MCO 5000.12E
08 DEC 04
(b) Pregnancy is considered disqualifying for designated flight
personnel unless a medical clearance (waiver) to continue on flight status is
granted by CMC (ASM). Waivers may be requested and considered for
uncomplicated pregnancies and are valid only until the start of the third
trimester (28
th
week). After the start of the third trimester, all flight
personnel are grounded for the remainder of the pregnancy (except for air
traffic controllers, as discussed below). Flying during pregnancy is
prohibited in single-piloted aircraft, ejection seat aircraft, high-
performance aircraft that will operate in excess of 2gs, aircraft involved in
shipboard operations, or flights in aircraft with cabin altitudes that will
exceed 10,000 feet. This essentially limits waivers to flight personnel who
will be flying in transport, maritime, or helo type aircraft with a cabin
altitude of less than 10,000 feet. In addition, if an aircrew member becomes
pregnant during aviation training, she will be grounded until after
completion of the pregnancy. Since participation in aviation physiology and
aviation water survival is not permitted during pregnancy, any aircrew member
whose qualifications expire during the pregnancy will not be cleared to fly
beyond the date of expiration of those qualifications. Aircrew members who
have a complicated pregnancy will be considered for waivers on a case-by-case
basis.
(c) A request for flight waiver shall be originated by the
pregnant servicewoman and submitted per the procedures defined in reference
(m) to CMC (ASM) via Naval Operational Medicine Institute Det, Naval
Aerospace Medical Institute (NAVOPMEDINST DET NAVAEROMEDINST (Code 342)),
220 Hovey Road, Pensacola, Florida 32508-1044.
(d) As part of the waiver review process, a local board of flight
surgeons may issue a temporary Aeromedical Clearance Notice (BUMED 6410/2) to
flight personnel following their evaluation and recommendation to CMC for a
waiver. This clearance notice is valid until the waiver request is granted
or denied by CMC (ASM). However, even though a waiver is granted, changes in
the clinical status of the pregnant aircrew member or ergonomic factors that
impact her ability to perform safely in the confines of her aircraft may
require a flight surgeon to alter the decision and ground the aircrew member
in the best interests of the individual and the Marine Corps.
(e) Following the aircrew member’s delivery, recovery, and return
to full duty status by her obstetrician, a flight surgeon shall submit a
post-grounding physical exam to the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in
order to clear the aircrew member for return to full-flight status.
(f) Air Traffic Controllers
. An uncomplicated pregnancy of an
air traffic controller is not considered physically disqualifying. Duty
modifications during pregnancy are expected and should be managed locally to
accommodate local circumstances and the individual Marine's medical
requirements.
9. General Limitations
a. After confirmation of pregnancy, a pregnant servicewoman shall be
exempt from:
(1) Routine physical training and the PFT during pregnancy and for 6
months following delivery. However, the servicewoman will participate in an
exercise program approved by her OB healthcare provider. A servicewoman
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