Svc Cpl on Ex/deployment together

[ArmyMumm]

Hi,

We are a svc cpl at the same regt and I've been moved into a position where we will are consistantly on exercise at the same time (2 seperate sqn's).  3 weeks, 6 weeks, 2 weeks and 3 weeks all out of town so far on the schedule for the until spring and told to expect more.  We have two kids infant/school age.  I've been told we won't do a full deployment together but I thought there was something saying we couldn't deploy together and where do exercises fit in that if at all?  We both love the job but constantly having to find 24/7 childcare for weeks at a time is getting expensive and frustrating.

Any thoughts, experiences?

Thanks!

 

[PMedMoe]

Pretty sure there isn't anything forbidding service couples to not be on exercise at the same time.  After all, you're both in the military right?

That said, CBI 209, particularly paras 209.335(5)(6) and (7) may be of use to you in defraying some of the childcare costs.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Family Care Plan (FCP)

That said, CBI 209, particularly paras 209.335(5)(6) and (7) may be of use to you in defraying some of the childcare costs.

I think you are right. 

 

[CountDC]

Exercises don't fit in.  Also don't be 100% comfortable in the not deployed together part - this does not mean you can not be deployed at the same time.  They generally avoid it but it can happen and you will be expected to use your FCP.

The only good is that as you are both going on the exercise you should be claiming child care and getting reimbursed at least some of it. 

Ref: CBI 209.335

The purpose of FCA is to assist defray costs associated with dependant care for single parents, and service couples (SC) when for service reasons, the CF is the sole cause of removing the member (or in the case of a SC both CF members) from their dependant(s) for a period of 24 continuous hours or more. This instruction applies to members of the Reg F and Res F members on Class B and C service.

The member is entitled to be reimbursed the difference between what the member normally pays for dependant care, and what the member actually paid for dependant care up to $75/day per family, when supported by a receipt from the caregiver. This doesn't need to be a commercial facility; however the name of the caregiver, phone number, home address, along with the name of the dependant should appear on the receipt. The member must advise the caregiver the reason for the higher rate is due to the requirement to claim the money as earned income with Revenue Canada.

If you have someone 18 or over living with you then this does not apply.

 

[63 Delta]

I am part of a Military Service Couple as well. We have a toddler and another on the way. Things can be tough at times. The best you can do is find a really good Day care and have a good Family Care Plan. If family is close try and have your kids with family if possible.

For us we dont have family any less than 4000km away. Thankfully we have a really good Day care provider who has no problem taking our toddler for weeks at a time. Its tough, but Day care is like a second Mom so it really is like putting our kid with family.

The other piece of advice. You probably wont have to much say in whether or not you both go on exercise. But when your CoC sees your dedication to the CF, and sees that you have put the effort in, they might be a lot more flexible in the future. The sad fact is that if both of you are going to be in an operational unit this is going to happen more than you want. I feel the job security, pay, benefits and leave entitlement make up for the lost family time.

 

[armyvern]

A valid, and solid, FCP will become your lifeline ---especially if you're at the regiment that I just left (and looking at your ex schedule, you just may be.  I'm not seeing the month plus advance party on there though ...).

 

[ProPatria05]

Not to sound cruel, but if you're finding it expensive and frustrating then perhaps you need to consider whether or not continuing to be a service couple is what you want to do. Unit leadership often does everything they can to accommodate, but at the end of the day it's (a) mission first, and (b) 24/7 liability. Full stop.

Sorry, but you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

 

[armyvern]

Not to sound cruel, but if you're finding it expensive and frustrating then perhaps you need to consider whether or not continuing to be a service couple is what you want to do. Unit leadership often does everything they can to accommodate, but at the end of the day it's (a) mission first, and (b) 24/7 liability. Full stop.

Sorry, but you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

I guess that's what we're telling her.  If they are both away from the home for any combination of military factors:

1 on course/1 on EX;
1 deployed /1 on course;
1 deployed / 1 on EX;
2 on EX;
2 deployed;
2 on course;
etc, etc etc ... the scenarios are endless.

Then they can enact their FCP and some of those childcare costs et are then reimbursable.

I'm one half of a MSC who has been posted to a different base than the other half for 8.5 of the past 10 years; we have just been reunited at the same location for a mere 3 months ... and I am off again for another 2-3 years.  It isn't easy and it isn't fun.  It is damn well expensive and not for everyone, but at least they can have some of their childcare costs looked after.