"Master Sergeant T. has proudly served in the Army for the past 12 years. With her first child recently born, she faces the tough reality of balancing motherhood with military duties. She expresses a deep determination to serve until retirement, a mere eight years away. "I've always planned to make the military a long-term career," she says, "and I purposely delayed having children due to the challenges families face while serving." Master Sergeant T is now facing what she had feared.

 

The search for reliable child care has been daunting. Local options are overwhelmed, with more than 200 children on waitlists. "I'm still searching for child care. On-post facilities told me the next available slot is two years away since my spouse isn't military," she explains. This has forced her to consider less reliable options, like searching for sitters through social media groups. "It’s not what I imagined when I thought about becoming a parent," Master Sergeant T. admits, her voice tinged with frustration. This ongoing struggle impacts her ability to focus fully on her duties, highlighting a significant need for improved childcare support within the military community.

 

“I can find someone to care for my child through these child care searches, but are they safe? Will they show up? I just don’t know if it is worth it,” she concludes."