The Army Chapter 8 Process

As many of you may know I ended my army contract early due to pregnancy. It was definitely not an easy task, in fact the army made it very difficult. When I first made the decision I did a lot of research to try and find more information on the chapter 8 process and it was nearly impossible to find anything. I had to ask around and eventually just figure it out myself. So my hope is that this post will help other people in the future.

A few notes first...

If you're choosing to get out for pregnancy it is a chapter, most chapters are negative and it will seem as though you're having to do some things out of punishment, but that's the army for you. A chapter 8 is an honorable chapter though and you will get out under honorable conditions.

It is not a short process, it will take some time. I decided to get out in the beginning of November and didn't get out until mid February. Do not expect it to happen in a week or so.

You might have to deal with some push back, don't let that deter you. Your future and the baby's future are more important than anyone's opinion of you.

Most importantly... Every unit and every duty station is different and sadly the army has not created one final process for the chapter 8, so it may be different for your unit. My hope is that this information may help you in getting your chapter started. At the time I was stationed with the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, so if any of you are stationed at Fort Bragg this will be very useful.

*I will try my best to put everything in order and be as brief as possible, I am not going to go into full detail this is meant as a guideline*

• Pregnancy Test & Profile - As soon as you get a positive pregnancy test you need to go to your medics, or healthcare center, and get a confirmed test. You will then get a pregnancy profile which will be the start of everything. 
• Letting People Know- Tell your chain of command as soon as possible. I would recommend taking some time and really planning out your future and making your decision before you go and talk to them first. I knew the date range I wanted to get out by and I had a final decision in mind. It's good to sound as confident and knowledgeable in the process as possible. I went in knowing I wanted to get out under the ch.8 and around the beginning of February. Your commander will then either help you along with the process and tell you what to do or he might not know anything about the process either.
• Documents You Will Need- I was not given any instruction so thankfully I knew a girl who had gotten out earlier that year and she was so helpful. You will need a: Letter of Intent, Assumption of Command Orders, Pregnancy Counseling, Memorandum stating pregnancy and due date. DA 4187 Stating pregnancy and volunteer out date.
• Talk to your Brigade Legal office- The legal office will be your main go between for your unit to the transition office that will cut your orders. Once you have gotten all the documents together that you need for the chapter process you will then take your completed chapter packet to the transition office.

Below was the checklist that the Fort Bragg Transition Office Required for Ch. 8

Chapter 8

(Separation of Enlisted Women- Pregnancy)

Transition Office must have the following items before a chapter packet can be processed

_____1.  Original Chapter Packet with signature and date; Approval Memorandum must state character of Service. See approval authority per AR 635-200 para 1-19.

_____2.  (CIF) Clothing Transaction Record – Automated DA Form 3645 “Zero balance”

_____3.  DA Form 4187 request for separation from Soldier with an expected release date.  The date must not be later than 30 days before the expected date of delivery or the latest date the military physician
will authorize travel.

_____4.  DA Form 3349 (Physical Profile) or memorandum which includes the estimated delivery date.

_____5.  A properly completed DA Form 4856 recording the pregnancy counseling from Commander (counseling)

_____6.  Report of Medical Assessment (DD Form 2697)

_____7.  Memorandum or Letter of Intent

_____8.  ERB (updated)
_____9.  UCMJ (if applicable)
_____10.  Military Personnel Documents:
                                               SGLV-8286 (Current within 12 months)
                                                  DD Form 93 (Current within 12 months)
                                                  Initial Contract 4/1, 4/2/ 4/3 (no 4/3 if prior service)
                                               * Reenlistment Contract 4/1
                                               * Extensions (DD Form 1695)
                                               * DD 214s for any prior service
                                                                                                *if applicable

Note:  Date of discharge must not be later than 30 days prior to the expected date of delivery, if Soldier is beyond this date Soldier MUST have a doctor’s note if traveling.

• Turn in CIF Gear- try and do this as soon as possible because it can be a lengthy process.
• Sign up for SFL/TAP- Everyone has to do it so get started ASAP.

Once you have gotten all that done the Transition office will then give you a checklist and things will go smoother from there and you'll have orders cut with more instructions on what to next. I had to jump through so many hoops and was turned away at so many places because people were misinformed. It is sad that there is not more of a set standard for this and I hope that anyone reading this has an easier time than I did. Good Luck!

Things to note:

-If you got a sign-up bonus when you first enlisted you will have to pay it back.

-You will still get the GI Bill.

-It is an honorable chapter.