Sample Cases
Category: Release
Playing the Waiting Game
A young lieutenant, who had failed his initial pilot training, was serving out his obligatory service period. With his release date approaching, the lieutenant secured civilian employment to coincide with when he would be released. Shortly before his release date, he was informed that a period of parental leave he had taken while serving was going to be added to the end of his contract. This extension policy would require him to work another year. The lieutenant was very frustrated, since the only reason he had joined the forces was to be a pilot. Since that dream had not become a reality, he had spent the last five years doing menial jobs, all the while looking forward to his new life as a civilian. This unfortunate turn of events put the lieutenant’s new job and plans to move in jeopardy.
The lieutenant contacted the Office requesting help in securing an early release, stating he was even willing to reimburse the parental leave salary. The investigator began a search of the personnel file, and a review of the correspondence relating to the parental leave issue, and found that most personnel within the chain of command were unaware of the extension policy. It was therefore understandable that the lieutenant would not have known about the regulation. The investigator then set up a meeting with the Director Military Careers (D Mil C) to discuss the issue. They maintained their position and asserted that they did not want to set a precedent for other officers in the same situation to also get an early release. However, after discussing the impact that this decision would have on the member and his family, D Mil C agreed to review the situation, provided they received evidence from social and medical experts stating that the situation had a harmful effect on the member’s health and his family. At this request, the lieutenant obtained the necessary reports and forwarded them on to D Mil C.
After a review of the documents, D Mil C personnel recommended that once the parental leave salary was reimbursed, the officer would be released seven months before the new release date.
