The Army Family Care Plan is a regulation that requires soldiers to show they have a workable plan for dependents before deployment

The Army Family Care Plan (AFCP) is a Department of Defense requirement, not optional paperwork. Before a soldier deploys, the Army verifies that dependent children and other family members who rely on that soldier have a documented care arrangement. The plan must name specific people who will provide care, show those people have agreed to it in writing, and prove the arrangement is legally sound.

The regulation exists because soldiers cannot perform their duties if they are worried about who is watching their children or caring for elderly parents. The Army does not provide the childcare or elder care itself — it straightforward requires proof that the soldier has made those arrangements and that they will hold up during the deployment period.

Soldiers who cannot produce a valid plan may be flagged for non-deployment or face other administrative consequences. The plan must be in place before the soldier's unit receives deployment orders, though soldiers are also required to update it annually even if no deployment is imminent.

Key Takeaways

  • The Army requires a written Family Care Plan before a soldier can deploy, naming the specific person or people who will care for each dependent child or family member.
  • The plan must include signed agreements from the caregivers, proof of their legal authority to make decisions, and documentation that they understand the duration and scope of care.
  • Soldiers must update their plan every year and whenever their family situation changes, even if no deployment is scheduled.
  • A soldier without a valid plan may be flagged as non-deployable and could face administrative action or loss of deployment may be able to access.
  • The plan covers dependent children, disabled adult children, elderly parents, and other family members the soldier is legally responsible for supporting.

Who Must Have a Family Care Plan

Any soldier with dependents — children under age 18, disabled adult children, elderly parents, or other family members the soldier is the legal guardian or primary caregiver for — must have a plan in place. The requirement applies to active duty, Reserve, and National Guard soldiers.

A soldier with no dependents does not need a plan. A soldier whose children live with the other parent and that parent has sole custody may not need a plan, but the soldier should confirm this with their unit's Family Readiness Group or S-1 (personnel) office, because custody arrangements vary and the Army's interpretation depends on legal documentation.

Soldiers who are the sole caregiver for an elderly parent or disabled sibling are also covered by the regulation. The plan must address care for anyone the soldier is legally responsible for or who depends on the soldier's income or presence.

What Must Be Included in the Plan

The plan is filed on DA Form 5305 (Family Care Plan), which is the official Army document. The form requires the soldier to name at least one primary caregiver and, if possible, a backup caregiver. The caregiver must be someone the soldier trusts and who has agreed to take on the responsibility.

For each dependent, the plan must state:

  • The caregiver's full name, relationship to the soldier, and contact information.
  • A signed statement from the caregiver confirming they understand the arrangement and agree to provide care for the duration of the deployment.
  • Proof that the caregiver has legal authority to make decisions — this usually means a power of attorney document or, for children, a temporary guardianship order or custody agreement.
  • The caregiver's address and whether the dependent will live with them or receive care at another location.
  • Information about the dependent's medical, educational, and financial needs, so the caregiver knows what to expect.

The soldier must also provide documentation showing the caregiver is fit to care for the dependent — this might include a background check authorization, proof of housing, or a statement about the caregiver's employment and stability. The Army does not conduct the background check itself; the soldier is responsible for ensuring the caregiver is trustworthy.

How to Set Up the Plan and Who Reviews It

The soldier begins by talking to their unit's Family Readiness Group or S-1 office. These offices have templates, can answer questions about what the Army will accept, and can tell the soldier whether their proposed arrangement is likely to pass review.

The soldier then completes DA Form 5305 with the caregiver's information and has the caregiver sign it. The soldier brings the form and supporting documents — the power of attorney, guardianship order, or custody agreement — to their unit's S-1 office or the Family Readiness Group. Some units require the documents to be notarized; others do not. The soldier should ask their unit what is required before gathering everything.

The unit's S-1 office or a designated officer reviews the plan to confirm it is complete and that the caregiver arrangement is legally sound. If the plan is missing information or if the caregiver's authority is unclear, the soldier will be asked to revise it. The review process usually takes one to two weeks, though it can be faster if the soldier provides all documents at once.

Once approved, the plan is filed in the soldier's personnel record. The soldier receives a copy for their own records.

Updating the Plan and When Changes Are Required

Soldiers must update their Family Care Plan every 12 months, even if they are not deploying. This is an annual requirement that appears on the soldier's readiness checklist.

The soldier must also update the plan when ready if:

  • The caregiver moves, changes jobs, or becomes unavailable.
  • A dependent is born or a custody arrangement changes.
  • The soldier's marital status changes.
  • A dependent ages out of the plan (turns 18 or no longer requires care).
  • The soldier gains or loses legal responsibility for a family member.

Updating the plan follows the same process as the initial submission: the soldier completes a new DA Form 5305, has the caregiver sign it, gathers supporting documents, and submits everything to the S-1 office. The soldier should not wait until deployment orders arrive to update an outdated plan.

What Happens If a Soldier Does Not Have a Valid Plan

A soldier without a valid Family Care Plan may be flagged as non-deployable by their unit. This means the soldier cannot be included in a deployment rotation until the plan is in place and approved. The flag appears in the soldier's personnel file and can affect promotion boards, assignment opportunities, and readiness status.

In some cases, a soldier without a plan may face administrative counseling or a written reprimand, depending on the unit's policy and whether the soldier had been notified of the requirement. Repeated failure to maintain a plan can result in more serious action.

If a soldier is already deployed and the plan becomes invalid — for example, the caregiver becomes unavailable — the soldier should notify their chain of command when ready. The Army may arrange emergency care or, in some cases, authorize emergency leave so the soldier can return home to make new arrangements.

Choosing a Caregiver and Legal Documents You Will Need

The caregiver should be someone the soldier knows well and trusts completely. Common choices are a spouse, parent, sibling, close friend, or other family member. The caregiver does not have to live nearby, but they must be able to reach the dependent and make decisions about their care.

For the caregiver to have legal authority, the soldier will usually need a power of attorney document that gives the caregiver the right to make medical, educational, and financial decisions. This document must be signed by the soldier and, in most states, notarized. Some soldiers also use a temporary guardianship order from a court, which is more formal but takes longer to obtain.

If the soldier's children have a custodial parent (the other parent), the plan may only need to show that the children will remain with that parent during the deployment. In that case, a copy of the custody order or divorce decree is usually sufficient. The soldier should check with their S-1 office about what documents are needed for their specific situation.

The soldier should also consider naming a backup caregiver in case the primary caregiver becomes unavailable. This backup should also sign an agreement and provide the same documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse be my Family Care Plan caregiver if we are separated?

Only if the spouse has legal custody or guardianship of the dependent. If custody is shared or contested, the Army will not accept the spouse as the sole caregiver. You will need to name someone else or provide a court order showing your spouse's authority. Contact your S-1 office with your custody documents so they can advise you on what the Army will accept.

What if I do not have a power of attorney yet?

You will need to create one before your plan can be approved. Your S-1 office or Family Readiness Group can provide a template or direct you to legal information, which is free for active duty soldiers. The power of attorney must be signed and notarized. This process usually takes one to two weeks, so start early if you know deployment is coming.

Do I need to update my plan if my caregiver just changes their phone number?

You should notify your S-1 office of the new number, but you may not need to file a completely new form. Ask your unit whether a straightforward update to the contact information is sufficient or whether they require a new DA Form 5305. Either way, make sure your records are current so the caregiver can be reached in an emergency.

What if I cannot find anyone to be my caregiver?

Talk to your chain of command and your Family Readiness Group when ready. They may be able to connect you with military family support services, emergency childcare resources, or other options. Some installations offer temporary care arrangements while you work out a longer-term plan. Do not wait until deployment orders arrive to address this.

Can my teenage child care for a younger sibling under the Family Care Plan?

No. The caregiver must be an adult. A teenager cannot legally make medical or educational decisions for a younger sibling, and the Army will not accept that arrangement. You must name an adult caregiver, such as a parent, aunt, uncle, or trusted family friend.