Expert: Matt - 5/4/2009

Question
HI I'M IN THE COAST GUARD AND I WAS WONDERING IF I GOT PREGNANT BEFORE MY 4 YEAR ENLISTMENT WAS UP, CAN I GO RESERVES! MY HUSBAND IS IN THE COAST GUARD AS WELL AND IT WOULD BE WAY TOO DIFFICULT TO HAVE A FAMILY AND BOTH BE IN THE ACTIVE MILITARY. THANK YOU!

Answer
Good afternoon to you and good question, from everything I know and experiences of other Marines, getting pregnant is not a factor for going into the reserves if you are already active duty. However, since each circumstance is different, the only way to know 100% what your options are would be to speak to either your C.O. or someone else in your chain of command that you trust. However, let me say again that to the best of my knowledge getting pregant doesnt mean that you will be allowed to break your committment to active duty. There are options for active duty military personnel who get pregnant or who are thinking of getting pregant, and those options once again depend and differ depending on your unit's SOP for such things. If you are worried about the rigors of being a mom and being the military, that is a valid concern, but plenty of people do it and the military will work with you to make it easier. If you are truly worried about not having enough time to be with your new child, then I would reccommend waiting until  your 4 year obligation is up to become pregnant. If you are already pregnant, then talk to  your C.O. or chain of command immediately to see what your options are. Good luck! Semper Peratus!