When a serviceperson is sent overseas and has kids?

Taking the children in this case is not an option. If relatives care for the children while the parent is serving overseas, what are the practical things that need to be considered? Does the military offer any advice or support or is the soldier on his/her own to make arrangements? Thank you. I realize the military doesn't undertake the responsibility of making arrangements for children; but are there certain rules or military paperwork that must be followed? Or is it all just regular civilian power of attorney, and so forth? And what about paying for healthcare?

Public Comments

1. This is a personal responsibility and not left up to the Military.
2. If the parent is a single parent then the Soldier is required to have a "Family Care Plan". This plan outlines how the children will be taken care of with primary and alternate guardians listed. If you want to learn more about it, visit a Military Legal Office. If a Soldier has to leave the children for a deployment or a hardship, the children are still covered under the service members health care.
3. When my husband and I deployed to Iraq my mom took care of our son. We made arrangements so she could live in housing while we were away. Of course my son had an ID card since both of us were on active duty. We had to get a special power of attorney so my mom could use the commissary and PX etc. but of course she could only buy food items since it was for my son's welfare. She also had to show she was guardian for my son to get his medical care. The rear D was good at helping my mom out if she had any questions and such. Luckily she was in the military so she already had a good idea of how things worked and she said she never had any problems.
4. Go to your legal office. . They can help you with filling out the family care plan paperwork which will include who is caring for your children, getting your children ID cards, POA, tricare, etc. As someone above me stated, the family care plan outline covers everything.
5. I can share one of my experiences with you. . . . . I was sent on an unaccompanied tour overseas once. . . . . The military has services which can provide you any assistance and/or advice as you prepare to make arrangements for the care of your dependent to stay in the US while you PCS overseas. Some practical things that need to be covered are healthcare, access to the military base for those caring for your dependents (vehicle decals, proper registration), and financial support. You should also provide power of attorneys which list specifc instructions. . . be careful of leaving a 'general' power of attorney. MY OPINION-For the financial aspect, consider setting up a separate account and transfer money into that account every month.
6. All military parents, especially single active duty, must have a family care plan on file when they enlist. They must keep it current and update it as needed. Failure to do so can lead to a discharge. If a military member is sent or deployed to an assignment where the children can not accompany them and must be left in the care of whomever the parent has assigned, they will have to address certain issues. Generally, gaurdianship papers are drawn up, giving whomever has custody while the parent is away to make any decisions concerning schooling, seeking medical care or other day to day decisions in the place of the parent. The agreement should include the amount of money that will be sent/direct deposited monthly into an account for the support of the child. A termination date can be placed on the custody agreement with the stipulation that the agreement will continue as ordered if the military member is delayed in returning. The family support center and base legal can help the military member get all the documents he or she will need to have as well as givng advice on how to keep in contact with the child, how the adult caring for the child can access military facilities in the care of the child, etc.
7. no you will need to get a child custody form and go to legal about that...you will also need to make sure the child is enrolled in deers..there should be very minimal charge if any for the child to go to the dr...you will still of course pay copays at the dentist and you will have to carry the dental insurance on them...and give them a power of attorney..in the paperwork where you give them temp custody..make sure it ssays something to the effect of from this date to this date..so that when you get back you can get your child back and not have to go to court in case it turns ugly etc..also make sure you have a plan in place to give that person some child support to help offset the cost of your child living with them..think long and hard before you do this and make sure you do this with the right family member