What would be the best military branch to enter for a single young mom?

Question

I'm 22 and i have a child, but i really want to join the military because i really want to help out our country. I'm confused as to which branch to join, i would want to join the reserves and do medical stuff, but i dont want to be away from my baby for a super long time. (during boot camp/AIT) my parents would watch her but i just dont have much info. i ike thw AF RESERVE and Naval reserve.

Answer 1

Laurie,

First, may I say that I think your a pretty awesome lady. Your country needs more people like you.

As for your question:
Reserves: 1 weekend a month, and two weeks a year... at least it used to be. I believe some reserve units drill as often as two weekends a month... but that information too is dated.

If you're activated: No telling. Navy deployments are probably longer than you want to be away from your daughter. I don't know about Air Force deployments.

Reserve pay isn't all that great. It's because you're not on duty much. There may be other factors I'm not aware of as a single parent that will add to the burden. I'm not trying to advise you not to join if that's your desire, but you need to cover as many bases as you can. May I advise caution?

If you want more information, you might start by checking the services Web sites, www.navy.mil, and www.af.mil. That will give you kind of a broad overview of what you're looking at as far as requirements, and how they work with single parents with kids.

When you know what you want to know... questions your Internet research didn't answer, go to recruiters for both services. If you can, I think if I were in your position, I'd try to speak with a woman. She certainly would have a better feel for your position and appreciate your desire to serve. And she would have a woman's perspective on any problems you might be facing. I'd try the phone first. You can almost bet they'll push for a face to face... that's their job. But politely tell them that you only want information, and if they won't give it to you over the phone, you'll just look into another branch.

When you talk to recruiters... NEVER SIGN ANYTHING UNTIL YOU ARE CERTAIN. The first visit or so will be data-gathering. When you've kicked it around in your head a bit... maybe talked it over with your parents... when you've made up your mind, THEN you can go to the recruiters you've been visiting and say, "Well, I'm FINALLY ready."

Ok... remember:
A recruiter cannot promise you anything. They can promise to apply for something. They can promise to request something in your behalf. But, regardless of the service, you serve at the will of the service as they deem best fits their needs. A RECRUITER CANNOT PROMISE YOU ANYTHING. They can't promise you a specific rating until you've been found qualified for it. They cannot promise you a specific duty station... well when you enlist in a reserve unit, I'd guess that's pretty much where you'll be... but I'm thinking active duty.

Tell your little girl for me that a retired Navy officer said she's a lucky little girl to have such a dedicated mommy.

Take care. And best of luck... whatever you decide.

Answer 2

Speaking from the point of view of a single mom in the military Laurie, i think i can give you some sound advice. First of all you can join any branch, you just have to give custody to anyone else , the military does not care who. The navy claims to have 75% time on shore, 25% times at sea , this is only true if you calculate the time you will be at home if you stay in for your career. the most junior people go on more deployments because they have longer sea tours, like 5 years in most cases. during that time you will frequently have to stay at work overnight for somehting called "duty" that no one tells you about when you join. I do this every 3 days. You will be required to stay until the work is done even if that means 10 at night and you need to pick up your child from day care. Dont get me wrong some of the people in charge of you will be willing to accomodate you, but do not expect it, and it will not last forever. I love my son dearly but i would give anything to be at home with him. Another thing. I obviously do not know where this childs father is, but if he wants custody he can file while you are in a deployable status, and the courts do not like mothers in the military, people feel we are cold and uncaring because we serve our country. So you could lose your child completely if that even applies to you. I love my job, and I love serving this country, but the military is not family friendly, I watch so many people lose thier families over deployment, do not put yourself through that agony. On my ship every time we go out to sea even if it for a few weeks, all the mothers cry together for a few days and then really no one speaks of their children. Why? Because any reminder of them is excruciating. Underway phones and email will be spotty at best, so there are no reliable communications. The military does what it can, but it is built for war, not families, whether that is a wife, husband, child or parents left at home. The AF is not a great option either because as a previous post said all services are being deployed ON THE GROUND in Iraq, and as medical, you will go on deployment, either in the persian gulf, or on the front lines.

Answer 3

only the AF Reserve would consider taking a Single Parent. and even then it isn't a guarantee.

In any event, there are ZERO female HM billets available in the Navy, especially the Reserves.

also take into consideration that the Reserves are shouldering a much larger portion of the WoT than previous, and as medic, you WILL be deploying, period. will/can your parents be sole providers for anywhere from 6-18 months?

Answer 4

i suggest the airforce it has the most women involved but i got news for you if you are joining the military you will spend long times away from thoes you love most and since how you are single you would need to grand temporary custody to your parents for how ever long you are gone that is military reality for you this is a tough life to live

going through boot camp and ait is the easy part it doesnt get any easier

a good rule is not to make life any harder than it already is you need to realy consider if this life is for you some reservs actually deploy more than being fully enlisted realy consider your options joing the military has many benifits to it but it is no walk in the flower garden you pay dearly for every benifit you have being spending time away from your loved ones and other reasons

Answer 5

Get a local job, stay home and raise your child. The military does not want a single mother or any other person with such an high personal obligation. Serve your country by raising a intelligent, productive, and responsible child. I suggest contacting the US Public Health Service to look into getting a education scholarship or other subsidy to become a nurse, doctor, or a other medical professional. Once in the USPHS, you can serve at VA Hospitals or with certain military hospitals, or at overseas bases.

Answer 6

Laurie, my advice to you as a single mother is to not join the military. I admire your sense of duty, but being a single parent in the military is a very hard way of life. It will require you to put your child second, especially while you go through your training. Even after training, there are deployments and other events that will put tremendous stress on your family. These events are hard enough on families with two parents, let alone one.

Sorry, but I think that's the best, truthful advice I can give you.

Answer 7

United States Air Force! Active Duty!

Answer 8

AF or navy medical is the way to go for you...in the navy medical only deploys for 6 months compared to the army 12-15 months i have even seen 22 months...if you want to go medical then navy is the way to go...corpsman have the most profound history and i have only been deployed twice with the marines in about 4 years but i volunteered for them....

Answer 9

with the number of services going to Iraq and overseas you may want to reconsider joining because theres a good bet youll be tasked to go no matter what branch. dont let the recruiters lie to you and tell you they could guarrentee you wont go. if you need help you can go to the websites of each particular branch yopur interested in and do some research for your self

Answer 10

I would say the AF im a mother too and im joining the AF in the next few weeks, they have better benefits for the entired family and for college.

Good Luck