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Army Pvt. Alexis Hutchinson - Demoted - Discharged
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by LCoastMom | February 11, 2010 at 07:11 pm
962 views | 16 Recommendations | 13 comments
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A single mother - Army soldier based in Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia is being discharged from the military instead of facing a court-martial, after she refused to deploy to Afghanistan, saying she had no one able to care for her infant son. Army Spc. Alexis Hutchinson, a 21-year-old cook and single mother, to one year old Kamani - who was attached to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, was arrested in November, after she skipped her unit's deployment flight.
Her attorney, Rai Sue Sussman, said the Army cook was excited to hear the news. She's excited that she's no longer facing jail and can still be with her son, which is the most important thing,"
Criminal charges were filed in January after the Army had uncovered evidence that Hutchinson had plans; regardless of her family situation, to resist deploying "by any means." But the commanding officers decided a court-martial would be too disruptive, requiring soldiers now in Afghanistan to return to the U.S. to testify. However; the administrative discharge, Fort Stewart commanders granted still has consequences. Hutchinson is being demoted to private and will lose all military and veterans benefits. Fort Stewart spokesman, Kevin Larson said.
"This case wasn't about a soldier having to choose between her duty to the nation and her family," Larson said. "There is evidence both from Pvt. Hutchinson and her fellow soldiers to indicate she had no intentions of deploying." A general at neighboring Fort Stewart chose to settle the case by granting her an administrative discharge rather than try her in a military court.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 00:36 on February 12th, 2010
I think this is good news, overall. The military showed good judgment in not pursuing a criminal charge.
at 04:04 on February 12th, 2010
I agree, she was between a rock and a hard place.
Leaving a 10 month old baby with a grandma who is caring for 2 elderly people, a disabled daughter and 14 day care kids was not in his best interest. I'm just glad grandma realized she couldn't handle it before Hutchinson deployed.
at 06:55 on February 12th, 2010
She should be in prison. What her lawyer didn't tell is that she asked her mom to back out of her family care plan and stated to people before she did this that she WOULD NOT deploy regardless of her child. She is an example of someone who women will laud now but will one day soon hate because she displays every negative stereotype of women in uniform. When her behavior, conversations, texts, emails and more come to light very, very few will be left supporting her.
at 08:24 on March 7th, 2010
Ummm.....sure.
at 07:39 on February 12th, 2010
Thank you for sharing, I have heard the same (I even put it in the story...) but my opinion hasn't changed. Leaving a 10 month old baby with a grandma who is caring for 2 elderly people, a disabled daughter and 14 day care kids is not in his best interest.
at 08:10 on February 12th, 2010
As a 23 year veteran I can tell you that being in the military is not an easy life, especial now that we are a nation at war. Service members have a responsibility to both their family and their country. This individual came into an Army that was at war. This issue that she is going through is not a new one, in my 23 years I've seen soldiers become Pregnant just to get out of deploying. Now there are those in society that believe that these Soldier, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen should receive special consideration and not be required to deploy. If the military keeps granting special consideration to these individuals the military will soon have a bunch of single non deployable parents. Bottom line you signed up to do a job, if you do not want to do the job then get out of the military. As for this soldier she might need to think about practicing safe sex in the future until she is married. Again maybe she should of been praticing safe sex, the military is not a welfare system they are there to do a job. Lead Follow or get the Hell out of the Way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1SG Retired
at 08:27 on March 7th, 2010
I'm sorry but that's sick that you are implying (if not explicitly stating) that Hutchinson manged to Quickly get herself pregnant ten or so months before her deployment into Afghanistan. Ignoring the fact that you are male and the bias that will inevitably proceede your judgment, I'm sure the courts are fairer than you, Jim Hayes.
at 08:29 on March 7th, 2010
I'm sorry but it's pretty sick the implication or explictation of your words. Hutchinson got herself pregnant months before her deployment so she wouldn't have to enter in? Ignoring the fact that you are male and the obvious bias that would inevitably follow because of this fact, I think the courts are fairer in their judgment than you (and I didn't think they were that fair to begin with).
at 08:14 on February 12th, 2010
Most of you got it all wrong... The Army gave her ample opportunity to rework her family care plan; they even contacted an organization which offered to take care of her son and she REFUSED. Several of her fellow soldiers informed investigators that she had NO INTENTION of deploying. You have to understand that within the Army, soldiers are aware several months in advance of just exactly when they will deploy. The military is so much more than just a job and she knew it while getting a free ride. Uncle Sam covered all of her medical bills when her son was born and that should be enough in itself; this should have been a dishonorable discharge and leave it at that. DID YOU KNOW.... Over 10,000 single military parents deployed last year??????? SHE HAS NO EXCUSE besides being a general piece of ****.
at 06:28 on February 14th, 2010
Rob: Please read carefully; I think most of us get it. I fully realize she didn't want to deploy, changed her mind or freaked out or something. She has been in the ARMY since 2007, I think we can assume with the exception of maternity leave and regular leave time, she has been working, since that time. So saying she was she getting a free ride isn't really appropriate, neither is name calling.
A General made the decision how best to handle the situation, I can only assume he knew what he was doing and has knowledge on the matter I don't possess. But that's OK, it was his job not mine. I would have no problem with seeing her discharged dishonorably. But the ARMY never asked for our opinion on the matter. Since they no longer line soldiers up in front of the courts and spectators, to rip the patches off their uniform; then take the walk of shame to the firing squad; really what difference does it make? She lost her rank, she lost any benefits, putting her in jail would only give the government two more mouths to feed.
I am aware of deployment practices, I saw the same thing you did. It was quite apparent she "changed her mind." But since she had the ability to opt out during her pregnancy or even in her post-partum / maternity leave and she chose to stay, I think it is possible she didn't know she wasn't going to leave her son in someone else's care - and that is something I can understand.
LaTX "As a female in the military, it doesn't take much to easily get out. Either not come up with a family care plan or get pregnant and get chaptered out".
If this was all she had to do; why would she make the choice to face court martial, jail or as she ended up - being tossed out on her rear, loss of benefits and rank? What was she hoping to gain? Did she hope to stay in and stay stateside? She's known for months that wasn't going to happen...
at 10:44 on February 12th, 2010
What a piece of manipulative trash. She should be in chains.
at 21:33 on February 12th, 2010
Prior service members know the truth. She had no intentions of going. As a female in the military, it doesn't take much to easily get out. Either not come up with a family care plan or get pregnant and get chaptered out.
at 22:38 on February 12th, 2010
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