I deployed to Iraq in 2007 with the 3rd ID. As a commander, my hands were extremely tied in regards to my Soldiers getting pregnant. Pregnant Soldiers have 72 hrs (not 14 days), to leave country. We were not allowed to ask who "knocked them up", or any of the details. It was all private due to "HIPPA".
This policy is long overdue, but it seems unforceable and falls short on scope.
Soldiers who go home on R&R, are they going to be given the standing order not to procreate when they go home? Is that even fair or legal? You can't pinpoint the date of a Soldiers pregnancy (due to science and privacy), so it's impossible to say if she got pregnant in combat, or on R&R.
Furthermore, this policy will be used primarily against married Soldiers; you could legitimately pinpoint who got who pregnant. Can't do that with unmarried Soldiers. So is that fair?
Finally, when I was there from 2007 to 2009, the medical clinic handed out condoms left and right; like they condone it.
- Lambert, GA, 21/12/2009 06:01