Iraqi Soldiers could be suspended for being pregnant
 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/12/21/ira...ncy/index.html

Washington (CNN) -- A new order from the general in charge of U.S. troops northern Iraq makes getting pregnant or impregnating a fellow soldier an offense punishable by court-martial.

The directive, part of a larger order restricting the behavior of the 22,000 soldiers under Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo's command, is meant to prevent losing soldiers at a time when troop strength is stretched thin, Cucolo explained in a statement sent to the troops under his command and provided to CNN.

"I need every soldier I've got, especially since we are facing a drawdown of forces during our mission," Cucolo wrote. "Anyone who leaves this fight earlier than the expected 12-month deployment creates a burden on their teammates. Anyone who leaves this fight early because they made a personal choice that changed their medical status -- or contributes to doing that to another -- is not in keeping with a key element of our ethos."

The rule, enacted November 4, was first reported by Stars and Stripes, a military-focused publication. It prohibits "becoming nondeployable for reasons within the control of the soldier," which include "becoming pregnant, or impregnating a soldier ... resulting in the redeployment of the pregnant soldier."

Pregnancy that arises from sexual assault would not be punished, Cucolo said.

The directive applies to all military and civilians serving under Cucolo in northern Iraq, an area that includes Balad, Kirkuk, Tikrit, Mosul and Samarra, according to the Web site of Multi-National Force Iraq.

Of the 22,000 people under Cucolo's command, 1,682 are women.

Cucolo will decide what cases will be pursued.

"I am the only individual who passes judgment on these cases. I decide every case based on the unique facts of each soldier's situation," Cucolo wrote in his explanation of the new rules.

Cucolo said he considers his female soldiers "invaluable" and he wants to ensure they fulfill their deployments.

"I am responsible and accountable for the fighting ability of this outfit. I am going to do everything I can to keep my combat power -- and in the Army, combat power is the individual soldier," his statement said. "To this end, I made an existing policy stricter. I wanted to encourage my soldiers to think before they acted, and understand their behavior and actions have consequences -- all of their behavior."

In an e-mail to CNN, Cucolo stressed the rule "is just a small part of a general policy on behavior and actions," and is "lawful."

The memo outlines a long list of behaviors that are prohibited, from gambling and using drugs to behaviors that would offend Iraqis, such as entering a mosque or religious site unless "required by military necessity."

While the rules may seem unusual to some, they are not out of line with how the military regulates behavior to a much stricter degree than the general public is used to, said Eugene Fidell, who teaches military law at Yale University.

"Questions of personal autonomy play out differently in the military," Fidell said.

What.The.Eff?

My parents were both military, and they would have raised hell if they were sanctioned for this.

Actually, I can see the logic in this. IF this was regarding soldiers in a garrison situation, then I think it is a violation of rights. However since this is in a combat zone, intentionally getting pregnant could be justifiably court martialed.

I can see why they're doing it. I still don't agree with it. If my wife and I are trying to get pregnant, it's going to happen on our terms, not the military's.

Yes and normally I would agree with you, but I do agree with taking this action in a combat zone.

Yeah, but you'd be surprised to know that there's actually a lot of shit people do on the military's terms, not their own.

I am fully aware that there are several things that the military tries to regulate. That doesn't mean I can't disagree with this, though.

You're actually right, dude, but that's just the way it is.

I am not surprised. As many piece of sh*t girls who I saw while I was in the navy that purposely got pregnant to either get out of going on deployment, or came home early from deployment, I'm not surpirsed they are enforcing this. I AM surprised they didnt do it sooner.

Of course, if you're stupid enough to get pregnant for the wrong reasons, you don't need to be fighting the war anyway.

Nah, their mission just needs to involve searching for and removing land mines...

So if one soldier "accidentally" gives another soldier HIV and they have to leave combat for treatment, do they get sanctioned?

I'm going to guess that HIV counts as a medical condition that would probably get you out of military service permanantly.

I'm actually OK with this, since both sides of the equation would be punished. I would have an issue with it if it was just the females getting disciplined. The military enforces all kinds of rules on its members 24-7, and they enlist knowing so.

I would have thought that not getting pregnant in a combat zone would fall under the heading of "NO SHIT". I guess I can see how some women would try and get pregnant on purpose to get out of there, but if someone wants out of there THAT bad, do you really want THEM around protecting your back??

^^^ Had to turn the brightness down on my monitor because AF's siggie read

"Good come F U "

A. It's US soldiers in Iraq, on deployment. Not Iraqi soldiers. FWIW, I could give a shit what Iraqi soldiers do, seeing as they're such a weak force anyway.

B. I'm in the "no shit, sherlock" camp. Soldiers on deployment have no business getting pregnant or getting someone else pregnant. If they choose to do so while they are home, good for them. I'm also glad they're enforcing it on both sides of the coin.