Posted on 12/21/2009 3:42:35 AM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
A US Army general in northern Iraq has defended his decision to add pregnancy to the list of reasons a soldier under his command could face court martial. It is current army policy to send pregnant soldiers home, but Maj Gen Anthony Cucolo told the BBC he was losing people with critical skills. That was why the added deterrent of a possible court martial was needed, he said. The new policy applies both to female and male soldiers, even if married. The male sexual partners of female soldiers who get pregnant would also "face the consequences", he said. It is the first time the US Army has made pregnancy a punishable offence.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
When I was in the military, it was a punishable offense if a sunburn “kept a person from normal assigned duty”. Pregnancy certainly does that also. The military hires a person to do a job. If that person does something to keep them from doing that job a punishment is only logical. There should be no difference if it is a sunburn or a pregnancy to me. Both are preventable.
CC
This has been going on since the Army opened most fields to women in the 70s. Its always been an ill kept secret that women who didnt like where they happened to have landed could get pregnant and sent home. Desert Shield/Storm saw much of this too.
But hey, it comes with diversity and nothing can impede that.
You’re not thinking along the right lines. This is a trial balloon being floated by a general in a combat zone (meaning his actions will be taken more seriously) on behalf of the Pentagon Politicians. The Navy is about to put females on submarines for the first time. Pregnancies are already rampant in the Navy. It’s in the military’s interests to deal with the unequal treatment of soldiers more effectively.
This general is “walking point” on a very important issue.
I am not in the military. The last generation of military men in my family served honorably in Korea (my grandfather). My cousin (a woman) served the USAF in Afghanistan as an MP. I think this policy is a good thing, and I agree with you, Redeye, that voluntarily preventable situations should be punished if they impede your job.
That being said, this PC nonsense seems to have started when women were allowed into the military, and now that they’re in there, likely looking for a hubby or an education, they’re getting pregnant and shipped home. Like one of the commenters to the article said, these women are getting high-dollar educations (i.e. nuclear engineering), then getting knocked up and sent home, only to make scads more money in the private sector, and all thanks to your tax dollars!
Sunburns, pregnancies, whatever... if you can’t do your job, you should be fired. Makes perfect sense to me. You’re not in the military to put your heels behind your ears, you’re there to protect the United States of America. Act like it!
I hate diversity!!! My son is enlisting in the Marines today, he has to go to Alabama because GA is 2 yrs. ahead in numbers, 1 yr. wait to go to bootcamp. However, there are still available slots if you are a woman or a minority, in which case they take you immediately.
So, we have people wanting to serve, yet, they are pushed back to meet a quota. Makes me feel so good about national security.
Back in the 80’s when I was in it seemed like every other roommate I had ended up pregnant. They got over big time.
so now pregnancy is a crime...
This is nothing new.
1991, I saw more than a few female soldiers court martialed and discharged for getting pregnant in the combat zone. I knew one of the personally (but not biblically).
Never saw the male soldier that done the pregnatin’ charged, though.
What's the answer? I don't know. Issue "the pill" monthly and a box of condoms to each?
Like I said, I’ve never been in the military. I don’t know what shore leaves and R&R generally look like, and I make no claims to the contrary.
The argument here, however, is that they shouldn’t get knocked up when they’re on duty, and likewise, that applies to life. I know plenty of young women who got knocked up but “didn’t mean it.” Well, the fact remains you ARE, and you should care for that child and his/her future.
An abortion is between you, God, and the Lake of Fire.
It should be that way from the day you sign those papers. If you want kids do it after your enlistment.
Just about an understatement.
I believe you need to change that screen name to NotThinking.
The year is 2009, it is modern times, we have something called Norplant today, once implanted it lasts up to about five years and should be a mandatory part of womens enlistment health procedures.
Procreation is a natural function. Sex is a natural function. Are we going to regulate urination next?
Sex, the ability to do the act, is controlled by humans, you are NEVER forced by autonomic response to become aroused AND perform the act. If it could not be controlled, rape wouldn't be a crime.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.