Saturday, April 2, 2011

Community Service vs. Military Ball

So you've probably heard me complain about the military ball being held on a WEDNESDAY night this year. I totally understand that most people in the military don't have a life and can make it to a ball on a WEDNESDAY night. I, for one, am not. I have class that night. A graduate class. I'm not missing my class for a damn party. I decided that a while ago.

So now Joe has to decide what he's going to do. The punishment for not going to the ball on a WEDNESDAY night? Community service!! Rumor has it's at a nursing home, as in changing bed pans. Like my husband doesn't have a REAL job!??! He's a fucking sergeant in the US Army and because he's an adult and doesn't want to go to a stupid ball on a WEDNESDAY night that his wife cant attend, he has to change bed pans???? Are you FUCKING kidding me??? So we're looking at all his options, buying a ticket and not going. Buying a ticket and showing his face for 15 minutes. We're going to see if he can not go and NOT change bed pans. He's an adult and shouldn't be punished for not going to an after school program. ((((It looks like he has given in and will be buying a ticket ($30, the price is gradually increased by rank) and he will have to pay to get his class As tailored too. But he still isnt happy about it. And I'm still super annoyed, as you can tell.))))

Sooo.. the point that gets me is that NONE of the ticket costs are going to a charitable cause. If the punishment is community service and they seem to care A LOT about this community service, shouldn't some of the proceeds go to a good cause??

On a related note, we have 683 days until my husband is a civilian again. Now do you see why I'm so excited about his ETS? He isn't treated like an adult. He's 27 years old. He's a glorified babysitter and is punished for missing a fucking party?? I have much bigger plans for my husband. He's far to smart to be a peon in the damn Army.

Disclaimer: I would LOVE to hear your thoughts. Offended? I really don't care. You can comment about how offended you are about my tone and how not everyone experiences the Army like this. Go for it. But please be a real person and not an anonymous gutless weasel.

<---- Not cut out for this Army BS

6 comments:

Jessica said...

I've never heard of community service for not going to a ball. That's weird and really crazy. With M's units, if you go... you get the next day off. If you don't go, you work the next day. That's how it should be.

His unit when we were in the Springs was stupid. Obviously, they haven't gotten any better.

Patty said...

Wow, couldn't agree with you more! *LoVe your disclaimer.

Chantal said...

That's ridiculous. I totally agree with you.

Sara said...

@ Jessica That's what we initially thought, since it was on a Wednesday, Joe might have to work on Thursday, no big deal. But extra duty?? That's just absurd.

Kayla said...

First of all, it's BS they made your ball on a Wednesday night. Who does that?! Ours is a Saturday night, just like last time. Yes, it works for the guys, because they don't have to show up the next day, but sometimes the CoC forgets other people (cough spouses cough) have - you know - lives. I teach dance classes on Wednesday nights and have to switch them around (much to my students' chargin) to another night because of a Hail and Farewell that I "have" to go to at the end of the month. Fine. Whatever. The point is, the Army talks a big game about being family-oriented and supportive of families and spouses. That should include a little consistency if you ask me.
That said, our CDR requires everyones presence too. I don't know what the punishment is for not going... Still. Bed pans? Why not just bump them up for staff duty if its so dang important to you they be there? Hmpf.

Anonymous said...

Hello all. I am an advanced practice nurse and have nothing to do with the Army. It IS AGAINST THE LAW to have people working with nursing home residents, who do not have state certifications or licenses. Community Service cannot be direct nursing care. As part of a community, I command you all to go to bed at 2000 that night. LOL