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unrealistic estimates of fertility, or misunderstanding of the consequences of pregnancy
while in military service. Some women mistakenly believe that if they become pregnant,
they will be released from the Navy or their sea-duty assignment will be cancelled
(usually it is postponed). Such misunderstandings have serious consequences both for
the Naval personnel involved and for the Navy.
Each undesired pregnancy may result in substantial medical disability, temporary
re-assignment, and the need for specialty care that is both costly and scarce. Look at
your pharmacy supply of hormonal contraceptives and devices and assess your
corpsmen s knowledge, experience, and comfort level in dealing with female patients
asking for new start or refills on contraceptives. Ignorance and apathy in the Medical
Department will not cut it; patients confronted with "I don t know or  Why should I care
will not likely get the care they came for. It s much more cost-effective to supply BCPs
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than to MEDEVAC a suspected ectopic or to lose a sailor to pregnancy leave.
Pregnant sailors perform like any other sailor unless their OB places restrictions on
them. OPNAVINST 6000.1A outlines procedures to follow in case of pregnancy and
what forms must be filled out. When a crewmember becomes pregnant, she is required
to notify you as soon as possible. This does not always happen, so be alert for clinical
signs. You calculate the due date, the 20th week, and the current gestational age and
put this on a memorandum for the CO via the XO. When underway, pregnant women
can go with the ship if you can get them to OB care within 3 hours (i.e., operations in the
local area), according to OPNAVINST 6000.1A.
Keep in mind that you must keep pregnancy information as confidential as possible, but
the following departments will need to be informed at some point: Personnel (to cut
orders); Disbursing (for maternity allotment); and her department head and division
officer (so they know of the unplanned loss). Hand-carry this information and file the
Medical Department s copy yourself.
In addition, you must have the woman and her division officer complete a Workplace
Risk Assessment Form to determine what chemical and work place hazards she is
exposed to daily. This form is found in OPNAVINST 6000.1A. You review this, place it
in her medical record, and if necessary, refer her to an occupational health professional
to determine any exposure restrictions while she is pregnant.
For a normal pregnancy, the sailor will stay on board until the 20th week of pregnancy
and then be transferred ashore for delivery. Do not give pregnant sailors light duty
unless directed by OB. Within four months of delivery, she will be returned to a ship (not
necessarily the same ship) to complete her sea tour.
If a woman decides to terminate her pregnancy, she has that right and must be given
leave to do so. Current DoD policy requires that you refer her to the civilian community
for the procedure. You can refer her to counselors if she needs it or requests it. After an
abortion, you should prescribe one day of bed rest and one week of light duty. If the
pregnancy is terminated either electively or spontaneously, you must send a memo to
Personnel to inform them that she is no longer pregnant so they can cancel her PCS
orders.
Key points from OPNAVINST 6000.1A 
 Pregnancy, by itself, should not restrict tasks normally assigned to servicewomen.
 No preferential treatment shall be given because of pregnancy status.
 Requests for separation will not normally be approved.
 The fertility/pregnancy status will not adversely affect the career pattern of the Navy
servicewoman.
By Instruction (that is, no medical chit needed other than Pregnancy Notification to
Commanding Officer), pregnant servicemembers have the following general restrictions:
NO diving NO weapons training in prone position
NO NBC training NO PRT or weight standards (+ 6 months)
NO swim quals NO parade rest >15 minutes
NO drown-proofing NO immunizations, except DT, or per MO
NO forced PT NO toxic agents (Industrial Hygiene survey)
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When shipboard, must be within 3 hours evacuation capability to an appropriate facility
(TAD off ship when going out further) and must be off ship by 20 weeks estimated
gestational age and not back on ship until 4 months after birth.
At 28 weeks, 20 minute rest period every 4 hours, and 40 hour work week (covering all 7
days, including all time spent at duty station or in duty status).
At 35 to 38 weeks, light duty begins (medical chit not necessary unless there is a
disagreement as to what constitutes light duty).
Details are in the instruction for the aviation community, overseas restrictions, and for
waivers to the restrictions. The CO can waive the 40-hour work week if the physician
concurs.
A pregnancy servicewoman can:
" Stand watches and work shifts,
" Work until hospitalized for delivery,
" Exercise at a level approved by her physician 3 or more times a week,
" Stand captain s mast and court martial,
" Be placed in brig or restriction,
" Be separated administratively or for misconduct,
" Receive ionizing radiation and radio frequency radiation at the same limits as a
non-pregnant person.
Chapter 10, ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
THE SUPPLY SYSTEM
It would take an entire volume to explain the Navy s supply system. After a year aboard
ship, you will probably be more confused than when you first reported. Ignorance may
be bliss but, nonetheless, a basic outline of how the system works and your role in it is
necessary for your sanity.
This will not be an outline of how to fill out order forms, or which order forms to sign; that
can be learned when you get aboard. Besides, it will not be your direct responsibility to
do the paperwork for your supply system. Your chiefs and petty officers will be in charge
of carrying out these tasks. What you need is an overview, so that you can be a good
manager. You need to know where supplies originate, how to get them, and how to
scramble if you need something in a hurry!
AMMAL
Of primary importance is the AUTHORIZED MINIMUM MEDICAL ALLOWANCE LIST
(AMMAL). Each ship has a specific AMMAL, as well as different AMMALs for different
medical requirements (lab, x-ray, females, etc.). All AMMALs are required to be current
and complete at all times. There are very important and useful items on this list, as well
as some outmoded and useless material.
If your AMMAL is up to snuff, you are fully equipped (officially, on paper) to handle
anything that happens as outlined in the ROC (Required Operational Characteristics)
and POE (Planned Operating Environment), which define the mission capabilities of your
ship. In reality, you will have most of what you really need from a medical and dressing
standpoint. You can order additional supplies you deem necessary out of standard Navy
supplies without any trouble (as long as you have the money). [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]