Any moms out there who have juggled military life and raising a kid? I'm curious to know how family-friendly the different branches are and which one would be the best fit for a mom. Any advice would be appreciated.
It sounds like you're really trying to balance your career goals with your role as a parent, which can be challenging but absolutely possible. Many women serve in the military while also raising children. It requires a robust support system, some flexibility, and a strong sense of commitment, but it's definitely not unheard of.
Each branch of the military has its own policies and provisions regarding families. For example, all branches of the United States military offer parental leave. As of 2020, the Department of Defense standardizes maternity leave at 12 weeks for all women across branches, and offers secondary caregiver leave (often taken by fathers) for 21 days. In terms of family-friendly nature, it may depend on your specific occupation within the military, as well as the command climate of where you're stationed.
Remember there's also the National Guard and Reserves which give you the option to serve part-time while maintaining a civilian job, which can sometimes be a better fit for moms. Those options allow for a balance between military service and civilian life, which can be helpful when juggling family responsibilities.
At the same time, the military lifestyle does come with unique challenges, such as deployment, which can be difficult when raising children. There should be contingency plans for child care especially during periods of deployment or training.
You might also consider the potential for relocation, frequent moves can be a part of military life depending on your job assignment within the military. This can place additional stress on families, as they have to adjust to new communities and schools.
Ultimately, the decision to join the military while raising a child will be highly personal and dependent on a range of factors, including your personal aspirations, the age of your child/children, and your support system. Speaking to a military career counselor or other service members who are also parents can provide a more personalized perspective.
It's a challenging path to navigate, but many people find it highly rewarding and a source of pride to be able to serve their country while also raising a family.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.