Pregnancy Could Mean Court-Martial for GIs in Iraq

Major General Anthony Cucolo wants his troops leaving room for the holy ghost in northern Iraq. From CNN: Suggested Reading The Root 100 – 2020 Black History Month – 2022 Hip-Hop 50 Year – 2023 Video will return here when scrolled back into view Nicholas Duvernay Talks ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Working with Natasha Rothwell…

Major General Anthony Cucolo wants his troops leaving room for the holy ghost in northern Iraq. From CNN:

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour Kicked Off With This Viral Moment

A new order from the general in charge of U.S. troops northern Iraq makes getting pregnant or impregnating a fellow soldier an offense punishable by court-martial.

The directive, part of a larger order restricting the behavior of the 22,000 soldiers under Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo's command, is meant to prevent losing soldiers at a time when troop strength is stretched thin, Cucolo explained in a statement sent to the troops under his command and provided to CNN.

"I need every soldier I've got, especially since we are facing a drawdown of forces during our mission," Cucolo wrote. "Anyone who leaves this fight earlier than the expected 12-month deployment creates a burden on their teammates. Anyone who leaves this fight early because they made a personal choice that changed their medical status โ€” or contributes to doing that to another โ€” is not in keeping with a key element of our ethos."

The rule, enacted November 4, was first reported by Stars and Stripes, a military-focused publication. It prohibits "becoming nondeployable for reasons within the control of the soldier," which include "becoming pregnant, or impregnating a soldier โ€ฆ resulting in the redeployment of the pregnant soldier."

Pregnancy that arises from sexual assault would not be punished, Cucolo said.

Continue reading on the pregnancy directive at CNN

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.