What’s the regulation for post partum soldiers going on deployment?

2019-12-11T15:10:16-05:00

My unit is scheduled to deploy and they are trying to send me as a late deployer for “operational purposes” however I had to defer my PCS orders because I’m pregnant and I can’t PCS until after 7 months of giving birth. With the timeline they want to send me I’d be going for up to two weeks, but that’s not enough time for me to come back, clear and still take PCS leave.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 11 at 2019 3:37 PM

2019-12-11T15:37:37-05:00

https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/TG281finalJuly2010.pdf#search=pregnant

Runtime Error

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 11 at 2019 3:51 PM

2019-12-11T15:51:10-05:00

You are considered deployable after 6 months from the day of the child’s birth. See AR 614-30, Chapter 3-18, para a (4). There commander might grant some exceptions but those are very rare.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Dec 11 at 2019 3:54 PM

2019-12-11T15:54:47-05:00

"According to DoD Directive 1315.7 (1991), women in all services are deployable after 4 months postpartum, unless they receive a medical waiver."

I mean you can't deploy while you're pregnant. So they want to deploy you for two weeks after you give birth? I guess I am confused by that part.

Where does it say you can't PCS for 7 months after you give birth? I found this: "Except under unusual circumstances, she should not be reassigned to an overseas command until the pregnancy is completed. However, she may be reassigned within CONUS but medical clearance must be obtained." I guess that falls under the medical clearance part.

It seems weird they're trying to deploy you around the time you're going to PCS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2019 10:41 AM

2019-12-12T10:41:45-05:00

While the the regulation does state that Service Members may deploy six months after termination of pregnancy that is not the end all. There is a lot that goes into the determination. This includes the physical state of postpartum Soldier. If the Service Member had a complicated pregnancy they may not be able to return to full duty. Additionally, the commander may make a determination that in the best interest of government resources it makes no fiscal sense to send someone just to bring them right back. I would recommend that you have an open dialogue with your command team. But remember that we are Soldiers first. Also don't forget to enroll in the Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Training program at your local Installation to ensure you and you baby are healthy and you are successful in a return to a ready state.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2020 3:09 PM

2020-05-01T15:09:43-04:00

New guidance has been put out. Women are not deployable until 12 months after giving birth. NDAA 2020, Public Law (Sec 572). To deploy before then, the mother has to elect the deployment and he cleared by medical personnel.