17.17 Enlistment in the Armed Forces

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(17) Legal

Policy Title:

Enlistment in the Armed Forces

Policy Number:

17.17

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

July 2019

Manual Transmittal:

2019-09

Codes/References

O.C.G.A. § 15-11-720 Conditions Under Which Emancipation May Occur

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Obtain parental consent for a 17-year-old youth in the temporary custody of DFCS who requests to enlist in the Armed Forces of the United States and DFCS determines enlistment is in the youth’s best interest;

  2. Obtain consent from the Division Director, if the 17-year-old youth is in the permanent custody of DFCS.

Emancipation occurs by operation of law during the period a minor is on active duty with the Armed Forces.

Procedures

When a youth who is 17 years of age and in DFCS custody wishes to enlist in the Armed Forces, the SSCM will:

  1. Ensure the youth has had an opportunity to talk with appropriate recruiters from the Armed Forces to discuss his/her options and have his/her questions answered;

  2. Ensure the youth has taken the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and received a score sufficient for entrance into the Armed Forces;

  3. Conduct a face-to-face meeting with the youth, parents (if applicable), placement provider, youth’s support team, Independent Living Specialist (ILS), Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Guardian Ad Litem (GAL), Social Services Supervisor (SSS) and County Director/Designee (if youth is in DFCS’ permanent custody) to discuss the youth’s desire to enlist in the Armed Forces including, but not limited to:

    1. The youth’s reasons for wanting to enlist in the Armed Forces;

    2. The knowledge/research the youth has regarding the Armed Forces;

    3. The physical and mental health of the youth;

    4. The maturity level of the youth;

    5. Any behavioral or delinquent issues the youth may have;

    6. The parent’s desires and concerns, if applicable;

    7. The plan for the youth if prematurely discharged from the Armed Forces; and

    8. How enlistment affects custody of the youth.

  4. Assist the parents in understanding and providing necessary support for the youth’s decision to enlist in the Armed Forces, if applicable;

  5. Document the discussion and determination of whether it is in the youth’s best interest in the narrative of the Contact Detail in Georgia SHINES;

  6. Inform the juvenile court of the youth’s desire to enlist;

  7. Obtain appropriate consent for the youth to enlist in the Armed Forces and upload a copy of the signed consent in External Documentation in Georgia SHINES.

Social Services Supervisor

  1. Participate in the meeting to discuss the youth’s desire to enlist in the Armed Forces;

  2. Ensure the court is notified of the youth’s desire to enlist;

  3. Ensure appropriate consent for enlistment is obtained.

Practice Guidance

To enlist in the Armed Forces, a person must be at least 17 years of age (with parental consent) and 18 years of age (without parental consent). Other qualifications considered when enlisting include, but are not limited to[1]:

  1. Citizenship

  2. Number of dependents

  3. Credit and finances

  4. Single parents

  5. Applicants married to military members

  6. Education

  7. Drug and alcohol involvement

  8. Criminal history

  9. Height/weight standards

  10. Medical/physical

  11. Other miscellaneous criteria

Because enlisting in the armed forces is a serious commitment, it is imperative anyone considering enlistment is thoroughly educated on what it means to be in one of the armed forces. Each of the armed forces has its own criteria, so once a youth determines which branch of the armed forces he/she is interested in, the SSCM should help the youth learn as much as possible about the specific branch. This will help the youth make an educated decision about whether to enlist.

Forms and Tools

United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Coast Guard
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy