Is it true that you have to give up custody of your kids when you join the air force?

2nd AD/ 4th ID

Who told you that? N/M

Frank T

To correct the other answers, it depends. If you are a single mother, you have to have given up custody to someone for at least a year prior to joining. You have to have court papers to prove this as well. If you are married, you are allowed to keep your kids, since you have someone who will take care of them if you deploy. The military is meant to go to war, that is why single parents cannot join while having custody. How would they take their kids with them? You can get around this if you trust your family enough to give them custody, but you still take care of them, wait a year, join, get to your duty station, and they give custody back to you. You will then need a family care plan that officially spells out how your children will be taken care of during a deployment.

John B

To piggy-back on what Frank stated, a single parent cannot give up custody of their children for the sole purpose of joining the US Military.

That is why the 1-year time frame prior to joining exists. There is also a prohibition on regaining custody during your initial enlistment period. These timeframes are to demonstrate that enlisting was NOT the reason for giving up custody of the children.

Dark Shadows

Were did u hear that at? I mean if u-r- a single parent n have been called to active duty than u have to give ur children hopefully in ur family that u can trust to watch them until u return I mean that makes sense right.
But if u have a spouse n only one of u is active military that why would u have to give up ur children n why would the Air force,be the only branch to have such a policy does that make sense to u n yes! I served ok n that does not make sense n I do not believe that.
I mean any branch wants to make sure the children left behind r safe if one or both parents are deployed that makes a lot of sense but to give up custody I really find that hard to believe n to accept n I hope I am right on this in regard to the Air Force n I had a cousin retire last year after 21 years n I never heard him mention anything like that.

janice h

The only thing anyone enlisting in the military has to do if they have children is make sure that the children have proper care with someone the enlistee trusts. You have to trust them because you will be sending support money every month and the military will make sure you do. You retain custody. They are your children forever.

Mrsjvb

if you are a single parent and wanting to go Active Duty, yes. Reserves and Guard, you may not have to. .

Laura Elizabeth

sounds like your spouse wants your kids and is pulling your leg...no you don't..however think of the kids..what would they be doing when you are in the Air Force?

Jerry C

No, how could they force you to give up your kids? They are your kids and you have to take care of them, nobody else is going to do it for you.

Martian Manhunter

heck no

Miss MeMe - ×ž×™×ž×™

What? NO!

JustAnother

what are you talking about?

answer: no

curmudgeon

of course not.

Stephene

kickrocks54

yes, and then they sell them in africa to help pay the people in the Air Force chow halls who clear the tables for you.

Babe

No it is not.
USAF Veteran

conundrum_dragon

Dr. Obvious

Of course not!

Lisad1979

Definately not

hong_wei886

Rubber Ducky

no.

the rocket

BS.

Razor Jim

You can't be serious? The answer is no.

slice_n_hook@yahoo.com

NO that is absolutely ridiculous!

antadams

My ex is pregnant and I am being told that I can't join the Air Force unless we are married. I don't know what to do. I heard something about giving up custody to join but I can't seem to get another answer. I talked to 2 recruiters and they both told me that I cannot join unless I am married to the childs mother.

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