Should single parents deploy on operational tours?

[O82]

Should single parents, male or female, deploy on operational tours???

[Sasha13]

Yes.

[PrinceRainie]

I think it should be at the parents discretion. If they choose not to go then they should be allowed to stay. Especially if there is no other parent (either dead or alive) that is capable of looking after the child should the parent going into combat be killed.

[O82]

Thank you for your answer but why do you think yes? I am a single parent and have deployed many times and have enjoyed my deployments but i would like peoples views on the matter as recently there was a female officer in the papers complaining about leaving her daughter. I am interested in knowing what people think in general on this matter.
Thanks

[Sasha13]

A couple of reasons.

If someone signs up for the forces, they know what they are there for. If they feel that they can't go on operations that involve being a long way away from home for months at a time then they should prioritise accordingly.

I also believe that everyone has valid reasons at some point as to why they could excuse themselves from operations. Children are one. Looking after parents who become dependants is another. Why should one person be able to excuse themselves when another can't.

Lastly, and in my opinion more importantly, I find it disturbing that we place a higher value on one persons life than on someone elses. The people that serve in our armed forces are all special.

[Sasha13]

That was three reasons, not a couple!

[O82]

Thank you for your views i agree with you on all your points. thanks

[daisey22]

this was actually a problem once in our unit when I worked for the RAF. One of the WRAFS was being deployed and had a daughter, she was living with her partner the father of her child but was classed as a single mother. She really kicked off and in the end she was excused on compassionate grounds, one of her colleagues had to take her place. This did not go down very well at all. It ended with her getting out of the forces but actually got her old job back as a civvy. At the time I felt that she knew what she signed up for, on my interview I was asked what I would do with my kids if I were to be deployed. I can understand it being more stressful to a child of a single parent as they do tend to have a strong bond with the only parent they probably have they can then not understand where they are. I think you are very strong to be able to do it and I admire you for it. Personally I think that single parents who know they would not be able to leave the child should not join up and if they got pregnant during their service maybe time to move on to a different career as it is not fair on the others who have to take their place. I am sure it is just as hard for a husband to have to leave his family. It is a difficult one as deployments are coming round quickly as there are so many places to be sent to and not enough people to do it, many are leaving as they can't cope with it.