Army discharging single mom who refused deployment

[dbackjon]

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A single-mom soldier who says she refused to deploy to Afghanistan because she had no family able to care for her young son will be discharged from the military instead of facing a court-martial, the Army said Thursday.

Spc. Alexis Hutchinson, an Army cook stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, was arrested in November after skipping her unit's deployment flight. Hutchinson, 21, said she couldn't leave her son because her mother had backed out of plans to keep the child a few days before the soldier's scheduled departure.

The Army filed criminal charges last month against Hutchinson of Oakland, Calif., but a general at neighboring Fort Stewart chose to settle the case by granting her an administrative discharge rather than try her in a military court.

"She's excited that she's no longer facing jail and can still be with her son, which is the most important thing," said Rai Sue Sussman, Hutchinson's civilian attorney. "We're very happy about it right now."

The decision still carries consequences for Hutchinson. She is being demoted in rank to private and will lose benefits afforded to military service members and veterans, Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100211/ap_ ... deployment

[bobbythekidd]

Good.

[danefan]

I'm glad she got discharged and didnt having to be tried.

This woman's mom should be tried instead for backing out on her last minute.

[bobbythekidd]

The soldiers mom already raised hers. The soldier is the one that dropped the ball on this one and got off easy for it.

[danefan]

The soldiers mom already raised hers. The soldier is the one that dropped the ball on this one and got off easy for it.

Well I don't know about that there Bob.

The soldier had a plan like required. The plan fell through last minute apparently because of her mother. The mother was definitely not required to watch her grandchild, but once she committed she should have never backed out.

[bobbythekidd]

The soldiers mom already raised hers. The soldier is the one that dropped the ball on this one and got off easy for it.

Well I don't know about that there Bob.

The soldier had a plan like required. The plan fell through last minute apparently because of her mother. The mother was definitely not required to watch her grandchild, but once she committed she should have never backed out.

I'm fairly certain that the Army requires you to have a plan that actually WORKS!

[danefan]

Well I don't know about that there Bob.

The soldier had a plan like required. The plan fell through last minute apparently because of her mother. The mother was definitely not required to watch her grandchild, but once she committed she should have never backed out.

I'm fairly certain that the Army requires you to have a plan that actually WORKS!

That's my point. The only reason the plan didn't work is because the grandmother backed out last minute.

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A single-mom soldier who says she refused to deploy to Afghanistan because she had no family able to care for her young son will be discharged from the military instead of facing a court-martial, the Army said Thursday.

Spc. Alexis Hutchinson, an Army cook stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, was arrested in November after skipping her unit's deployment flight. Hutchinson, 21, said she couldn't leave her son because her mother had backed out of plans to keep the child a few days before the soldier's scheduled departure.

The Army filed criminal charges last month against Hutchinson of Oakland, Calif., but a general at neighboring Fort Stewart chose to settle the case by granting her an administrative discharge rather than try her in a military court.

"She's excited that she's no longer facing jail and can still be with her son, which is the most important thing," said Rai Sue Sussman, Hutchinson's civilian attorney. "We're very happy about it right now."

The decision still carries consequences for Hutchinson. She is being demoted in rank to private and will lose benefits afforded to military service members and veterans, Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100211/ap_ ... deployment

More SPECIAL treatment. sickening.

[AZGrizFan]

She should be required to pay back every dime of salary, benefits etc. that she received while in the Army.

[JayJ79]

I'm fairly certain that the Army requires you to have a plan that actually WORKS!

Seems awfully hypocritical of them, given the result of some of the Armies plans......

[bobbythekidd]

I'm fairly certain that the Army requires you to have a plan that actually WORKS!

Seems awfully hypocritical of them, given the result of some of the Armies plans......

Actually it's not hypocritical at all. They demand that those who report to them follow orders and have a plan for their kids. Meanwhile their bosses in Congress ask them to follow orders and fight with the kid gloves on. The brass is doing everything they are told to do.

[bobbythekidd]

1 down. 63199 to go.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I'm fairly certain that the Army requires you to have a plan that actually WORKS!

That's my point. The only reason the plan didn't work is because the grandmother backed out last minute.

But the plan didn't work no matter what the circumstances were.

Why did the grandma back out? I don't know the circumstances but one possibility that is very plausible to me is that if the grandmother backs out (conspiring with daughter) the young mother has no other choice so she becomes a sympathetic figure and thus gets better treatment so that all involved can keep appearances. But it is every bit as possible that the grandmother and mother planned this as it is that it was just coincidental. IF it did happen that way then they are both POS and yet she still gets away with it unlike a father would have likely gotten in those circumstances.

The plan didn't work and it was HER plan so in my eyes she is responsible.

[danefan]

That's my point. The only reason the plan didn't work is because the grandmother backed out last minute.

But the plan didn't work no matter what the circumstances were.

Why did the grandma back out? I don't know the circumstances but one possibility that is very plausible to me is that if the grandmother backs out (conspiring with daughter) the young mother has no other choice so she becomes a sympathetic figure and thus gets better treatment so that all involved can keep appearances. But it is every bit as possible that the grandmother and mother planned this as it is that it was just coincidental. IF it did happen that way then they are both POS and yet she still gets away with it unlike a father would have likely gotten in those circumstances.

The plan didn't work and it was HER plan so in my eyes she is responsible.

Man - you're all about the conspiracy theories today. First the AGS ownership line of progression theory and now this one. Next thing you know we'll have a 9/11 was the government thread...

But seriously - I see your point.

[catamount man]

How long before Jackson and Sharpton form a protest with the reverend wrong denouncing all whites, the military and George W. Bush all while singing "WE SHALL OVERCOME!"

And if you don't think it won't happen, the egg is on your face. It would be nice JUST ONCE to see whites band together for a common cause. JUST ONCE!!!!!

[BlueHen86]

How long before Jackson and Sharpton form a protest with the reverend wrong denouncing all whites, the military and George W. Bush all while singing "WE SHALL OVERCOME!"

And if you don't think it won't happen, the egg is on your face. It would be nice JUST ONCE to see whites band together for a common cause. JUST ONCE!!!!!

Right now I'm glad that there is egg on my face. It masks my confusion after reading your post. What are you talking about?

Was the double negative intended?

[Wedgebuster]

She should be required to pay back every dime of salary, benefits etc. that she received while in the Army.

And you still owe us a couple thousand pounds of unpeeled spuds, peeled.

[Grizalltheway]

How long before Jackson and Sharpton form a protest with the reverend wrong denouncing all whites, the military and George W. Bush all while singing "WE SHALL OVERCOME!"

And if you don't think it won't happen, the egg is on your face. It would be nice JUST ONCE to see whites band together for a common cause. JUST ONCE!!!!!

Perhaps you'd be interested in the KKK?

[youngterrier]

How long before Jackson and Sharpton form a protest with the reverend wrong denouncing all whites, the military and George W. Bush all while singing "WE SHALL OVERCOME!"

And if you don't think it won't happen, the egg is on your face. It would be nice JUST ONCE to see whites band together for a common, respectable, righteous, cause. JUST ONCE!!!!!

fixed for clarity

[Skjellyfetti]

Gotta agree with the resident brainless Conks. It's the fucking Army... I'm not sure why this is even news.

[catamount man]

How long before Jackson and Sharpton form a protest with the reverend wrong denouncing all whites, the military and George W. Bush all while singing "WE SHALL OVERCOME!"

And if you don't think it won't happen, the egg is on your face. It would be nice JUST ONCE to see whites band together for a common cause. JUST ONCE!!!!!

Perhaps you'd be interested in the KKK?

Your dear of Montana is more racist than the South the last time I checked oh FREE MEN. Strap that on fuckstick!

[Grizalltheway]

Perhaps you'd be interested in the KKK?

Your dear of Montana is more racist than the South the last time I checked oh FREE MEN. Strap that on fuckstick!

Well then, for which "common cause" do you want whites to band together?

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

But the plan didn't work no matter what the circumstances were.

Why did the grandma back out? I don't know the circumstances but one possibility that is very plausible to me is that if the grandmother backs out (conspiring with daughter) the young mother has no other choice so she becomes a sympathetic figure and thus gets better treatment so that all involved can keep appearances. But it is every bit as possible that the grandmother and mother planned this as it is that it was just coincidental. IF it did happen that way then they are both POS and yet she still gets away with it unlike a father would have likely gotten in those circumstances.

The plan didn't work and it was HER plan so in my eyes she is responsible.

Man - you're all about the conspiracy theories today. First the AGS ownership line of progression theory and now this one. Next thing you know we'll have a 9/11 was the government thread...

But seriously - I see your point.

I like to keep my options open and go on what I know and not leap ahead until I know more. Gives a fella time to ruminate on all the possible outcomes without pigeonholing oneself into the easy majority opinion.

That being said it is "Conspiracy Thursday" here in Montana and I may have fallen victim to all the advertising.

WTF are you saying about 9/11? It WASN'T the government? When the hell did all of this come about? Now if you'll excuse me...Jesse Ventura is coming on.

[GannonFan]

I'm alright with this - she's certainly going to feel the consequences of losing her benefits and being demoted prior to discharge. If you're going to be in the armed forces, you need to know there are consequences to not being able to fulfill your duties. But sending her to jail accomplishes nothing and would hurt the kid in question. Sounds fair to me.

[native]

"...Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson said... the Army had evidence that Hutchinson, regardless of her family situation, would have resisted deploying "by any means." ..."

Procreation at someone else's expense is not a right. Procreation is a privilege and a blessing.