Expert: James Bell - 3/1/2008

Question
My husband is currently at Great Lakes going through Navy RTC and then he is off to Pensacola for Aircrew candidate school. I have a few questions :
*Will he get his 2 weeks leave after aircrew candidate school, or after the A school after that? I am pregnant and due around the time he finishes the 5 week candidate program.

*His recruiter said if he doesnt get leave he will probibly be able to get a weekend pass home for the birth. Is that possible?

*I am on Tricare and seeing a Dr at the local base, if he is unable to come home, could I have the baby at the base he is at and would he be able to attend?

Thanks so much!

Answer
Greetings Crystal -

I'll say right off the bat that the Navy specific questions are outside my area of expertise, as I was strictly Air Force.  I'm not really sure what the Navy's leave policy is during formal training, or if there are considerations for child birth.  Your husband should be able to get that information from his first sergeant at his school.

The only question I can answer is your last one.  As a military dependent on Tricare, it doesn't matter where you are.  Just because you are stationed at a particular base, you are not required to get all your care there.  If you show up at your husband's dorm room and go into labor, you go to the nearest hospital.  If there is a military hospital close by, all the better.  If there isn't, you go to the nearest hospital.  Going into labor would be considered an emergency, so go to a hospital and let Tricare work it out.  Most hospitals take Tricare for emergencies.  Unless something unusual was happening in your husband's training, I can't see why he wouldn't be given an excused absence to attend your child's birth.

I hope this gives you a little more information.  Good luck on the future addition to your family, and your husband's successful training.

Sincerely,
James Bell