Am I the ONLY FEMALE who felt like once I became PREGNANT I felt like my COMPANY turned their back on me????

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 10:52:31 -0500

Once I became pregnant with my second child I noticed a great deal of soldiers started mocking me, giving me a very hard time even slandering my name thru out the company. No matter how hard I worked and showed my higher ups that I was still an outstanding soldier I was still classified as a s*h!t bag because I were pregnant. Through out my pregnancy and til the end the appointments for pregnancy became almost an everyday thing, so of course the male ncos started complaining but what I didn't understand were the female ncos that had babies in the military saying all kinds of things making it seem like I was lying. I had all of my appointment slips so my question is it a norm for females to get singled out and labeled for bringing in a bundled of joy.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Dec 10 at 2014 11:36 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:36:13 -0500

Totally unacceptable. If a pregnant soldier is accomplishing her duties in accordance with the medical restrictions/profile, anybody chastising her is out of line and should be corrected.

Being pregnant is a "medical condition" that limits a soldier's ability to do certain things, which gets more restrictive as the pregnancy progresses until birth of the child. Only an idiot would see that as anything other than what it is.

Of course, this all presupposes that the pregnant service member is not "riding the sick book" and taking advantage of the pregnancy to get out of things she is capable of doing within her profile.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 5:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:47:53 -0500

I have a question, did you get pregnant prior to a deployment or a NTC rotation? Before you crucify me, the reason for the question is that I have seen that happen to females that get pregnant prior to one of those events and some Soldiers right away start saying that they did it to get out of it.

Just to set the record straight, I am not condoning that type of behavior towards females

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 10 at 2014 6:26 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:26:53 -0500

I have seen this in the AF occasionally in the maintenance side of the world where the pregnant service member has to be completely removed due to issues like chemicals/radiation/fall protection and other service members and even supervisors resent and even slander the pregnant service member because they "made more work for everyone else".

This is an un-sat situation and needs to be brought up to the CoC when it occurs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 12:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 00:41:04 -0500

The only time I've seen anyone treated like that is just prior to a deployment. They've been labelled dodgers.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 1:20 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 13:20:03 -0400

I have been experiencing this very same issue. I have received little to no help from medical and the people I work with are just becoming more intolerable everyday with the rude comments, the rumors, the lack of respect and the discrimination. I have a condition where my hip pops out of place that started early in my pregnancy that causes an unbearable pain often but I still push myself to finish my work on time and try to find alternate routes if the pain is too severe. Because NO ONE is a doctor they treat me as though I am just trying to get out of things or that I am lazy just because others have not experienced the same thing in their pregnancy. It is unfortunate that you either have people that automatically judge you because you are pregnant and even more unfortunate to have other women ridicule you who were previously pregnant because they were fine with putting their unborn child's life in danger to look like they're "high speed". This is my first child and I will not be unhealthy to fulfill someone's ego. I hope that this really does change for any future women that become pregnant, because the whole situation really makes you look differently at the military in a whole unfortunately.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Mar 9 at 2016 1:54 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 13:54:51 -0500

It is March 2016, what is the latest on your situation?

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Mar 9 at 2016 2:24 PM

Sgt Tammy Wallace — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 14:24:09 -0500

short answer to your question: yes, unfortunately, it is the norm. is it justified? no. is it sad? yes. the bottom-line is this: ( as immature and ridiculous as this explanation to their actions is going to sound, please take heed ) they are just stupid lazy soldiers who are jealous of the fact that it appears as if you are getting "special treatment" or a "pass" from not having to do what they are required to do. I know it will be difficult, however, try to ignore them...just continue with your SCHEDULED appointment, eat right and continue to do some type of exercise, because when your 42 days of maternity leave is up, (Marines get 42 days, not sure what you guys get) you're going to be expected to run just like everybody else, pass the fitness tests just like everyone else, keep up with the humps (force marches/hikes once again, I'm not familiar with Army regulations and terminology) and look good in uniform, just like everyone else....my suggestion to you is simple: make sure you do everything better than everyone else and look better than everyone else as well and do NOT complain or whine about other soldiers "picking on you"...unless you are blatantly being discriminated against, passed over for a promotion or an award that you rightfully deserve, then just leave it alone...the least amount of attention you pay to bullies and envious "babies" the better...pay attention to yourself and self growth and let your performance speak for you

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Mar 9 at 2016 3:40 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:40:14 -0500

I can't give an opinion on pregnancy, as I have never have been in a unit with females. However, what you describe sounds like the same stigma that is often given to Soldiers with a medical issue that causes duty restrictions and non-deployable status. You get labeled as "broke" and looked down on because of the number of appointments you are given that takes you away from being available for duty. Doesn't matter that it was a doctor who ordered the appointments, frequent time away from duty gives the perception of malingering and the Soldier milking the system for time off. Every appointment gets questioned and scrutinized and your made to feel like it is your fault for having so many appointments. It is not fair, and not right, but is one of those things that go on in the military. Perhaps it is not the pregnancy itself, it is your unavailability and restrictions due to a medical condition that has created this stigma. Not all that different from having a profile from an injury that keeps you from being available to contribute to the units mission 100%. All I can suggest is that if you feel you are being treated unfairly, see your chain of command on the open door policy.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made May 3 at 2016 8:20 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 03 May 2016 08:20:23 -0400

CPL Private RallyPoint Member Hope this finally resolved itself and you were able to continue on either in or out of the service. No one should have to put up with such treatment. Best wishes to you and yours.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2016 2:54 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 May 2016 14:54:06 -0400

There's always that sigma that follows when a SM becomes pregnant. I had it but I still was able to do what I needed to do without hurting my child or myself. If it gets to where the mocking and slandering is too much, I believe you can file a complaint on regards of harassment; that type of communication in your command/company/battalion does reflect negatively.

Response by 1SG Peter Hansen made May 5 at 2016 6:39 PM

1SG Peter Hansen — Thu, 05 May 2016 18:39:13 -0400

anyone with more then a week in the Army would think you were stupid First showing your ( higher ups ) how hard you work by showing up for work on time you must also show those who you work with that you are a good soldier and if they make fun of you your not doing your job. When you get that magic life time profile someone else has to do your job carry your bags you cant event go on a paint detail the fumes may hurt your unborn baby Rangers lead the way

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2017 12:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 12:37:11 -0500

I have had to deal with this through my second pregnancy. It’s crappy but you know your worth and your work ethic. You have to understand you’re just a number and when you’re gone on maternity leave someone else can do your job-maybe not as well as you but they can do it. I’m a commo rep for my company/BN and the XO (NOT commo) walks all over me because I’m somehow incapable of picking up repaired equipment being pregnant. It’s the army. Everyone will have an opinion. Most units, primarily infantry, don’t know what to do with a pregnant soldier.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2018 9:17 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 09:17:50 -0500

CPL Private RallyPoint Member I know this was 3 years ago, and I hope your child is doing well, but you mean to tell me that even though you filled out paperwork stating you were married, someone asked you if you knew who the baby's daddy was? I'm an EOL course graduate, but you don't have to be in order to know that this is, in a word, some jacked up bullshit. You had grounds right there to file an EO complaint. That's harassment.