Enlisting in the military as a single parent: Is it allowed?

I'm a high school junior planning my future and I happen to be a single parent. I've always thought about joining the military. Does anyone know if that's possible and what challenges I might face?

Yes, a single parent can enlist in the military. Many branches of the military, such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force, allow single parents to join under specific policies. However, there are certain conditions and requirements.

Every branch of the service has policies that require any single-parent or dual military couple enlistees to submit what is known as a "Family Care Plan." This is a detailed arrangement to ensure that your child or children will be taken care of during periods of training, overseas deployment, and in the event you're injured or killed in service. The plan covers both short-term and long-term arrangements, such as who would take care of your child during a 1-week field exercise to who would take care of your child if you're deployed overseas.

The challenging aspect is ensuring that your duties and responsibilities as a service member don't conflict with your responsibilities as a single parent. Being in the military means frequent moves, risk of deployment, and sometimes unpredictable hours. Coordinating childcare can be difficult, particularly if you don't have a strong support system.

However, the military also provides several benefits that can be particularly helpful to single parents, such as healthcare, steady income, and housing allowances. In some cases, childcare and support services are also provided.

It's also crucial to consider your situation and what branch and job within the military might fit best with your responsibilities as a single parent. Consulting with a recruiter might give you a clearer view of what life in the military would look like for you and your child.

Remember, the decision to join the military is a significant one and should be made with plenty of thought and consultation with trusted advisors. Ultimately, it's about balancing your duty to your child with your aspirations and your potential duty to your country.