Should I join the military?

Question

I am a single mother of a 3 & 4 year old. I've thought about joining the military to try and make a better life for us, but I DONT want to go to war. I dont want to leave my children for an extended period. Any thoughts?

I am not a dead beat. I do have a full time job that pays decent. I just want my kids to have the best.

Answer 1

I enjoyed my time as a Marine, I miss it and would love to go back but I have a family and cannot leave them for extended periods. If you join the US military you will be gone for extended periods and you will go to war. Since you do not have a spouse the development of your children could be compromised. I would tell you to stay home and raise your kids.

Answer 2

If you don't want to go to War then I suggest you go to school and get a job. People in the military go to war- bottom line.

Add: If I made it sound like I thought you were a "dead beat" I apologize. That was not at all my intention.

And! C.M. is definitely incorrect when she says that females are not "combat soldiers". Women cannot be infantry but they most definitely see combat. As far as Iraq goes; there is no "front line"; the fighting is every where.
Also! The only way that you can get out of a deployment as a single mother is IF you DON'T have any living relatives that can provide for your child while you are away....

I don't think CM is in the military- if she were she would know better.

Answer 3

Training requires at least 8 weeks separation right away. Then there is the matter that you have to give your kids to a responsible adult for the 1st year you are in the military. They can not be with you. You have a contractual obligation with the military and they are not there to support single parents. They support you and your family, but they cannot have you there only for money and distracted and away as a single parent. Makes it dangerous for all other soldiers. After that first year, they can be living with you but you have to have a "family care plan" that gives them away to a responsible adult if you deploy. If you do not have a plan they can kick you out. This giveaway can happen on a moments notice so you better have someone responsible. Hope this helps with your decision. If you decide to go for a career in the military, these provisions are really well worth it. Best job and best retirement in the world. Just that separation anxiety that you have to overcome at times.

Answer 4

Don't join. I'm in the Coast Guard. I'll be leaving my son for about 6 months. It is very hard. Also What are you going to do with your children while you are away? Who will take care of them? Any branch including the Coast Guard is over fighting the war. That is what the military does. It is our job to fight and protect our country. Which includes going to war. I think being a single mom it isn't a good idea. Contact Job and family services. They can help you better yourself and your family. I'm sure if you look around there is more services out there to help better yourself. Good luck

Answer 5

No, and this is why, your single and have children.
this is the only reason why anyone should join the military, there's part of a sentence that belongs to an oath it goes like this;

"to protect from all enemies foreign and domestic"

If you go because of economic reasons, college, medical benefits your going for all the wrong reasons, that's why people get all disillusioned and warped. They join for the wrong reasons and then when placed in a freaked - up environment they realize they are there for the wrong reasons. STAY HOME your kids would rather have you there eating ramen noodles in a rinky dink apartment than eating steak while living on post housing and them not knowing where you are.

Answer 6

You should not join the military. Even if we were not at war, there will be lots of time when you will be in the field, for weeks or months at a time training etc. Basic is 8 weeks, and AIT can be from 8 weeks to 1 year. You would not be able to bring your children to either. Your children are young and they need you.
If you were to enlist you would have to sign custody over to either their father or another family member or a good friend. Most women are not willing to do that.

Good Luck in whatever you decide to do.

Answer 7

My hubby is in the miltary. It doesn't matter whether you are active or reserve... you will be away at times. Also, it's my understanding that you have to have somebody set up as legal gaurdians to your children should you be sent to combat. Granted, there is a misconception that everybody goes to war (there are lots of desk jobs), but it all depends on your "job." If your children's father still has his rights, but you don't want him to have them... don't do this. If you leave and he becomes their gaurdian it can be hard to get them back. Although the military has awesome benefits, there are lots of benefits you should receive as a single mother too.

Answer 8

If you don't want to leave your children for extended periods of time, don't join the military! It is not a social services agency.

Answer 9

if you don't want to leave your kids and you don't want to go to war - then DON'T join the military.

1 - you'd have to sign your children over to someone for the period you are in basic and AIT.

2 - you know we are at war currently I'm sure. ANY and EVERY unit is subject to deployment. My husband was in a "non-deployable" unit - and I took that with a grain of salt because of course they deployed....so there are no guarantees that you won't deploy.

Answer 10

then the military isnt for you. you will have to leave your kids no matter what branch you join. women are sent to iraq just like men they just arent on the front lines.once you join the service you will have no choice but to go to war when your unit doesplease do the military a favor and dont join you will do us no favor