Will the Air Force allow me to enlist if I am a single mom with 3 kids?

Answer 1

Geez, there's some ignorant buffoons posting here. Grow up you imbeciles!

OK, you should be able to join, provided you meet the basic requirements necessary for the AF to take you. You will have to have a family care plan, which basically says, "Here's what I'll do with my children if I'm called to deploy." No one on here mentioned that the AF deploys under what's called the Expeditionary Air Force (EAF) plan. That means that you're assigned to one of 10 Air Expeditionary Forces (which of the 10 depends on which unit you're assigned to). Most of the time, you will know about your deployments in advance. i.e. if you're in AEF 2, you'll know that you have to deploy in July or something like that.

As a personal note to you, while it's possible, life in the AF for a solo mother of three is not going to be easy. You won't be making much money at first, that's for sure. You will not receive special consideration when it comes time for TDY or deployments, simply because you have 3 kids at home. You WILL spend time away from them. Can you live with that? I know I have had to.

I feel compelled to answer a couple of the stupid comments I saw posted in response to your question.
1. Yes, you get paid a little extra in BAH for dependents, but it's not a lot. Certainly not enough for people to say they want more kids to get more money, welfare-style.
2. The Marines are not 80,000 short.
3. Yes, the AF is tougher to get into. It's not impossible.

Answer 2

Neither the Air Force nor any other active duty branch will allow you to join if you are a single parent. You will have to relinquish custody to someone else and as another poster just mentioned, you will not be able to get it back until your first enlistment contract is up. The reserves or guard are the only branches that will even consider allowing a single parent to join. My ex-husband just enlisted in the Air Force and was told that he either had to get married or sign over full custody of our son to me, with the knowledge that he may never get it back. The service is considered to be your number one priority. Soldier First, parent second. Make sure you're fully informed and know all the consequences of your actions before you take this step. Good luck!

Answer 3

NO!!!!! You MAY NOT ENLIST IN ANY ACTIVE DUTY BRANCH AS A SINGLE PARENT. You may NOT give up custody for the sole purpose of enlisting. If you have given up custody you may NOT get custody back at ALL for the entire first term of your enlistment.. up to 6 years.

The Air Force RESERVES and the Guard will take you with a rock solid family care plan, but with three kids it will require a waiver in any case.. and may not be granted.

Answer 4

If you are otherwise eligible you will probably have to provide proof that someone else is capable of taking care of your children while you are deployed, in training or otherwise unavailable. You may want to consider signing guardianship temporarily over to a family member.

The military wants you to be able to transfer and deploy at the drop of a hat without you filing paperwork to stay home due to "hardship". Also, people in the military with children are paid extra $$$ per family member. If you come to the table with three extra dependents - who will be qualified for free health care and benefits - you are asking the government to invest a lot more than the average soldier. Also, you will enter the military at a very low paygrade and expected to pay your bills on very little pay. The government also would be expected to provide housing for all four of you -- that translates to a 3 or 4 bedroom houseing unit that is now unavailable for a married soldier. It's an uphill battle, but I applaud you for your desire to serve. The military is a great career choice for a single person, with or without children.

Answer 5

Mom,
You can't take your kids with you into the armed forces. If they are grown and gone, and you are under 42, and you have good health and no felonies, they will take you.

Air Force will be the hardest for you to get in, followed by Marines, Navy, then Army. If you happen to be a nurse you are a sho in for any branch.

Please beware. Any infraction, failed test, or change in the need for your preferred MOS will make your experience far from what you signed up for. Remember the 8 year rule also...regardless of how long you sign up for you can be recalled for 8 yrs after your inducted.

Answer 6

as long as you meet the physical requirements to enlist, and your 27 years of age or less, youd be able to go to MEPS and be inprocessed. the only concern that exists with your kids is who will look after them in the event your deployed, which in the present situation, is very likely. in 6 years, ive been deployed 5 times. thankfully I dont have kids, but I know it can be painful for someone whos never left theirs for long periods of time. its something you need to think of before you make any commitments with the service because they dont have a lot of flexibility when it comes to shipping out. if your on the list, your going and with newbies, your usually the first ones on the chopping block....if u have any other questions, feel free to email me anytime. im 6 years enlisted....

Answer 7

you will do fine. the air force is a fine direction for you.
if it were not for the air force, I would not have the family
or education that I now have, not to mention some of the
closest friendships possible. good luck and yes, you CAN
manage with the kids - make it work!!!!

Answer 8

Sure, but you have to prove you have someone to take care of the kids at no notice so you can go to Iraq.

Answer 9

They will if you meet the criteria, but who will take care of your kids? The AF can send you anywhere in the world and you have to go. Where does that leave your kids?

Answer 10

Will you please show me your source for the statement that the Marines are short 80,000 troops? I love how people just post crap on here without eve the most simple attempt at supporting their claim! SHOW ME THE FACTS!