How do I explain my hardship in a way that top will get me off orders?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:18:21 -0400

Hello, I am currently in a situation where I have been on Title 32 orders (federal) since May 1st, a month back I was asked by the old team I was on if I would extend for federal or state or both, I said only federal orders and no to state, federal funding got disapproved and now they are putting me onto state active duty even though I said no to it, I have a business to run and need to look after my elderly mom not to mention I have been losing morale and started to feel depressed a bit due to living in a hotel room every day gets boring, how do I go about explaining theses circumstances to my upper command?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2020 2:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:20:33 -0400

Talk with your NCOs (Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant). Tell them your situation. Then ask them to go with you to speak with 1SG and lay it out on the line just like you did here.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 31 at 2020 2:43 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:43:37 -0400

With these issues why is it easier to deploy Federallyvas opposed to state, your hardships should be the same. If you are looking for support, you need to come up with a better argument. Your hardships seem real, but again they don’t seem to change under either deployable circumstance, Sate or Federal.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 31 at 2020 3:17 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:17:52 -0400

Why are you willing and able to be mobilized/stay on orders federally, but not state?
How is the difference a hardship?
What will happen with your business if you deploy for a year or more?
What will happen with mom if you deploy ? Have you set up a family care plan?
You need to speak frankly and honestly with your chain of command. And you will need to (like everyone) evaluate your situation when this enlistment is ending to determine for yourself if you are able to continue to serve.
One of the hardest things I had to do was have that conversation with a great troop, whose business situation would have bankrupted him with a deployment. He ended up having to separate at the end of his second enlistment.
He loved serving, but there was no way he could deploy and that wasn’t fair to the rest of a 100% mandatory deplorable unit.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2020 3:51 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:51:01 -0400

As others have mentioned, deploying federally as opposed to State is the same deployment. Why did you join if you had a business to run and an elderly mother? You are depressed living in a motel room? Try sleeping in the jungle for a while and then complain. I do not see a hardship.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2020 6:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 18:54:21 -0400

You've basically just descwhat everyone else in your unit is dealing with as well. If that was a valid reason to send people home, no deployment, activation or rotation would ever be manned. Your upper command is experiencing the same issues you are. Your command wasn't asking whether or not you wanted to be activated, they were looking for volunteers first before the volun-tolds.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2020 6:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 06:59:08 -0400

Sounds like you shouldn't be in the military. You seem fine serving, but only in the manner you want to (federal vs state); which is not how serving works.

If being a caretaker is such a vital thing for your family at this moment, you should look into making your mother a dependent and researching a family care plan option.

If morale and depression is so poor, you should seek BH expertise.

At the end of the day, based off what you have said these don't seem to be the major factors. The issue seems to be having to do something you don't really want to do. I know you are young to the military, but that is precisely why it is called "serving".