Will a new born child restrict the father being able to join the armed forces?

Question

is it true that if i give birth to my child a month before the father joins the military, he wouldn't be able to leave?

...doesn't make sense to me either but he was saying that his air force recruiter told him he wouldn't/shouldn't sign the birth cirt. until after he finishes training... ?????

Answer 1

it does not matter he can join no matter what but if u r married there will be no child or spouse support or any dependent support for either of u. no medical n no child care.and once the birth cert issigned at the hospital by the doctor and then has the seal on it he will not be able to sigh it .his name will have to do on it rightthere n then ,butthe only support will be for child care like med since u r not married.also since if u r not married which i hope is not true then he will need the marrage cert n the birth cert so they can start the paper work

Answer 2

The recruiter is right.... Single parents can't join the Air Force.

What he's telling your boyfriend to do by not signing the birth certificate is wrong, but it would get him in. The other option is to get married.  

Answer 3

There's no truth to that at all.

Answer 4

There is absolutely no truth to that at all. Sounds like you might be getting set up to have all the responsibility. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like it's the truth.

Answer 5

THe only way that would affect him is if he is a single father with sole custody of the child. If that does not apply to him, then he will not have any issues with joining.  

Answer 6

Everyone is wrong so far.

Even if the mother has not given birth, the applicant is  disqualified (if the member is Single/not married).  

Reasoning:  Just as an OPEN, Not Paid traffic ticket is disqualifying, so is an unborn child.  It is an Open, ongoing legal issue.  

After birth, It doesn't matter if he signs the birth papers or not.  If there is reason to suspect he is the father, he is disqualified.  

Reasoning:  What is to stop the mother from legal action to get paternaty tests to validate and force the father to pay child support?   The Member will have to look at getting a Dependency Waiver or Get Married which might be easier.

The recruiter is misinformed and can be charged with falsifying information resulting in a fraudulent enlistment.

This is a lot of reading but gives the full story on the regulations.

As per Air Force Instrucion 36-2001 Recruiters Manual.

2.7. Substantiation of Eligibility Requirements:

2.7.1. The applicant has the burden of proof for eligibility requirements regarding age, name, citizenship, education, and dependency status.

(He mentioned the unborn child to the Recruiter, now he has to prove it is not his prior to becoming eligible.)  If he cannot prove it is not his, he must do an eligibility waiver.

4.23. Dependency Waivers: (NOTE: The dependency policies in Table 4.2. apply to existing conditions and to all changes or expected changes in marital or dependency status.)

4.23.1. The Air Force recognizes that some individuals, for personal reasons, have given up custody of a child or children. Transferring custody of family members for the purpose of entering the Air Force is prohibited and renders the enlisted programs applicant permanently disqualified. It is not the intent or desire of the Air Force to require any person to relinquish custody of his or her children to qualify for enlistment. Therefore, recruiting personnel must never counsel such applicants to intentionally change their marital or custodial status for the purpose of enlistment qualification.

4.23.2. Single member parent applicants who, at the time of initial processing for enlistment, indicate  they have a child or children in the custody of the other parent or another adult will be advised and required to certify that their intent at the time of enlistment was not to enter the Air Force with the express intention of regaining custody after enlistment. These applicants must complete an AFRS IMT 1328, Statement of Understanding for Single Member Parent Having  Dependent(s) in the Custody of Another.

4.23.3. Advise applicants that, if they regain custody during their term of enlistment, they will be in violation of the stated intent of their enlistment contract. They may be subject to involuntary separation for fraudulent entry unless they can show cause, such as the death or incapacity of the other parent or custodian or a change in their marital status from single to married.

This information is noted in the dependency section on required info for waivers.

4.23.4.4. (NPS only) Other evidence of custody for married applicants, when a court order establishing custody cannot be obtained and none has been or will be issued. For example, a married male applicant claims to be the parent of a child born out of wedlock to a person who is not his spouse. A sworn affidavit from the custodial party, establishing that party’s unconditional custody and (if applicable) a written child support agreement, is required. This does not apply to an unmarried male applicant who has a child born out of wedlock or who is the father of an unborn child. In this case, the applicant is disqualified and ineligible for waiver consideration in his current marital and dependency status. He is considered a single member parent with legal custody of a dependent and child. For single member parents without legal or physical custody and where permanent custody

of dependents has been transferred by court order, an AFRS IMT 1328 is also required to be in the waiver package.

Answer 7

HE'S LYING TO YOU!!!! There is nothing holding him back from signing that birth certificate!!

Answer 8

RED FLAG... he should sign the birth certif. no matter what if he is the father.  I have never heard of men not being able to leave shortly after a baby was born.  When I was in basic there were guys with new borns, but I was army.

One he will not get any $$ for dependents if the baby is not as his.  This to me is either your man trying to get out of this or his recruiter being lazy.  Make sure his name is on the certif!

Answer 9

Are you married?  If not he'd have to give up his rights in order to join.  He does not have to have full custody to be disqualified.  Single people are not allowed to join if they have any custody of a child.  Of course, after joining you can be a single parent, but not before.

Answer 10

A single father with full custody wouldn't be about to leave.  The only other exception I can think of is if the new baby give him too many dependents to qualify.  If he has other kids and/or a wife then it could make a difference.