Female Soldiers who are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant or are post-partum and nursing now have the option to wear Army Combat Uniforms without permethrin, the insect repellent ACUs are treated with, where the probability of insect-borne diseases is low.
The Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization advocate the use of permethrin-treated clothing to protect individuals who may be exposed to insect-borne diseases. The WHO guidance even applies to pregnant women and children, however, female Soldiers who wish to wear a non-treated ACU may request to do so through their primary care manager.
In order to be exempt from wearing permethrin-treated uniforms, Soldiers must see their PCM at Lyster Army Health Clinic to obtain a temporary medical profile that exempts them from wearing the treated uniforms.
