What are your thoughts on females getting pregnant while in the military?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:50:39 -0400

To me it seems like regardless if a female is on Shore or Sea duty people say crap about her if she becomes pregnant. Yes it ends up being worse if she is on Sea duty because there are some people who get pregnant just so they don't have to go out to sea, but that's not always what happened and I still hear people talk about pregnant women who are on Shore duty.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 6:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:58:38 -0400

What are my thoughts? Be a good Mom. That is my thought.

Response by SGT David T. made May 2 at 2016 7:03 PM

SGT David T. — Mon, 02 May 2016 19:03:09 -0400

Everyone has the right to procreate. I don't see why people make a fuss about it.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 2 at 2016 7:06 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 02 May 2016 19:06:20 -0400

Pregnancy is a hugely personal thing, a wonderful thing for the couple, and completely, utterly a drain on manpower, a cause for others to do more with less, a distractor to the mission, and in some cases where the pregnant service member serves in a critical, low density MOS, may put the mission at risk, other service member's lives at additional risk... While some (many? Most?) professional, dedicated female service members consider all this and plan the time of the pregnancy (as best human biology allows for) as they would leave days, schooling requests... with the mission in mind.,, many other female service members seem to be much less professional in regards to pregnancy as a reason to not deploy, or just not planned at all (I don't mean unplanned as in unplanned while taking precautions to time it with needs of the mission)
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Response by SSG Jeremy Kohlwes made May 2 at 2016 7:40 PM

SSG Jeremy Kohlwes — Mon, 02 May 2016 19:40:58 -0400

I can only speak to it from an Army viewpoint. The only time I have an issue with it is when women get pregnant while deployed, because that behavior is expressly prohibited while deployed. Otherwise it's part of being a woman and something we have to accept with women being in the military.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 2 at 2016 8:19 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:19:24 -0400

Let's talk statistics.

Average Age for first time pregnancy is 26 (up from 25 in 2000) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db232.htm

Average Age in the Military is 28.6 (Chart 2.42) - http://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2014-Demographics-Report.pdf

I'm not implying Correlation/Causation.... but....

Additionally, because the heavily skewed Male:Female ratio (85:15 overall) it lends the perception that Pregnancy is a bigger issue than it is.

If you recruit people in their "prime child-bearing years" what do you expect? Of course, they are going to have children. It's not like any of us can say "let me put this off for 20-30 years" until the DoD is done with me.

Products - Data Briefs - Number 232 - January 2016

Mean Age of Mothers is on the Rise: United States, 2000–2014

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 2 at 2016 9:44 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 02 May 2016 21:44:29 -0400

What do you expect? Women get pregnant - that's life. From an Army view, like SGM Erik Marquez pointed out, others got to make up the shortage in man/woman power to get the job done. I guess this is why some look down on it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 11:52 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 May 2016 23:52:11 -0400

I saw an E-2 the other day... Looked at least 6 months along...

I wonder how she even had the time...

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 3 at 2016 12:46 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Tue, 03 May 2016 00:46:33 -0400

It's a negative stigma that's been attached to pregnant women in the military. You can't stop a woman from having a child, but it can hurt her career. It's her own choice though. Call me 'crazy' but I think that getting pregnant should be planned. Maybe many of these women are still not good with being separated or still can't handle deployments.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 1:16 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 01:16:37 -0400

My thoughts on females getting pregnant while in the military are: well female Service Members are the ones that will have to get pregnant, since the male Service Members just won't do it.

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 3 at 2016 3:42 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 03 May 2016 03:42:13 -0400

A pregnancy is a two-party decision. We can debate and discuss all day long about rights, ethics, blah blah blah. In the end, it takes TWO. So if you're serving in a capacity that makes getting pregnant a Bad Idea, then TWO of you have failed your service commitment. Either you failed to convey to your partner the importance of this not happening, or he failed to care, or both. Either way, it is a CONSCIOUS DECISION that you are BOTH making, to put yourself in that position. No penis ever accidentally fell into a vagina. Own up. Or, better yet, avoid it all together.

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made May 3 at 2016 3:48 AM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Tue, 03 May 2016 03:48:09 -0400

Sorry, you signed the dotted line. Your "life" as you know it is over. You are property of the Gov'ment until your released. For the better of the unit, you either abstain or use proper measures to prevent pregnancy. But, there are plenty that look @ it as a free ride/free health care, whatnot while they are in. & getting pregnant allows them to shirk duties. Been there done that. Seen many use it to stop being deployed while I was in my Reserve Unit. Active didn't matter, no females in Infantry @ the time.

JMO, don't bite the messenger.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 9:54 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 09:54:00 -0400

Depends it I'm the father or not...

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 9:55 AM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 09:55:53 -0400

To me its a non issue. Is it any different than a person that has an addiction and may have to go to rehab?. Me personally just pray for both to be ok and continue on with the mission

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made May 3 at 2016 10:20 AM

PO3 Sandra Gomke — Tue, 03 May 2016 10:20:24 -0400

As a "peace time" service member, I saw many pregnancies on base. I know of one that was planned in order to get out of sea duty. I did not approve. However, when I found myself pregnant with my HUSBAND's child, I was determined to do my duty to both the Navy and the baby. It was when a Senior Chief suggested "other forms of birth control" that I knew the stigma was hitting me. The child wasn't planned and I WAS using birth control but, I wasn't an unwed teenager caught by a one night stand either. Having a child while in the military is not impossible. However, in these times of war, I can see how a pregnant female soldier can cause great stress on her and her unit. In my day, women weren't not allowed on combat ships. Tenders and tugboats were it. That has changed. I don't claim to know the procedures for a pregnancy on board ship. I only know that IMO, the service member should be removed from harm's way. For her welfare, that of the child and of the unit. It's hard on the remaining unit to lose manpower. I get that. If it were me, and I were deployed, I'd go the extra mile to avoid a pregnancy. Getting pregnant for the sole purpose of getting out of the military is never acceptable. However, there are times when Mother Nature throws us for a loop. So, folks, please show a little consideration and sympathy. Guys, what if it were your wife, sister, cousin?
PS: The USS Yellowstone (a destroyer tender) made the papers when it became home to the first on board birth in the history of the US Navy. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-01-23/news/ [login to see] _1_ship-sailor-aboard This was my ex-husband's ship.

Sailor Has Surprise Baby Aboard Navy Ship, A 1st In U.s. History

A female sailor who reported to the USS Yellowstone's sick bay with cramps early last Sunday delivered a big surprise five minutes later: A baby boy.Officials believe it's the first time in U.S....

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 3 at 2016 10:38 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 03 May 2016 10:38:06 -0400

I'm not sure where all that is coming from, but there is always someone that will complain about another for a wide variety of reasons, some valid, some not so much. Since you are talking about Navy, here is my take on women on sea duty assignments. If you have gone to sea, you know what the watch cycle consists of, normally six on and 12 off, unless there is a critical situation that keeps your division or ship on alert or in danger. If we have one or more women pregnant and has to be removed from duty, that means that some on will be port and starboard (six on and six off) for what could be months, placing the ship at risk due to the arduous nature of this lack of sailors. On SSBNs they deploy for 70 days or so, not including crew turnover, and can not surface due to the Top Secret locations of these vessels. It takes months, sometimes years to train a member of the submarine crew. To exacerbate the situation, we have this:

""Secretary Mabus has been clear since he announced 18 weeks of maternity leave for Sailors and Marines in July," said Capt. Patrick McNally in a statement to Navy Times. "He feels that meaningful maternity leave when it matters most is one of the best ways that we can support the women who serve our county and also serves as a safeguard against losing skilled service members."

Ash Carter has since brought it back to 12 weeks. Now back to my example of an SSBN and the three months maternity leave. Depending on when the female gets within the rotation cycle of the SSBN, it would remove a critical person from the submarine for about six months. I'm sure other service members can give examples of how their unit is effected. There are BC methods that should be managed responsibly, in order to not effect unit cohesiveness and mission readiness, then the issue goes away.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made May 3 at 2016 12:57 PM

SGT Chris Hill — Tue, 03 May 2016 12:57:54 -0400

Yes it's crap! Cant speak for the Navy because I was Army, but for the Army, we see many females get pregnant to either get chaptered out due to the family care plan discharge or to get sent home during deployments. It's one thing females CAN control, most know what their doing and when their trying to get pregnant. Especially when it falls in time to avoid deployments.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made May 3 at 2016 1:29 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Tue, 03 May 2016 13:29:17 -0400

Because as you understand, her pay remains the same. So just for being on submarine duty I get an extra $xxx per month, whether I'm at sea or not. So using that yardstick, a female submarine sailor who "fell pregnant" would not only get out of going to sea but still be getting sub pay. And of course, deploying, being away from family is always stressful. Basically a sea going sailor gets the same money. And naturally, they won't feel/think thats fair.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 3 at 2016 1:32 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Tue, 03 May 2016 13:32:50 -0400

There is a negative stigma about female who get pregnant in the military. Many 'assume' they do it to get out of work, training, and deployments. I bet more women do it because they genuinely want children. People still have lives in the military and children are a part of it.
Leadership, if you're reading this, you of all people should be setting the example. If a soldier comes to you with a desire to have children then give her the options she can use. I can guarantee the Army will gain more in reputation and taking care of it's soldiers than negative response.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made May 3 at 2016 1:42 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Tue, 03 May 2016 13:42:47 -0400

My issue is the woman who plan their pregnancy in order to capitalize on the maternity benefits to get out of duty/deployment. I understand that many women don't do this, but perception plays a huge part. The women I respect the most are those who continue to show up and give their all everyday, and don't use their pregnancy as a crutch to not do anything. I understand different woman respond to pregnancy differently, and some women can't do much while pregnant, but again communication and putting forth a solid effort for the stuff you can do makes a world of difference.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 2:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 14:41:18 -0400

I myself was pregnant& can only state the Army NG point but it doesn't do much change unless you make it a big deal. I was still able to do my job. I took time off after and jumped right back to where I started. Just need to keep in mind you may have to spend time away from your children. Now if on deployment that's something that shouldn't happen in the first place.

So point of the story if you have a baby it doesn't make a difference unless you make it that way.

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made May 3 at 2016 2:54 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Tue, 03 May 2016 14:54:04 -0400

If we are against women getting pregnant on duty and "shirking" their duties. Then men should have the same restriction, not allowed to father children on duty because they are shirking their duties as a father being gone all the time doing their "duty."

So let's say we go back to the old asinine statement, (if the military wanted you to have children they would have issued you one). Stupid huh??

People (men and women) in the military are in the prime child rearing ages so that little surprise can happen anytime to anyone..

Response by MCPO Katrina Hutcherson made May 3 at 2016 4:38 PM

MCPO Katrina Hutcherson — Tue, 03 May 2016 16:38:44 -0400

Birth control is free for active duty females. Reservists should factor it in for their career decisions. I believe all five branches of the military should require an approved chit from their command before they can get pregnant. This should be made clear to all females before they enlist or get commissioned. We all understand "the needs of the service" and being pregnant and giving birth has a definite effect on unit manpower. After 4 years of active duty as a radioman standing 12 hour watches I got married and transferred to the reserves because I didn't want to have children and be a watch stander. When I gave birth in 1986 I was a reservist and my command had requested that I do three months of active duty when I was already 5 1/2 months pregnant. With one week left on my orders I gave birth 3 weeks early (I conveniently went into labor about an hour after I had finished work and gone on liberty). I requested they amend my orders to end a week early and used my CHAMPUS insurance (my husband was active duty) that I had been using all along for OB/GYN checkups to pay for the birth. When I was in the middle of 5 1/2 years of active duty as a day worker I had asked my command if it was a good time to plan a pregnancy before I had my second child. I scheduled my checkups at the end of the doctors workday and went in to work an hour early so I could work a full day before leaving for my doctor appointments. Since I needed a cesarean section I scheduled it for a Monday so I could take the weekend liberty I had earned before I started the 45 days of convalescent leave that was authorized in 1990. When I finished those 5 1/2 years I had a total of 9 1/2 years of active duty and had never taken a sick day (unless you count the 45 days convalescent leave I planned a month in advance) for either myself or my children. I guess as we Coasties say, "I was hard for the guard"!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made May 3 at 2016 6:37 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 03 May 2016 18:37:00 -0400

Women have been getting pregnant since time begun, and I know that my long years of service 1974-2015 I saw many military women that were pregnant. I even know one that was in her early months of pregnancy towards the end of our Afghanistan deployment and she refused to tell.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made May 3 at 2016 11:16 PM

1SG Charles Hunter — Tue, 03 May 2016 23:16:34 -0400

I view pregnant service members as a deployability issue. If a woman is assigned to a deployable unit, she should be reassigned once she becomes pregnant until the pregnancy ends. As to women becoming pregnant during deployment, if she has disobeyed orders to avoid sexual activity during the deployment she is subject to UCMJ action. Certainly, there are plenty of male service members who are willing to contribute to the problem, and they would also be subject to disciplinary action. Another commenter noted that not all birth control measures are 100% effective. Abstinence comes pretty close.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 3 at 2016 11:43 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 03 May 2016 23:43:06 -0400

Getting pregnant is a blessing, and should be a positive. If you are referring to someone (allegedly) getting pregnant to avoid a deployment, that is a different issue. Being a woman, and having a female is compatible with military service.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2016 4:31 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 May 2016 04:31:13 -0400

Bringing a new life in to this world should always be cherished regardless if the mother is a civilian or in the military.

The situation gets a bad rap when you have 50% of the females in a unit get pregnant a month before a deployment. I'm not saying that's the norm but after you run into it once or twice it sticks.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 1:14 AM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 01:14:10 -0400

I consider it on a case-by-case basis. If it happens in the course of normal activity, then I put it under, "She wanted to or didn't mind getting pregnant," or "Shit happens." If the female is playing pat-a-cake with every swinging Richard since she was notified of a deployment... when she was chaste just two weeks ago... then I tend to get testy.

I've stepped on more scuttlebutt regarding pregnancies than I can count. In the HUGE percentage of cases, the female falls into the first category - it happened on purpose or by happy accident. It's the tiny percentage of jerks that fall into the second category - and they ruin it for the others. I've pushed for discharges for those that can be verified to fall into this second category - and have thankfully been successful in most of them (about a half-dozen).

All in all, I'm just thankful that I'm a guy and don't have to deal with that sort of unfair stigma.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made May 5 at 2016 6:46 AM

1SG Harold Piet — Thu, 05 May 2016 06:46:28 -0400

My thoughts are strictly operational. If 15% of my unit is female and all of them were pregnant at the same time, i would not be combat ready. If in my unit I had 1 NBC NCO and she got pregnant, I would not be combat ready as a unit. there are many positions in a maintenance company where there are only 1 or 2 slots of a MOS. If the soldier got killed, I would be able to get another person, but on a year profile non-deployable, I am stuck. If A female gets pregnant in the active ARMY good for her, give her medical release without pay and let her duty restart when she becomes capable of deployment. she can now have her children and her career. She will better plan her pregnancies.

Response by SN Terry Poynter made May 5 at 2016 7:28 AM

SN Terry Poynter — Thu, 05 May 2016 07:28:24 -0400

Same as my response to People getting MARRIED while in the military. Don't.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 5 at 2016 7:54 AM

SSG Dale London — Thu, 05 May 2016 07:54:54 -0400

As far as I know, there has never been a vow of celibacy in the US military. That being the case... s*%t happens. Deal with it.
There will always be people to talk garbage about other people. When it goes to far, that's what EO is there for.

Response by CW3 Susan Burkholder made May 5 at 2016 8:51 AM

CW3 Susan Burkholder — Thu, 05 May 2016 08:51:01 -0400

CSM Private RallyPoint Member - Your first comment was funny.
Your second comment
"I would mentor all my female mentees to strategically plan having a child. Since being pregnant negatively effects your career progression, it should be planned to minimize the impact." is archaic at best. You do realize there are many laws in place to prevent just such discrimination you are *mentoring* or advising? SMH. I wonder how many men you advised not to miss work due to illness or injury because it might impact their career? Military sector or not. Mission or not.!!!

More time is lost due to illness, headaches, migraines, back pain, injuries etc by men than any time lost due to pregnancy.

Response by 1SG Peter Hansen made May 5 at 2016 10:40 AM

1SG Peter Hansen — Thu, 05 May 2016 10:40:39 -0400

Nothing is abused more then females becoming pregnant while in the military In my 27 years in the Army ( 11B ) the last three years I was in staff job at fort Benning GA I never worked with female solders now I had three E-2 clerk typist in my charge right out of basic at last 2 two of the three were pregnant at anyone time none of them married or knew who the fathers were yea I said that. I would get calls from some female E-7 who worked at the hospital telling me what I could do or not do she was also pregnant without a husband when I would hang up on her she would call my BN commander and chew him out she also would call my FSG and CSM both would shake in there boots ( not jump boots ) I am glad I didn't go to combat with that bunch ( my CSM was fired from his job for sexual misconduct ) Once a female solider becomes blessed with a child ( or forever profile ) She does what she wonts to do. I know there are regulations but every one seems to fear some complant from a women. Not once in three years did any of these solders take a PT test but the CSM made sure there PT was current ( I had one of them ask me if she take a DA photo while she was pregnant my answer was sure It is a DA approved award. Yes if you become pregnant your unit will turns your back on you because you are now useless and someone has to carry your load and someone is responsible for you. what if they gets pregnant in Korea and the North invades

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 10:51 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 10:51:18 -0400

Okay, this subject always makes me a little annoyed. It is a temporary medical condition. One of the most wonderful things a person's life is becoming a mother or father. It gives a person a sense of purpose and passion for another human being. If people are talking about another Soldier in derogatory way because of their pregnancy, it is very unfortunate. I personally put off having children until my early 30s because I was focused on education and military. While on active duty, they expected me to participate in pregnancy PT. I find found this mortifying. I believe that as long as you remain within the limits of your profile, there should be no segregation. I think that commands are not sure what to do with pregnant Soldiers. Pregnant Soldiers do not have the same hormone or fluid equilibriums and may have to be very attentive to their bodies. No command wants a miscarriage to be blamed on them. With this being said, I ran up to six months and only had momentary bouts of dizziness. Every pregnancy for every woman is different. I wore my gear and uniforms until they did not fit. I think that pregnancy is sometimes used as an excuse to avoid work. This may be why it is getting a bad image. Pregnancy is a beautiful and amazing experience. If the pregnant Soldier expresses excitement and happiness about the situation, the command and peers will also find themselves doing the same thing. It is temporary and so is our time in the military. I look back in fondness of my supportive Army family while I carried my first son as an E-7 in a high optempo training team. They not only were there for me, but the wives of many of the Soldiers helped me out with my little one. One of the Soldiers made me a quilt. I hope this helps.
"In service we find our purpose"

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made May 5 at 2016 11:10 AM

MAJ Bill Darling — Thu, 05 May 2016 11:10:39 -0400

It's a normal part of life in a profession that is anything but normal. For reasons listed in detail by many others here, it is a drain of resources, creates unnecessary friction, impacts cohesion, and is detrimental to war fighting. The benefits to the individual are certainly great but the benefits to the organization are much smaller.

My issue with 2nd and 3rd wave feminism is that we are told it's a modern reality and "just deal with it." But this privilege was imposed by modern feminists on a military culture of which they had little understanding (and more than a little disdain). If my reading memory serves me right, once upon a time pregnant females were discharged but today some units wear pregnancy suits to empathize. Many a legal action and political pressure got us from A to B.

But the argument can and probably should be made that the military is not required to accommodate woman so much but rather military women should adapt to the military. After all, selfless service is a key component of an all volunteer armed forces.

Response by SFC Michael Peterson made May 5 at 2016 11:38 AM

SFC Michael Peterson — Thu, 05 May 2016 11:38:03 -0400

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you DON'T want my opinion on this matter.

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made May 5 at 2016 11:55 AM

SGT Chris Birkinbine — Thu, 05 May 2016 11:55:29 -0400

I may be wrong, as I was not Navy, but my understanding is that being out to sea is just like being deployed in which General Order 1 pretty explicitly said no sex between unmarried couples. I know in 08 this was changed for Afghanastan, but not sure on it's current state or area of effect. That being said, if that IS the case, then its a matter of violating the first general order and they should be held accountable - as well as the one who got her pregnant.

Personally I would support a mandatory birthcontrol while on deployment or out to sea. When the chemical men's version is out, I would support it for both men and women. There is a history however of military forced medicines/vaccines however, so I doubt that would go over well. I don't know how else to fix the problem other than judicial punishment or chemical.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 12:19 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 12:19:44 -0400

I cannot believe this is even a discussion! I can't comment about females on Shore duty as I am in the Army. However, I have been pregnant in the Army. I was not treated badly. My unit was happy for me! I love being in the Military and being a mother. Since having my daughter, I have deployed, been promoted, gone TDY, etc. Being pregnant prevents you from being combat ready during the pregnancy and recovery but so do other things. This may not be like "all walks of life", but for most of us, this has been our only "walk of life", and we do not and will not know any other.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 5:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 May 2016 17:42:52 -0400

If they want to raise a family, I say go for it.

Response by COL Robert Davies made May 5 at 2016 8:08 PM

COL Robert Davies — Thu, 05 May 2016 20:08:01 -0400

During Desert Storm/Shield a CASH got sent down range. I want to say at least 20 females came home early because of baby bumps. The ones I am aware of were married and their hubbies did not go, SO is that adultery and/or dereliction of duty and a few other chapters????

Response by SGT Kathi Prato made May 5 at 2016 9:14 PM

SGT Kathi Prato — Thu, 05 May 2016 21:14:43 -0400

I had both of my children while on Active Duty. I did my job the entire time - to include participating in PT. It's no different than getting pregnant while in a civilian job. As for the women who intentionally get pregnant to get out or to get out of a deployment - good riddance. They're a liability and their team is likely better off without them.

Response by LCpl Michael Harrell made May 6 at 2016 12:03 AM

LCpl Michael Harrell — Fri, 06 May 2016 00:03:36 -0400

There are huge differences in men and women! LOL we all know this we are all adults we know what causes this! So here are my thoughts
Be good parents be responsible and drive on! But I do also have thoughts on women getting pregnant to avoid sea duty that to me is shierking responsibility and is disgusting to me
But what I find equally torrid is people putting that blame on all women!

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made May 6 at 2016 12:04 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Fri, 06 May 2016 00:04:07 -0400

Congratulations! Do you know if its a boy or a girl?

Response by LTC Wayne Dandridge made May 6 at 2016 3:58 PM

LTC Wayne Dandridge — Fri, 06 May 2016 15:58:47 -0400

We have so many great female soldiers, Marines, sailors, coast guards persons, and air persons but a great problem for the military is non-deployable female military members. It is terrible to go to war with casualties before you get there. This is a real problem and too difficult for me to solve. I noted so many expecting mothers in the MP company at Fort Hood a few years back that it rendered the unit non-mission ready.

Response by LCpl James Robertson made May 6 at 2016 8:41 PM

LCpl James Robertson — Fri, 06 May 2016 20:41:23 -0400

When I got to my infantry unit in the USMC, the Gunnery Sergeant told all Marines, if the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wives, that the Marine Corps would have issued you one with your 782 gear, I remember being deployed and Marines having wives, and they sent them on deployments while there wife's needed food in the house, the only solution they were told is to contact the Navy Relief. Don't go in the Navy planning on having children when clearly you object is to be out at sea. Since equal opportunity and political correctness is in the military now you cannot be a female you are the same as a male who cannot birth a child, we are equal, how can men be equal to you if you plan on having a baby in the military. Men can't have a baby and so you can't also until you get out of the Navy, remember we are all equal now, according to the new generations.

Response by PFC Tiffany Sparks made May 7 at 2016 7:49 AM

PFC Tiffany Sparks — Sat, 07 May 2016 07:49:40 -0400

I remember this 6 month pregnant army specialist who passed me on our 2 mile run test and said she didn't want to get lazy while on maternity pt. I was astonished and embarrassed that I got passed lol. So my view on it is it is a part of life. Yes there were the ones that did it to not be deployed. But they were few.

Response by PFC Eric Stosius made May 7 at 2016 8:15 AM

PFC Eric Stosius — Sat, 07 May 2016 08:15:21 -0400

I don't think they should be there at all. In my day most got pregnant. Or eventually had some NCO busted for something or another

Response by PO3 Alicia Devanna made May 7 at 2016 8:55 AM

PO3 Alicia Devanna — Sat, 07 May 2016 08:55:27 -0400

Lets just think about this shall we. What if a woman intends to make the military her career (she may be active duty 20 or more years) is she not able to have a family as well? Who gets to choose what is right for her? And most of the time the father to the child is military as well, just because he doesn't carry for 9 months shouldn't make him any less responsible for said child. I am wondering why there is an issue.

Response by SrA Lauren Kresse made May 7 at 2016 9:46 AM

SrA Lauren Kresse — Sat, 07 May 2016 09:46:58 -0400

I'm sorry but this conversation is ridiculous! I can't speak for being at sea because I was in the Airforce based overseas for 4 1/2 years! But when anyone got pregnant, planned or not, we were happy for them if they were happy. You are talking about creating a life and people are getting all butt hurt about having to pick up the slack! I'm not in the military anymore but I work at a police department which is mostly men, and 3 years ago when I had my first child, 5 of us married women got pregnant within 6 months, we are all over the age of 30 and wanted to start families! All I heard were a bunch of guys bitching that they can't get a day off, and that road patrol is so short and they have to pick up the slack! Just bitching and complaining because they have to sacrifice a little more. Well we as women sacrifice our bodies, minds, and have to deal with people talking shit because we want to create life! I'll trade any day, I'm currently pregnant with my 2nd child, I'm having to work up to the day I give birth, I'm swollen with 60 lbs of water weight, I have siatica so I can barely walk, my gums and nose bleed during pregnancy, my hair is falling out and I still get to look forward to squeezing out an 8 lb baby and getting hemmroids or getting my stomach cut open and having my guts pulled out.... Then breast feeding until my nipples bleed and that's just a small list of what we go through. So if some people need to pick up a little slack at work, consider yourself lucky and stop bitching.

Response by CW2 Scott Quaife made May 7 at 2016 10:09 AM

CW2 Scott Quaife — Sat, 07 May 2016 10:09:40 -0400

In my 9 years in the Army I saw a few great female soldiers have to separate early for this reason. Eventually child care became an issue because deployment cycle. On that thought as well I always lamented that these women timed it during the unit deployment cycle, how clever right? But the past 16 years when is it a really good time for a female soldier to get pregnant because Iraq or Afghanistan. Is it right to question a woman in the military or even a civilIan working mom who wants a child? Is there ever a right moment? Really , it's no one's business but that female and their partner.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2016 11:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 May 2016 11:36:55 -0400

Pregnancy is a natural part of life. I think if you added (to get out of deployments) you would open a can of worms but other then that unprovable statement, I fine with it. What I have a problem with is leaders at all levels seeing them as a problem! We all have a mother and should consider the treatment that we would want for our mother, sister or wives and show it to them. I have actually witness and corrected a Sergeant (with a pregnant wife) giving a pregnant SPC straight hell but asking for time off to help his wife!!! I gave him a dose of reality... Treating people how you want to be treated is one of the most important things every leader can do.

Response by LTC Stephen Lee made May 7 at 2016 1:31 PM

LTC Stephen Lee — Sat, 07 May 2016 13:31:35 -0400

Women, like men, occupy a space on the manning tables (TO&E, TDA ETC.). Every space on the manning table is occupied, therefore, when a female soldier , Officer or Warrant Officer gets pregnant and takes her delivery leave, some one has to do her duties until she returns to duty. Someone doubles up. Of course we are all aware of the limitations some women have on their duty performance due to size and stamina. This looks and smells like duty/mission degradation to me and there also appears to be a fairness question when one soldier has to perform another soldier's duty without additional $ compensation. I had women in my unit in the late 1970s (Depot operation) ; we had a few problems and we were in a fixed, non mobile operation. Women were new to my unit (first day 4 Jan 1974) and they were all communicators. My female strength never exceeded 12 , they were not physically tasked in their work, our depot was in a secluded area, as a group they were intelligent, and their work ethic was admirable. Their billets were permanent, well maintained, and comfortable; we were short a few female support items in our local PX which was generally a nonrecurring problem. I can imagine significant problems with females, where all MOSs are represented, living in a field invironment, and under active combat conditions.

Response by CN Amorita Randall made May 7 at 2016 8:12 PM

CN Amorita Randall — Sat, 07 May 2016 20:12:33 -0400

I got pregnant from rape. I heard it all. My friend Tina told them it was her baby. Haha you should have seen the look on their face on that one. As a matter of fact when I first got in I was told that they had bets on when a female would get pregnant. I think guys will have to have something to talk about. They are worse than women.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made May 7 at 2016 9:11 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Sat, 07 May 2016 21:11:24 -0400

There are no good chioces nor are there any bad choices - just choices. That said, you make a choice to have sex without protecting yourself then you live with the result. Let's be careful to POINT OUT rape is rape and ALL HELP should be made to help someone raped and then becomes pregnant. We have a duty to help our shipmates.

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made May 8 at 2016 1:07 AM

SFC Ernest Thurston — Sun, 08 May 2016 01:07:01 -0400

The problem isn't that she is pregnant it's how she got that way. Is she married? Was it planned to coincide with deployment?

Response by GySgt Keith Brownmiller made May 8 at 2016 10:11 AM

GySgt Keith Brownmiller — Sun, 08 May 2016 10:11:16 -0400

I will probably be hated or berated for these thoughts, but think very seriously about them before you disc me.

1. When I joined the Corps, if a woman got pregnant, she was discharged for the good of the service.
2. Units have a TO and a manning level. When a woman is pregnant/maternity leave it can severely affect the manning level.

As we see in today's Armed Forces, there is liberal maternity leave after birth and liberal prenatal leave if needed.

So if women are going into the combat arms fields, as being forced by this administration, then I very strongly believe that at a minimum every woman being assigned to a combat arms unit, must sign a legal document stating for the duration of her military service be it 1 year or 20 that she will not get pregnant. If she does, she will receive a punitive discharge, ie; OTH.

Response by CPT Erik Eriksen made May 8 at 2016 6:41 PM

CPT Erik Eriksen — Sun, 08 May 2016 18:41:20 -0400

I must confess that I don't understand why this is even a question. The military is a career like and unlike all others. A person should never be asked to give up parenthood for a career, especially when serving their country. At the same time, the mission needs of the organization must remain paramount.

There are jobs in the military (during deployments), in government service (State Dept. deployments, Secret Service), and in commercial organizations (test pilot, SCUBA instructor) that may not be accomplished by pregnant women. Most of those entities have other jobs available for pregnant women or injured men/women to move into. But, when they don't, the person unable to accomplish their duties needs to move on.

Response by SSgt Frank Perron made May 8 at 2016 10:19 PM

SSgt Frank Perron — Sun, 08 May 2016 22:19:35 -0400

Hmmmmm, women getting pregnant. Females get pregnant in all walks of life. (Doctor's, Lawyers, Politicians, Athletes, etc...) Women get pregnant. Some of the best Marines I had the privilege to serve with were female Marines who got pregnant while on Active Duty. Outstanding Marines and would serve with them again anytime.

Response by HN Rick Strul made May 8 at 2016 10:37 PM

HN Rick Strul — Sun, 08 May 2016 22:37:12 -0400

I don't think it is appropriate. I think it is a dereliction of duty. If you didn't want to serve, why did you sign up? If it is due to rape, why hasn't that been reported? In this day and age, it seems like there are no excuses. You need to honor your contract! Honor is the operative term.

Response by A1C Milani Briscoe made May 9 at 2016 12:39 AM

A1C Milani Briscoe — Mon, 09 May 2016 00:39:22 -0400

If I found out I was about to potentially die, I would want to hurry up and produce little mini me's to secure my vengeance shall be repaid to whoever killed me. That's why I would intentionally get pregnant.

Response by PO3 Kathy Getchey made May 9 at 2016 7:37 AM

PO3 Kathy Getchey — Mon, 09 May 2016 07:37:52 -0400

Hell people will talk regardless; who cares? Marriage is a get out of jail free card for pregnancy, unless she gets pregnant 2 months after he gets deployed. You are still expected and needed to pull your weight, and remember you aren't the first and you won't be the last.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made May 9 at 2016 1:45 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Mon, 09 May 2016 13:45:22 -0400

Good question and it is a no brainier, because women are designed to be pregnant so the people (guys) with issues are the one that complain, the worst ones are the ones that have an issue with women in uniform breast feeding, which is funny because in war we see worse things, yet guys fear breast feeding military women.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 2:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:03:44 -0400

Some of these responses are ridiculous. How about everybody just mind your business? If it's not your vagina, then it's not your business. People get pregnant, people get cancer, people get hurt. So the answer is to just discharge them until the pregnancy is over, discharge them until the cancer is cured, discharge them until they are fully healed from an injury....get out of here with that BS!

Response by SGT Terry Whittington made May 10 at 2016 11:45 PM

SGT Terry Whittington — Tue, 10 May 2016 23:45:17 -0400

Here's what I have to say. Women are in the military. If women did not have children, there would no one to fight in our military. The military is a job, just as a person that works in a factory or office. There are those that join to fight, and others to get to a better place in life. If a woman gets pregnant while she is serving, there are those that can do her job behind her. Let the women of our military enjoy their role in the profession they chose. We are here to fight enemies that are foreign isn't domestic, not each other.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 7:37 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2016 07:37:42 -0400

Married service member having a child with their spouse only. Maybe if the Navy and other Co-ed MOS's could keep their service members under control then maybe you wouldn't have to worry about SMs getting knocked up on ship or on a land based deployment. And when it does happen...chances are there is a UCMJ article that has been violated (fraternization, adultery, etc). When planned and done correctly...which is not on ship/deployment or a night after the club, should be the only way. However, human nature being what it is, and the fact that I had never served with a female service member in my 12 years with the infantry....but alas, so it seems that the infantry will no longer be exempt from such issues soon.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 11 at 2016 1:53 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 11 May 2016 13:53:28 -0400

I have zero issue with women getting pregnant in the military, especially considering how affordable it makes the bills that come with that pregnancy. The only issue I have ever seen are females who will wait until their time is up to get back into body standards and then get pregnant again to exempt them from any physical activity or standard maintaining. I have seen some females running every day of their pregnancy to stay in standards and I've seen females coming in with the Extra Large fast food meals for each and every chow period.

So it's really a case by case basis.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 2:28 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 02:28:41 -0400

When anyone wants to enjoy the activities involved in producing another human being, I strongly urge them " do not route step ". As a matter of fact, double time. At my age, the mere thought is a treat. Oh, you're serious huh. OK, # 1. Once this magnificent natural occurrence has been agreed upon, neither participant should shirk any responsibility to support the child. Be accountable, a good mother, a good father and make sure they " Enlist Airborne Unassigned."

Response by 1SG Robert V. made May 26 at 2016 1:17 PM

1SG Robert V. — Thu, 26 May 2016 13:17:50 -0400

Well I think pregnancy is a great thing if the family can afford it. I don't like the idea of women getting pregnant around deployment times? I've seen so many do that to get out of deploying.

Response by SGT Alicia Brenneis made May 26 at 2016 2:26 PM

SGT Alicia Brenneis — Thu, 26 May 2016 14:26:15 -0400

I avoided having children while I was in the military because of the stigmatizem. I was retired at 29 because of my injuries and was told children were no longer an option for me for the same reasons. I was devastated. By the grace of God I just had my son at 31. I almost missed this amazing thing because I didn't want to be "that female " . My advice to females.... have ten and tell naysayers to go *&#@ themselves. I know, not professional but oh well.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2016 12:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 May 2016 12:28:12 -0400

Pregnancy is something natural that happens in the world. Yes some woman do it on purpose and no it's not always planned but if your saying that this one particular person effects the whole mission then your unit is doing something wrong. Yes every individual man and woman makes a difference... We are really just numbers when it comes to a deployment or practice rotation... So why can't those numbers be replaced? You don't know what that woman is going through at the time of pregnancy or why she did it... I think as long as that soldier can come back and give it all she has and continue her duties like anyone else there is no problem.

Response by LCpl Rosalie Young made Jun 1 at 2016 8:57 AM

LCpl Rosalie Young — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 08:57:37 -0400

I don't understand why people are still talking about this...but it probably has to do with the rivalry between men & women in the military, and it's only going to get worse now, with women moving into combat roles.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2016 2:23 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 14:23:07 -0400

bad idea

Response by SN Terry Poynter made Jun 10 at 2016 9:24 AM

SN Terry Poynter — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 09:24:55 -0400

What can I say, I am not now nor have I ever been politically correct. When I served you could get captains mast lose a stripe 45/45 and loss of half months pay for 2 months for getting a sunburn that caused you to be unfit to perform your duties...

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jun 28 at 2016 11:21 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:21:08 -0400

Do You honestly want to serve this country?

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jun 28 at 2016 11:22 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:22:54 -0400

When I joined in 1985, if a single female became pregnant, she was chaptered out.

Response by Nathan Weiss made Jun 30 at 2016 2:48 PM

Nathan Weiss — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:48:21 -0400

I have no problem with it.

Response by PO1 Erica Hughes made Jun 30 at 2016 3:10 PM

PO1 Erica Hughes — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:10:37 -0400

Who cares? Let them talk. We are young when we join, should we wait til we are in our late thirties and we have a bit of power and a bunch of people working under us so we can get pregnant and sit behind a desk and not worry about the workload being too heavy? I never cared if a girl got pregnant on purpose or otherwise. If she did it because she wanted a family then awesome all children are miracles, if she did it to leave the ship then great, she would probably have not worked very hard if she didn't want to be there. Let them talk.

Response by CPO Jim Turner made Jul 25 at 2016 9:56 PM

CPO Jim Turner — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 21:56:30 -0400

That question always receives a lot attention. First, congratulations. I have a lot of respect to moms on active duty. What a commitment!

While stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital, a number of women got pregnant so they didn't have to deploy right before Desert Shield/Desert Storm. These are the ones who makes all AD women who get pregnant look bad, all the while receiving the same benefits as those who do deploy. You may not be aware, but a number of people in many different services had back to back to back deployments because others couldn't/wouldn't deploy. This caused a huge rise in divorces, PTSD, etc. So, someone else had to pick up their work, and go in harms way, because these women couldn't deploy. Do you think they deserved equal pay for not equal work?

I had a friend who had two kids while active duty. She worked as a pharmacy tech at a hospital with a rotating shift; some daylight, some nights, some weekends, while her husband was stationed over 50 miles away. My wife watched her kids before I PCS'd. My friend would make it a point to come out and spend time with her kids while on these crazy shifts. This was commitment. I don't remember any other military mother having this same commitment to their military career and their kids.

So, your original question was what I thought about women who get pregnant in the military - I think they need to get out and let someone else who can fully commit to a military career take over.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jul 25 at 2016 10:18 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 22:18:00 -0400

The only problem thst I have is this. I don't know when she got pregnate. I don't know if I said that right. But we were in a short tour in Korea. And she got to go stateside and was still credited for a short tour.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jan 17 at 2017 10:48 AM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 10:48:11 -0500

I respect your question. Women have been getting pregnant on ships since the beginning. The concept of this discussion is foolish because men and women do NOT have leadership that is the example to follow. People fall in love and our military is no different. I'm glad they find love, however, that is not the case for people on sea duty. Every woman I talked to when I was in back in the 80's and 90's said they had unprotected sex. That is irresponsible on both persons AND the command did act with the proper leadership.
If you fall in love with someone - good for you! NOW both of you become responsible enough not to have children while onboard a ship or in a combat battalion.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Jul 4 at 2017 6:47 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 18:47:10 -0400

Some women game the system and try to get out of deployments and assignments. Sometimes it catches up with them also. I knew a CPO that was forced out with over 19.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2017 7:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 19:13:06 -0400

My daughter just turned three...I've been in almost 13 years. So do the math - I'm a female soldier who got pregnant while serving. I did marry her father right before she was born (stupidly...oh so stupid with that one).

I don't know why people think any woman who gets pregnant while serving is trying to "get out" of something. I thought I couldn't get pregnant and had given up hope when I got pregnant. I was 32 when I had her.

I guarantee the tune would change on this if men could get pregnant. There are women who are stupid enough to get pregnant to dodge a deployment. I never understood that. 18 years and then some of responsibility or deploy for 12-15 months (now 9)...hmm. I'll take the deployment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2017 9:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 21:42:26 -0400

Nothing wrong with it. It's normal and natural.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 5 at 2017 6:55 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 06:55:34 -0400

It's her body not theirs, she wanted to be a mother, so leave it at that.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2018 1:04 AM

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Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Feb 4 at 2018 11:16 AM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 11:16:41 -0500

It's not getting pregnant on duty that matters what counts is how they do it, getting pregnant on a deployment takes away from the whole unit. I's true that the military makes soldiers but babies?.

Response by Okhai Oshoke made Apr 21 at 2018 12:33 PM

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Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2019 12:37 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:37:19 -0500

As long as its not in anticipation of deployment, I dont see an issue with it.

Response by SGT Frances Richardson made Jan 7 at 2021 9:52 AM

SGT Frances Richardson — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 09:52:11 -0500

The military has a shelf life. I was in for over 10 years. Entered at 20, had my daughter at 27, left in my 30s. I made the choice to only have 1 child while in but that decision had nothing to do with being a woman in the army. I won't knock anyone-male or female-if they decide to start a family in the military because doing that is outright foolishness. Your time in the military will eventually end so I don't see a reason to put something like having kids on hold until after you exit. Especially if you're a woman near or approaching her 40s (since many women do retire). Yes women can still conceive at that age but it becomes more difficult. It's just ridiculous to me to wait for something that you want simply because of your career which is significantly shorter than most other career fields anyway.

Response by SrA Sgt Cheryl Rieben Rieben Armstrong made Jan 7 at 2021 12:58 PM

SrA Sgt Cheryl Rieben Rieben Armstrong — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 12:58:52 -0500

If she can still perform her duties no problem.