When it comes to military training, pregnancy is not something that most people associate with it. However, with more women enlisting and serving in the military than ever before, the issue has become more prevalent than ever. While a female service member may be thrilled at the prospect of starting a family, becoming pregnant during training can have serious consequences for both her career and her health.
Military Pregnancy Policies: A Brief Overview
Before we dive into the consequences of pregnancy during military training, let's take a look at how the armed forces handle this unique situation. The policies regarding pregnancy vary depending on which branch of the military you're in:
Army
The Army allows female service members to continue attending basic combat training up until their 24th week of pregnancy. After that point, they must wait until six months after giving birth before returning to training.
Navy
In contrast to the Army policy, once a Navy officer or recruit discovers she's pregnant she is immediately removed from duty regardless if they are assigned sea-duty offers or shore-duty assignments. They then need to provide medical clearance from an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) allow them back on their previous capacities.
Fun fact: In order for OB-GYNs to be certified by The American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology , they must undergo extensive testing about topics such as cervical cancer screening methods and breast cancer treatments.
Air Force
Air Force service members who become pregnant while attending technical school will switch over into non-training status but still expected complete without delay other exams/requirements out-of-classroom setting based environment.
Marine Corps
Like with every other branches division if discovered knowledge personnel are expectant mother enlisted soldier’s immediate transfer for support role away classified necessary field exercise locations
Impact on Career
For someone looking forward to serving their country full time and making a career out of it, pregnancy during basic training can be quite the disappointment. Depending on how far along a service member is when she discovers she's pregnant or even worse gets deployed then diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia might not just affect her future but also cost to taxpayers country.
Delayed Training
As mentioned briefly above branches division each have their own policies about pregnancies and boot camp if at all permissible, Female recruits may need to leave between 24 weeks after conception until six months postpartum aka from birth-time in order to resume training again. This means that potentially up to three-quarters of a year will be spent waiting for an opportunity that could’ve been seized earlier
Career Trajectory
Not only does delayed training put female service members behind schedule potential discharge situations like medical reasons for some cases forbid returning/having technical skills required in ranks the US needed if ever entered into war.
Aside: For those wondering what this meant: Technical skills refer to very specific crafts or vocations such functions as computer engineering, HVAC technician work (heat ventilation air conditioners) & Navy job ratings translating directly elsewhere
Future Assignments
Even when an enlisted woman is cleared medically recovered from pregnancy complications there is possibility assignment areas change due wait times already incurred while pregnant-companion duties; preventative measures imply can’t perform roles considering operational readiness
Impact on Health
In addition to impacting one's career trajectory, getting pregnant during military training can take its toll physically and mentally. This section covers the effects carrying a child have influencing health status…
High-Risk Pregnancy
Women who become pregnant while attending military school boot camps or even active-duty positions are more likely than average civilians faces additional complications whilst gestating children e.g increased instances of high blood pressure which worsen later into term lasting effect after delivery.
Mental Health Strain
Needless to say, dealing with unexpected circumstances especially regarding family planning that wasn't part of the initial operational picture is intensively taxing mentally. As previously mentioned, if already deployed and discovered pregnant, being forced to go on maternity leave may not be ideal for career or paygrade advancement ultimately stoic environment where performance outweighs feelings at what attempt sympathize difficult conditions
Quick-Think remedies like telehealth but while potentially offering additional support may not always accessible in higher-risk active military zones
Preparing for Pregnancy
If you're female service member who wants children down the line keeping healthy before conception takes greater importance than usual compared non-enlistment populace:
Physical Preparation
Getting into shape: cardiovascular endurance with maybe resistance training (weights/bodyweight routine) focus less stressors impact physical aerobic ability decrease risks gestational diabetes or miscarriage.
Being mindful when exposure hazardous work environments e.g chemicals/.
Changing medications that aren’t authorized maternity wear often do[sic].
Mental & Emotional Wellness
Keeping body at optimal health prior even attempting get [conceive] pregnant become essential as stakeholders’ added expect responsibility placed by society/military organization thrown into it…
Increase attention given lifestyle habits E.G from practising mindfulness meditation regular sleep patterns absolutely adopting good hygiene avoiding risky behaviours such as substance abuse.
Conclusion
While pregnancy during basic training certainly isn't ideal, it's important to understand the full scope of what potential consequences can stem from this scenario beyond preventing someone serving their country with pride they had at first pledge. With clear policies adhered within amicable spousal communication ought done prevent unnecessary detrimental effects stemming out unplanned pregnancies are unintended accidents either party should eager avoid