Which would you say is better Navy or Army for a single mother?

Single mothers should not even be allowed to enlist in the military...that's just insane...

The Navy is not more understanding when it comes to children than the Army. The factor is the command that she is with and nothing else. BUT as a Single Mother she CANNOT ENLIST in the military, she can join the Reserves or National Guard or she can sign over full custody of the child. The Army might allow her to get custody back after reporting to her command but the Navy will not. They require that it is signed over for the first enlistment. She can be assigned overseas (OCONUS) or to a ship and then she will not have time or a place for that child. The Navy COMES FIRST as well, not family.

Well if she wants to see her child, then the Navy is a no go, because she will be stationed on a boat for up to 2 years at a time. At least with the Army if she is stationed somewhere, then she will at least get to see her kid everynight. If she wants more of a day job, she should go into the Army for Finance or medical.

she is ineligible to enlist at all as a single parent. she may not give up custody just to enlist and she may not regain custody at all during her first term of enlistment.

They are both the same for women. Single parents must be ready for deployment at any time. They are required to sign their children over to someone other than themselves man or women. Its the military way one is no better than another for single parents. The navy has different types of jobs yeah they are more like normal non-military jobs but when the chips are down its the same. Everyone must be ready for deployment at all times. I wish her luck. At least she has you, hopefully she has someone close by to take on some of the responsibilities she shoulders. A live in nanny would be her best bet or to share a house with a non-military person give them some kind of break on rent if they need to cover for her.