Spc. Alexis Hutchinson, a 21-year-old Army cook, had no choice but to skip deployment to Afghanistan, even if it meant going to jail. The single mother of 10-month-old Kamani did not have anyone in place to care for her son.
Her mother, who was already emotionally and physically spent caring for three relatives, was incapable of caring for her grandson. Since Hutchinson had no other relatives or friends with whom she could leave her young son (the child's father is also out of the picture) she refused military orders to go overseas.
The Oakland, Calif., native was arrested by military police 10 days after she missed her unit's flight. To date, no charges have been filed, and Hutchinson remains confined to the Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Ga., where she may be facing up to a year in jail, pending an investigation.
In a statement released through her lawyer, Hutchinson said:
It is outrageous that they would deploy a single mother without a complete and current family care plan. I would like to find someone I trust who can take care of my son, but I cannot force my family to do this. They are dealing with their own health issues.
When the military mom was arrested on Nov. 6, Kamani was handed over to child welfare services, where he remained for nearly two days until Hutchinson's mother picked him up. According to Army records, Hutchinson joined the army in 2007 and has not been previously deployed overseas.
Army regulations dictate that all single-parent soldiers pre-plan their childcare accommodations for dependent children before they are deployed. According to published reports, in late October, Rai Sue Sussman, Hutchinson's attorney, said that the Army told her client that they would give her more time to find suitable arrangements for her child. Sussman added, "Then earlier this month, they told her she would not get the extended time after all and would have to deploy. The day before she was forced to deploy, they told her you have a choice to make, but your duty is to get on that plane," Sussman said.
In a release, Sussman stresses, "Hutchinson is not a conscientious objector seeking to avoid deployment." Kevin Larson, a spokesman for Hunter Army Airfield, states that Hutchinson's "deployment is halted" and that there will be no deployment while there is an investigation.
Comments: (48)
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By: paul on 11/17/2009 4:47PM
I don't see why this is on the Black Voices page, as this has nothing to do with race.
Regardless of that, she has an obligation to fulfill with the Military. I'm sure she never hesitated to take full advantage of all the paychecks and benefits that come with the job. The gov't probably even picked up the tab for the birth of the kid!! She can't expect to go AWOL then look for some sort of leniency because she didn't arrange for someone to take care of her son.
Kids don't just happen - it takes 2 people and they have to do it on purpose. As such kids are luxuries that are the responsibility of the 2 people that made them.
The father is "out of the picture". That must mean that he is dead or in jail because as long as he is walking around free and alive there is no reason this is only the mom's problem. Why was there no mention of his parents?
I feel bad for the kid, but I have no sympathy for the free-loading mom.
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By: GE on 11/17/2009 5:31PM
Clearly, Paul does not get it. He sounds jaded as if he was abandoned by his mother at a early age. The reality is Spc. Alexis Hutchinson, a 21-year-old Army cook -is a MOTHER first and foremost.
Paul I just hope that if you have kids you find the help and love the your need to give to them...cause you've missed the point.
PEACE OUT
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By: paul on 11/17/2009 5:57PM
to GE:
I saw the point. The first line of the article says that she had no choice but to go AWOL. Bull-Oney. I disagree with the premise of the point of the article - that she had no choice in the matter because motherhood was thrust upon her. To that I say "Where is her husband?"
A mother first and foremost?? She was in the Army first, (the article says she joined in 2007) and now she's looking at giving up her kid while she goes to jail for her actions. That means she decided to start a family with a guy who is "not in the picture" knowing full well that we were at war and there was a very good chance that she would be deployed. Some mom.
The only victim here is the kid, and the only bad guy is the mom.
In her statement she says "It is outrageous that they would deploy a single mother without a complete and current family care plan." I agree with her 100% - it is outrageous that she did not have a plan for her child knowing full well that she was going to be deployed.
I have 2 young kids and my wife is a stay-home mom. She has the most important job in the world. My job is only to support her and the kids. If she were an army cook that got deployed I would be here with our kids, she would be over there doing her duty, and we wouldn't be in the news for going AWOL and dodging our obligations to the military.
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By: BG on 11/17/2009 7:20PM
As simple as that Paul. First my prayers and support goes to other men and women who had left their children with other folks to take on the war for their country. It offends the concience of mankind to see the soldier's mom operating a daycare, taking care of other people's children, and cannot take care of her grandchild. If this lady were to go to the nightclub all week long, she would have somebody to babysit for her. This is not a race issue and it is a shame to coat it that way. She belong in jail.
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By: Missy D on 12/02/2009 12:24PM
I agree with you Paul. She is a soldier first and foremost. If she's been in since 2007, then that means that the Army paid for her baby. As in it was the US Government who paid for her childcare, healthcare, and everything else that is involved with birthing a baby.
I don't think some of you are looking at this from a military standpoint. Y'all are looking at this from a heartwarming standpoint. Yes this child is in an unfortunate situation. He has a pathetic Grandmother (who only ended up picking him up in the first place) and a absentee father. He deserves more than that.
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By: marine02xx on 1/15/2010 9:58PM
Paul,
I'm an active duty Marine w/16 years active duty. Your comments are principled, but your forgot something. Lisa Pagan, a married mother of two, was recalled to active duty to the Army, but REFUSED to deploy because she claimed her HUSBAND traveled too much and could not take care for THEIR two kids. Where's her "patriotism"? Is he a dead beat dad? Is her actions worth commenting on? I'm sure she didn't come into the Army with kids. Regardless of whether she wanted to go, the government called her and she refused? She was never placed in jail and I don't remember anyone suggesting she place her kids in foster care. Such a double standard but you choose to ignore that. I'd like to see your comment; you seem to be quick to provide it...
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By: fathaz_luv on 11/17/2009 7:06PM
This young lady is the prime example on why the military doesn't let single parents join active duty. On a daily basis I have young ladies with children who has a legitimate person to care for their child(ren) just in case they are deployed but can't because of situations like this. The consequences of this young ladies actions will affect others in the future. The rule is pretty clear. If you have a child before enlistment and you are a single parent then you are disqualified for enlistment into the active (fulltime) service. Some ladies like the above soldier have children while on active duty which is fine. They are required to have a person in place to care for her child in case they are deployed. This is called a family care plan which is actually signed by her commanding officer and the person listed as the legal guardian. The guardianship papers has to be notorized before it is accepted by the military. If the soldier doesn't have a valid family care plan, they will be discharged from the military.
Bottom line, some soldiers use this as a reason not to deploy. She can't do anything for her son now in jail. Now the mother of the soldier steps forward and gets the child but the damage has been done now. This is a serious issue and before others comment on it they need to now the rules.
Some think just because they are serving their time stationed at their place of duty they are doing their job. They are actually training at their duty station until called upon to perform their job.
If your child wanted to join the military but was told by a recruiter she can't because she is a single parent, what would you say? You would say, "Why can't she join as a single parent." This is why! The military can pay your bills, provide medical and life insurance, and send you to college but when the military need you to perform the job you try and skip out on it. You should be made to pay every single dime back. The money it cost to train you also which is easily $30,000 and up per person depending on your job specialty.
I am a father of two and married to a beautiful woman. If faced with the same situation, I would have handled it differently. If this young lady is discharged she will once again try and rejoin the military. I see this all the time.
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By: dre smith on 11/18/2009 7:27AM
Well written and definetaly on point.
Ditto!
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By: RUSerious on 11/18/2009 7:53PM
I agree! Very good points! Apparently "AF" didn't get it....research, educate, comprehend and TRY AGAIN AF!
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By: AF on 11/18/2009 4:25PM
I agree with GE.Paul and Fatha..why have you not stepped up to help this mom out, offered to take care of her son.Paul, the Army sees no colors. The black voice is her heritage. Your the one that sees colors. And Fatha do you have relatives serving in the Armed Forces? How would you know " You see it all the time" I have family in the Army and I don't see it all the time. We are not her and WE cannot speak for her. She is an Army mother, first and foremost. She is protection her son, as she would be protecting yours, should she be deployed. Instead of complaining why don't you stand up and try to help her.
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