We have joint custody but I have primary physical custody. He was released from the military due to domestic violence. He has been awarded visitation but no overnights. I followed him during his military career and as a result I do not have a career of my own. The military will provide me with a career to support my children and healthcare for the three of us.
2007-12-22 09:45:44 · 15 answers · asked by Bree 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I have already spoken with a recruiter and I can join as a single parent. I just need to do a dependent waiver stating that there is someone that will be caring for them while I am training. I need to know if I can still keep sole physical custody after I join and if I have to let him have them while I am gone. He was physically abusive and kicked out of the Air Force because of it. There have also been child molestation reports against him for my 3 year old daughter and a child pornography charge. I am joining the military to give myself a career, get college paid for, and the healthcare is unbeatable. I just want to know if I can keep custody of my kids.
2007-12-25 07:20:36 · update #1
Are you still married or in the process of divorcing?
Generally, no, you can't. The military is not interested in single parents, they need people able to deploy at a moments notice. My guess is that primary physical custody would need to be with your husband (or ex husband) and you would get visitation.
Again, my guess is no, but speak with a recruiter to make sure.
2007-12-22 11:34:27 · answer #1 · answered by trrei 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay lets restate some of this info. You can join the military as a single parent, sort of. While you are in Basic Training and AIT you will need to sign over temporary custody to another adult. And since it seems you and your husband have joint custody, the children would go to him. You could take this to court though with his history and get another trusted family member or friend as their temporary gaurdian.
Once you are at your first duty station, you can bring your children to live with you as long as hubby doesn't fight that. If so you will have a battle on your hands.
But again you can join if you have children but you MUST sign them over temporarily to someone else. This is also true in times when you will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan or another war or to places that you will have to make a unaccomplished tour. As a "single" parent you will need to have a Family Care plan in place. You will need to list one: a short term care provider and two: a long term care provider. And if hubby is going to be a prick, he can make it so that the children come to him in both cases.
2007-12-23 02:43:18 · answer #2 · answered by ckamk1995 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't join the military as a single parent and keep custody. Sorry. They don't have any daycares or anything like that at Basic Training.
2007-12-22 18:51:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
However there are some places the military will send you that your children can not go, you will need to have a person with legal rights to take care of them when you are not there too. Yes it is a career and medical care but often it takes you away from who you love most, your children.
2007-12-22 17:52:03 · answer #4 · answered by peanutbulls 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can but why do you want to put your children in a position where you might not be around for them. Considering you are their only real guardian, I don't think this is the best career move you could make. Who is going to care for your children if you get sent overseas? What if you get killed or injured where you can no longer care for your children? Your children could care less what you do. They only want to be with their mom and you need to do everything you can to make that happen. Don't do this. Go back to school. Get a business degree online. Something. Anything but this.
2007-12-22 17:53:27 · answer #5 · answered by matt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can keep sole physical custody and join the military as long as you can continue to show to the court you are the best qualified parent to raise the children. Good luck.
2007-12-22 17:54:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes you can but you would be wise to set up a legal guardianship program for the kids in case you are sent overseas. Your divorce lawyer or legal aid should be able to help you. That way he won't get them by default especially if you are stationed in a state other than the one where the custody order was made.
2007-12-22 17:51:40 · answer #7 · answered by Pal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You go girl! and get the custody, and join. Military serves it's families the best. Good discipline and good benefits.
Good for you! The kids will be better off because of it.
2007-12-22 17:50:05 · answer #8 · answered by nantinki 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The military will make you sign over custody.You are better off going into an apprentice program to be a skilled tradesman.
2007-12-22 17:56:26 · answer #9 · answered by blondecarpenter@sbcglobal.net 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a single parent you can not join the military, or at least you couldn't as of a year ago when I retired. Sorry!!
2007-12-22 17:54:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋