On their best behavior
In a story reported by CNN, Gen. Anthony Cucolo has outlined a number of new restrictions designed to ensure that soldiers under him fulfill their deployment. At his sole discretion, the 20,000 soldiers, 1682 of whom are female, will be held accountable — with the threat of court martial — for individual behavior that prohibits them from completing their deployment.
Prohibited actions include gambling, using drugs, and engaging in behavior that may offend Iraqis, but his restrictions on becoming or causing a pregnancy is at the heart of this controversy. Cucolo believes that unexpected leave, including maternity leave, creates a burden on the remaining soldiers and should be dealt with accordingly.
The rule prohibits a soldier from becoming non-deployable for reasons within the control of the soldier, including becoming pregnant, or impregnating a soldier that results in the redeployment of the pregnant soldier.
While the stricter application of existing rules may seem extreme, they appear to be legal, and in some cases have already been exercised.