Military Orientation
Family Planning DCO Lesson Topic
2.6
Enabling Objectives
• IDENTIFY your personal responsibility for
planning a family
• IDENTIFY the personal, financial, and
professional considerations for planning a
family
• EXPLAIN servicewomen's responsibilities
regarding pregnancy
• EXPLAIN the Navy's responsibility to
provide obstetrical care
Enabling Objectives
• EXPLAIN the Navy policy for separating
pregnant servicewomen from the Navy
• EXPLAIN the Navy policy for the
assignment of pregnant servicewomen
• EXPLAIN the Navy policy for post-delivery
convalescent and paternity leave
• EXPLAIN the Navy family care policy
Enabling Objectives
• EXPLAIN the consequences for failing to
maintain an up-to-date family care plan
• EXPLAIN the relationship between the
Navy Core Values and meeting family
obligations
Personal Responsibility in
Planning a Family
• Support Network
– Family/Friends
• Short and long range goals
• Understand challenges
• Communicate with partner
Personal and Professional
Considerations in Family
Planning
• How career will affect family - assignability
• Timing of promotions
• Lifestyle changes of having children
• Financial impact
Optimal Steps to
Take
• PLAN - To meet family and military
obligations
• CONFIRM - Confirm the Pregnancy at a
Medical Treatment Facility (MTF)
• NOTIFY - Notify CO or OIC of pregnancy
and keep informed throughout pregnancy
of any changes and or/restrictions
Responsibilities
• Pregnant sailors are still required:
• To Perform all duties as able and authorized.
• To Comply with all work-site and task-related safety
and health recommendations.
• To Report to a local Medical Treatment Facility to
establish a prenatal care program.
• Things to know:
• Option to flex drill
• Care with timing AT
Navy Policy for Separating
Pregnant Servicewomen
• Pregnant Servicewomen may be
separated upon becoming pregnant if:
– Determined to have conceived during entry
level training.
– Can prove hardship beyond capabilities to
remain on active duty.
– Fail to maintain a Family Care Plan.
Separation Care
• For former servicewomen who separate
from active duty while pregnant, care for
pregnancy can only be provided by Navy
Medical Treatment Facilities through the
first six weeks following delivery.
Assignment Challenges
• OCONUS:
– Based on medical considerations; no
servicewoman may be assigned overseas or
travel overseas after the 28th week of
pregnancy.
• Deployable Units:
– No transfer to deploying unit after 20th week
• CONUS:
– No restrictions aside from no flying after 36th
week
Assignment Challenges
Continued
• Shipboard:
– Commanding Officer makes the decision.
– Cannot stay onboard:
• If the time for medical evacuation to a MTF is
greater than 6 hours.
• After the 20th week of pregnancy.
– Transfer assignments are deferred for 1 year
after delivery.
Assignment Challenges
Continued
• Aviation Squadrons:
– Pregnancy is considered disqualifying for
designated flight status personnel. (i.e. pilots,
nfo, SAR swimmers)
• Military Schools:
– CO will determine if training will be completed
if pregnancy occurs during military school.
Post Delivery Convalescent
Leave
• 42 days / 6 weeks of leave post delivery
for the servicewomen giving birth.
– Will not be assigned to a deployable unit less
than 365 days from delivery. Unless service-
member requests.
• Paternity leave for active duty fathers
includes 10 days to be used within the first
365 days after birth.
Family Care Policy
• Applies to:
– Single service members with children under
nineteen years of age or other qualifying
dependents.
– Dual military couples with children under
nineteen years of age or other qualifying
dependents.
Cannot Maintain Family
Care Plan
• Commanding Officers may separate
members who:
– Are unable or refuse to maintain an updated
family care plan
– Do not remain worldwide assignable
– Are unable to perform their professional and
military duties.
Navy Core Values and
Family Obligations
• Honor
• Community
• Commitment
Enabling Objectives
• IDENTIFY your personal responsibility for
planning a family
• IDENTIFY the personal, financial, and
professional considerations for planning a
family
• EXPLAIN servicewomen's responsibilities
regarding pregnancy
• EXPLAIN the Navy's responsibility to
provide obstetrical care
Enabling Objectives
• EXPLAIN the Navy policy for separating
pregnant servicewomen from the Navy
• EXPLAIN the Navy policy for the
assignment of pregnant servicewomen
• EXPLAIN the Navy policy for post-delivery
convalescent and paternity leave
• EXPLAIN the Navy family care policy
Enabling Objectives
• EXPLAIN the consequences for failing to
maintain an up-to-date family care plan
• EXPLAIN the relationship between the
Navy Core Values and meeting family
obligations