[68skylark]

Both parents in the military...unforseen? Now you have got to be kidding.

I'm surprised at how many people have such a strong, emotional reaction to this situation. I was just saying that it seemed to me the family had a decent family assistance plan in place (involving the grandmother caring for the children) to handle the possibility that both parents would be mobilized. And the plan was working. But it seems to me they probably didn't forsee that an ex-spouse would jump into the picture and file suit -- that's a hard thing to imagine before it happens, and it messed up their plan.

[Orangedog]

But it seems to me they probably didn't forsee that an ex-spouse would jump into the picture and file suit -- that's a hard thing to imagine before it happens, and it messed up their plan.

Who would have been taking care of the kids after the grandparents could no longer be there with them? Would they have been shipped to the other side of the country to be with the grandmother after she had to return home? Speaking as someone who has a kid, if my ex tried to move my kids that far away, I'd file for custody too. However the woman seeking to get custody from the military couple in question must be one step below crack-whore since courts almost never give custody to the father.

[GrandEagle]

they probably didn't forsee that an ex-spouse would jump into the picture and file suit
I'll agree that this would be unforseen. A career in the military is completely unlike a career anywhere else. For example, if both worked say at a hospital - long hours and they had a plan to take care of their children. If anything went wrong one could simply quit.
There are financial implications, but as a fallback position - when all else fails, one of them could quit.
As a condition of employment in the military, you cannot just quit - that is what you agree to. As a condition of employment (not a hidden condition either I might add) you may be deployed at a moments notice for an indefinite period of time.
It is irresponsible for two parents to both be employed as either officer or enlisted at the same time. Many do it and get away with it, but that does not change the risks.