I am Active Army and voluntarily separating via Chapter 8 for pregnancy. My husband is also serving and we came to this decision together. My question is this. I heard a rumor that 45 days after giving birth I will be given orders to a reserve/guard unit to fulfill my contract. Is this true?

Rbonnevier- This I do know. Yes, your obligation continues for eight years,(even if you seperate). It is up to you to fulfill your obligation- After all when you entered into the service you accepted an eight year contract.

I believe this to be correct. In regards to the 45 day thing, I have no idea.

Sure someone will be able to clear that up for you.

I understand the obligation and although I was under the impression my separation would be permanent I can adjust fire. Now I have a new concern. Deployment and assignment to a unit with my husband.

What will happen to my infant when I'm called to deploy for the needs of the Army? I have no relatives to speak of and my husband will be deployed when/if I receive orders post-partum.

I'm also not familiar with anything but active army bases and active army programs and have no idea what the Army will do to keep me with my husband. We were enrolled in the Married Army Couples Program here but its well known that if a couple is already separated by orders it can take years for the program to bring them together again.

These are only my two biggest concerns which speak nothing of my complications or the health of my baby if we make it full term. Only prayers can help us with this.

Hi Rbonnevier- You were told this was a permanent separation? You did re pay your enlistment bonus?

I'm curious to know if you received pregnancy councelling or not? Most of this would have been covered in that session. (regards to separation, tricare etc)

Speak to your command. Clarify this issue about your separation. I suspect these other issue(s) you have brought forth will no longer be an issue.

Google AR-635-200 Read chapter 8.( this should provide some insight)

Here are some highlights: from chapter 8


...If the soldier is beyond entry-level status, her service will be characterized as honorable or under honorable conditions per chapter 3, section II....

...Conditions affecting separation for pregnancy
a. Separation will not be accomplished within an overseas command unless the enlisted woman’s home is located
there.
b. If an enlisted woman believes that she is pregnant while en route overseas, commanders of Military Personnel
Transportation Assistance Offices will process her per AR 614–30, chapter 3.
c. If during the processing for separation under another chapter or regulation an enlisted woman is found to be
pregnant, she will not be separated under this chapter. Separation will be accomplished per the chapter or regulation
under which separation processing was initiated. In such cases, a notation of pregnancy will be made on SF 88.
d. An enlisted woman under investigation, court-martial charges, or sentence of court-martial who is certified by a
physician on duty at an Armed Forces medical treatment facility to be pregnant may be separated under this chapter.
However, she must have the written consent of the commander exercising general courts-martial jurisdiction over the
enlisted woman.
e. Except as provided in f, below, it is not the intent of the pregnancy separation policy that enlisted women be
separated under this chapter when the pregnancy terminates before separation is accomplished. A medical officer must
verify the fact of pregnancy termination.
f. In circumstances of an abnormal pregnancy, when a soldier carries a pregnancy for 16 weeks or more but then has
an abortion, miscarriage, or an immature or premature delivery before separation is accomplished, the soldier will have
the option to be retained or to be separated per this chapter. The duration of time she carried the pregnancy is defined
as starting approximately at conception and ending when the products of conception are delivered or considered
disappeared. A medical officer must verify the duration of the pregnancy. The soldier will be counseled concerning her
options. If she chooses to separate, the separation authority may set the separation date. The soldier’s decision will be
recorded as a signed statement and included in the records.
g. An enlisted woman who elects to remain on AD when counseled (see para 8–9) may, if she is still pregnant,
subsequently request separation. The separation authority must separate the soldier but may set the separation date. The
subsequent request must comply with guidance in paragraph 8–9a.
h. An enlisted woman who requests separation in writing may subsequently request withdrawal of the separation
request. Based upon the circumstances of the case and the best interest of the Army, the separation authority will
determine, in writing, if the soldier will be separated, as previously requested, or retained....

Perhaps another poster will have some insights. Oh I wouldn't put much stock in rumours!

Keep us Posted!

Edited post:June 27/08 to add: some highlights from AR- 635-200 regulations.

Edited Post: June28/08 to add- some more content, and correct grammar.- (correct incoherent post...due to lack of sleep.. still running on empty (time for a refill) )

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pipedreamsandbabies,

I am dual military active duty, 21 years, and have two children. I don't agree with letting women out of their service obligations, just because they are pregnant. What a waste of training and resources to put into an individual, only to release them from duty because they are pregnant. You signed the dotted line knowing you would potentially deploy. I also feel that women should have to pay back military time after their pregnancy and maternity leave. Especially if they are in their bucket to deploy. I have seen too many women get pregnant to get out of deploying and serving their country. I am not saying this is your case. You did make an adult decision to join the military and should be obligated to fulfill your committment.

quote:

Originally posted by Rbonnevier:
I understand the obligation and although I was under the impression my separation would be permanent I can adjust fire. Now I have a new concern. Deployment and assignment to a unit with my husband.

What will happen to my infant when I'm called to deploy for the needs of the Army? I have no relatives to speak of and my husband will be deployed when/if I receive orders post-partum.

I'm also not familiar with anything but active army bases and active army programs and have no idea what the Army will do to keep me with my husband. We were enrolled in the Married Army Couples Program here but its well known that if a couple is already separated by orders it can take years for the program to bring them together again.

These are only my two biggest concerns which speak nothing of my complications or the health of my baby if we make it full term. Only prayers can help us with this.