Single parent military nursing?

UncreativeUsername · Dec 13, 2012

I've also been told of a family care plan. What is this?

Mslecia20 · Dec 13, 2012

Hi I'm currently 18 about to start my last semester of prenursing and will begin nursing school fall 2013. I have also recently adopted my sister's 4 year old daughter. I have always wanted to do nursing in either the Navy or Army. Is this possible as a single mom? I still have a few years to go but want to know my options and of course do whats best for my child. I'm not looking to make a life long career anymore but would like to do a few years in the nurse corps. I know I may deploy and my parents are willing to take care of her when I deploy. I've heard I would have to turn over guardianship to another person while seving active duty. Is this correct or just while I deploy? Can my child live with me while I'm still in the US? I don't mind and I know my parents don't mind taking care of her for up to a year that I am deployed but it wouldn't be fair for me to have my parents raise another kid when they are about to be done with their 7th just so I can pursue an unnecessary dream. Thanks and anything else you can think of just tell me!

you will not be able to join the military as a single parent. You will have to give custody of your child up.

Mslecia20 · Dec 13, 2012

I've also been told of a family care plan. What is this?

Family care plan is for dual military couples and single parents that have children after they are already on active duty

staugnurse · Dec 13, 2012

I do not believe you have to give your rights up to join. I'm a single mother attempting to join. I've been told by my recruiter plus I have friends who r single moms in navy. You need a family care plan which states who will watch your children while on deployment or unavailable. You, them and a witness will have to sign it.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Dec 13, 2012

I'm a single parent (but joint custody) and didn't have any problems. I'm in the Guard which means I don't get moved, can stay in one place, and only need coverage for my kids when deployed. I don't know how it works for active, good luck.

Mslecia20 · Dec 14, 2012

I'm a single parent (but joint custody) and didn't have any problems. I'm in the Guard which means I don't get moved can stay in one place, and only need coverage for my kids when deployed. I don't know how it works for active, good luck.[/quote']
I believe the requirement is for active duty only. being a single parent and joining is automatically disqualification with no waivers. now if you become a single parent AFTER joining then you would need a family care plan but no you can not join as a single parent because you can be chaptered out for that.

Mslecia20 · Dec 14, 2012

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlsingparent.htm

first line reads you are not allowed to join as a single parent. I know because I tried I had to wait until my fiance at the time and I were married or give custody of my son up. I waited two months for marriage instead

ATLRN0828 · Dec 14, 2012

I'm not sure about other branches but for the Air Force, you can commission and be a single parent. I know because I just commissioned a few months ago and am a single parent. If you enlist you cannot be a single parent but the rules are different to commission in as a officer. You will have to have a family care plan. Your child will be able to live with you in the US or even if you get stationed out of the US (depending where); so you will not have to give up guardianship. You just need to have a plan of who will have your child if you deploy. Being a single parent in the military is doable but not always easy (just like the civilian world).

Mslecia20 · Dec 14, 2012

I can only speak about army though because that's the only branch I joined

navyman7 · Dec 15, 2012

Mslecia, you should start your 1st reply with that statement about the Army. It seems very matter of fact when it isn't the case for the Navy, or the AF apparently.

I know a few single parents in the Navy and they didn't have any problems. Yes, they did need to create a family care plan in the event that they had to deploy. Dual military also have to do the same thing. At least in the case of the Navy. Good luck in figuring things out.

romaniam · Dec 22, 2012

I'm reading all of the responses to your post and it can be very confusing.I don't know the answer to your question. But I have a few words of advice. Being a single mom and a nurse will be difficult whether you're a civilian or military...being a single mom in and of itself is difficult.But I've discovered that it never hurts to ask or try, the worst they can do is say no.My husband is active duty Arny enlisted. I'm about to become commissioned Air Force. Enlisted life is very different from being an officer, especially a medical officer. And AF and Navy life is very different from the Army.So, basically, my best guess is that being a single parent shouldn't be a problem. If you have a family care plan, you should be fine. Best of luck to you!