my 16 year old knocked-up step sister wants to marry the [supposed] father of her baby. he is over 18 and just joined the military. they are planning to get married right before christmas at the JOP. my step dad is signing the papers so in that perspective, it would be legal. but my friend who's husband in the military says they cant get married, by the military's standards. that he'd go to prison. her career husband and several others have told her the same thing. im half tempted to call some military office and ask. i know military men are not allowed to have sex with minors. but are they allowed to MARRY minors? (im really hoping NOT)
2007-11-29 16:05:16 · 11 answers · asked by :*:epiphany:*: 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
but see, i have been told by quite a few people in the military that they cannot. im so confused. i tried looking it up, no luck whatsoever. but thank you
2007-11-29 16:10:50 · update #1
specter- i have been told numerous times that people in the service have different laws and standards they have to abide by than regular civilians.
the reason i have a problem is because its probably not his kid
2007-11-29 16:14:07 · update #2
If her father signs off on the permission they can get legally married. Does it look good for him professionally? NO, but nobody really cares either. As long as they have permission and it is legal in the state they get married in the military goes along with the program.
Would you rather she just be knocked up and living on welfare?
2007-11-30 03:22:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greenman is correct, the military man can marry a minor. A minor by definition of Art. 192 of the UCMJ is a person who has not attained the age of sixteen. By the information that you have given there any no legal concerns that military will get involved in.
Each state has a different definition of what a minor is so therefore if legal grounds are what you seek this may be the avenue. Be advised though that some states, age of majority can be as young as 13.
Your step-father may have signed the papers thinking it was the right thing to do for your "knocked-up step sister." The only thing that the military prohibits in the way of marriage is when it involves two individuals of the same sex.
2007-11-29 21:16:16 · answer #2 · answered by Nicholas P 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she has parental consent and it is a legal marriage, then the military will have no say in the matter. The military would have a say if the girl was 16 and the fiancee 30..statutory rape charges could come into play, even if the parents agreed and signed for the marriage. But plenty of 18 year old new recruits have 16 year old girlfriends and there have been just as many marriages.
2007-11-29 23:38:40 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have NOT ran across any regulations stating this however the only way the Service member would get in trouble is if the Parent of the Minor pushed the issue of "Rape", in Most States the legal age of consent is 16; but since her father is allowing her to get Married that isnt the case.
I have been a spouse longer than I have been a Soldier , I have seen alot , I knew of a 17 yr old who was Married to a 24 yr old they had 2 children together.. there was a female in AIT with me who was 17 Married and was trying to file for divorce.
I am not a 27D ( Paralegal Specialist) , If it would make you feel better call Jag to "ask a question", as sad as it sounds be happy he is wanting to provide for her and the baby .
Good Luck to all of you!!
2007-11-29 16:30:36 · answer #4 · answered by Justice35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, with parental consent.
As long as it's a legal marriage where they get married, the military has no problems with it.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) prohibits Service Members from having sex with someone under the age of 16, unless they are the spouse of the Service member.
In the past it was not unusal for some Soldiers to have a wife who was as young as 13. Times change, but as long as it's a legal civil marriage, the military has no prohibition against it.
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If you don't think it's his child, tell him he needs to get a paternity test done prior to marrying your sister.
If you're confused, call the Judge Advocat General's (JAG) office on the Army Post and ask them to clarify the matter for you.
2007-11-29 16:09:45 · answer #5 · answered by Greenman 5 · 8⤊ 0⤋
I would concur with Greenman and Nicholas P on this one. The marriage is completely legal as long as it does not violate your state's laws. 16 is the legal age of consent as far as UCMJ is concerned. Any local laws would apply in the civilian judicial system. I hope that it works out for your sister and the father.
2007-11-30 00:29:42 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Military defers to state law in this case.. if your state says its legal, then the military abides by that, regardless of their own regs.
I have known more than one minor spouse(with or without children)
2007-11-30 00:32:08 · answer #7 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the laws in your state allow them to be married then it's legal for them to do so in the military as well. That applies to traveling to other states as well, since within the US legal documents (such as certificate of marraige) are recognized between states.
For example, in mississippi she wouldn't even need her dad to sign for it.
2007-11-29 16:16:23 · answer #8 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
He can marry her as long as there is parental consent which there is.The military wont have a problem with it at all.
2007-11-29 21:37:04 · answer #9 · answered by oinksaysthepig 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hmm....tough call. wont ask why you dont like the idea of that not my buisiness.
im pretty sure that they can. i doubt that he would go to jail...depends how old he is i guess. and what the circumstances are. if he had sex with her and empragnated her at an age that a military judge would see as i guess idk acceptable then maybe they might be allowed. idk im just purely guessing here. never heard of the military getting in the way of marriage. idk dont see why the military would care. its not their thing to get involved like this in someones life.
2007-11-29 16:11:38 · answer #10 · answered by O00-ACE-00O 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋