Navy Pregnancy
Looking for some information , My daughter is coming up on her one year anniversary of joining , she is a Quartermaster. She became pregnant and the father is out of the picture . She has been removed from her ship and is now working in operations in Norfolk, basically cleaning commodes . She is getting discouraged and is thinking of getting out after the baby is born . I don't want her to throw her Navy career away , what advice can I give her to get the help she needs. Is there any help available or some one she can consult with in her area?
thanks for listening,
Mr. X
Replies
The Navy pictures a pregnancy essentially like what it is, a medical condition. Unfortunately, your daughters "condition" does not allow for her to negotiate orders to a new permanent station and she cannot be aboard ship. Soooo, long story short, she is kinda stuck where she is until the baby is born and she arranges a care provider. She must have someone to care for the child while she is at sea, this is not negotiable. After the baby is born and her medical condition returns to normal, (at least 12 weeks after childbirth), she will be able to negotiate for orders to a new ship as long as she has a "dependent care certificate" on file. This form essentially designates in writing the person that will care for the child while your daughter is out to sea. If she stays motivated and wants to continue her Navy career, the Navy wants her to stay. Unfortunately, what happens in many cases like hers is what is happening to her now. She has zero job satisfaction and is ready to chuck it because she is temporarily unhappy. Reinforce the goals she had when she first joined and explain that they are great goals that are just "on hold", and not ruined forever. Hope this helps.
Tell her she needs to visit the local FFSP (Fleet & Family Support Center) for some advice and counseling, they should be able to assist and steer her in the right path.
The Chaplian!