Pentagon to launch pilot program in Sept 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 separations. Required by the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, the program covers up to $500 per year for sperm retrieval and cryopreservation and up to $10,000 per year for egg preservation. Eligible troops include those receiving hazardous duty pay orders, those expecting such orders within 120 days, or those separated from a spouse or partner for 180 days or more. Service members can use military treatment facilities or civilian clinics, with reimbursement requested within 120 days. The program follows over a decade of advocacy by military families and fertility groups, and a previous 2016 initiative that never materialized. The DoD will study the program's popularity, cost, feasibility, and impact on readiness.