Military High School Senior Stabilization Program

If you have an upcoming military high schooler–a senior or junior with one or both parents who are active duty military—many of the military branches have some form of the High School Junior/Senior Stabilization Program. This program allows a service member to remain in their current assignment until after the high school junior or senior graduates from high school. Each branch of service has different requirements, and no branch will guarantee access to this program.

• Army
  The Army’s High School Senior Stabilization Program is for soldiers with family members in their junior or senior year of high school. The Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate (EPMD) will approve stabilization requests if possible. Soldiers must submit a DA Form 4187 no earlier than March 1 of the student’s freshman year and no later than the start of the student’s sophomore year. Requests submitted after this deadline may be processed as an exception to this policy. Click on the link for information and forms.
• Air Force
  The High School Senior Assignment Deferment Program is for members who meet eligibility requirements and are stationed in the continental United States, and it is limited to ranks below lieutenant colonel or senior master sergeant. Approval is not automatic and is based on Air Force needs. Officers can apply before receiving an assignment, and enlisted members can apply after receiving an assignment. Click on the link for information and forms.
• Navy
  Stabilization for Sailors with High School Seniors is available to sailors who are not in the negotiating window and whose projected rotation dates occur between the beginning of the dependent’s junior year and the graduation date. The request must be submitted no later than the first day of 12 months prior to their rotation date and must come with a positive command endorsement. Approval is based on the needs of the Navy. Click on the PDF link for information and forms.
• Marines
  The Marines do not have a High School Stabilization Program. However, marines (and sailors) are offered Housing Flexibility.  One form of this program is called Delay of Dependent Travel (DDT) due to Continuity of Education (COE) for minor school-Aged dependents. A marine who has a dependent who is a senior can request a COE until June 30 of the current year, but the request may not be approved for another child who will be a senior the following year. In some circumstances, a DDT may be approved for sailors with dependents in any grade. Click the link for information and forms.