General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently visited one of my favorite places: the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. He took some questions from the crowd. Trust a Marine to come up with a great one:
Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Hope Booth, a 16-year military veteran, asked Dempsey how to protect military personnel in family court issues.
Booth lost custody of her son in 2000 during a divorce custody hearing. She said that her frequent deployments and moves were used against her in court.
“They see us as unstable parents because we move around so much,” Booth said. “It’s kind of hard, because on one hand, the courts are telling us we’re unfit parents and not good enough to take care of our kids. On the other hand, they tell us we’re heroes because we’re protecting Americans’ rights and freedom. Who is protecting our rights and freedom when we come back?”
Dempsey, who eschewed the podium and spoke from the middle of the aisle, looked stunned.
This is something that needs to be addressed by someone. We need protection at home.
Although I think it is a very valid question, I wonder what can be done. You are dealing with Civilian courts who are know for their best results. Whom ever has the fastest mouth usually wins regardless of the case. If someone is active duty and goes to court, they should be made to face a military (or partially military) court. Not a court martial or mast kind of thing. Just a judicial type court dealing with normal family and financial matters.