Pentagon to launch pilot program in Sep 2026 covering sperm and egg freezing for deploying troops

Published Aug 12, 08:44 PM UTC

The Pentagon will launch a three-year pilot program in September 2026 to reimburse active-duty service members for cryopreserving sperm or eggs before deployment to danger zones or extended separation from partners. Mandated by the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, the program covers up to $500 per year for sperm retrieval and cryopreservation and $10,000 per year for egg preservation. Eligible troops include those receiving hazardous duty pay orders or expecting such orders within 120 days, and those geographically separated from a spouse or partner for 180 days or more. Service members can use military treatment facilities or civilian clinics, with reimbursement requiring command validation and submission within 120 days. The DoD will study the program's popularity, cost, feasibility, and impact on readiness. This follows over a decade of advocacy by military families and fertility organizations, and a previous 2016 announcement that was never implemented.