Army lets soldiers take ‘I do’ to Iraq war zone

[RaggedyAnn]

I didn't even realize they could serve in a war zone together. If it were me, I wouldn't want my spouse there. It's got to be hard to keep your head in the game as it is, without the extra worry.

Is pregnancy a reason for discharge? or is it maternal leave? Pardon my ignorance.

[scbelle]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

I didn't even realize they could serve in a war zone together. If it were me, I wouldn't want my spouse there. It's got to be hard to keep your head in the game as it is, without the extra worry.

Is pregnancy a reason for discharge? or is it maternal leave? Pardon my ignorance.

Not generally. A female soldier will have a maternity profile, which means different uniforms, wearing tennis shoes, less PT, etc. until the baby is born. She then gets some time off... I can't remember the exact amount. It's between 2 and 4 weeks, if my recollection is correct. But then she has to go back to work. And if the woman has a husband who is also a soldier, then they have to file a family action plan which outlines who will take care of the child. The couple, if they have to deploy at the same time, will generally give the child to a family member. BUT, in the case of pregnant females, they DO NOT go downrange. That's why a lot of female soldiers seem to get pregnant just before a deployment... because they know that will preclude them from going. I, myself am not that cynical, but my husband, who is in the Army, says that's what happens.

[Coramoor]

scbelle...yeah, pregnancy, it happens. A Lot. Also, by just not doing a family care plan our female soldiers won't get deployed. They may or may not face a chaptering out of the Army due to that choice, but that is up to their BN CO's discretion.

Currently we have quite a few soldiers (and officers) that are married living together. Cohabitation is not illegal if they are married. Actually, not long ago the commanding general repelled the no closed door policy. Basically saying that during certain hours soldiers of the opposite sex can be in the same room together with the door closed.

Like scbelle said, the marriage thing was sort of an issue. You see a married couple come into work happy, with pep in their step and all the single soldiers are just fucking pissed all the time. Haha.

Is it creating problems? None that weren't already present.