26 Days: Part I

It’s been 26 days since I started this blog. (It feels like a whole lot more!) Time creeps here in Hawaii for us because we are in a standstill. It’s harder some days than others. The frustration comes from not knowing what is happening next. There has been no word on the filing of the GOMOR . No word whether or not my husband will be able to continue the military’s Physician Assistant program. 

Without knowing what is going to happen next, I feel as if I am in limbo. It’s a struggle when you aren’t told what is going to happen to your family or when. If all of “this” wasn’t happening, I would be preparing my family to move to our next duty station come October. Now I don’t know when we are to move, or where. I tell myself, “It will happen when it happens”.

Answers. It’s all I want. I don’t care what the answer is, I just want one! I wait and wait and wait. Patience is running out and I have to find ways to fill it up again. 

I started this blog to be heard and to vent my frustrations. It feels great to get my thoughts out of my head and see the words on the screen. It feels scary to hit the “publish” button every time I post. I always ask myself, “I am doing the right thing? Am I going too far?” 

I stop and think. 

I think about all we have gone through. One time always comes to mind. Two months ago, my husband and I were talking. It was a long conversation about our morals and who were are as a family. We reflected a lot on who we are, who we want to be, who we want our children to be proud of. We realized we allowed too much evil and hate into our lives. That is not who we are or wanted to be. Never had we experienced a situation like this. A situation that made us doubt ourselves as parents, people, and patriots. I am embarrassed to say, that 2 months ago I had gotten to the point where I wanted to give up and run and hide. We let this command and the situation make us believe we should be afraid and not stand up for what is right. That moment was when I decided I would NEVER allow my family or myself to be put in that position again.

I stop again. I breathe. I think. 

Then I remember other people out there in the same boat. I think of the soldiers who were bullied out of their positions and told not to put up a fight. Other soldiers sitting in Army “detention” awaiting their fate because of menial mistakes. Waiting to hear if they will have a military career. They sit. They wait. They worry. They cry. 

I ask myself again, “I am doing the right thing?” 

I say, “YES!” 

I click “publish post”. I click it. I share it. I text message it. I e-mail it. I find other bloggers. I talk to everyone I know. I use my voice! I exercise my First Amendment Right. That is what I do to get through this craziness. 

“What is it like for your husband?”  So glad you asked!

…see 26 Days Part II

26 Days: Part II

What has my husband done to fight for his career? 

He did the only thing he can. He went through his chain of command. (That wasn’t looking favorable being he felt part of the problem was in his chain of command.) What he did next write to congress asking for a “Congressional Inquiry”. Not only has he contacted his congress representatives from NC, family members did the same in other states. He wrote to Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers of North Carolina, and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

Letters and phone calls went to the New York congress by family members. Phone calls were made to North Carolina by family members to voice their concerns for our situation as well. 

What does letter writing and some phone calls accomplish? This:

It’s called support from Congress! 

He has received notice from the offices:

From the office of United States Senator Richard Burr, NC stating “I have contacted the appropriate officials at the Department of the Army to express my interest in your case.”

From the office of US Congresswoman Renee Ellmers, NC, stating “We received a response today from the Pentagon stating the inquiry has been initiated.”

From the office of US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, HI, stating “We have sent an official inquiry to the Pacific Regional Medical Command on your behalf, requesting they review and reconsider their stance.”

It’s a bit of happiness knowing they listened to his side of the story and understood something might be sour here in Hawaii. It is hope. 

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when my husband wrote to congress asking for them to look into the matters here at Tripler Army Medical Center. I was elated to open the mailbox and see the letter from the Senators’ office. I felt like dancing! It was the most I had felt excited about our government since I registered to vote when I was 18. The government says they are there for the people, and now I believe them. 

I am so grateful for the support from family, friends and you, my readers. I am elated that our congress has decided to take action on our behalf. 

This is not over by any means. It is the beginning of a long journey, a journey to set an example for all soldiers and their families to stand up to toxic leadership! 

Suffering 2 Serve: Frequently Asked Questions

Suffering 2 Serve: Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Will your husband be able to finish PA school as a civilian if the military relieves him from the IPAP? A: That is uncertain at ...