's office requesting my phone number, in order to talk to me about it. Although the point is now moot, if they call, I'll have a few general things to say about policy in regards to R&R for troops returning from combat duty.

I hope that they do call you and that they help to do more when it comes to R&R for the troops. Mandatory R&R should be completely separate from personal R&R. Thanks for the update Jim

I heard on the news that Fort Campbell, Kentucky gave all their soldiers 3 days off last week as part of a suicide prevention campaign. Apparently the 101st Airborne has the highest suicide rate in the Army. Gee I wonder why? Poor Joey spent every dime he had flying back and forth so he could spend a few days at home.


Examiner Article

PsychCentral

Clarksville Leaf Chronicle

AFP

World Military Forum

 

I finally got a call from Senator DeMint's office. Since the issue is so far in the past that nothing specific could be done, I just made a general statement about how members of the military, when returning from a combat zone, should be granted R&R that doesn't count against their regular leave. I quoted the AR that was linked here in order to establish that such a leave was within the current scope of Army regulations, and said Congress should let the DOD know it needs to adopt a clear policy regarding this matter.