Enlisting Procesd

[NavyMommy]

I'm currently in the process of enlisting in the Navy and because I have dependents it's taking quite a bit longer. My questions are how long does a dependency waiver normally take, I also had to get my hospital records from when my kids were born sent to MEPS..how long does that take? And could I possibly go to MEPS after my medical records are approved b and before my dependency waiver is approved?

[Angie]

Are you a single parent? If that is the case you can NOT enlist for Active duty.  If you are married that is a different case, waivers can take anywhere from a week to a few months. 

Waivers need to be approved before the invest time into you at MEPS. As if the waivers are denied they wasted their time with you at MEPS.

[NavyMommy]

I still can't enlist even if I signed guardianship over to my parents? My recruiter said nothing about that and I've already taken the ASVAB.

[Anti M]

You would have to sign them over for the entire enlistment.  That's four to six years.  

Ask him to see the regulation in writing.  I have no idea why he's wasting your time, and his. 

http://www.navycs.com/blogs/2011/01/07/navy-dependency-waiver

Unmarried or Divorced (NPS and PS)	No dependents	Eligible	No waiver required
	Custody of dependents	Ineligible	No waiver authorized

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlsingparent.htm

[Angie]

Have no more than one dependent (waivers may be granted for financially responsible applicants with more

dependents). If single, applicant must not have custody of a dependent if processing for enlistment in the AC. See Chapter 2, Section 5 for additional guidance.

Single parents who transfer custody of minor dependents are not eligible to

process for Active Component or Full Time Support enlistment for a period of 90 days.

WARNING:

Relinquishing custody does not terminate dependency. Recruiting personnel are prohibited from having any involvement in an applicant’s decision to relinquish custody of a minor dependent, or in acting upon this decision. Navy recruiting personnel must not advise, imply, or assist an applicant with regard to the surrender of custody of a minor dependent. If asked whether they would become eligible by surrendering custody, the recruiter’s correct response is that enlistment processing can not begin until 90 days has elapsed from the date of custody transfer and that it is not the intent or the desire ofthe U.S. Navy for any person to relinquish custody of a dependent for the purpose of enlistment . If applicants persist, they may be informed that if they surrender physical custody of their dependents for personal reasons, the only transfer recognized by the Navy is a valid court order that transfers physical custody and does not show intent to return the custody back to the applicant after a temporary period. Single parents that transfer physical custody of minor dependents must be advised that enlistment processing can not begin until 90 days has elapsed from the date of custody transfer and that they may not retain, nor have the minor

dependents reside with them during the term of the first enlistment.

Above is from the recruiting manual. You are not enlisting active duty with dependents as long as you are a single parent.  Think about this logically, who would watch your children while you are in bootcamp?  What about school?  What about while you have duty and are on the ship for 24 hours?  Who will pick up your child if it is sick from school and you are at work? They don't let you off work 'cause your child is sick.  Who will take your child while you are on deployments? 

[NavyMommy]

I thought that's why there was a family care plan in place?

[Anti M]

The family care plan is for deployments,etc., not all the day to day time needed to be given to a child.  You can't expect to be stationed near your parents, nor for them to move to be with you as they won't be eligible for housing or access to the base.  

But the regulation is clear, no single parents.  It isn't a matter if you agree or disagree, it is a non-waiverable situation.

[Angie]

That is true there is a family care plan, BUT that is for those who are dual military or who end up as a single parent AFTER they are active duty, not joining as active duty.  May seem like a double standard, BUT those are the rules and you can not join as a single parent unless you give up custody of your child (ren) for your first enlistment.  Also if you think you can just get your kids back when you go to your first duty station, they review your paper work when you get to the command and will discharge you if you took your kids back against your contract and the policy's in place.  If discharged in this manner you get no benefits.

[Layla Lilac Love]

I'm in the same boat and I sent medical papers off also! I was told you would have to sign full custody over to my parents also but even after that they can't process you until around 3 months or so. If you want to keep in touch let me know. My email is [e-mail]. I'm waiting for my paperwork to get back. It's been around 1 1/2 months and I'm trying not to get anxious LOL but I'm excited