DA 5305: Family Care Plan
The Army Family Care Plan (JUL 2020): the initialed statements of Part I, temporary and long-term guardians and OCONUS escort, and the Soldier, spouse, and commander certifications.
Every block on the DA Form 5305
Laid out block for block like the official FAMILY CARE PLAN (JUL 2020 edition), with the instruction for each block. Name, rank, and unit prefill from your service profile.
PART I - SOLDIER'S FAMILY CARE
- AI was counseled on (date), and fully understand the policy on family member care responsibilities.The statement continues: "I understand that I must arrange for care of my family members, remain available for deployment and training, and report for duty as required without interference of responsibility for family members. I assume responsibility for all obligations for such things as child care, food, adequate housing, transportation, and emergency needs of my family members regardless of age."
- Initials
- BI have made and will maintain arrangements for the care of my family members during all the following: (Initials)1. Duty; 2. Exercises/field duty; 3. Permanent Change of Station; 4. Alerts; 5. Annual Training; 6. Temporary Duty; 7. Unit Training Assembly; 8. Active Duty Training; 9. Unaccompanied Tours; 10. Mobilization; 11. Deployment; 12. Other Military Duty; 13. Emergencies; 14. Leave/non-duty Time.
- CI understand the importance of ensuring the proper care for my family members, and ensuring my own readiness and deployability as well. (Initials)In light of both requirements: 1. Failure to make and maintain adequate family member care arrangements IAW Army policy is grounds for disciplinary action or separation. 2. Nonavailability for worldwide assignment and/or unit deployment may lead to separation. 3. If arrangements fail, I am not automatically excused from duties, deployment, or reassignment. 4. Failing to maintain a plan or giving false information subjects me to separation, administrative action, or UCMJ action. 5. I must keep the plan current and revise it when circumstances change; plans may be tested at the commander's discretion. 6. I receive no special consideration in assignments unless enrolled in EFMP IAW AR 600-75.
- DI have made all necessary arrangements (legal, educational, financial, religious, special, etc.) to ensure a smooth, rapid turnover of family member care responsibilities in case this plan is implemented. (Initials)
- EI have arranged for necessary travel required to transfer my family members to a designated person. (Initials)Full text: "...If my principal designee is not in the local area, I have arranged with a nonmilitary person in the local area to assume temporary guardianship of my family members until they are transferred to my principal care designee, or that designee arrives to assume responsibility for their care."
- FA copy of DA Form 5841 (Power of Attorney) or equivalent documents and a copy of DA Form 5840 (Certificate of Acceptance as Guardian or Escort) for each escort or guardian whether temporary or long-term is attached to this plan. (Initials)
- GThe following additional required documents are completed, included in this plan, and will be put into effect as part of my Family Care Plan. (Initials)1. DD Form 1172 (Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card - DEERS Enrollment) for each family member, whether or not they have a valid ID card. 2. DD Form 2558 (Authorization to Start, Stop or Change an Allotment) or other proof of financial support for expenses incurred by the guardian and family members. 3. Copies of Letters of Instruction, forwarded to escorts or guardians with powers of attorney, outlining all special instructions for the care of your family members.
- HI have thoroughly briefed escorts and guardians on the full extent of their responsibilities and on procedures for gaining access to military/civilian facilities, services, entitlements and benefits on behalf of my family members. (Initials)
- II am confident that my Family Care Plan is workable, and to the best of my knowledge, the guardian(s) and escort(s) I have designated will be both willing and able to carry out the responsibilities of caring for my family members. (Initials)
PART II - DESIGNATION OF GUARDIANS/ESCORTS
- A1Temporary Guardian: Typed or Printed NameA. I (We) have designated the following temporary guardian to care for my (our) family member(s) until responsibility is transferred to escort or principal (long-term) guardian. Choose someone local who can respond immediately.
- 2aComplete Address (Including Street, Apartment Number, P.O. Box Number, Rural Route Number, City, State, and ZIP + 4 where applicable)
- 3Telephone Number (Include Area Code)
- 2bE-mail Address
- B1Principal Long-Term Guardian: Typed or Printed NameB. I (We) have designated the following individual(s) as principal long-term guardian(s) for my (our) family member(s). The designated guardian(s) reside in the continental United States or United States territories.
- 2aComplete Address (Including Street, Apartment Number, P.O. Box Number, Rural Route Number, City, State, and ZIP + 4 where applicable)
- 3Telephone Number (Include Area Code)
- 2bE-mail Address
- C1Escort (OCONUS only): Typed or Printed NameC. I (We) have designated the following individual(s) as escort for my (our) family member(s) if evacuation from OCONUS becomes necessary (applies only to persons assigned OCONUS).
- 2aComplete Address (Including Street, Apartment Number, P.O. Box Number, Rural Route Number, City, State, and ZIP + 4 where applicable)
- 3Telephone Number (Include Area Code)
- 2bE-mail Address
PART III - DUAL MILITARY COUPLES ONLY - MILITARY SPOUSE AND COMMANDER CERTIFICATION
- A1Signature of SpouseDual-military couples only. Spouse: "We have made arrangements and will maintain arrangements for the care of our family member(s) in all circumstances required by our commitment to the military and our family."
- A2Date (YYYY/MM/DD)
- A3Typed or Printed Name of Spouse
- A4Recertification (dates)Five recertification date boxes.
- B1Signature of CommanderThe military spouse's commander: "I have counseled the military spouse assigned to my unit, reviewed the Family Care Plan, and I am satisfied that the members have made adequate family care arrangements."
- B2Date
- B3Unit Address
- B4Typed or Printed Name of Commander
- B5Recertification (dates)
PART IV - SOLDIER AND COMMANDER CERTIFICATION
- A1Signature of SoldierSoldier: "I (We) have made arrangements and will maintain arrangements for the care of my (our) family member(s) in all circumstances required by my (our) commitment to the military and my (our) family."
- A2Date (YYYY/MM/DD)
- A3Typed or Printed Name of Soldier
- A4Recertification (dates)Recertify at least annually and whenever your situation, address, or guardians change.
- B1Signature of CommanderCommander: "I have reviewed the Family Care Plan, and I am satisfied that the members have made adequate family care arrangements that will allow for a full range of military duties and for worldwide availability as defined here."
- B2Date
- B3Unit Address
- B4Typed or Printed Name of Commander
- B5Recertification (dates)
Draft / worksheet aid. Prepare it here, then transcribe into the unit commander's Family Care Plan file (reviewed at unit level; not submitted through IPPS-A). This is not an official submission. Check it against the current official DA Form 5305 before use.
How to fill out the DA Form 5305
The Army's Family Care Plan. It certifies that a single-parent Soldier, a dual-military couple with dependents, or a Soldier with other dependents who need care has workable arrangements so the Soldier can deploy, train, and be reassigned. It replaced the old entry mislabeled "DD 5305"; the Family Care Plan is a DA form. When: Within the time your commander sets after you become required to have one (AR 600-20 gives the counseling and completion timelines): pregnancy, a new child, becoming a single parent, marrying another service member, or gaining custody. Recertify when anything changes and at least annually.
Step by step
- Your commander (or designee) counsels you on the policy; write the counseling date in Part I, A.
- Read and initial each Part I statement, A through I. They cover the 14 situations your plan must cover, your understanding of the consequences, travel and legal arrangements, and the required attachments.
- Part II: name a local temporary guardian (who can take your family members immediately), a principal long-term guardian in the United States, and, if you're stationed OCONUS, an escort.
- Attach the required documents: a DA 5841 power of attorney and DA 5840 for each guardian and escort, DEERS/ID card paperwork for each family member, proof of financial support (for example a DD 2558 allotment), and letters of instruction.
- Part III is for dual-military couples only (spouse and spouse's commander certify). In Part IV you and your commander sign.
What a strong one looks like
- Pick a temporary guardian who lives near your duty station and can take the children in the middle of the night during an alert.
- Give guardians copies of medical records, school contacts, allergies, and routines in your letter of instruction.
- Test the plan: have the guardian actually pick up the kids from daycare once before you need it.
Common mistakes
- Naming a guardian who hasn't agreed or signed the DA 5840.
- A long-term guardian OCONUS; the principal long-term guardian must reside in the United States or its territories.
- An expired power of attorney, or a plan never updated after a move or new child.
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