Congratulations! The birth of a child is an exciting time. However, if you’re welcoming a new member into your family, it can be challenging to navigate the life changes, regardless of whether you’re active duty or a civilian. Service members experience unique challenges when they’re expecting a new member of their family.

In our guide, we’ll walk you through the most important information you need to know and the steps you can take to plan for your family before you welcome your new bundle of joy into your home.

How to Start Planning for Your Family

Whether you have a baby on the way or you’re preparing for changes in your family early, there are steps service members will need to follow to ensure their loved ones get the benefits and resources they need. Follow the steps we’ve compiled below to help you start the process of planning for your family.

1. Report Changes to DEERS

Any changes to your family will need to be reported to the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS). Whether you’re getting married, having a child, or experiencing any other changes to your immediate family, you must report any changes so your loved ones can start receiving their benefits.

For example, DEERS will need information about the primary and secondary caregivers when you start expecting a child. You’ll also need to identify the individuals responsible for your child’s care in your family care plan, just in case something happens to both parents. Once your changes are reported to DEERS, the correct benefits can be allocated to the appropriate person or people.

2. Start Planning Your Finances

There’s a common belief that once you have a child in the military, you’ll gain a pay increase. However, this isn’t entirely the case. While you will likely see a small increase in your housing allowance, like your BAH, your pay won’t change much. Having a child may make you eligible for housing allowances you couldn’t access before.

While the financial benefits of having a child in the military are minimal, you’ll have more benefits in non-military-related fields. For example, once you have a child, you can start claiming them as a dependent on your taxes, which can help you save more money throughout the year.

Once you start expecting your child, you’ll want to start planning for new or increased costs, which can include:

●Groceries

●Childcare

●Baby supplies

●College savings

●New clothing

Creating a new budget and setting aside savings can help you tackle these new and increasing expenses with ease. You can talk to a financial planner if you’re having trouble figuring out how much to save or how to improve your saving habits.

Keep in mind that you’ll have access to resources on base that can cut costs. For example, many large bases have daycare centers that are free to parents. However, these facilities often have long waiting lists, and if you don’t reserve your spot soon enough, you’ll have to make arrangements yourself.

Look into the different support options available to service members and their families when raising children. In many cases, you’ll be able to reduce your costs and save what’s left over for future expenses.

3. Look Into Parental Leave Programs

In some cases, service members are entitled to time off before and after their new baby arrives, just like maternity or paternity leave in the civilian world. However, eligible service members won’t get the same six to twelve months that some people get in their civilian careers.

If you meet the basic requirements, you can take advantage of the Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP). Additionally, the Department of Defense created a new policy to allow service members who have children through birth, adoption, or foster-care placement up to 12 weeks of parental leave. Those who give birth are also eligible for authorized convalescent leave, which is usually six weeks but it can be more with doctor recommendations and Commander approval.

Parental leave gives you time to spend with your new baby, helping you adjust to the new addition and allowing a critical bond to form between parent and child. Take the time off to spend time with your child and family so you can create memories that last a lifetime.

4. Consider Your Living Arrangements

If you’re living on base, your living arrangements are based on your family size. For example, if you’re married without children, you’ll get an apartment or home big enough to accommodate two people.

Things change once you start planning to add another family member into the mix. Once your new child arrives, you may be eligible to move into bigger housing to accommodate the growing family. However, keep in mind that many bases have long waiting lists for base housing, so you’ll want to apply as soon as possible.

If you’re living off base, you may want to consider upgrading if you live in a small one-bedroom house or apartment. Kids take up a lot of space, and they’ll need their own room to sleep once they’re old enough to sleep in a different room from their parents. Plus, you’ll need more space for all the toys, playtime, and other joys children bring into our lives.

5. Talk About Deployments Early

Deployments can happen at any time, so you’ll want to discuss this possibility with your family as soon as possible. When your child is still young, talk to the other parent or who will be responsible for your child’s care while you’re overseas. You should have a plan for childcare, finances, home maintenance, and other factors, especially since some deployments happen suddenly and you may need to leave within as little as a week.

Once your children get old enough, you should consider talking to them about the possibility of being deployed in your career. Talking to them in advance makes it easier to adjust to the idea, and they’ll be less confused if you have to leave suddenly.

6. Look Into Additional Benefits

Military families have plenty of benefits they can take advantage of, but the most notable include:

●TRICARE: Once your child is enrolled in DEERS, you can enroll them in TRICARE. There are two different tiers to choose from, Select and Prime. For active duty members, Select is free to their dependents, while Prime will require a portion of the premium paid.

●Military Power of Attorney: A Military Power of Attorney is useful to have, especially if one or both partners are deployed. A military version of the civilian Power of Attorney is more broad and allows the named person to sign legal documents or other forms on behalf of their partner.

●Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR): The MWR program is very broad but provides plenty of fun and affordable activities to service members and their families. Different activities you can find through this program include discounted movie tickets, hotel stays, sporting events, and other options.

As you’re planning for your family, look into the other resources or benefits that are available to military families to see if there’s anything that can help you and your loved ones while you’re in the service.

Frequently Asked Questions From New Military Families

New parents often have many questions, especially when they’re raising children in the military. We’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions to help you feel more confident once your little one arrives:

1. What Happens When an Active Duty Parent Is Discharged or Passes Away?

Most service members who are discharged will lose most of their benefits shortly after their official separation, meaning their family members will also lose their benefits. However, separated service members are still eligible for the G.I. Bill and VA benefits included in their contract, as long as they received an honorable discharge. Anything less than honorable means you won’t have access to the G.I. Bill, and you may lose some VA benefits.

In the case of a service member's death, there are significantly more factors to consider. The benefits that the remaining family receives are based on the marital status, cause of death, and other variables. However, most surviving spouses and children will qualify for some benefits, including:

●TRICARE: If a spouse survives the service member, they’re entitled to TRICARE benefits until they remarry. Children are covered until they turn 21 or marry.

●Housing: Surviving spouses are entitled to receive one year of BAH or remain in on-base housing for one year.

●Death gratuity: Spouses are entitled to receive a monthly payment, but the amount varies based on different factors.

●Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Spouses or children who survive their active duty parent can receive a one-time payment of $100,000.

●Death pension: Spouses whose partner passed away in war are eligible to receive a monthly payment, but the eligibility for death pension is more strict than it is for death gratuity for DIC.

2. What Schools Can Military Children Attend?

Military children generally have the same options as civilian children, meaning they’ll go to the school that’s in their district. Some military bases have schools that your children can attend if they also live on base, while others won’t have on-base schooling, and your child will need to attend a school off base in the appropriate district.

However, you can also choose to send your child to a private school if you have the money and desire. In some cases, private schools may be a better option, but that’s up to parents' discretion.

3. What Benefits Do Military Children Recieve Directly?

Most children are automatically eligible for TRICARE but can also receive death gratuity and DIC payments. Service members also have the option of transferring their G.I. Bill benefits to their children, but the military parents must serve 10 years, and up to four can be future service commitments.

4. What Resources Does the Military Have for New Parents?

The military offers the New Parent Support Program, which helps new military parents navigate the different aspects of parenthood, such as pregnancy, childcare, early childhood development, and more. You’ll find various services that provide education to new parents, including:

●Breastfeeding

●Prenatal care

●Bonding

●Shaken baby syndrome

●Sleep environments

The New Parent Support Program helps new military parents cope with stress and the other challenges associated with having a child for the first time. These services are free, allowing new parents to take classes and access the information they need to be successful first-time parents.

Let MLC Help Your Pepare for Your Bundle of Joy

Having a new child can be a joyous time, but it can also be stressful. You might need to move, plus you’ll have all kinds of baby stuff to carry. Let Military Luggage Company help you take the stress off your shoulders with our comprehensive selection of bags, packs, and cases.

You can choose from a wide selection of duffle bags to help with your move and backpacks to carry all your baby supplies, including diapers, bottles, clothes, pumps, and more. Browse our selection to get started or contact us today with any questions or concerns!