Crisis before Bootcamp

[hmurphy21]

Okay so I signed up to join the Army several months ago. My husband is a Marine, and was planning on getting out to go to school while I supported the family. I've wanted to join the military since I was in high school, and even tried joining the Marines two years ago, but found out I was pregnant after meps. Anyway, the problem is my husband is deployed and comes home in a couple of weeks, I leave for basic May 3, my one year old daughter is already having seperation anxiety, and my husband and I have decided to get a divorce. I want so badly to go ahead and go through with it, but i just feel like its all bad timing. My biggest concern is that my husband will take my daughter away from me, and considering no one in my family wants me to join, they're all telling me that I'm being selfish. I just want to do what's best. Any advice? Please.

[LTC William E. Bailey]

You don't mention your age, but this could be a major part of your decision process. The US military is not a 9-5 job. It requires dedication, focus, and willingness to sacrifice time from your family, among other things. Allow me to recap the situation. You had previously decided to join the military, but now your circumstances have changed with your pending divorce, but you don't think this should alter your plans..? The divorce will make custody an issue, especially since single parents must provide a Single Parent Plan stating who will take care of the child in the event of a deployment, which in today's world seems likely, but you don't think this should alter your plans..? You state your daughter is one year old with separation anxiety, but you don't think this should alter your plans..? You entire family is against your continuing with your decision to join, but you don't think this should alter your plans..?

I would advise you to rethink your plans. After your daughter is in school (even pre-school), and your divorce is final, and custody has been decided, and your family is more willing to support your decision, perhaps then would be a better time to join.