Iraqi Soldiers could be suspended for being pregnant

[DaemonSeid]

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.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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.

What.The.Eff?

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

[Psi U MC Vito]

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.

[knight_shadow]

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.

[Xanthus]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

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.

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.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Xanthus

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.

[Xanthus]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

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.

[amanda6035]

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.

[Psi U MC Vito]

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

[DaemonSeid]

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

"Good come F U "

[agzg]

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.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Well according to the Daily News, they are backing down from the court martial threat. Now they are just going to be sent home with a letter of reprimand. That will hurt the career, but won't result in jail time. I will try to find the article online when I have time.

[BrainsnBeauty]

I'm a Navy wife and my husband and I actually agreed with it. I also agree that its good they are enforcing it on both women and men, seeing as how men are the reason women get pregnant in the first place. I'm tired of people blaming women for something men are half responsible for. As far as I'm concerned if a man is more concerned about impregnating a fellow soldier than keeping his focus on the war then he is just as guilty as a woman trying to get pregnant to get out.

[ree-Xi]

If the intent of getting pregnant is to get out of an upcoming or current deployment, these women are screwing themselves (not taking blame away from the men, but it's the women who would get taken out of combat).

Once the child is born, wouldn't they have to fulfill their obligation(s)? They could likely be sent back and have an infant at home. They might be able to put it off for a while if they are breastfeeding (I have no idea if this is possible), but they will have to eventually serve out their time, right?

I don't know the answer to this question - if you were scheduled to be deployed and ended up not being able to be sent to combat at that time - let's say you broke your leg or something else that would be a liability in a combat zone. Now, you can probably sill work stateside in an administrative role, but would you be held to eventually serve your deployment once you are healed? Once you have those orders, do you have to complete them "at some point" if such an occasion arises?

Another question - if you were scheduled to be deployed and something happened that permanently prevented you from carrying out combat orders - like you suddenly developed a heart murmur - but you were still able to do other stuff, are you just reassigned for the duration the rest of your enlistment (or whatever the correct word is) if it's safe for you and you are not a liability?

[Telly10]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I don't know the answer to this question - if you were scheduled to be deployed and ended up not being able to be sent to combat at that time - let's say you broke your leg or something else that would be a liability in a combat zone. Now, you can probably sill work stateside in an administrative role, but would you be held to eventually serve your deployment once you are healed? Once you have those orders, do you have to complete them "at some point" if such an occasion arises?

The Unit Commander can still bring you up on charges for breaking your leg and missing your slated deployment date. It is called damage to US Gov't property..(I'm not lying) Most Commanders wont do it though..and you would mostly deploy later- but you screwed up the 'schedule for everyone around you'

Another question - if you were scheduled to be deployed and something happened that permanently prevented you from carrying out combat orders - like you suddenly developed a heart murmur - but you were still able to do other stuff, are you just reassigned for the duration the rest of your enlistment (or whatever the correct word is) if it's safe for you and you are not a liability?

If someone becomes non-deployable for health reasons, its accepted- but promotions and awards (down the line) normally won't go to you. I know it doesnt sound fair- but thats the way it is. The person who deployed normally has a better sounding package since they have real world/ combat zone/ danger impacts that saved others..while they just had 'normal duties' in write ups