What happens when both parents are in the army?

[debs40]

I'm not sure whether I'm posting this in the right place but I thought someone here might be able to help!

Do you know what happens if both parents are in the army with school age children? Can they be sent on separate deployments?

Just looking for a bit of information - thanks!

I have seen it happen. Do you mean postings? Or deployments to Iraq/Afghan?

Yes as I understand it both parents can be deployed (tours like Iraq) at the same time, and within families where both Mum and Dad are serving, there needs to be a plan for the possibility. With postings (ie where soldiers are stationed for 2-3 years) attempts will be made to post married couples together - but it is not always possible.

interestingly i was looking at the us equivalent scenario, and full time military childcare provision last week... it's fascinating to see the differences tbh.

in the event, families are supposed to have a back-up plan (in the same way that single/ lone serving parents are - such as grandparents/ relatives/ friends as a local informal fostering arrangement), although the service generally does it's best to deconflict where possible... not sure what counts as 'co-location' these days - it used to be 200 miles i think, one of the reasons i left full time as i got bored living in a different country lol, although that was more to do with the impossibility of arranging inter-service co-location rather than just army...

I had to sign a form when pregnant with DD1 saying we agree to

1. the possibility of being deployed at the same time
2. different postings

and that childcare would be our responsibility - I left
Don't regret my decision but I do miss it.

lol mcdreamy - when i joined i had to sign a bit of paper saying if i got married or pregnant i would leave...

i also left before either of those things occurred. although interesting that those of us who actually followed the rules that we signed up to didn't qualify for the hundreds of thousands of pounds compensation from the european court of human rights.

funny old world.

mcd - go back as a reservist - rfa 96 allows you to claim for your childcare costs if they mobilise you

Just had baby no3 so a bit too soon for that!

lol, we'll let you off for a bit then.

congrats!

Thanks, it is worth thinking about though, you're right. I used to be in RAF Auxillaries before I joined full time too so that's another option.

which sqn?

4626

ah, just down the road. we do their basic training lol.

I'm currently at Halton! Where are you?

i work at 4624, but live miles away - the auxiliaries have to do 2 weeks basic at halton now - have you seen any elderly recruits being marched about?

Oh I didn't realise that, used to be all at Lyneham - that was few years ago now though! Lol will look out for the elderly recruits!

McDreamy I will say "Hello" and wonder if I know you. When did you serve?

Auxillaries 1996-1999 then joined regulars!

I may indeed know you then - 1998 - 2003 reserves, after I left the regular! I am intrigued now.

Are you medical?

I was a medic in the regulars and with the Sqn. Are you a nurse? How many questions do we get. LOL!

I am a nurse.....hmm can't think of another question!!! So you were in the regulars, left and then joined the squadron or were you in the squadron as a regular?