I am a 21 single mother, my daughter is two. I still live with my parents and I really want to get away. I feel like joining the US Army is a good opportunity to get my life on the right track. Although the Army has its advantages and disadvantages, I want to know if I should consider joining the army?
2007-05-29 11:57:51 · 34 answers · asked by Ashley M 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Joining the army is a great idea! To serve your country is one of the greatest things you could ever do. Plus, your chances of seeing combat are not that high, as you must go through training and whatnot. There are also many other plus sides to joining the armed forces. One of the greatest ones, is that the Army will help you pay for college. The second, is that joining the Army will toughen yourself up, as well as teach yourself discipline and how to discipline others. Seeing that you're child is two, if you join the army, you will learn valuable skills in disciplining others, and your child will also benefit from you joining as well.
2007-05-29 12:03:49 · answer #1 · answered by SH/\D0w 2 · 5⤊ 4⤋
I think that you probably shouldn't join the US Army, because it doesn't sound like you have a good enough reason, "I really want to get away." Joining the army won't get you "away". It will in all probability get you into the thick of things. Yes, it might help you get your life on track. However, if you just use the army to run away from you problems and responsibilities, you'll probably only increase your problems and responsibilities.
I realize that your life is difficult, and the thought of an organization looking after you, paying you and training you is very tempting. Is it the right thing to do, though? Will you or your daughter end up happier and healthier? Are there any other options? Could you get a loan and go to community college or college? Is there any chance that the baby-daddy could pay some child support?
Anyway, join the army because you want to join the army, not because you want to escape your current life.
2007-05-29 12:08:25 · answer #2 · answered by Jean Talon 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No you shouldnt join the army. Why? You are a mother now. Mothers have to take responsibilty, you will have the utmost pressure at times to test your own durability. Thats what I heard they do in the army...they test you. At a time like this...go to church, find a good school, save some money on the side, and look for a new home. I'd recomend Army any other time, but as a mother this is when your child needs YOU the most.
2007-05-29 15:13:02 · answer #3 · answered by Born to be wild 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, joining the army is a great idea, however, if you have a 2 year old and your single, you shouldn't leave your child. You should move into your own house or apartment or wherever, wait till your daughter is grown up and moved out and then go into the army or whatever you want to.
Just do what you think is best. Hope this helps.
XD
2007-05-29 12:15:10 · answer #4 · answered by Jdawg 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not so sure joining is right for you if you "want to get away from living with your parents". You need to think very hard on the decision because once you join it will effect you for the rest of your life. This isn't some "fly by night" choice you're considering here. If you just want to get away from your parents then find a job that pays enough to live on your own. If you want to join the military then you have to be ready to leave your daughter for awhile (basic training, Ait , overseas assignment and possibly war). You need to talk to a recruiter and think very hard about the pros and cons about joining. I'm not saying you shouldn't but just to get away from your parents being the reason for joining is a terrible one. Good luck
2007-05-29 12:13:09 · answer #5 · answered by Goofy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are quite a few single parents (mostly mothers) in the Army; life isn't necessarily much easier for them in the Army as it is in the civilian world. However, you can at least be assured of housing, provided for you by the Army, plus a steady income and extra pay such as COLA (cost of living allowance) and other pay. The Army does not pay for child care; at least they didn't while I was in, and I only just got out. You also have to be insistent on being let go from work every day ON TIME, so that you can pick up your daughter. My unit had a recurring problem where they either kept forgetting or didn't care that we had a single mother (our supply sergeant) who needed to pick up her son, and who kept getting hit with late charges because the a$$clown we had as a commander kept making us stay late and sitting around in the hallway for no reason... this isn't necessarily the norm, of course; just be aware that it can happen. There are idiots in the military just as there are idiots in the civilian world. Also, bear in mind that if you get deployed (which depends entirely on what unit you're assigned to), you'll have to send your daughter somewhere where she can be cared for, which means probably sending her back to her parents while you're away. The Army's deployments, by default, are a year, and often go longer. If you do still want to join the military but perhaps want a lesser chance of deployment or shorter deployments, check with the Air Force; the training and standards are far more lax (even though all Air Force personnel always disagree with that one), and the deployments are far far shorter, and less likely in the first place.
Whatever your choice, life in the military in any branch isn't easy... but it's a steady paycheck, with benefits to be had for both you and for your daughter. Whatever you do, do NOT let malcontents with political rubbish to spew forth sour you against making an informed and unbiased decision for yourself. It's a sound choice, and there's a lot to be gained, even if you have to make sacrifices at times. But, as a single mother, I'm quite sure you're familiar with making sacrifices--moreso than most, anyway.
2007-05-29 12:10:36 · answer #6 · answered by ಠ__ಠ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should look at other branches as well. The military has a policy where you have to have a contingency plan for your child should you be deployed. It is basically a contract with the government that says what will happen to your child if (more like when) you deploy. Such as giving your parents power of attorney over your child while you are gone, and ensuring that your parents will take care of your child while you are gone. All I can say is don't let the recruiter sucker you in. The more desperate you sound the more they will promise you, but never live up to. Anything they say or promise you, GET IT IN WRITING!!! Other than that, it's all up to you, but plan to be stuck in the Army due to stop-loss for quite some time
2007-05-29 12:07:18 · answer #7 · answered by Derek H 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your first responsibility is taking care of your daughter. If you join the army you will be away from her for basic training, ait, and then you will probably get deployed for a year or 15 months right away. You will miss all of that time with her. It really is not worth it.
2007-05-29 19:30:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should but you can't you are a single parent and the army is very dedicated to her keeping that only mother if you were to marry you could join and yes the army is a very good way to get your life together
2007-05-29 13:35:07 · answer #9 · answered by Micky D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to get away join the Navy. If you join the army your going to some place hot and sandy really quick. Iraq sucks incase you were wondering. Good luck with your decision. Be well.
2007-05-30 05:17:55 · answer #10 · answered by Charles David 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Army has it's advantages but I wouldn't join just to get away.
2007-05-29 12:18:47 · answer #11 · answered by Jessica 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋