You are probably talking about the "sole survivor" thing. It has more to do with, are you the only person who is caring for your ederly parents, and there are stipulations on that.
At one time it was meant for carrying on the family name, and it was meant for sole survivors not being deployed to a combat zone...but that was very long ago.
Negative negative negative. If you cant be deployed you cant join the Army. There are things that keep people from getting deployed on occassion. Medical issues, family issues, paperwork issues like when prior service people get that two year waiver when they join the National Guard. However there is nothing saying you cant deploy because you are 17, or an only child, or a single parent, or any of that.
I think it would be benificial to keep the rumour mill at bay and confirm what you are saying is true before slinging "I think" or "Ive heard" around so easily.
