A bunch of random questions

[Kira]

OK so I'm confused on some things and wonder if you ladies could help me.

So Adam has a ball coming up after JRTC. Adam is saying it is mandatory. Is it? If so would he look stupid going alone? I am not trying to make excuses but I don't have a dress, it will take forever for me to find one and the big one is we do not have anyone to watch the boys, we just do not know anyone.

The other thing is during JRTC do they take BAS like in BCT? I'm curious cause like idiot's we rely on that money to get groceries, he's not getting FSH because he will not be gone 30 days so I'm thinking next month will be bad financially and I want to be prepared. Honestly I hope they do take away BAS because some guy told him he has to eat out 3x a day..umm I guess they really do want him to be fat..lol.

One last question, is block leave charged leave? No one at his unit seems to know apparently ( or maybe he doesn't ask..lol ). His Sgt told him it is and since he doesn't have enough leave time he will not have block leave before deployment, I think he's messing with him.

Thank You!!

[ReginaCherie]

there are alot or events that are mandatory around here. sometimes i go sometimes i dont. i think it really is up to you. some of the events have free childcare. you should find out.

i dont even know what JRTC is lol

from my experence if you have to sumit your leave to be aproved its charged and if you dont its not. but dont take my word for it.

[snwalways41903]

yes block leave is charged. william didnt take block leave before he deployed in 06 because we had just joined the army 6mo before and he wanted to save it for RnR. we also couldnt afford to go home then either. we had our military ball here last may and it was mandatory. i really didnt wanna go william didnt wanna go, BUT we went long enough to eat dinner and left. it might be mandatory for your hubby, BUT you are not in the army they cant make you do anything u dont wanna do. i just went cause my hubby asked me to. they had free childcare, we just had to have our children registered through CYS, in order to use it. they have mandatory frg meetings all the time. or funday or whatever. the soldier has to be at them cause the 1st sgt is looking sometimes our BC says that whoever doesnt show up will have to do extra pt and they will make the guys sign in. i think it just really depends on the CO and BN that your soldier is in.

[Kira]

OK so I'll make him go to the ball alone..lol. We don't have Gabe registered yet because every time I think I'm done they want more because of his allergies and stuff, it's a pain but hopefully in May when he is at the Allergist we can get the last paper signed off. Trust me I would love a night out with my hubby, but a ball just isn't my thing.

In the past our FRG meetings weren't mandatory but now they are but I have to go anyway cause I'm a POC!

I didn't think block leave was charged, so not fair..lol. That stinks cause he only has 20 days. He used 4 extra days when Gabe was sick last Feb that put him negative and took 2 weeks this past Christmas. So will he just go in for accountability or will it be a full day? I really don't mind him having to work but I do want to spend some time with him before he leaves.

[snwalways41903]

when william stayed back while everyone was on block leave, they normally went in for pt. then back to work at 9am and got off before noon. they really only had to go in for a few hours, ONLY if there were little jobs that needed to be done. this past christmas when william only wanted to take a week while the rest took 2wks, the BC told the guys he wanted computers moved to another room and the tables rearranged to make room for more. it was like an hour job with 8 guys doing it so when they were done they went home. other then that william sent everyone home after accountability formation since he was in charge!

[Meredith]

Sounds like Sherry hit it all. I know they were telling Mike his pre deployment ball was mandatory but we didn't go, nor did any of our friends! And yes you can send him alone if you have to ;) He did have other stuff that the enforced the mandatory thing on more.

I honestly don't pay much attention to Mikes LES but I can't imagine they take BAS away from you, it goes up when you have dependents (if I'm correct) so I'm pretty sure its supposed to help feed the whole family not just the soldier (but don't quote me on that)

Tell whatever dumb ass told your husband he has to eat out 3x a day to shove it. Cause that's crap!

Mike told me recently that they're no longer charging the guys leave days for R&R! And also if you're a spouse and you work the job can't fire you and has to give you the two weeks for r&r. (of course they don't have to pay you but you can't lose your job for it!) But yes they will charge you the 30 days pre dep block leave.

Hang in there and tell him to make sure he stays hydrated at polk!! I know a bunch of guys in Mike's unit (including his LT at the time) had some heat stroke/exhaustion issues! It's hot and muggy (well it was in June last year lol)

Hang in there love and IM me if you have any more questions I'll be happy to help the best I can :)

[Kira]

Thanks Sherry and Mere!!

Mere, lol it's always the same guys that call him fat, figures. I read the free R&R was conditional and as it stands right now his commander is not in a happy mood, so we'll see.