Legal Question in Family Law in North Carolina

In North Carolina, until the children age out, custody is always an open issue. That being the case, as long as our current system of justice is in effect where the determination of custody is often not yours but up to the whim of a judge - the possibility of losing custody is an ever present possibility. That said, there is nothing inherent in joining the Navy Reserve that would in and of itself cause you to lose joint custody. Of course, from a practical stand point, if your duties require you to be away from the children for extended periods that would be a sort of de facto loss of custody and may put you in a position where joint custody is impractical because getting in touch with you regarding consulting on decisions for the children may be impossible.