Getting out the army reserve for the sake of my son?

Question

I am 24 and a single mom to a 1yr old son. He father is in his life but can be flaky at times...I am getting ready to ETS next yr and I am unsure about regretting it.. I know I want to be a mom 1st but in the military you have to be a soldier 1st. Im trying to think long term and do whats best for us. I know staying in has its benefits , but it also has its downfalls....

I dont want to have to leave my son due to deployment anytime soon...at least until he is old enough to comprehend....I am not sure what to do. I know the deployment benefits are awesome I already went (OIF 04-05)...but at that time I didnt have him....any insight would be great....thanks

Answer 1

Tati...tough as it may be you chose to do the time in the Reserves. You saw the pay and the benefits were attractive and there was only one caveat. And now here it is...deployment.

Stick with your obligations. You also chose to give birth with the knowledge this obligation could loom up any moment. Do your deployment and get it out of the way.

Answer 2

What you do for your future is always best. Kids are resilient, your son will be fine especially these days of computers and phones. It won't be easy but neither will your future if you don't do this. Good luck and you will be in my prayers.

Answer 3

Being there to raise your son is the most important role you can have right now.  He needs you.  If people were not there to raise their children (and there are lots who are not) what kind of future would we have as a society?

Answer 4

You are right what you are thinking about. If it was a different time and place in your life, you would pick your son over anything that would have come into your life. But it is like " if I had a crystal ball I could have done this" or the best one is " if I could of, I would of and I should of " but that is past tense now, and you are looking for the future to be with your son. So do your time at the end of your stretch and then make your mind up. But knowing myself if I was in that predicament, I don't think I could go back, Be good and thank you for the support that you are doing for our country. My blessings are with you.