DON Policy on Pregnancy and Single Parenting

1. DON Policy on Pregnancy and Single Parenting

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 1332.14 and 1332.30

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. References • Department of the Navy Marine Corpss Order 5000.12E • http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%205000.12E.pdf • Department of the Navy OPNAV Instruction 6000.1C • http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/06000%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Services/06-00%20General%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Support%20Services/6000.1C.PDF • US Navy Family Care Policy OPNAVINST 1740.4D