How are pregnancy and postpartum periods treated in AR 600-9?

• A. They are permanently exempt from the standard.
• B. They are addressed with exemptions and subsequent re-evaluation as the soldier returns to duty.
• C. They are not subject to any exemptions or re-evaluation.
• D. They must leave the service permanently.

Answer: (B)

Pregnancy and postpartum periods are treated as temporary conditions under AR 600-9. While a soldier is pregnant, she is exempt from the body fat standard and does not carry forward a noncompliant status. After giving birth, there is a period during which the standard does not apply, and when she returns to duty, she is re-evaluated to determine if she again meets the body fat standard. This approach reflects the temporary physiological changes of pregnancy and the recovery process, ensuring fair treatment and accurate assessment when the soldier resumes regular duties. It isn’t a permanent exemption, nor is there a stance that exemptions don’t exist or that a soldier must leave service.