What factors should i use to make a decision to going army reserve?

Question

having my son next month and i want to find the fastest way to get on track as an individual, mother, and citizen. three options: job corps, army reserve, or office work/ on job training along with current experience and pursuing post secondary education via online classes.

i have the option of staying with my dad until i get on my feet here in my hometown or moving away to be with my mom so she can help me take care of my son. i really dont want to move away because i have more loved ones here than away from home. my mom is the only person who seems to have the ability to help me with babysitting.

i need to know how to narrow it down and what factors to use in my decision because i cant ask yall to make the decision for me...i just need to know how to decide myself...ihow do i chose?

Answer 1

How will your son deal with you being away one weekend a month and two weekends a year? How will he deal with you being away for six months, or twelve, or eighteen, if and when you are deployed?

Will your mom be willing to babysit for a year and a half? Is she capable of doing so? Will you be able to leave your son for that length of time?

(And what about the child's father? Where does he factor into this decision? Why isn't he going to be taking care of his son while you are serving?)

Answer 2

so yeah, i was a single guy straight out of high school when i joined the army--and i missed home like a nutjob while i was away at Ft. Knox for basic and ait. btw, a short time to everyone else is a millenium in your head.    knowing ahead of time that women get a little crazy after having kids anyway...you should know that the army isn't summer camp. nothing is as fun as it looks in the recruiters office.  and NO MOS is away from the harsh danger and in a strictly guarded facility...HA.  not only that, after you hate life for a while in basic and ait, who's gonna babysit while youre deployed? and you WILL be deployed.  the army has been great to me, but it's no place for a single mom.  scrape by and go to college.  

Answer 3

If you join the Army Reserve there is an excellent chance you will be sent to a war zone.  That should be the issue to consider when making that decision.  It seems your decision on moving has to be based around babysitting.  Can you get a job in your hometown that will pay you enough to cover everything you need to cover including babysitting/daycare?  You may really have no option but to move to your mother's house.