Candid Conversations: An Inside Look at Army Reservists’ Experiences with Childcare during Drill Weekends

As someone who focuses on raising awareness for the Upwards military covered childcare pilot program, I’ve been honored to have had the opportunity to speak with multiple units, leaders, and families across the country since the launch of the program in August 2023.

I’ve gotten to hear firsthand the experiences of Army Reserve families and the struggles they have faced due to not having access to reliable and affordable childcare. Some struggled with the decision to not renew their contracts, torn between their military duties and the guilt of constantly relying on family. Others had no family close by, facing the overwhelming stress of managing it all alone. Nearly all felt the heavy financial weight of soaring childcare costs, adding to their daily anxieties. Head to the Upwards YouTube channel to hear these military families’ experiences.

Families near bases like Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois, and Camp Dodge in Iowa, Army Reserve families face unique childcare challenges due to their demanding schedules and frequent training. A military childcare program is crucial for those living near smaller bases such as the Fort Des Moines Reserve Complex in Iowa or the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wichita in Kansas. Army Reserve families here often face limited local childcare options, making the availability of childcare even more critical.

These families have been searching for a lifeline, especially for those struggling to find reliable care during battle assemblies, annual trainings, and emergency deployments. Covering childcare costs has allowed these families to focus on their duties without the added stress of managing expensive childcare options.

The consistent theme of lack of availability and affordability

Many military families face difficult decisions when it comes to childcare during battle assemblies. Some Soldiers have to ask their partners to take PTO to watch the kids, which oftentimes isn’t unlimited. A couple of Soldiers I spoke to would fly in family members from out of state, paying for their flights which far surpassed his drill weekend pay. For those without family or friends nearby that are willing to help with drill childcare, the cost of babysitters and nannies was prohibitively expensive, leaving them scrambling to find an affordable yet safe option for their children. In cases where all potential options were exhausted, many of the Army Reserves Soldiers I talked to had no choice but to miss drill, leading to a loss of pay and potential consequences for their careers.

Searching for a childcare solution

After years of frustration searching for a safe, reliable, and affordable childcare option while away at training, Upwards finally felt like the answer they’d been waiting for. The constant worry of juggling duty and family began to ease when they discovered that there was a childcare program that would cover the cost of care. Army Reservists in eligible states can get their childcare costs covered during battle assemblies, annual training, and emergency deployments. I learned that it was a lifeline that relieved them of a burden they had carried for far too long.

It’s quite clear to me the correlation between families having covered, safe, reliable childcare and continuing their careers in the Army Reserves. One mother told me prior to finding Upwards, she wasn’t so sure she was going to renew her contract strictly due to her challenges securing consistent and reliable childcare. After finding Upwards, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind she would renew her contract and continue to move up in the ranks. “I didn’t want to have to leave my job simply because I couldn’t take care of my childcare responsibilities at home”, said an Army Reservist from Illinois with two children at home.

The General Consensus on Upwards from Real Parents

I always enjoy asking parents how the process was from doing the two minute sign-up form, to getting connected with an Upwards Dedicated Care Manager, to getting matched with licensed childcare providers, scheduling tours and enrolling their children. Each time, the stories continue to amaze me.

One Army Reservist told me from the time she signed up to the time she enrolled and dropped off her children was less than 24 hours. Her children absolutely loved the childcare provider and she continued utilizing her every month until she moved to another state. Another dad had used the program for one of his drill weekends and had a wonderful experience with the provider. Unfortunately before the next drill, one of his son’s had a medical emergency and had to be rushed to the hospital. He reached out to his Upwards Dedicated Care Manager to see if his weekend childcare provider could take his younger son so he could head to the hospital. The provider had space and was able to take his son for the week so he could focus on the healing of his older child.

All of the parents I spoke to sing praises about the childcare providers. All of the childcare providers in the Upwards program for military families are state-licensed, vetted and have additional insurance. Parents loved using the Upwards app. They were able to receive pictures and updates on their childrens’ days, giving them “peace of mind” while away working. Several parents told me their kids didn’t want to leave because they were having so much fun.

As I get to the end of my interviews, I always ask parents one final question.

“What would you like to say to the Army about this program?”

“I just want to thank the Army and Upwards for the partnership because so many people and I am sure there are so many people out there that don’t know about it and need to.”, Army Reservist in Illinois, mother of four.

“On behalf of all single parents in the Army, this program is a blessing in disguise and has shined a little light of hope for all of us single parents out there.”, Army Reservist in Iowa , mother of one.

“The Upwards program has been beneficial in helping me and I just hope that this program can expand across the United States for all Soldiers, all Reservists, all branches of the military”, Army Reservist in Missouri, father of one.

“I can’t overstate how amazing it has been to have stability for my kids and myself. This program makes it a lot easier to stay and do the job.” Army Reservist in Kansas, mother of two.

A Final PSA for Army Reservists

As we pass the 1 year mark of the pilot program, I urge you to continue to spread the word to your unit, friends or family in the Army Reserves that may benefit from this program. At Upwards, we want to be able to help more families by providing accessible and affordable childcare to Army Reservists in all 50 states.

Interested in watching these Army Reserve parent interviews? Click here.

Lauren DeBauch

Lauren DeBauch is the Communications Specialist for Military Programs at Upwards. She focuses on community outreach to military branches across the country - highlighting the importance of covered childcare for service members. She also meets with military families to understand their childcare struggles and hear the impact the Upwards covered childcare program has on their lives.