Deployment

I recently met with an Army recruiter and was told that because I am the only child of a single mother family (father permenantly out of the picture) that the Army cannot deploy me without my express permission. Is there any truth to what he said and if there is could i be coerced to sign such a waiver.

[Field_Sailor]

If you don't want to deploy don't join the MIlitary. Why even consider the MIlitary if you aren't willing to deploy?

[0311Marine]

He told you a lie

http://www.snopes.com/military/onlyson.htm

and Field Sailor is right if you are seriously against deploying for any reason, then the only reason you wanna join has to be for the money or college tuition, in which case dont.

[cincymarsdad]

My son's Marine recruiter was told he could not be deployed in combat because he was an only son. This actually bummed out my son. The recruiter was sent back to the Fleet prematurely for this among other things. This is crap.

My son is an now deployed in a Marine rifle company and has seen combat.. I don't know why they come up with this crap - most kids who want to serve want to serve in whatever capacity they can contribute.

I got an email from the battalion adjutant who said among other things that my son's company was "doing amazing things". The military has not become so sensitive that they judge each persons particular situation prior to sending them into harm's way. If you sign up, you may want to notice the forms noting that you may be in situations where your life is imperiled considerably.

[USMCRET6391]

Originally Posted by cincymarsdad

My son's Marine recruiter was told he could not be deployed in combat because he was an only son. This actually bummed out my son. The recruiter was sent back to the Fleet prematurely for this among other things. This is crap.

I dont know what the recruiter told him, but there used to be a rule that if you were the "sole surviving son", that is you had brothers who had died in combat, you couldn't be sent to a combat zone.

[Field_Sailor]

I believe that rule is different from being an only child. It's also one of the reasons that the Navy,, as well as the Coprs-I believe, won't allow family members to serve under the same command* (with in the same supervisor, if that makes sense). Because of the Sullivan's.

thanks for all the input gentlemen as iam sure you know its a pretty big decision that I have before me. on the one hand this is something i always wanted to do and lately something i feel i have to do, and on the other iam my mother's sole means of support.

[333MP]

If you are the last son to carry on a name you cannot be sent into combat without expressed perimision. I know this because my brother went through this when he joined. You can still join up, you just cannot be deployed. There are many duties state-side that need to be taken care of.

You can still go if you want though right??? they cant just make you stay back....if so thats kinda stupid

[0311Marine]

Click on this link and it will tell you all about it
http://www.snopes.com/military/onlyson.htm
333MP is wrong.