How to join the Marines if you have children
Military service is dangerous and demanding work, and cannot adapt to a service member's parenting responsibilities. If you're a parent interested in joining the Marines, certain criteria must be met to enable you to enlist. If you are a single parent, it involves transferring physical and legal custody to someone else. This must be done by court order; informal arrangements will not be sufficient. This person the child's other parent or a third party. This requirement cannot be waived.
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Things You'll Need
- Copy of Navy/Marine Corps regulations
- Copy of child custody statutes for home state
- Custody forms for home state
Instructions
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Consult with a Marine Corps recruiter. You might have to surrender custody up to a year before enlisting.
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Locate other parent. If parent is fit and willing to assume sole custody, transfer sole custody to other parent.
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If other parent cannot be located, proceed to terminate his or her rights for abandonment. Transfer sole custody to a third party of your choice.
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If other parent is unwilling to assume custody, obtain consent to transfer custody to a third party. If a parent is unfit and unwilling to transfer custody, sue to transfer custody to third party.
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Tips & Warnings
Legal representation is highly recommended.
Surrendering custody does not mean that you cannot be present in your child's lives --- it merely means you cannot be legally responsible for their care. You can still be a regular presence in the lives of your children.
Transfer of custody must be permanent and unconditional.
The documentation should not include references to your desire to enlist.
References
- Photo Credit Marine Standing Proud image by aqbenkie from Fotolia.com
