Guide to Female Soldier Readiness - U.S. Army Public Health ...

Tools for ReadinessPreparation for the FieldGuide to FemaleSoldier ReadinessYou can take steps to ensure readiness!The more educated you are, the more youwill be able to ensure your own readinessor the readiness of your Soldiers.Use the GFSR to:•••••Gain knowledge about women’shealth.Find out about health educationfor women.Be aware of environments that requirespecial attention.Access tools and references forcounseling.Learn how to address non-equalopportunity female-specific issues.Pack enough of these items for 30 days:• Panty liners• Sanitary napkins and tampons• Baby wipes• Multivitamins• Cotton underwear• Sports brasWebsites onHealth Topicswww.hooah4health.comhttp://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpwhttp://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/index.asphttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/Female Soldiers encounter uniquehealthcare and environmentalsituations. The Guide to Female SoldierReadiness (TG 281) can help youfulfill your responsibility for Soldierreadiness, whether as an individualfemale Soldier or leader of femaleSoldiers.To download the full guide, go to:http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/documents/TG/TECHGUID/TG281Draft29SepFinal.pdf

Oral HealthField rations and sugary foods increaseyour risk of tooth decay.• Floss daily.••Brush atleast twicedaily withfluoridatedtoothpaste,even in thefield.Chew xylitolgum.To access more oral health information:http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/OralFitnessMain.aspxNutritionFor top performance, eat all the foodgroups (whole grains, fruit, vegetables,meats, dairy).••Women need more folic acid, iron andcalcium.Field environments may require moreenergy if you are more active.••Maintain your weight for optimalperformance.Avoid dieting & weight loss during fieldoperations.Learn more about healthy eating at:http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/Wellness/5ADay.aspxhttp://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/wellness/ppnc.aspxPregnanciesPregnancy and paternity can impact unitreadiness for a long time.•••Unintended pregnancies can be preventedby education and access to contraceptiveservices.Birth controlmethods areFREE and easilyavailable tomilitary men andwomen.The well-womanexam is agreat time torequest or renewbirth controlprescriptions.For further information about pregnancy:http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/wellness/aspxhttp://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/dhpw/readiness/pppt.aspxSexually TransmittedInfectionsUnprotected sex can cause pregnancyand spread sexually transmittedinfections.•Vaginal, oral, or anal sex can spreadsexually transmitted infections! It isNOT “safe sex” without protection!!• Not all STIs are curable•Early evaluation by a healthcareprovider is importantFor further information about sexuallytransmitted infections:http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/std/index.asphttp://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/hiv/index.asphttp://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/stds.htmSexual AssaultThe Army is committed to eliminatingincidents of sexual assault.••Contact a Sexual Assault ResponseCoordinator (SARC) to coordinatevictim support services and informvictims of their reporting options.Sexual assault victims are offered 2reporting options.• Sexual assault can be reportedat anytime.For additional information on sexualassault awareness, response and care,leader guidance, regulations, and training:http://www.sexualassault.army.mil