The US Navy is concerned that DNA kits may affect readiness, particularly when it comes to who the paternal father of a child may be.

With deployability and readiness being the highest priorities of the service, the Navy has cautioned Sailors about the unintended consequences of learning who they are -and aren’t- related to.

“Some genetic tests inform participants of a network of likely siblings and parents,” wrote Andrew Haeuptle, director of Navy Staff. “While in most cases this is good and interesting, in some situations this new information could negatively affect your family.”

In what seems to be a security-related matter, Haeuptle has warned that Sailors should avoid direct-to-consumer genetics tests unless they have the consent of their entire families.

“Thanks to social media and [publicly] available information, even if you don’t participate, when one of your relatives does, unwelcome associations may be created,” he said.

According to Military.com, there is always a risk when information is stored on an unsecure network, and the genetic information concerning servicemembers could pose severe security risks.

Haeuptle has since told uniformed and civilian personnel to avoid direct-to-consumer DNA tests because “exposing their genetic information to outside parties creates personal and operational risks.”

The Department of Defense issued similar warnings last month.

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