Special Needs Dependents and Marine avation

[Curtis King]

I have a question about having a child with special needs and my ability so still have a flight contract. However, before I ask it I will give you a little background information.

I'm currently a MECEP Marine and will be commissioning within the next few months with an aviation guarantee. As for many of you, this new path is one that I have worked hard to get to and welcome the new adventure. I come from the aviation side of the house and was a CH-46E Crewchief for some time, so I just want to make it clear that I am fully aware of the challenge it is to become a Marine aviator. With that, I am a husband and father of two boys, one of which was just born a few weeks ago with Down syndrome. My wife is highly supportive of me become an aviator in the Marines. She understands that it may be a difficult road for the next few years but she to welcomes the journey. We have made plans and arrangements that will best facilitate both my family and myself during flight school; arrangements that will allow me to focus on the tasks at hand and for my family to have the supportive network the need when I am unavailable.

With that, when my MOI became aware of the situation he said that it may not be possible for me to have a flight contract and also have a child with special needs. Basically that the Marine Corps can take my flight contract away solely because I have a special needs child. So I guess my question is: Now that I have a child with special needs is it possible that the Marine Corps can revoke my aviation guarantee based only on the fact that I have a special needs child? To me this just seems ridiculous and I have been unable to find any information that supports the clam positively or negatively. Any information or resources would be very helpful.

Thanks Gents

O… and I am aware of the Exceptional Child Program but I don’t think it pertains to this specifically.

 

[Harrier Dude]

Short answer: no, they can't take away your flight contract because you have a special needs child.

Will this make things more difficult? Probably. But God doesn't give challenges to those who can't handle them.

Good luck.

 

[phrogdriver]

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) will not affect your air contract. It may limit your duty stations and such later. You might not get the orders you would otherwise be able to get, e.g. Oki is probably off the table. If you can handle this challenge on a personal level, though, then it shouldn't hold you back. God bless.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I have a friend with a daughter in EFMP. The way he explained it to me, it limits his duty stations - in his case, his daughter's medical issues mean he has to be near Portsmouth or Balboa - but Big Navy isn't allowed to penalize his career due to those limitations. I assume, but can't confirm, that the Marines work the same way. I would be very surprised if they yanked a contract because of it, and I'm not at all sure they legally could.

My friend's skippers and detailers have been pretty good about finding him orders that keep him in the game.

 

[scoolbubba]

Not a jarhead, but best of luck. You've squared your life away to this point. You'll be fine.

 

[feddoc]

I have two kids who were (I've since retired) in the EFMP program. While I can't offer any advice on MOI issues, I can offer up that I have been where you are, in a sense, and appreciate some of the difficulties you will encounter. If there is some way I can help, please don't hesitate.

Cherish every single victory you have with your baby, no matter how small.

 

[jarhead]

Call bullshit (respectfully) to your MOI (is he a Marine pilot?)

A squadron buddy in Beaufort several years back had a child in the Exceptional Family Member Program. He deployed and went on dets, no issues...he was limited to CONUS duty stations though.

Good luck

 

[Curtis King]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was able to contact the Col. in charge of Marine Corps recruiting and he said that, there will be no such case.

Thanks again Gents

 

[phrogpilot73]

My logisitics chief in the squadron when I was the 4A had a son with Down's syndrome. His only limitation was CONUS + Hawaii duty stations.

 

[ea6bflyr]

If future issues like this come up, tell them you are from the "SHOW ME" state and have them show you the instruction or source document.

-ea6bflyr