Download DON Policy on Pregnancy and Single Parenting

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 1332.14
and 1332.30
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 5th month
 Pregnant women can not
fly after the 28th 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 5000.12E
 http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MC
O%205000.12E.pdf
 Department of the Navy OPNAV Instruction 6000.1C
 http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/06000%20Medical%20an
d%20Dental%20Services/0600%20General%20Medical%20and%20Dental%20Support%2
0Services/6000.1C.PDF
 US Navy Family Care Policy OPNAVINST 1740.4D