Can you enlist into active if you have a kid?

As the 1SG said "Read through AR 601-210 Paragraph 2-10, 13 (3a)."

Basically if you're a single parent and have custody you can't enlist. You can be a single parent after you are already in active duty. Not before. You would essentially have to give up custody to enlist active duty if you're a single parent.

Short answer, no. If you have a child with joint legal, or physical custody, you are disqualified. Even if you do not have legal custody but the child resides with you for visitation, it is interpreted as physical custody. Read through AR 601-210 Paragraph 2-10, 13 (3a). That being said, if you could show that you do not have legal or physical custody then you may be eligible.

I was in basic with someone who had a child; but, they were married. My hunch is if you are a single dad you would have to set up a custody situation to ensure the child has a primary caregiver. Clearly you cannot care for the child while in basic (and/or deployed).

I cannot imagine that would entail giving up complete custody; but, you certainly would have to allow her conditional full time custody for a time.

There is also a term the military uses called "geographical bachelor" where one is married; but, not living with their spouse. Being unmarried definitely complicates things. What is the current custody situation? Or do you two live together?