Alexis & Karmani Hutchinson, Credit: AP

She sent the son to her mother back home in Oakland, CA. However, the grandmother, could not provide the needed care and returned the child because she cares for her ailing mother and sister, as well as a daughter with special needs, and also runs a day-care center at her home, keeping about 14 children during the day. Hutchinson then scrambled to find another relative or acquaintance to care for the child. She skipped the Nov. 15 plane sending her unit to Afghanistan after that extension was rescinded.

Major  Gallagher of her unit (3rd Combat Aviation Brigade of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division) imprisoned Hutchinson instead. The unenlightened Gallagher and First Sergeant Gephart of her unit both believe that Hutchinson’s plight was not a real family crisis. They accuse her of using her son as an excuse to avoid deployment. Her son was taken from her by state child protective services. The mom faces a court martial in Afghanistan. There was also some coverage by the Associated Press.

10.7% of Army members are single parents.  Family Care Plans were formally required effective July 1992. Read the regulation.

The Army was an employer that reneged on the promise of a time extension. Next time you hear about the Army being family friendly, think again. And remember, these are the “Hooah” gang that deliberately blames PTSD victims for their psychological injury from waging war on behalf of the officers and desk jockeys in the Pentagon, Congress and White House.