DON Policy on Pregnancy and Single Parenting

Learning Topics Importance Policy on pregnancy Combat readiness Single parenting Medical limitations Assignment restrictions Navy care Conclusion

Importance The mission of the DON requires the highest level of operational readiness to meet the nation’s strategic goals Military responsibilities often add factors for serious consideration when making family decisions

How it affects your combat readiness Pregnancy during a combat tour makes you unready for combat Unplanned pregnancy can greatly affect how you perform on duty If you do become pregnant your command needs to be notified immediately If you are unable to complete your job you may be transferred to a different billet or place you can be effective

How it affects the unit’s combat readiness If you are the only person or one of few who can complete a certain job then your command may not be able to complete its mission - you are important to your units effectiveness You need to plan ahead when having a baby The Navy has a reputation of always being combat ready; unplanned pregnancy can affect this readiness

Policy The policy affects (1) Single parents (2) Dual-member couples with dependents (3) Married member with custody or joint custody of a child whose non-custodial biological or adoptive parent is not the current spouse of the Member, or who otherwise bear sole responsibility for the care of children under the age of 19 or for others unable to care for themselves in the absence of the Member (4) Members who are primarily responsible for dependent family members

Policy Pregnancy and parenthood are natural events that occur in the lives of naval service members and can be compatible with a successful naval career There are responsibilities that come with parenthood, and for those in uniform, these responsibilities require consideration and planning due to military commitments Naval service members are expected to balance the demands of a naval career with their family plans and responsibilities

Policy All persons affected by this policy shall plan for contingencies in the care and support of dependent family members, and shall develop and submit a family care plan Service members who fail to produce a family care plan may be subject to disciplinary or administrative action that may result in separation from the Service in accordance with DoDI and

How does it affect readiness? If an unmarried service member was to have a child, it hurts their ability to perform his or her military duties It presents a unique hardship to the child to have their mother/father deploy to or remain in a combat zone Therefore the Navy has placed restrictions on single parent’s service capacities

Medical limitations Many billets are not available to pregnant women in the military Evaluations and fitness reports shall be based on demonstrated performance not due to pregnancy

Assignments Can be assigned Transfer CONUS Can’t be assigned OCONUS* Other specific assignments Pregnant women on any vessel after the 5 th month Pregnant women can not fly after the 28 th week

Conclusion Pregnancy when planned and under certain conditions is compatible with service in the DON Unplanned pregnancy can greatly effect your units combat readiness Single parenting is almost impossible for someone in the military unless they have someone looking after their children through a written agreement

References Department of the Navy Marine Corpss Order E O% E.pdf Department of the Navy OPNAV Instruction C d%20Dental%20Services/06- 00%20General%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Support%2 0Services/6000.1C.PDF d%20Dental%20Services/06- 00%20General%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Support%2 0Services/6000.1C.PDF US Navy Family Care Policy OPNAVINST D