Daniel B Ginsberg

The high demand for National Guard support of domestic operations has raised concerns about potential impacts for Guard members and their families and a variety of personnel management challenges. The authors explore the National Guard's recent mission demands, identify the challenges that the pace of operations has created for members and their families, and examine what service and support programs are in place to address these challenges.

This report characterizes legal, policy, practice, and cost implications of U. S. Department of Defense options to comply with new congressional requirements to allow service academy cadets and midshipmen who become parents to retain their parental rights. The authors also recommend changes to military policies and practices that could help these student-parents better care for their children, succeed in school, and become exemplary officers.