Comments on: Pregnant in combat? Not anymore… http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/ A gripping first-hand account of the Iraq War by former Marine Sergeant Mark Perna Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:56:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Mark Perna http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-739 Mark Perna Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:09:08 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-739 I never thought of that point, though the withdrawal method has worked well enough for millenia. The issue isn't US policy against the civilian individual, it's about the soldier, the sailor, the Marine, and the airman who have taken an oath to defend this country from all enemies, and have signed away certain rights. One of those rights is now in contention in this issue. Of course, the way of things in the military is that they make these rules only when it starts to become a problem. As we always said, "It only takes one idiot to change things." I never thought of that point, though the withdrawal method has worked well enough for millenia. The issue isn’t US policy against the civilian individual, it’s about the soldier, the sailor, the Marine, and the airman who have taken an oath to defend this country from all enemies, and have signed away certain rights. One of those rights is now in contention in this issue. Of course, the way of things in the military is that they make these rules only when it starts to become a problem. As we always said, “It only takes one idiot to change things.”

]]> By: Mrs. Muffins http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-715 Mrs. Muffins Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:56:42 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-715 How interesting. As a woman, I feel like it's my duty to protect and fight for women's rights, including women serving in the military. But this is just one of the situations that can become tricky when women are serving. From a female point of view, it would be unfair to not allow women in the military to serve or to punish them for being a woman (i.e. having a child - whether accidental or on purpose). However, the military does have a purpose and you're right, these servicemembers are not free to do whatever they want. It's quite an issue at hand... How interesting. As a woman, I feel like it’s my duty to protect and fight for women’s rights, including women serving in the military. But this is just one of the situations that can become tricky when women are serving. From a female point of view, it would be unfair to not allow women in the military to serve or to punish them for being a woman (i.e. having a child – whether accidental or on purpose). However, the military does have a purpose and you’re right, these servicemembers are not free to do whatever they want. It’s quite an issue at hand…

]]> By: SG http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-712 SG Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:47:45 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-712 What about those whose religious beliefs are against taking birth control? Then pregnancy really isn't preventable is it? Isn't it up to whatever higher being in which you believe whether or not you and your husband will have a child and when? Lastly, are we as a nation really going to go as far as to make a law or policy about EVERYTHING in life? It's no wonder people become less and less self-sufficient. What about those whose religious beliefs are against taking birth control? Then pregnancy really isn’t preventable is it? Isn’t it up to whatever higher being in which you believe whether or not you and your husband will have a child and when? Lastly, are we as a nation really going to go as far as to make a law or policy about EVERYTHING in life? It’s no wonder people become less and less self-sufficient.

]]> By: ken morgan http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-475 ken morgan Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:40:42 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-475 Sorry to be the rain giver, but orders are orders. the biggest problem I see with the Military today...Inclunding My Marine Corps is the lack of overall disclipline...mind you the Corps holds the title for best discliplined, but when you are in the military and you get pregnant, there are too many case where you cnnot do your job. you should be discharged on a medical with benefits until the child is born. At that time, you can apply for unemployment. The Corps did not issue you a child/family in your seabag, if that is what you want then ask for your DD214 and get out. You cannot effectly do your job... especially as a single parent, This is applicable to Males and Females. so there is no gender issue here. Got a child, cannot deply...get out. Sorry to be the rain giver, but orders are orders. the biggest problem I see with the Military today…Inclunding My Marine Corps is the lack of overall disclipline…mind you the Corps holds the title for best discliplined, but when you are in the military and you get pregnant, there are too many case where you cnnot do your job. you should be discharged on a medical with benefits until the child is born. At that time, you can apply for unemployment. The Corps did not issue you a child/family in your seabag, if that is what you want then ask for your DD214 and get out. You cannot effectly do your job… especially as a single parent, This is applicable to Males and Females. so there is no gender issue here. Got a child, cannot deply…get out.

]]> By: Mark Perna http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-392 Mark Perna Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:37:01 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-392 Well put, Mark. Well put, Mark.

]]> By: Mark Pfeiffer http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-365 Mark Pfeiffer Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:07:32 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-365 This is a problem we discussed often when I was active duty (I am a retired Chief Petty Officer, USN). There are so many things you give up when you raise your right hand and solemnly swear..... When you go into harms way, even if you aren't in direct combat, you are supporting those who are in direct combat. They deserve the very best of your professional demeanor. That means, just like you give up some of your rights to freedom of speech and such, you also give up the right to "do whatever you want with your body...." One of my jobs, as a Sonar Technician, in the event that a sub got inside the ASW screen, was to direct my ship into the path of the torpedo to take the hit instead of the high value target. So it is with what some consider one of the most inalienable rights a woman has, over her body, or a guy has in having a relationship with the opposite sex, you must lay it down when in a war zone. Most civilians don't understand this, but, then, most civilians don't really understand what motivates someone to jump on a grenade for a brother (or sister) in uniform, either. This is a problem we discussed often when I was active duty (I am a retired Chief Petty Officer, USN). There are so many things you give up when you raise your right hand and solemnly swear….. When you go into harms way, even if you aren’t in direct combat, you are supporting those who are in direct combat. They deserve the very best of your professional demeanor. That means, just like you give up some of your rights to freedom of speech and such, you also give up the right to “do whatever you want with your body….” One of my jobs, as a Sonar Technician, in the event that a sub got inside the ASW screen, was to direct my ship into the path of the torpedo to take the hit instead of the high value target. So it is with what some consider one of the most inalienable rights a woman has, over her body, or a guy has in having a relationship with the opposite sex, you must lay it down when in a war zone. Most civilians don’t understand this, but, then, most civilians don’t really understand what motivates someone to jump on a grenade for a brother (or sister) in uniform, either.

]]> By: kept grits http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-198 kept grits Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:38:12 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-198 As the Mother of a female soldier, I was relieved to know that the Army was issuing birth control during her deployment. This is an informative article and I hope to read more from you. As the Mother of a female soldier, I was relieved to know that the Army was issuing birth control during her deployment.

This is an informative article and I hope to read more from you.

]]> By: Hef http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-197 Hef Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:14:51 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-197 I have a great deal of respect for men in the military. Especially those who have been sent to Iraq, Afghanistan etc. I am a woman myself, but my opinion is women should not be deployed to a war zone. Not because I don't think we are capable of dealing with the stress etc. The problem comes in with the fact that these women, and I am quoting my fiance who is currently serving in Iraq, are like rental cars. I have a great deal of respect for men in the military. Especially those who have been sent to Iraq, Afghanistan etc. I am a woman myself, but my opinion is women should not be deployed to a war zone. Not because I don’t think we are capable of dealing with the stress etc. The problem comes in with the fact that these women, and I am quoting my fiance who is currently serving in Iraq, are like rental cars.

]]> By: Cassy Hersom http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Cassy Hersom Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:11:26 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-83 Thank you for the great article. Happy New Years!!. Thank you for the great article. Happy New Years!!.

]]> By: Canadian Navy http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/23/pregnant-in-combat/comment-page-1/#comment-77 Canadian Navy Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:24:42 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=89#comment-77 Hey! I am currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, and while the situation I am in [a female in the navy] is quite different than an active combat role, I can see the dangers of pregnancy in the field. Especially since our military has no limits to what trade a female may have. However, being jailed for becoming pregnant seems quite harsh and a little one sided, though obviously they're not going to jail all the men who get their wives/girlfriends/one nighters pregnant. Tricky situation - hopefully I won't ever find myself one like that. lol. Hey!
I am currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, and while the situation I am in [a female in the navy] is quite different than an active combat role, I can see the dangers of pregnancy in the field. Especially since our military has no limits to what trade a female may have. However, being jailed for becoming pregnant seems quite harsh and a little one sided, though obviously they’re not going to jail all the men who get their wives/girlfriends/one nighters pregnant. Tricky situation – hopefully I won’t ever find myself one like that. lol.

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