If Both Military Parents Are Deployed, What Happens to the Kids?

[Polly]

This is part of a question I asked Stephanie, a woman in my La Leche group. She is former military (Army) and her husband is active Army. What I really wanted to know is what happens in wartime, when both military parents are deployed and there is no one either who can or is willing to take the kids? What is military policy on that? Please correct me if I'm wrong but Stephanie said if there is no one to take the kids that they go into foster care, even if they are handicapped. Shit.

Polly

[wendygrace]

From my understanding, that is correct. You are responsible when you go into the military and have kids to find a home for your kids. I personally don't think its anything different from having a will if something happens and you both die in an accident.

[off-kilter]

If you are a single parent or dual active duty, you have to submit a plan of care in case you are deployed and have neither parent available. That plan should indicate who is responsible for your children, etc. If you cannot make a plan of care, it is likely they'd try to remove you from the military as a hardship case (you have to really jump hoops to show you're not just trying to get out for convenience), but it's possible that social work would get involved way before that.

As for handicapped children, there's the Exceptional Family Member program where people who have children/dependents with noted health issues. Those members who apply and qualify in the program are limited to where they can be stationed or deployed. This does limit their career somewhat, but it means that they'll only go where their dependents can receive a minimum standard of care.

[Kristi]

If you cannot make a plan of care, it is likely they'd try to remove you from the military as a hardship case (you have to really jump hoops to show you're not just trying to get out for convenience), but it's possible that social work would get involved way before that.



Yep, I had a friend who was a single mother in the Navy and she had to get out because her command was going to Iraq and we lived overseas in Italy she didn't have anyone to take her son while she was gone.

[Lori]

Would an attempt be made to try to NOT deploy both parents at the same time?

[giana]

Yes Lori the army try not to deploy both parents but sometimes cant be avoided...again if a dual military family has no care plan one of the two will be discharged on lack of family care

[Casey]

Most families have their families keep the kids while they are gone.

[MathSpeak]

I, honestly, never knew this... what an interesting tidbit ;)