Related: Occupation Iraq: Mommy Court-Martial
It's only what every mother should do.
"Army mother faces charges; Refused to deploy; cited care of child" by Russ Bynum, Associated Press | January 14, 2010
SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Army said yesterday that it has filed criminal charges against a single-mother soldier who refused to deploy to Afghanistan last year, arguing she had no family able to care for her infant son.
Specialist Alexis Hutchinson, a 21-year-old Army cook, could face a prison sentence and a dishonorable discharge if she is convicted by a court-martial.
A cook? They couldn't find another cook?
Besides, doesn't Halliburton do the food service?
But first, an officer will be appointed to decide whether there is enough evidence to try her.
Hutchinson’s lawyer, Rai Sue Sussman, said she hopes the case can be settled without a military trial. She said the Army should consider Hutchinson’s reason for not deploying overseas - that she was afraid of what would happen to her baby. “There are other routes if they really want to punish her,’’ Sussman said yesterday. “I don’t think the situation was serious enough to warrant a criminal matter.’’
Not if you need to make an example of someone.
Hutchinson, of Oakland, Calif., was scheduled to deploy from Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah on Nov. 5. She skipped her unit’s flight, saying the only relative she had to take care of her 10-month-old son - her mother - was overwhelmed by the task and backed out a few days before Hutchinson’s departure date.
Kevin Larson, a spokesman for Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, said Hutchinson was charged Tuesday with missing movement, for missing her overseas flight; being absent without leave; dereliction of duty; and insubordinate conduct. The stiffest charge, missing movement, carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge.
“The charges against Specialist Hutchinson stem from the fact she didn’t do her duty,’’ Larson said. “They know their deployment dates. They have to show up.’’
Yeah, imagine if they had a war and nobody came, huh?
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