Enlistment and Affiliation Purposes Only

Navy Dependent Definition

January 24th, 2009

I get a lot of questions via email about the definition of a “dependent” for Navy Recruiting determination of an applicants qualification for service. The below information is taken from the recruiting manual. Keep in mind the definition does not apply to entitlement of military pay and allowances, medical care, exchange and commissary privileges, or other benefits. Such determinations are made only after enlistment or affiliation and your Recruiter shall not render opinions on future entitlements. A dependent for enlistment and affiliation purposes is defined as any of the following:

A spouse by marriage, not to include a common law spouse. A spouse is not considered a dependent when the spouse is on active duty or serving as a SELRES in Reserve Component of any service. A spouse in the Individual Ready Reserve is considered a dependent.

Any natural child (legitimate or illegitimate) or child adopted by the applicant, provided:

(a) the child is unmarried
(b) is considered a dependent under the laws of the state having jurisdiction
(c) the applicant claims the child as theirs
(d) the applicant’s name is listed on the birth certificate as a parent
(e) a court order establishes paternity or if any person makes an allegation of paternity that has not been adjudicated by a court.

Note: A Child Support Order is required by all Active Duty applicants who have out of wedlock children prior to processing. The order must be from the State the child resides in.

Unborn child(ren). Unmarried applicants who self-admit to being the father of an unborn child(ren) or for whom a positive legal/medical paternity determination has been made are considered to have a dependent(s) for enlistment and affiliation purposes.