Had a bunch of conversations with our female brigade surgeon not too many years ago. She was royally PO’d at the female troops that came to her as deployment time came up. The closer it got, the greater their chances of pregnancy. In our 1st AD Support Brigade at that time she said it was approaching 30%.
Well, you’re going to have those that find an easy way out, not matter WHAT situation you’re in. Nothing separates the women from the girls like combat. The world needs Cannon Fodder, too.
I waited until I was out of the Army to start my family. I loved Army Life too much to bother with kids, then. None of my inner circle of gal pals had kids, either. We were too busy rising through the ranks. My female BFFs to this day are a Major and a Chief Warrant Officer. We’ve been through a LOT, together.
All worth it. :)
I’ve seen women mysteriously fall pregnant right before an underway period on multiple occasions.
Don’t understand the logic behind taking on 18+ years of a child to avoid a 6-month deployment.
My observation was that whenever there were unpleasant exercises or duty, certain women suddenly developed various “illnesses” or “conditions” that gave them an excuse not to participate. The officers (male) were afraid to lower the boom on these slackers.
Not all the women were slugs, but a certain group was just there for the easy ride, easy money and became “ill” whenever there was real work to be done. There were a few men in this category, too, but not nearly so many.