How many dependents can one have to commission AD?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 15:09:25 -0400

I'm getting ready to enter the NG to SMP through my last two years of ROTC. We have three children now, and are working on a waiver for that. Once I'm in, if we have a fourth child before I commission, will that affect my chances of going AD? Guard and Reserve are great, but we're really wanting to go all in. What are your experiences?

Response by LTC John Mohor made May 6 at 2019 3:20 PM

LTC John Mohor — Mon, 06 May 2019 15:20:19 -0400

As far as I know there’s not a limit to family size as long as you do the right thing taking care of everyone! Good Luck and don’t forget about the AGR program in the Guard and Reserve( it’s Active Duty in support of Guard and Reserve units). Another nice thing w AGR assignments sometimes you can stay at the same unit five years unlike most active duty assignments requiring more frequent moves. Just a thought! Get that degree regardless it’ll all work out thru persistence and perseverance! Best of luck to you Jason!

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made May 6 at 2019 3:34 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Mon, 06 May 2019 15:34:08 -0400

Never heard of a limit on kids. My buddy has 7 kids and he commissioned 2 years ago

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 6 at 2019 3:49 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 06 May 2019 15:49:46 -0400

Absolutely not unless it negatively impacts your ability to do your job or you are unable to take care of them.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 6:22 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 18:22:27 -0400

Like others, I'm stunned to hear mention of a family size waiver. I'm interested in knowing more about this waiver you are working on. Is this something for your NG unit? ROTC? I commissioned with 5 dependent children and there was never any sort of waiver needed.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 6:49 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 06:49:52 -0400

So everyone there is absolutely a restriction on dependents when enlisting into the Army.
AR 610-210 you can google and find it in there under the dependent section, But once you are in there is no limit and as long as you always have a family care plan you are good to go.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 7 at 2019 11:09 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:09:24 -0400

You know, I find that really interesting, I quite honestly didn't even know that was a consideration, candidly...that's a really good question, all kidding aside, for real....

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 1:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 13:38:31 -0400

For anyone still following this question thread, I received the following text from my recruiter (at my university, also highly involved with the ROTC): "I just checked on the dependency question. Like we talked about you will need a waiver to get into the guard and to contract ROTC but once you contract ROTC if you have another child you are still fine to go active duty it won't make any difference."

Thanks to everyone for your input as well!

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made May 8 at 2019 9:55 AM

CPT Brad Wilson — Wed, 08 May 2019 09:55:39 -0400

Never heard of a limit on family size I went to OBC with an officer that had 4 kids He got married and went Active at 18 Did 6 years and did the ROTC Green to gold and was 29 I think when we were in OBC. He never said he needed a waiver for his dependents to join ROTC