Expert: Rod Powers - 10/28/2009

Question
Recently my fiance, a contracted civilian and member of the Airforce Reserves, and I found out that I am pregnant.  As part of the first prenatal visit my doctor did a standard STD screening and found that I tested positive for the bacterial STD, Chlamydia.  
This was a shock for both of us as neither of us has had any symptoms and have not led promiscuous lifestyles.  I'm civilian and am being treated by my doctor but my fiance has some concern about going to the military clinic.  He is under the impression that any positive test for an STD would come back to his superiors.
I'm wondering if he has any real reason to be concerned? What's the protocol?  Would his test results be kept confidential? Would a positive test result for an STD really affect advancement in his career?

Thank you for you help.

Answer
Hi GH,

It's doubtful that an STD would affect his military career.

Military medical records have "limited" confidentiality. What that means is that they can be subpeonaed for courts-martial, and can be requested by the commanding officer if there is some official "need to know."

In addition, the commanding officer will be notified, if the medical authorities determine the commander has the "need to know." An example would be if the member's medical condition involved restrictions on the member's performance of military duties.

In my entire military career, I've never once seen an STD diagnosise (with the exception of HIV) have any impact on a military career.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com