PURPOSE OF COUNSELING
Pregnancy Counseling
KEY POINTS OF DISCUSSION
This counseling provides information on benefits and options related to pregnancy. Please review the attached counseling checklist which lists your responsibilities and entitlements concerning pregnancy. If you elect separation from the Army, you may receive maternity care at a military medical treatment facility, at DoD expense, on a space available basis for up to 6 weeks after the birth. If you choose to separate, the date must be no later than 30 days prior to your expected delivery date, or latest date your physician will authorize travel, whichever is earlier. In addition, many military medical treatment facilities do not provide maternity care and if unforeseen circumstances or medical emergency force you to use civilian medical care following separation from active duty, you will not be reimbursed for civilian maternity care expenses. Such costs will be your personal responsibility. The separation authority, in conjunction with your military physician and the needs of the Army, will determine your separation date. If you remain on active duty, you will be expected to fulfill the terms of your enlistment contract. If you choose to remain on active duty, you must remain available for unrestricted service on a worldwide basis when directed and you will not receive special consideration for duty assignments or duty stations based on your new status as a parent. Per AR 635-200, Enlisted Active Duty Administrative Separations:
A. Retention or separation: You may request separation or elect to remain on active duty. For more information, see AR 635-200, Para 8-9.
B. Maternity Care: If you remain on active duty, you will receive treatment in a military facility or in a civilian facility if there is no military maternity care available within 30 miles of your location. If you separate, you are authorized treatment only in a military facility that has maternity care. You are NOT authorized care in a civilian facility at government expense. For more information, see AR 40-400, Para 2-8 for care while on active duty and AR 40-400, Para 3-39 for care after separation.
C. Leave: You may request ordinary, advance, and excess leave in order to return home or other appropriate place for the birth of your child or to receive other maternity care. Such leave usually terminates with onset of labor. Nonchargeable convalescent leave for postpartum care is limited to the amount of time essential to meet your medical needs. For more information, see AR 600-8-10, Chapters 4 and 5.
D. Maternity clothing and uniforms: Military maternity uniforms will be provided to Soldiers. For more information, see AR 670-1.
E. BAQ and government housing: Availability depends on the status of housing at the installation. For more information, see Post Housing Office.
F. Assignments: You will not normally receive PCS orders directing movement overseas during your pregnancy. However, you are considered available for unrestricted worldwide assignment upon completion of postpartum care. For more information, see AR 614-30.
G. Separation for unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, or parenthood: If your performance or conduct warrants separation for unsatisfactory performance, or if parenthood interferes with your duty performance, you may be separated involuntarily even though you are pregnant. For more information, see AR 635-200, Para 5-8 and chapters 11, 13 and 14.
H. Family care counseling: In accordance with AR 600-20, para 5-5b(1), you must have an approved Family Care Plan on file stating actions to be taken in the event you are assigned to an area where dependents are not authorized or you are absent from your home on military duty. Failure to develop an approved Family Care Plan may result in involuntary separation. For more information, see AR 600-20.
IAW the Privacy Act of 1974, the contents of this document contain privileged or other confidential information. Unauthorized disclosure may result in civil and criminal sanctions. If you are not the intended recipient, or believe you have received this communication in error, do not reproduce, retransmit, disseminate, or otherwise use this information.
PLAN OF ACTION
During our next counseling session we will review how well you have understood the information provided. If you need assistance in gathering additional information on this subject, I will assist you in locating the required information. If you desire, I will assist you in contacting the American Red Cross or other appropriaye agencies.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES
I will follow up and provide assistance as needed.
