Military Academy Students Can Now Retain Parental Rights: Department of Defense Options for Managing the Change
Abstract
Prior to 2023, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) policy prohibited cadets and midshipmen at the U.S. military service academies from having dependents while enrolled. Parenthood has been considered incompatible with the demands of life at the academies. Cadets or midshipmen who became parents while enrolled had to sever their legal obligation to support their children,resign from the academy, or face disenrollment.With the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022NDAA), Congress directed DoD to change its policy and allow cadets and midshipmen the option to retain parental rights when enrolled in a military service academy. The ramifications of such a change are considerable, with potential implications for guidance,benefits and services provided, housing, and childcare, as well as associated costs. RAND researchers explored these topics by reviewing relevant laws and regulations, talking to stakeholders and subject-matter experts, and modeling costs to inform the policy options that DoD could consider in implementing the change mandated by the FY 2022 NDAA. This brief presents the highlights of that work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1208834
Entities
People
- Anthony Jacques
- Barbara Bicksler
- Daniel B. Ginsberg
- Jaime L. Hastings
- Laura L. Miller
- Stephanie Rennane
- Tara L. Blagg
Organizations
- RAND Corporation