Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/10/2009

Question
I am living in the United States Virgin Islands. My son's father has recently enlisted in Active Army.  
I need to know how to get our son (7) a military id card and how I go about setting up medical, dental and prescription info.  I have asked his father and he stated he needs documentation stating that he has half custody of our son. My son has always been solely supported by and living with me and it makes no sense why his father needs half custody documentation. He says if this is not completed I am costing our son his medical coverage and benefits.
Please let me know what I can do or who I can call. He is presently stationed at Fort Campbell.

Answer
Dear Sandy --

If your son's father is on the birth certificate as the father, he must fill out a DD form 1172 and provide military personnel with a copy of the birth certificate to get your son entered in the DEERS database.  Once in the database you can get your son a dependent ID card.  

If your son's father is not named on the birth certificate, you will have to sue for paternity and support, and have him proved the father, before you can compel your son's father to provide you with the documentation to get your son an ID card.

You do not have to give his father custody rights in order to get your son an ID card, you just must have proof of his paternity.  If you have proof of paternity, you can get an ID card for your son and you can demand child support (even if you do not share custody).

If you have proof of paternity, and the father will not provide you with a signed DD form 1172, send a notarized copy of the proof (birth certificate or whatever you have) by certified mail to his commander at Fort Campbell.  In the accompanying letter, demand child support and a dependent ID for your son.  You can also send the same documentation to the family advocacy representative at Fort Campbell as a back-up to force a resolution of the issue.

Good luck to you all.